Is the 2005 Toyota Camry a bad year?
719 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Toyota Camry are in line with other Camry years. Speed control, brakes, steering 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 2005 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 40,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 271 (38%) | 20k–61k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 93 (13%) | 10k–71k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 71 (10%) | 34k–75k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seat beltsSTANDS OUT | 45 (6%) | 45k–104k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 84 (12%) | 5k–72k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 65 (9%) | 18k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 33 (5%) | 29k–93k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Equipment | 25 (3%) | 18k–71k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 22 (3%) | 8k–43k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 21 (3%) | 30k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (2%) | 4k–55k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (2%) | 30k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 53 (7%) | 42k–100k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 26 (4%) | 43k–71k 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 40,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 719 complaints: 223 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 91 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was in a multi-storey car park and I spotted a free space 20 yards ahead. I took my foot off the accelerator, and the vehicle begun to lose speed normally.
I have a 2005 camry. The car started off fine and within a minute it did not accelerate even with the gas pedal down all the way.
Numerous occasions of unexplained acceleration and were reported to Toyota who reported could not find a problem.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 40,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Toyota Camry: 5
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
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.
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: 72
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 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
2004 Camry: 638 complaints, keep it · 2006 Camry: 317 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2005 Toyota Camry a bad year?
719 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Camry years. At 40,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: speed control (271), brakes (93), steering (71), seat belts (45), transmission and drivetrain (84).
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Camry have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Engine (NHTSA 11V-539), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-036), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-035) and more. 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.