Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,868.
2004 Camry se car sitting for two days. Car caught fire. Fire department stated that it seemed no foul play involved. To me it look like the origin of the fire started by the battery and wiring was the issue. Interior in good shape no windows busted.
According to the sheriff and fire rescue, an electrical short in the passenger side of the engine caused the entire engine to catch fire. The car was stationary and had not been driven for almost 12 hours.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH downhill. The engine surged at a much higher rate of speed. The brakes failed and the contact was unable to control the steering. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle until she crashed into an embankment. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 108,000. Updated 3/14/13 the consumer stated she had not control over the vehicle. It continued approximately 3/4 of a mile all over the road and surrounding areas, until it finally hit an embankment and the front end of the vehicle went into the ground. And then stopped.
I was driving, took a corner and my car turned off without warning or signal, and I lost power steering and hit another parked vehicle. I proceeded to turn my car back on, drive ten feet and the engine shut off again without warning. I went to the auto body shop and they stated it was a code 2112 throttle issue. I researched on the internet and saw several other consumer complaints about this same issue with the same make/model/year and around the same mileage as my car has. Toyota is not recalling or providing free service on the parts and I was given an estimate of over 1300.00 to fix. Seeing that this is normal wear and tear - I didnt do a thing to cause this to happen, and it's a safety issue, I believe they should be replacing and or recalling these vehicles.
With my foot on the brake, when I put the car in drive, it suddenly accelerated jumping ahead hitting a tree in parking lot. Even with braking, it did not stop. I had to reverse and it still speed up without pressing the accelerator. I had to put it in park. Then only it stopped. The airbags did not work. Only my shoulder & lap belts saved me. Such an episode happened several times while I was trying to back up in my drive way, it accelerated while I was pressing the brake. I reported this problem to Toyota company, torrance, ca as well as its dealer in westbury, ny. Notihing was done to date. It started in 2005 and continued even in 2020. The mileage varied from 1500 to 134000. Dates also varied.
After entering a parking lot my mother-in-law was turning into a spot when the car suddenly accelerated thru the spot and was heading for the concrete wall. She was able to turn it to the left, run over the curb and in to a snow bank. She was unable to back the car out and had to be towed out. There was damage to the front end, but the airbags did not deploy. The tow truck driver said that she could drive it home and she managed to do so, but she was scared to do so. It is now sitting in the driveway and will not be driven until we are satisfied with the repairs to the acceleration problem. I am still waiting to hear from the dealer?.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the engine belt had fractured. The vehicle was towed to marietta Toyota (750 cobb parkway s, marietta, ga) where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft pulley and crankshaft seal failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V539000 (engine), although the vehicle exhibited the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 249,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving 5 MPH, the contact attempted to brake and noticed that the vehicle had suddenly accelerated uncontrollably. As a result, the contact crashed into a grocery store and injured ten people. A police report was filed for the incident and the contact was not injured during the crash. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and no repairs had been performed on the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 79,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge.
Engine complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Toyota Camry, 9% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Camry engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-539 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Camry engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 11 injuries to engine & cooling 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.