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CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware of the NHTSA complaint data for the 2004 Camry. It is almost certainly misleading.

The problem with NHTSA data for the 2004 Camry is that for months on end, the news media repeatedly told the public that several Toyota models had an unintended acceleration defect, & to go to safercar.gov (the NHTSA's website) to file a complaint.

So, the NHTSA received a disproportionate number of complaints about unintended acceleration issues because of the national news media attention, to the point where their data is unreliable taken in context with any other vehicle that did not receive national news attention.

CarComplaints.com typically receives more complaints per day about vehicles than the NHTSA does, but the news media did not repeatedly say "go to CarComplaints.com to report your Camry acceleration problems" like they did about the NHTSA -- so although we have less complaint data than the NHTSA for the 2004 Camry, our data for the Camry is a far more statistically accurate representation of the Camry's reliability than what the NHTSA data shows.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,607 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Toyota Camry engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 012011

Camry

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred sporadically several times and usually, the vehicle would restart immediately however on the last occurrence, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was then towed to a local shop who diagnosed that the throttle body would need to be replaced because it was fractured and water was leaking in. As a result, the engine was corroded. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

- Easthampton , MA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012010

Camry

  • 75,000 miles
Intake manifold defect, 2004 Toyota Camry. Ticking sound from inside the manifold.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #6

Apr 232010

Camry

  • 138,000 miles
While exiting ez-pass toll my vehicle's engine revved up out of control, as if the accelerator was being floored when I was just barely touching it. I released the accelerator and was able to shift into neutral, apply the foot brake, and pull over safely. Check engine light came on. Took the car in to the dealership and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

- Concord, NH, USA

problem #5

Sep 032009

Camry

  • 32,743 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle shut off (died) while driving two times. Once on railroad tracks and once on a highway off ramp. Took it to the dealership. The test found a code P2112 indicating throttle stuck closed. Mechanic said throttle body motor was the cause. Throttle body assembly with motor was replaced. Mechanic reported that the car was unsafe to drive because the throttle might get stuck open causing a runaway. Car mileage was 32,743. Old part is not available.

- Salina, KS, USA

problem #4

Jun 152009

Camry

  • 60,000 miles
When applying brakes for a stop sign on a secondary road(20-25mph) the engine speed failed to reduce and the brakes were ineffective at stopping the vehicle. I turned off the ignition key a that point and stopped before the sign. The problem has not resurfaced since.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

problem #3

Oct 222007

Camry 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,615 miles
My 2004 Toyota Camry engine died 10/ 22/07 w/59,615 miles on it. 13464 miles @ purchase-I was told that it was a program car w/extended warranty=6 yrs/100K miles. Found the window sticker when I traded it in. No problems with the car prior to the incident. Coming home from a trip, power steering lost some functionality; a service light came on; my husband put power steering fluid in; we headed to the nearest Toyota dealer. En route we lost all power steering & ability to accelerate, engine began to smoke; car cut off. The dealership took 5-6 weeks to replace the engine. Doubt old parts are available. On a couple of occasions incorrect parts were ordered/received. Picked the vehicle up~12/1/07; 59620 miles on it. While awaiting repairs dealerships/corporate offices could only advise the car may be under basic warranty. Took it to the dealership where purchased the next business day. Smelled smoke and wanted assurance a new engine was put in as promised & that there were no other problems. They made $900+ worth of added repairs-rear main seal oil leak; axle boot leak. It had 59949 miles on it. At that point I didn't want it back. I wanted Toyota to assume responsibility for selling a lemon. My main concern: Is there a serious safety hazard with 2004 Toyota Camry models as seen in previous years (engine oil sludge)" secondly, did something else cause this incident" the dealership where I purchased this Camry should have responded to my dissatisfaction; they should have acknowledged/offered some incentives for selling me a lemon. Their only concern, make another sale. Requested a call from/audience with the owner. Hasn't happened. I needed a car and believed this was aberration with respect to Camry models' performance. Not sure that they'll keep me as a customer. I thank god we had no accident, no known injuries. Please let me know if there's litigation re: This make/model; I'd like to join the litigants. I can give you my VIN number at your request. Thanks.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #2

Jul 012006

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I am writing due to the check engine light that has been on for at least the last year. It was a 4 cylinder, but one wouldn't know it by driving the vehicle, not at first anyway. I purchased it in July 2005. Since then the check engine light came on. The car seemed to be sluggish. I didn't T know why this light was on, and was wondering if the engine had anything to do with it being sluggish. Also, was leaking right where the engine was. A friend of mine has a Camry, and told me that the engines in Camry were recalled. Hers was one of them. I didn't know why the light was on, but I want to see if the engine was one of those recalled. Also, the brakes went down further than any other car that I have ever driven. I took the brakes to get them checked, but they said that they were fine. Too me, it just did not seem normal. But then, this Camry was the only Camry that I have ever driven. I did not know that exact date that the light came on so the below date was an approximate date. To contact me please use my email address. Thank you.

- Meridian, MS, USA

problem #1

Jun 012005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,500 miles
(1) merging onto highway after slowing down a bit on an exit ramp. (2) hesitation in acceleration - car actually slows dramatically instead of accelerating. (3) attempted to exercise warranty and the manufacturer would not repair. Attempted arbitration and that failed also. Note that this problem occurs regularly. The dealer technician claims the car shifts into neutral when braking and then needs to shift back into gear when accelerating and the performance is typical.

- Rochester, MN, USA

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