Is the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry Solara years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara are in line with other Camry Solara years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Camry Solara owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 36 (23%) | 24k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 30 (19%) | 0k–95k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 27 (17%) | 46k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 19 (12%) | 44k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 12 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 160 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Sep 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara: 1
The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (Inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 77
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Engine surging
Vehicle speed control
Neighbouring years
2003 Camry Solara: 24 complaints, keep it · 2005 Camry Solara: 92 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Camry Solara year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Camry Solara years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry Solara years. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (36), steering (30), speed control (27), air bags (19), transmission and drivetrain (13).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 11V-539). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.