Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Camry Solara owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dash is cracked all over, including where airbag is on front right passenger side, causing airbag light to stay lit. This is a safety hazard and should be repaired or replaced by Toyota. I was already informed by Toyota when I had called that there had been a recall on this matter for cosmetic reasons several years ago and now it was "too late" for them to be responsible, but I did not know of that condition/recall. This is not only a cosmetic issue, this is a safety concern and needs to be addressed immediately. I was informed by an employee at the number I was given that safety issues do not fall under the statue of limitations for recalls. I've been trying to get a response from the National Highway Safety Division but I haven't received an actual determination as to whether Toyota had to replace the dash or not. Please help with this urgent safety concern. …
Apparently Toyota had a recall for the dash of their camry solara models back in 2015 for dashes that melt, bubble, become extremely tacky/sticky & peel when temperatures rise. However, I never received any notice of said dash recall for which my 2005 Toyota Solara qualified for, nor did I hear of any recalls in my local area on any MN news stations. A melting, sticky dash causes glare that is highly reflective reflecting the sun up into the driver's face. The glare from this design defect has caused accidents & injuries. Not only is a melting dash a safety issue but it's also non-compliant as a design defect/defective part with the standards of Toyota assembled parts. Safety & compliance recalls have no expiration date so why is Toyota not honoring that & replacing design defects/defective parts as such for an original owner of a recalled Toyota such as myself? …
Had a seizure went off the road vehicle hit several trees and air bags did not deploy. Car is totaled. Drives head hit steering wheel and had head and facial damage. Was on city street turning to get on highway, he has been in icu for 3 days. Have police accident report..
I own a 2005 Solara sle v6 automatic: pulling into a restaurant parking space, making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward: jumping the curb, forward onto a muddy open space, an approx. 25* incline, and into a low barrier wall between the two neighboring restaurants' parking lots (with cars on the other-side of the barrier). Fortunately, no vehicles or persons were stuck!; just, the damage to my vehicle! When it accelerated, my foot was off the accelerator petal, about to brake; stood on my ABS brake; and, the barrier, I believe, stopped most of the forward motion; hit hard; air bags did not deploy !!! Nothing like this has ever happened to me before; not in any of my past vehicles !!! It's my understanding that Toyota is denying problems with the Solara models, when they're the sporty model the Camry !!! Dealership said to contact corporate, but, this is not ... …
I live in florida and have had my car since 2006. Around 2011 I noticed a stickiness and a few cracks in the dash board and thought this was normal. Since, I have found this is a recurring issue with many Toyota solaras from years 2004-2008. Now the cracks are too many to count, the stickiness is horrible and the skin is pealing leaving this black under surface that is even more sticky. Also the wood finish is bubbling and chipping on the dash board and doors. So I did some investigating and it lead me to this site. If it's not already, this definitely should be a recall item.
Noticed about 5 or 6 months ago that the dashboard had this sticky, gummy residue and nothing I did would remove it. The residue produces a glare between the dashboard and the windshield which impairs the driver's sight. Also noticed 2 different cracks as well. I am the original owner and this car has been well taken care of, parked in a closed garage when not in use. There's no reason I should be experiencing these types of issues unless Toyota used sub-par products during manufacturing, which I now know is the case. This is my first attempt in seeking resolution.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to classic Toyota (8510 tyler blvd., mentor, oh 44060) where it was diagnosed with the dashboard needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknow recall. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the dashboard was no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
We have been the sole owners of the car and have lived in miami, fl throughout the entire length of ownership. Not long after time of purchase, we began to notice the same complaint so many other owners have complained about: the melting and cracking of the dashboard. Although the cracks and shine are unsightly and the stickiness is bothersome, the most troublesome result of this defect is the glare it casts on the windshield. Especially when driving in the direction of the sun, the glare without a doubt hinders visibility to a dangerous degree. It is my understanding that Toyota does not cover a replacement of the dashboard. Therefore, I strongly urge the NHTSA to initiate a recall for this part, as I am firmly convinced that it poses a serious safety risk. Please let me know if I can provide any documentation/proof of this problem. Thank you.
I own a 2005 Solara convertible. Around 5 years ago my dashboard began to crack. It is so bad now that the lining of the dash is starting to show through. My car has always been garage kept and very well maintained. I have a friend with the same vehicle and it has done the same thing. Shortly after purchasing this vehicle I noticed that the rear defrost was not working. The dealership replaced the convertible top and assumed that it would fix the problem. Less than two years later the same problem occurred. The dealership was not willing to make the problem right for me so I, to this day, it still does not work.
My dashboard is extremely sticky and is reflecting the sun through the windshield. I live in miami so the sun is always reflecting off the dashboard. My car is dangerous because I don't have a clear view of the road. I spoke to a manager at the Toyota dealership who called about what could be done. The cost is 900.00 for a new dashboard. I am a teacher and single mother who cannot afford to replace this myself. I plan to keep my car for a long time so I need options besides paying out of pocket. If there is a class action suit..I would like to be placed on the list.
Body complaints in other Camry Solara years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the body & structure of the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara, 26% of the model year's 92 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Camry Solara body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2005 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 2005 Toyota Camry Solara body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.