Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Camry Solara owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On March 6, 2016, moving west on a residential street at about 20 MPH 10:45 p.m., less than 500' from home. Crystal clear night. Car freezes, steering & brakes lock, car lurches forward and keeps much higher speed. With both arms, I pulled car from head-on with utility pole to very high palm tree. Head-on ith tree, airbag releases, white smoke coming from hood. I turned car off, took keys, car engine continues as did horn blowing & white smoke. It took three aaa trucks to remove car from tree trunk, with steering and brakes still locked. Car was alone on a neighborhood road moving west, driver alone, very residential with people walking dogs, pilots and stews running, joggers and pups and cats prowling. No one was around. A guard from a gated community on the street's north side was the 1st to appear. Eventually 4 poloce officers were there, one talked to me often.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. As a result, the contact cashed into a palm tree. The air bags deployed. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer collision center. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,100.
When turning right at about 25mph, the steering wheel completely locked up. I applied the brakes immediately but they car still impacted, then continued over the curb. The steering wheel remained locked for a while after the car came to a stop and then finally released. Prior to this incident the steering wheel had locked on several occasions only when the car was shut off and parked, although it remained locked stubbornly even after the car was put in drive and the steering wheel adjusted slightly. This was the first time the car locked up while the key was in the ignition and the car was in motion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that while turning right at approximately 35 MPH. The steering wheel locked and caused the vehicle to go over an embankment and into the water. The front passenger suffered injuries to the back and neck. The contact stated that this was the second crash caused by the steering wheel. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion, but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
The car has 70100 miles. Noticed that the steering wheel makes low clicks when turning and there is a slight movement in the steering wheel. Determined the problem to be a failure of the intermediate steering shaft. Contacted Toyota, they said no recalls were on this vehicle. Asked Toyota via email on 2/19 if the steering shaft has been re-designed and requested the correct part number to replace the defective part. Car is sitting awaiting an update from Toyota and repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that there was a power steering failure. A mechanic replaced the power steering pump, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V539000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired by a dealer or a mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
I have experienced a number of problems with the steering of my 2004 Toyota Solara sport coupe with the v6 motor. This car consistently pulls to the left. Further, the car veers hard to the left when coming to a stop just prior to stopping. It is not a brake problem. Something is seriously wrong with the suspension. I first noticed this problem the week I purchased the car. The dealer, leith Toyota in raleigh, nc, had the wheels rotated and then aligned all four wheels. I complained about it again and they told me the car had defective tires. They did not deign to replace the tires. I then took the car to anderson Toyota in raleigh, nc, and they aligned the vehicle, and also replaced a broken steering component that was causing a clicking sound when I turned the wheel. Then they told me a TSB had "just come out" about the pull to the left, and they needed to order new springs. …
Purchased a 2004 Toyota Solara. Ever since the day I picked it up the car has drifted to the left. Now with 9000 mile on it ,it has started to pull right once in a while. The dealer has re-alined the front end 5 times and I have also had a private shop do it once . The dealer has completed the work which Toyota sent out on a bulletin however it still drifts. Toyota sent an engineer up from chicago to drive my car, he told me that all Toyota's are designed to drift left due to road crown. Looking at all the same complaints ,I feel he was just singing a story. Today I visited the Toyota dealership and drove two new solaras. They both drifted left. I drive this car for my job--30,000 miles a year it is totally exhausting to drive on the highway. Very possibly dangerous.
My intermediate steering shaft has cracked and needs to be replaced. It is out of warranty and the repair cost is $500+. A review of online complaints indicates this is a common problem in Toyota vehicles. The replacement shaft has been redesigned, indicating this part had a design flaw. Complete failure of this part can lead to sudden steering loss. A safety recall has already been issued in other countries (Japan and canda, for example) for the prius, although the same problem exists in most Toyota models. A safety recall should be issued in the U.S. For all affected vehicles.
I've had a Toyota Solara since late February, and noticed the problem within days. It pulls to the left while driving, and slips into other lanes usually from the right. On 1 ocassion when I was going about 60 MPH, it took me by surprise and I slid off the road and slid into a tree, slowly thank you god. It is very bad to drive, and I won't let my wife or my kids in this car it was bought for her. My dealer claims they never heard of this and can't find out what's wrong. I can no longer drive this car and feel safe. Please give me a hand.
Steering complaints in other Camry Solara years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara, 19% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Camry Solara steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Camry Solara steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.