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Research · Midsize Cars

2004 Toyota CamryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 799 owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (265) and steering (110). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2011
Owner complaints
799
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 9, 2011NHTSA 11V539000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

Seat beltsReported Dec 15, 2004NHTSA 04V595000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.

Air bagsReported Jul 13, 2004NHTSA 04V346000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

799 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2003 – Jul 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control265
  2. Steering110
  3. Air bags98
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic62
  5. Power train61
  6. Structure55
  7. Electrical system43
  8. Engine and engine cooling34
  9. Engine32

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Camry model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996421
1997558
1998610
1999590
2000530
2001330
20021,039
2003818
2004799
2005721
2006435
20073,616
20081,178
20091,412
2010614
2011624
2012645
2013301
2014480
2015271
2016189
2017148
2018754
2019400
2020275
2021158
202265
202365
202452
Crashes reported
223
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
145
Deaths reported
6
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

265 reports150 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 77 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD UNINTENDEDLY. THE VEHICLE SIDE SWEPT ANOTHER VEHICLE HITTING THE DRIVER SIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE, THEN, SPUN OFF AND HIT A NEARBY GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO PERSONS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO REPAIR DAMAGE HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2021Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11415410

Steering

110 reports13 crashes
“The power steering freezes up upon the slightest amount of street water ponding making it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. I have experienced a number of scary situations that make driving this car in wet elements very very difficult. As a result I generally refrain from driving altogether under these conditions. This dangerous problem must be fixed soon! I HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST TO MY LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF DALLAS)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2023SteeringODI 11559606

Air bags

98 reports57 crashes
“My wife was in a crash that totaled my 2004 Camry. She swerved to miss a deer and was pulled off the road and into two utility poles and several areas of fence. None of the airbags deployed and the crash was well over the 14 mph speed limit suggested for the airbags to deploy. My wife was seriously injured and was lucky the seatbelt held her back. She spent time in a hospital and broken two ribs and bruised her heart. This could have been avoided if the airbags deployed. No warning signs and the vehicle was inspected on time every time. No recalls.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11749220
All 2004 Camry problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camry
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202924$2,700370
Camry
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,700370
Camry Solara
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202924$2,700370
Camry Solara
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,700370
Camry
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
Camry
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
Camry Solara
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
Camry Solara Convertible
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
  • Camry
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara Convertible
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Toyota Camry as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1284
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Camry questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Camry have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Toyota Camry problems?

Owners filed 799 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (265), steering (110), air bags (98). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Toyota Camry get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Toyota Camry at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026