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CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware of the NHTSA complaint data for the 2005 Camry. It is almost certainly misleading.

The problem with NHTSA data for the 2005 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 Toyota 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 2005 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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,384 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.

2005 Toyota Camry transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Dec 292008

Camry

  • 36,863 miles

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

2005 Camry delays, then lurches forward, when accelerating from under 10 mph. When car is driven above 10 mph then is decelerated to under 10 (I.e. to make left turn) then accelerated, the engine will rev and after a.25 to.5 second delay the transmission catches and throws the car forward.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #34

Oct 012007

Camry

  • 38,000 miles
2005 Toyota Camry failure is in the nature of delayed transmission response. Incidents happen at around 25-40mph, mainly while coasting in heavy traffic, also while in process of slow acceleration while changing lanes. Vehicle drops in speed/delays and then lunges, many times making a strong kick/jerk before allowing completion of lane change or acceleration. Has caused quite a few close calls while merging into lanes. Also, very delayed response while taking off from a stop sign or coasting through at slow speeds at an intersection, car delays shifting. Revs to the 3rpm mark while still stuck at 15mph. Dealer does not help with warranty B/C they "can't feel the problem" when test driving. Have gotten the response "that it is a normal function".

- N Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #33

Jan 012005

Camry

  • 0 miles
Purchased new 2005 Camry SE. Immediately reported problems with severe pulling to the left (across lanes if not holding steering wheel firmly.) also, complained of intermittent hard shifts between 20 and 40 mph. As if someone had hit the car from rear. This causes a broad period of uncontrolled acceleration as the downshift occurs and the revs increase. The tires also wore out after 8,000 due to pull. Took to numerous repair facilities and they all said the alignment was fine. I was never contacted about Toyota service bulletins. Car now has 40,000 miles. Dealer says out of warranty and tsbs are only good for one year. Applicable tsbs are: St005R-01, TC003-05, and st002R-04. Otherwise love car. Have had over 12 Toyota and this is first with a problem.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #32

Aug 282008

Camry 6-cyl

  • 31,000 miles

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

I have a 2005 Toyota Camry SE V6 3.3L. 31,000 miles. Purchased new. Since new this vehicle has had an intermittent problem with the transmission shifting. It seems to get confused on what gear to shift into when you let off the accelerator at speeds between 20 and 45. You can feel the transmission jump back and forth between gears. It is not suttle at all. It feels like the trans is on its way out. I know quite a bit about cars, enough to know eventually this trans will fail if it continues to have this problem. This car like many other newer vehicle shifts when the computer tells it to, and it also has what they call "throttle by wire" acceleration control, which means the acceleration is also controlled by computer and not by a cable connected to the pedal like cars always had been. I believe the combination of these two things is exactly what causes this problem. Twice I have talked to someone at the dealer. Once they told me some vehicles VIN #'s are qualified for a computer software upgrade to resolve this issue and others VIN#'s are not. Today I called and the service guy and he told me there is no such recall at all and he hasn't had anyone complain about this issue. Also, my mom has a 2006 V6 Camry and has the exact same problem with her car. I have driven it. Exact same thing. So far that is 2 for 2. aamco looked at my trans fluid today and said it looked unusually dirty and is beginning to burn which will eventually cause complete failure. Aamco can do warranty work. They are more willing to find a real problem with your transmission. The dealer does not want fix you trans under warranty!

- Santa Ana , CA, USA

problem #31

Jun 062008

Camry

  • 0 miles
Hesitation in acceleration after depression of accelerator. Car will eventually respond but only after a second or two. Upon pulling into a parking space with the intent of moving slowly up to the bumper curb it can suddenly surge (jump) ahead uncontrollably. If the driver is waiting in a left hand turn lane awaiting for time to make a safe turn in front of oncoming traffic it is very dangerous to assume that your car will proceed when applying the accelerator so that you can proceed through the turn in front of the traffic or will the car hesitate momentarily and then surge ahead just in time to be broadsided by the oncoming car. This car is dangerous!! I do not want anyone to be forced to drive this car.. we have had two incidents in parking spaces where the car has surged ahead and we caused damage in on case to the car in the opposing space where we bumped a shopping cart into the opposing car. That one caused damage to the car that we hit which we paid for and damage to our car. The second time my while moving into a parking space with a sign at the end of the space we surged into the sign causing $700 worth of damage to our car. I have had three trips to the Toyota dealer where they informed me that the car is performing to specifications. They could only state that they thought it might be driver error. I even went to arbitration with the same result. I simply do not buy this result. I also own a '07 Ranger which performs perfectly and my driving habits are exactly the same in both vehicles.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #30

Dec 122007

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
He has been experiencing problem either with the transmission or the accelerator. When he start to accelerate sometimes, usually in low speed, 20% to 40% of the time, there is a few seconds the car does not respond, and suddenly he feel a jolt and the car jumps violently. He has to look back whenever it happens to see if someone has crash in to his car. If there is a car infront of him while in traffic, this could lead potential car accident of hitting the car infront of him. He also has to make sure he does not park too close to other cars or the wall. I have help him reported the issue to dealer 2 times many months ago and they said they can not fix the problem if they can't feel the problem. I have also told the headquarter I found numerous complaints on the same hesitation/acceleration problem my father experiencing and I noticed Toyota have been telling other people same response that dealer can not fix the problem if dealer can not feel the problem, and dealer have been telling people this is normal behavior for those who revisited many times. There are hundreds of complaints about this issue if you go search on google (using keyward Toyota camery transmission problem). One of the website is I found from google result for example was www.autobytel.com/content/research/forums/index.cfm/action/posts/fid/2852. it has 27 pages of such complaints. I have also notice such complaints does not apply to just 2005 year camery but against 2002 and 2007 camery as well. With so many cars they sold over 5 years and so many complaints on their transmission that can lead accidents and possibly already did, Toyota are making individuals feel as if they are the only one imagining things. A few people said certain stores allow them to do a computer chip "fix, " and the fix was not helpful. On top of transmission problem. He noticed paint peeling, rust paint under 15X magnifying glasses, a bubble on dash board.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #29

Jun 012007

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 550 miles

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

The automobile consistently hesitates when depressing the accelerator. This occurs when leaving stop signs, merging at medium speeds and passing on 2-way or divided highways and accelerating after decelerating. It then over accelerates when it makes up its mind you want to go faster after a second or two. Toyota claims the car works as designed. I fear for my life in this automobile, since the other drivers do not realize that this car is a piece of junk.

- Apollo Beach, FL, USA

problem #28

May 222007

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
Vehicle surges, revs when accelerating, stalls when decelerating, have had problem since car was new. Now 19 months old. Returned to dealer multiple times. They acknowledge the problem, Toyota acknowledges the problem. "within design parameters" they say. Two contacts with Toyota H.O. rep. Actually called it a "design defect". told me to "pat the acclerator" when I have the problem. Also told me "multiple drivers" will help the car perform better. The vehicle is dangerous and untrustworthy. Thousands of others have the same problem. No fix as this truly is a design defect, "drive by wire" scheme. Will anyone with clout step up? paid $30000 for the vehicle. V6 xle. Junk. Everyone admits the problem, no one assumes the responsibility.

- El Dorado, AR, USA

problem #27

Nov 012004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Whenever I applied the brake pedal at low speeds between 1-30 mph as approaching an intersection, a stop sign or an immediate brake the transmission switches gears, and the rpms increased. The brake pedal depressed all the way to the floor and the car jolted forward, and did not stop until the brakes were applied again. Fortunately, I have not had an accident. Others have. I have had the defective brake problem since I bought the car new in 2004. I had the dealer's repair technicians drive the car on multiple occasions, they said they were not able to recreate the problem. This was not how anti-lock brakes were supposed to work. Toyota needed to research this defect thoroughly and announce a recall before others get hurt or killed.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #26

Jul 222005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 220 miles
Since the first month I purchased my 2005 4-cylinder Camry the acceleration pedal does not immediately engage and the transmission occasionally slips then makes contact for acceleration. Especially troublesome in tight areas such as parking lots where I have had close calls with other vehicles close to hitting me due to this hesitation. My Toyota dealer after about 4 - 5 visits have stated that since other Camry's in parking lot do the same, it is O.K. this is not acceptable since there have been times on turning left or right that transmission has slipped making it hard to move along. The dealership did replace a solenoid valve after continually badgering them and that didn't help. They say problem could be in computer box to transmission (that cannot be accessed by technicians) is set at factory and cannot be adjusted. All this computerized has made it difficult to make any corrections that a customer complains about. The other issue is the thumping noise on driver and passenger windows make when going down. Again they said that other Camry's do it, so it is fine. That is not a way to build a car. Both of these issues have been going on since the first month I purchased vehicle.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #25

Feb 252007

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

I am currently the owner of a 2007 le 4 cylinder Camry. At approximately 76K miles my trans started acting funny as if it did not want to pull and was leaking trans fluid. Upon taking it to the dealership, I was told that there was a very bad leak (which may have resulted in a bad/defective seal) and that before any further work could be done it needed to be taken care of. The next day I was told that the pump was damaged, as well as, the torque converter. He also stated that the parts needed to be replaced or replace the whole trans. Either way I'm looking at a 4K bill which I can't afford and the vehicle is no longer under warranty. I called Toyota's customer service number and to no avail I was told that they could not help me.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #24

Aug 102005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought a brand new 2005 4-cylinder Camry in 2004 after owing a 1988 with 256,000 miles and being extremely happy with it. However, I was dissatisfied with my new Camry only after having it for a week when I started noticing how it would hesitate from taking off from a dead stop and when turning corners. I still can??T figure what turning corners has to do with speed. I had to change my driving habits because it was getting dangerous. I now have to allow longer a few more seconds to turn in front of traffic, in case it hesitates since it doesn't do this consistently. I took it in to Toyota, the dealer I bought it from, 60 miles from where I live, twice and they couldn't seem to find the problem. They seemed to know of the problem, due to others reporting it and them sensing it themselves, but just acknowledged it wasn't an issue to be fixed. They gave us the name of their customer relations representative in California to contact, which we did. When first contacting him, he too made it sound like it was very important and he would immediately take care of this issue and get back with us. The next thing we heard from him was the same thing we had already heard, this isn't a problem, this is normal, there is nothing we can do for you. This may not be problem for them but it is for me and it sure sounds like it is a problem for an awful lot of others out there that are complaining on this website too. You ask what has been done to correct the failure, nothing by Toyota!!!

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #23

Oct 012004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles
We bought our 2005 Camry le V6 in the fall of 2004. From day one, we noticed the hesitation. When leaving a stop sign, for example, it would lag for a split second, then suddenly jerk into gear. The first week we called the dealer and was told this is normal for the first 1000 miles. When it continued we were told it was the computer. We mentioned it at every warranty check and they said they never saw the problem. We wish we knew that we're not the only ones so we would have pursued it earlier. Toyota never mentioned knowing transmission problems in the 2005 Camry. Now our daughter has to learn how to drive!

- Franklin, MA, USA

problem #22

Nov 302004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Re 2005 Toyota Camry V-6 xle 5-speed automatic transmission (A/T), 1mz-fe engine. Vehicle purchased Nov 30 2004. From day of purchase through current, A/T has not shifted smoothly as it was advertised to. Following depends on accelerator pressure - does not occur always. Hesitant & sometimes harsh from 1st to 2nd & 2nd to 3rd periodically, in 35 to 45 mph range, rough shift down and then back up. At times the hesitant shift from 2nd to 3rd has put me in an unsafe situation. It is not a "sure/positive" shift - it winds up before it engages. Prior vehicle was 1999 Camry V6 - no shifting problems.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #21

Aug 012005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchased a 2005 Toyota Camry le and I am experiencing the exact same transmission problems. At about 24-30 mph it will rev to about 3000-4000 rpms before it switches to 2nd gear. Also when slowing down the car will jerk into gear. On the highway when trying to pass cars it will just ignore my request for about 3 seconds. This is a dangerous car!!! took to dealer and they stated it is working as designed. This is not acceptable and Toyota needs to do something about it before someone gets killed.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #20

Jun 012006

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer 2005 Camry has a problems with the transmission. The consumer stated from a stopped position, about 20% of the time, the first two transmission shifts will extend beyond a normal time period while the car's engine revs to about 3000 rpms. At times, when slowing to about 10 to 20 mph and then accelerating, about 80% of the time the transmission would hesitate for 2 to 3 seconds while it selects a gear and will then engage, sometimes in a harsh manner depending upon the pressure on the gas pedal. There was no specific time when the erratic shifts would occur.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 012006

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,500 miles
: the contact stated at speeds between 24 and 30 mph, the vehicle, intermittently, lost power then slammed into gear. The dealership did acknowledge there was a problem, but stated installing a new transmission was no guarantee that the problem would cease. Updated 03/28/06.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #18

Nov 112004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Car hesitate after slowing down with foot off pedal. If there is a need to accelerate take 2-3 second before abruptly engage.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 102005

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought a new 2005 Toyota Camry SE 3.3 5 speed auto. It has a hesitation when accelerating from a slow down. When trying to merge it is very unnerving. The check engine light came on the first 3000 miles and a air/fuel sensor was replaced. The hesitation is still not predictable and still occurs. A sulfur smell sometimes occurs also.

- Lusby, MD, USA

problem #16

Jun 012005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
Car continually hesitates then surges forward especially at speeds below 40 mph and also when ac is on. Dealer has no fix. I provided printout of NHTSA reports but I was told that's just the way the car is. No choice but to get rid of this new car.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

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