Is the 2004 Toyota Camry a bad year?
638 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry are in line with other Camry years. Speed control, steering, air bags and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Camry 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 45,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 238 (37%) | 20k–77k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 80 (13%) | 16k–65k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 79 (12%) | 38k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 74 (12%) | 10k–88k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 48 (8%) | 2k–82k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 37 (6%) | 32k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 20 (3%) | 4k–55k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 19 (3%) | 29k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 16 (3%) | 13k–60k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 13 (2%) | 45k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (2%) | 23k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 6 (1%) | 38k–72k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 52 (8%) | 56k–115k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 29 (5%) | 60k–128k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
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 45,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 638 complaints: 199 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 96 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car accelerated by itself when parking and wound up on sidewalk. Could not brake. Car was put in park while moving and then stopped while still applying brakes.
Acceleration on my 2004 Toyota Camry began to fluctuate wildly while I was driving down the road. Car would suddenly accelerate, then decelerate almost non-stop.
I noticed that white smoke was coming from my exhaust pipe, therefore, I took it to a mechanic to get it checked out.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 45,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Toyota Camry: 3
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.
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. If the switch becomes unseated, the front passenger occupant classification system may mistake the rear-facing child restraint for an unbelted adult occupant, and may not suppress the deployment of the front passenger airbag.
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. If this occurs, the csa may not deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. This may result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury.
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: 70
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Toyota Camry. 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: 782 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2005 Camry: 719 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Camry a bad year?
638 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry years. At 45,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: speed control (238), steering (80), air bags (79), brakes (74), transmission and drivetrain (48).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Camry have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 11V-539), Seat belts (NHTSA 04V-595), Air bags (NHTSA 04V-346). 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.