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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:
116 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
50 / 3
Average Mileage:
45,481 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 (Page 7 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #91

Jul 222009

Camry

  • 88,000 miles

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

-a 2000 Camry with brake problems -tried to fix problems but mechanics unable to identify problems. -a 2004 Camry with brake and acceleration problmes. Reported to Toyota but ignored me. Reported again but still ignored. -need help as I spent so much until problems killed my transmission.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #90

Apr 152008

Camry

  • 42,393 miles
On April 15,2008 my wife was driving our 2004 Toyota Camry down our street when all of a sudden the car went into idle and wouldn't accelerate. I had a extended warranty still in effect since the car only had 42,393 miles on the car so I called my local Toyota dealer and they replaced the accelerator pedal sensor. We haven't had a problem since but I am afraid that the replaced sensor may be defective and could cause unwanted acceleration/deceleration since it was replaced in 2008. I am concerned that the newly replaced accelerator sensor may not be safe either considering all the recent reports. Please use your power and get Toyota to add the 2004 Toyota Camry to their recall list before other serious problems occur. Thanks for your serious consideration on this matter. Please let me know what you decide.

- Paradise, CA, USA

problem #89

Nov 152008

Camry

  • 49,600 miles
Vehicle started up after being in mall parking lot. As I pulled out of the parking location the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I was unable to correct speed and directed vehicle away from other parked cars and pedestrians. Ultimately I hit one other vehicle, crossed several grassed islands, and eventually came to a stop after shutting off ignition. See also ODI 10293584

- Cohoes, NY, USA

problem #88

Jul 232006

Camry

  • 12,806 miles

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

On 7-23-06, an accident occurred exiting a parking lot. The accelerator stuck and the driver could not stop the car with the brakes. Over $10,000 in damage plus bodily injury occurred. This is not the first time it happened. A similar accident occurred on 12/30/04. Complaints were also periodically made to the dealer about the brakes made to the dealer. A formal complaint was finally made to Toyota usa asking them to buy back the car. Arbitration proceedings were held on 11/16/06 at a Toyota dealership. Toyota had someone review car's breaking and accelerator and they found no problem and the claim was denied to buy back the car.

- Pikesville, MD, USA

problem #87

Mar 162009

Camry

  • 30,000 miles
I have a 2004 Toyota. I took the car to crestmont Toyota in 2006 and informed them that my car accelerated suddenly when I was pulling out of a side street on to a main road causing me to go up on the grass.at full speed I had both feet on the brake and the car was racing I had to shut it off.they said they removed the mat. I have a copy of the complaint. This happened two more times the last time in early 2009 I was sitting at a light when the car just accelerated into the car in front of me causing a accident..I have a copy of the police report. I also told my insurance company at the time what happened. I am afraid to drive this car. I have been driving for forty six years and have never had a ticket or caused a accident.

- Haskell , NJ, USA

problem #86

Feb 052010

Camry

  • 94,000 miles
My daughter's 2004 Camry accelerated as she was pulling into a parking space, jumped the concrete berm, and smashed into the concrete wall. She had her foot on the brake and pumped once as she suspected brake failure, but it only sped up. The car was totaled, but my two daughters were unharmed except for minor aches and bruising and were a bit shaken up. Insurance adjuster and Ford dealer were unable to duplicate the problem at the shop. A police report was made.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #85

Sep 162009

Camry

  • 70,000 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 when her husband was driving, the vehicle went from the left lane to the right lane, down an embankment and crashed into a tree. The vehicle then erupted into flames. The driver was killed as a result of the crash. There were three witnesses who stated that they never saw any brake lights or skid marks. Also the state trooper who investigated the crash stated that he also noticed no skid marks. It was not determined at what speed the vehicle was travelling but it was totaled. The contact had not spoken with the dealer nor the manufacturer to-date. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,000.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #84

May 162006

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,590 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry le. She stated while attempting to pull into a parking space at speeds just under 5 mph, she depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle proceeded to accelerate without intent. The vehicle then crashed into another parked vehicle. The police arrived to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was repaired through her insurance company. There were no additional failures to date and no recalls. The failure mileage was 5,590 and the current was 11,900. Updated 04/01/10. Updated 4/22/10 updated 05/06/10

- N. Ridgeville , OH, USA

problem #83

Nov 212009

Camry

  • 63,000 miles
To whom it may concern: Without hearing the news related to Toyota vehicle recall, I have felt really stupid how I could have had the accident. Recalling the process of the accident, I might have to say it was weird. Before the crash, I clearly noticed the red light and a stopped car just in front of me on N perkins rd, close to mcelroy rd in stillwater, Oklahoma, and the distance was more than 20 meters apart at that moment. I pressed on the brake pedal as usual, but my car did not slow down until hit the car before mine, and the airbag did not pop out. My face was knocked onto the steering wheel and one of my glasses smashed, fortunately not making me blind, and two teeth in mouth were bleeding along with some scratches on my face. The car was totaled at the speed of less 40 mi/H. people love Toyota vehicles for the reason of saving gas at the sacrifice of safety. Shortly, the police and ambulance arrived. I declined any medical arrangement after being tested that my mind was under control and could make decision clearly because I was not sure whether my insurance covers the cost or not. And now, as the problem with Toyota vehicles was disclosed, I feel my accident might also be due to the same gas pedal defect. (in stillwater, Oklahoma, call: 405-372-4171 to request a report). Insurance company safeco.

- Stillwater, OK, USA

problem #82

Dec 302008

Camry

  • miles
My mother was involved in a collision in her Toyota Camry due to unexpected acceleration. The accident happened in her driveway while she was leaving home. The car, a 2004 model, was repaired ($8,000) at a nearby Toyota dealership and recently returned. Toyota is not acknowledging a problem with their older model camries, so any repairs that were done to my mother's car were simply cosmetic. I am very concerned for my mother's safety. This is her only vehicle and she's now forced to drive a car that has demonstrated dangerous and unexpected acceleration issues. Please advise. (I am leaving her contact info, but I do not have access right now to the VIN #. she can supply that info.)

- Brewster , NY, USA

problem #81

Dec 312004

Camry

  • miles

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

With car in cruise control and coming to an uphill grade, the accelerator speeds up excessively. I am concerned that this might be symptomatic of a potential acceleration when I am not in cruise control. Incident date below is not appropriate because it occurs every time I am in cruise control.

- North Clarendon, VT, USA

problem #80

Feb 012010

Camry

  • miles
Almost constantly, for several years, on my 2004 Camry 4 cyl xle the gas pedal is rough. When trying to start out the pedal is difficult to depress. Then all of a sudden the car will go. It creates quite a jerk. I have removed floor mats but this does not help. It's like even though I'm pressing the gas pedal it is stuck and then goes. It happens regardless of who drives. With all the pedal issues I'm beginning to think it may be more cars than are now recalled.

- Waverly, OH, USA

problem #79

Dec 152009

Camry

  • 38,836 miles
2004 Camry xle was parked at top of driveway which had an incline of approx 25%.when placed in reverse, the car raced backwards at high speed - too fast for any visual or physical control. Car was stopped by applying very forceful brake pressure.

- Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA

problem #78

Jan 282010

Camry

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 5 mph in reverse the vehicle accelerated without applying pressure to the accelerator pedal and crashed into a pole. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact notified the manufacturer regarding the failure; however, he has received no response. The contact is concerned since the crash could have been much worse. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Fort Atkinson, WI, USA

problem #77

Feb 042010

Camry

  • 80,000 miles
My wife's 2004 Camry hesitates on acceleration at times. There is a brief, few-second hesitation, followed by a surge where the car suddenly lurches forward. This problem has occurred frequently whenever either of us drive the vehicle and ever since she first purchased it (used) about a year ago. We thought it may have been transmission-related, but Toyota has inspected the vehicle a couple times to no avail and has denied any problem.

- White Hall, MD, USA

problem #76

Aug 072009

Camry

  • 30,000 miles
Sudden acceleration caused car loose control and crashed into guardrail. Happened in 3 lane road. Car is total loss. Tire seen blew out thinking happened due to the impact of the hit.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #75

Oct 232007

Camry

  • 37,000 miles
I own a 2004 Toyota Camry. I have had two accidents in it. Both times the car failed to brake but accelerated instead. No one believed me that the accelerator peddle stuck instead of braking. My insurance paid for repair both times (except for the $500 deductibles). However, as a result my insurance carrier of 15 years dropped me and I was forced to take out insurance that cost me more than three times as much for coverage. I believe the accelerator peddle stuck but the 2004 model is not included in the call back. Do I have any grounds for pursuing this?

- Little Ferry, NJ, USA

problem #74

Mar 192008

Camry

  • 65,000 miles
It was March 2008 and I was pulling into a parking space in front of a store (speed was not a factor as I was in the parking lot and had to stop before I pulled into the space); it was 1:00 in the afternoon (beautiful, sunny day); the car touched the curb, made a revving sound, jumped the curb and I was hitting the brake (saying "why won't it stop?") but it went into the storefront window. I was 55 at the time, never had an accident (caused by me), and a very good driving record since 16. It was not reported via the police; only the mall security because it was a parking lot. My insurance covered it (car & building). I have the repair records but no parts. I was totally dismissed by everyone when I said the car wouldn't stop, hence I doubted myself. My friend & I both had our seat belts on and no one was injured (thank god no one was walking on the sidewalk in front of the space). I asked the repair place to check my accelerator & pedal but said they found nothing wrong.

- Owens Cross Roads,, AL, USA

problem #73

Nov 092007

Camry

  • 8,921 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 5 mph into a parking space. There was pressure applied to the brake pedal, followed by an unintended acceleration and suddenly, the vehicle traveled over a curb and crashed into a building. There were no injuries. The police was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision shop. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $4,298.43. In addition, the building sustained moderate damages. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 8,921.

- Shiremanstown, PA, USA

problem #72

Dec 082008

Camry

  • 24,358 miles
My husband had just pulled his 2004 Toyota Camry into a school parking lot at a slow rate of speed. He stopped with foot on the brake, and shifted into reverse as he was going to back into a parking space. Suddenly, the accelerator surged at a high rate of speed without warning and he hit the back of the school building at a great rate of force. The engine stopped but the air bag failed to deploy. Extensive damage was done to the school building ($19,000) and to his vehicle ($9000.) car had to be towed to auto body dealership. This was the first incident that the car's accelerator surged. Auto body shop repaired the body of the car, but no repair to accelerator at all. We had no explanation as to why the car accelerated at such a high rate of speed. Now that we have become aware of all the other Toyota that have had acceleration failures, we are now filing this complaint. This accident could have been much more serious, as children were coming in and out of the building from a sports event. Thankfully no one was hurt. We believe that Toyota needs to go back much further on their recalls on Toyota Camry than 2007, since clearly Toyota Camry have had this acceleration problem at least as far back as 2004, probably earlier.R

- Millersville, MD, USA

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