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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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
114,650 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2004 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 272020

Camry

  • 180,000 miles

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

The car will suddenly stop. Initially, we thought that it was a battery issue. In fact, we changed the battery with a brand new one, it happens again. Two more times, I did own a Toyota car more than 25 years ago. It was identified as fuel pump issue. For sure, this is the case. Can I get a replacement for free on the fuel pump.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 202019

Camry

  • 190,000 miles
Car sitting at idle position suddenly launched forward. Vehicle was going 2-3 mph when it suddenly launched forward and smashed into a wall at a top donut drive thru.

- Dracut, MA, USA

problem #8

Dec 202018

Camry

  • 168,000 miles
A smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle was noticed and intensified over the span of 2 days. Vehicle was only driven due to the fact that it is the only vehicle owned by the family and having a chronically ill son transportation was needed to take him to his doctors appointment. Before usage of the vehicle a visual inspection was done by the father trying to locate the source of the smell with no avail. After the sons doctors appointment the car was inspected by a mechanic who has over 25 years automotive experience and an associates degree in automotive. The vehicle was stationary with the engine being at operating temperature from being driven to the location and the engine bay was visualy inspected with the engine off with no signs of fuel leakage. Being safety conscious, the mechanic obtained a fire extinguisher and water hose incase of a fire. The mechanic then turned on the engine and noticed a small leak at the fuel damper. He proceeded to remove the top plastic cover of the damper which led to fuel spray with force enough to spray on the mechanic who was located at the front of the vehicle. The fuel obviously sprayed over the hot engine and exhaust manifold causing ignition of the gasoline. A friend who was with the mechanic quickly turned off the engine while the mechanic quickly doused the flames preventing damage to the vehicle. Upon research, this fuel damper was completely different from most Camry of this generation. The damper didn't even have Toyota part numbers and seemed suspicious. Further research found that this unbranded fuel damper was for ca emmisions standards while another style was for federal standards. Other Camry that were made for ca did not use the style fuel damper as my Camry. It seems like Toyota bought aftermarket dampers and installed them on an unknown amount of vehicles.I think they ran out of oem dampers

- Rosemead, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 102016

Camry

  • 148,000 miles

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

I was slowly pulling into a parking lane, started to turn left towards a parking spot when my 2004 Toyota Camry xle accelerated suddenly and pressing on the brake did little to stop the car. This happened in a shopping center parking lot. As a result, two other cars were damaged and the my Camry was totaled. The car had approximately 148000 miles on it. The car had been routinely maintained. The car had previous accelerated without warning using the cruise control but the problem had never been traced down as to what caused this issue. On several occasions the RPM needle jumped from low RPM to high RPM. In addition, warning lights on the dash had come on un-expectedly. These issues were never reproduced when taken to the mechanic and the problems never resolved.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #6

Jun 232015

Camry

  • 157,000 miles
I was driving down the road from my home when my car stopped working. It died on me. It just stopped working completely without any notice whatsoever. I was able to maintain control of the steering wheel and I pulled over to the side of the road. At the time I was driving approximately 45 miles an hour (when the car engine stopped working). I turned the key in the ignition to the off position. When I turned the key in the ignition to start the car, the car started up immediately.

- Apopka, FL, USA

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problem #5

Mar 052015

Camry 6-cyl

  • 87,489 miles
I went to a local store to shop. I was attempting to park in the store lot, saw a space close to the front of the store. I slowed down to start turning (maybe 5-10 mph) into the parking space and when I tried to brake, my brake pedal went straight to the floor and the car started speeding up. It kept going like someone else had control of the car! I couldn't stop it and it ran into a car that was parked in front of the space. It pushed the other car completely out of the parking spot and rammed her car in the front area. We both suffered vehicle damage and I was charged. There was smoke coming out from under my car and as I was attempting to stop my runaway car, my foot slipped onto the accelerator. I thought maybe my brakes had given out but the officer said the brakes were not bad. There were skid marks showing I tried to stop and I was able to drive it home, very slowly. I was so scared!! I remember seeing a segment on tv about Toyota having problems regarding sudden acceleration in some of their cars.

- North Augusta, SC, USA

problem #4

Feb 252015

Camry

  • 56,000 miles

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

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.

- Bayonne , NJ, USA

problem #3

Jul 122013

Camry 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Throttle body failure, engine shuts down, will restart in limp mode. Corroded defective throttle body. New part on order from Toyota. $900 repair. This also happened in 2007 an $850 repair. I called Toyota in 2007 and again this time. Toyota refuses to provide new throttle body or pay for repair. I assert this is a design and safety problem that Toyota should repair or recall at no charge. I purchased car new and have been a loyal Toyota customer. Purchased four new Toyota cars since 2002. Why would I purchase another car from Toyota?

- Bucyrus, OH, USA

problem #2

Mar 242013

Camry 4-cyl

  • 15 miles
I had slowed down to turn into side road, foot was off gas and it accelerated. I immediately put on brakes and it corrected the problem. This is about the 3rd time it has happened. The first time it happened fast and I thought it was me. The next time same thing so I have been aware to watch and notice. Today it happened again and I know for sure it has a problem in accelerating. Sometimes it cuts off when first cranks like not getting enough gas. I have had Toyota for years but now getting leary

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #1

Feb 062013

Camry

  • miles
I was driving and without warning the gas petal was no longer working. Then the check engine light came on. Fortunately I was on a side street and was able to pull over. Got it towed and was told that the throttle body was broken and it was a pretty common problem for Camry's.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

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