Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When slowly finishing my entry into a parking spot and braking the car suddenly accelerated to a high speed and bolted over the curb with a planter zone into another parked car directly facing my parking lane hitting the front passenger side. My car was still accelerating and hit another car to the left of the first parked car, hitting it in the rear driver side door. My car kept going until I was finally able to get the brake to work and it stopped just before another parking lot curb with planter zone. As far as I can tell the brake and or accelerator malfunctioned dangerously and suddenly. It could also have been a malfunctioning TPS (throttle positioning sensor). I would like my car inspected to determine what caused this malfunction. While everyone involved said they felt fine. …
I initially had an unexpected acceleration, but was able to stop the car and didn't know why it had happened. I was unaware that this was a common issue. Later I was backing out of a parking space, then switched to drive in attempt to go forward. The car accelerated w/o my touching the gas. I couldn't stop the car and it plowed into several other cars. I didn't understand why this had happened. The police came and assumed it was my fault because after having this happen, I was confused. They took the car to a body shop that did the repairs. No one mentioned this is a common problem w/toyotas. By the time I heard about sudden unintended acceleration (sua), I contacted Toyota. As the insurance company had already arranged to have the car fixed before I called, the investigator said they wouldn't even look at the car as it had been repaired. …
On 4/13 around 2 pm, I arrived at friend's townhouse (address: 203 wildfell trl. Cary nc27513). I drove my car into a parking lot in front of the townhouse slowly while stepping on the brake. Before I shifted the gear to the 'parking', my car suddenly shoot up and hit the electrical transformer box in the front of the townhouse. The car kept moving forward until it hit the outside wall of the next door neighbor's house, then moving backward and stopped. The electrical transformer box was damaged, that caused the power outage in the neighborhood for at least 6 hours. The front bumper of my car was also damaged. I also got the citation and got charged with 'the misdemeanor or infraction' from the police, for that I will need to hire a lawyer to defend the case. I was so shocked and panic. I have a very clean driving record in the past 30 years. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. While pulling into a parking space at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The front passenger side of the contact's vehicle crashed into the front driver side of another vehicle. The contact's vehicle then crashed into a block of cement. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed and assessed by the insurance company who decided that the vehicle would be repaired. The vehicle was taken to body shop, but not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recall. The approximate failure mileage was 52,195.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Toyota Camry. While the vehicle was stationary in the reverse position, the contact applied minimal pressure to the accelerator pedal, but it accelerated rapidly on its own into a concrete pole. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed a police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Updated 07/12/17 the consumer stated the while backing out of the driveway and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle sped up. It crashed into a fence, a pole, and a car. The breaks failed as well. The vehicle was totaled. Updated 10/18/2017
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and shifted into drive, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into other vehicles and the air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained a head injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed however, the body damage was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Toyota Camry. While pulling into a parking space at 1 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle crashed over a 36 inch wall at the end of a parking area. The vehicle accelerated over the 36 inch wall down the sidewalk and onto the street. The contact stopped the vehicle by applying the brakes. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic and the vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Update 01/15/16 ma updated 01/28/16.
While pulling into a parking spot at minimal rate of speed in a residential parking lot. I experienced random acceleration of my vehicle.despite applying the brake the vehicle would not stop accelerating. I turned my vehicle into a metal pole to keep it from temporarily moving forward. Due to the acceleration & friction, the asphalt under the car was burned, the left front tire exploded as did the passenger side window. The entire right front side of the vehicle was totaled. I was finally able to get the vehicle to stop by turning off the ignition.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. While reversing into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into two different vehicles and the curb. The contact mentioned that the transmission became stuck into second gear and the brakes failed. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000.
On 03/29/20 I was backing into a parking space in a restaurant parking lot when I pressed on the accelerator the car took off like a rocket ship and I hit a truck. This is my 1st accident. It happened so fast but I immediately took my foot off the accelerator and both feet were on the floor and both hands on the wheel after I felt the acceleration. Toyota is denying my claim.. Can you review?
NHTSA investigations
Engine surging
The petitioner owns a my 2006 Toyota camry with a 4-cylinder engine that was purchased new in January 2006. The petitioner also previously owned a my 2005 camry. He alleges that both vehicles exhibited vehicle engine surging, which he described as a short duration (1 to 2 second) increase in engine speed occurring while the accelerator pedal is not depressed.
Vehicle speed control
In a letter dated July 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 Toyota and Lexus…
Acceleration complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2005 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 272 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2005 Toyota Camry, 38% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Camry acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2005 Toyota Camry, though it has 5 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 2005 Toyota Camry acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 154 crashes, 0 fires and 78 injuries and 5 deaths to speed control & acceleration 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.