Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 key in my Toyota special edition 2004 Camry is designed to be removed only when the gear shift is in the park position. However, mine can be removed regardless of the position of the gear shift. Ex: once the car is stopped and shut off and should it still be in the drive position, the key can be removed. This should not be.. As a result , I had an accident as the car rolled down an incline and struck another vehicle..no one was in the car at the time, but a child could have been in a car seat in the rear and I would not have been able to stop the car. I t has happened at least three times while under warranty, but I thought it was my fault for not placing the car in the park position before exiting the vehicle. Didn't realize it until the accident that it was not designed that way. …
Following are the descriptions of two similar complaints involving the same vehicle: 1. Vehicle, 2004 Toyota Camry v-6, accelerated unexpectedly while being driven into a head-in parking space. Vehicle did not respond to braking, overshot parking space, hit and punched hole in building wall approximately 6 feet ahead of parking space. Over $1,000 dollars damage to car and unknown amount to building. 2. About two years later, vehicle accelerated while coasting slowly to stop at a stop light. Did not respond to braking, rear-ended stopped vehicle in front. Similar front end damage to the Toyota and some damage to forward vehicle.
Dt*: the contact stated the gear was in reverse while the driver got out of the vehicle. The consumer expressed concern that vehicles should not be able to move with no one in the vehicle and should not be able to move with a door open. Minor injuries were sustained. The consumer didn't realize the vehicle was in reverse when he exited. The left door hit the consumer and knocked him down to the ground. Then the door pinned him against the garage wall. The consumer sustained injuries. Updated 12/12/06.
On 8/0/10 vehicle in parking lot. Backed up vehicle. Put vehicle in drive. Vehicle engine revved up and crashed into two vehicles. Attempted to hit brake. Distance between brake and gas pedal is 3 1/2 inches. Vehicle involved was a Toyota. Engineer is inspecting vehicle on 8/27/10.
V6 engine, 5 speed transmission</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">automatic transmission</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">automatic transmission</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">automatic transmission</a>. Vehicle fails to accelerate for several seconds after the accelerator is pressed following a stop. Appears to happen after a quick rolling stop and when the <a true;">air conditioner</a> having to work. Car is unpredictable, it will start moving after the accelerator is pressed in these circumstances. This can cause an accident due to the unpredictable nature of throttle hesitation. Car also hunts for gears at slower speeds causing uncomfortable ride as the car lurches forward at unpredictable times after the accelerator is pressed. …
Since I purchased my 2004 Toyota Camry se v6 new in November 2003, there has been a problem with acceleration after coming to a yield. Basically what occurs is I come to an intersection or a situation where I must yield and when I press the gas pedal the car hesitates for a few seconds. When I first purchased the car I thought this May be new car jitters and it would eventually straighten out. However, two years later the problem still exists. This can potentially be a dangerous situation for several reasons. If you make the decision to go and there is oncoming traffic but the car hesitates a wreck could possibly happen. So to keep this from happening, I will press the gas pedal more than necessary to over-compensate for the hesitation and then when the car does go it jets out into traffic faster than I anticipate. …
My 2004 Toyota Camry began leaking transmission fluid from the rear part of the transmission where the two halves of the housing are bolted together. Two mechanics, including one whose expertise is in transmission repair, inspected the transmission and said that the transmission's seal apparently failed. The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it, and stays indoors except for a 12-mile round-trip commute between my home and the local indoor public parking garage. Both estimates for repair were at least $1,500 because the design of the Camry does not allow easy access to the transmission, requiring the mechanic to drop the entire frame to access the transmission. The fluid leak is small, likely no more than a half milliliter every 10 days, so the repair has not been done. …
Recently I brought my 04 Camry to my dealer because of sulfur smell and rattle at light acceleration. The dealer verified the problems and replaced the converter and intake manifold according to the tsbs. They said they also had to re-program the ECM. Then after I picked up the car, I found everything is harder: the acceleration, steering, and braking. I found it is hard to maintain a speed whether on local or highway. On May 28,2005, while I drove the car on highway with 4 persons sitting in the car (including me), I found the steering was very hard and felted like it was locked, and I found it is very hard to accelerate to hwy speed and hard to maintain it. I brought the car to the dealer again on May 31. After having a technician test drove it, they told me it was similar to other camrys (normal) and wouldn't want to solve my problem. …
2004 Camry 4-cyl. Fails to accelerate (delay of about 1 second) when gas pedal is depressed, in this situation: you have either just rounded a corner at slow speed, or you have started to move from stop, gained speed to about 10mph, then engine revs up to around 3000 RPM, but does not deliver power to wheels. Danger of getting hit because your car does not move quickly enough through a traffic situation that you would normally progress through faster. You might also be prevented from averting a crash situation due to lack of acceleration. This problem is intermittent. It can occur 1-3 times in a day, or possibly not at all, but it has been occurring for at least 10,000 miles now. Toyota claims this is just the way the transmission works. But it can lead to injury due to crashing. …
Started the vehicle on Saturday 10/29/2011, put it in reverse and the engine light came on. Backed out of the driveway onto the street and put it on drive. I stepped on the accelerator and the vehicle moved forward about 30feet and stalled out. I tried several times to started and it would not. After I completely turned off the ignition, I was able to restarted it. I took it to get it checked out and I was told it was the throttle body actuator stuck on the closed position. I looked it up on line and found many, many incidents of the same nature. On Monday, I called the Toyota dealer, and I was told that they had never heard of that problem and it's not a recall. The defective factory installed part costs $1000 plus about $300 for labor. I contacted Toyota USA, but they have not acknowledged me, so far. This is a safety issue. …
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota Camry, 8% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2004 Toyota Camry, though it has 3 recalls 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.