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 2005 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I, robert, was sitting in the car when my wife came out of the store and got into it. I put my foot on the brake and started the car. It took off at a very high rate of speed. The car lunged ahead and steadily picked up speed. The car hit a lady walking with her groceries, then hit a parked vehicle and pushed it into another vehicle. The air bag never deployed. The brakes would not work. The only thing that made it stop was that it hit a large SUV. My wife did not have time to fasten her seat belt, thus sustaining injuries. It all happened in a matter of seconds. There was a police report filed. I was not charged with the accident. I purchased the vehicle on May 24, 2017 at a public auction in washington, dc. That means that these vehicles are still being sold as if there is not a problem with them. The vehicle had about 240,000 miles when I purchased it. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration as if the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact held on to the steering wheel, crashed into a parked vehicle, and the vehicle continued to accelerate. While attempting to brake, it continued to accelerate. The contact had to crash the vehicle against the sidewalk and the only thing that stopped the vehicle was that the rim had no tire. The police department was present, but no police report was filed. The insurance company was notified of the crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer sent a third party company to investigate the crash and they found no evidence of manufacturing defect. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred several times before. …
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.
While switching lanes from left to right at a stoplight about 10 feet behind the car in front, as I took my foot off the brake the car suddenly, unexpectedly accelerated and my front driver's side hit the rear passenger side of the car in front of me. We have experienced this unanticipated acceleration at least 6-7 times in diverse circumstances.
My wife was driving at a speed of no more than 15 MPH off of our housing estate on and heading towards a main road. The road was icy and my wife is a cautious driver who would not be driving at excessive speed. As she approached the junction she applied the brakes to stop the car at the junction the car did not seem to slow. She made a split second decision to turn right on to a cul-de-sac rather than go across the main road. She ended up driving across the cul-de-sac before hitting a lamp post and then driving into a neighbors garage door where the car finally stopped. My wife was not injured although the car was heavily damaged, the air bags did not deploy. There were visible skid marks on the cul-de-sac where you could see that she had applied the brakes. …
Car was parked in driveway. The key was removed from ignition. The car drifted down the driveway in reverse into a tree, causing approximately $7000 in damage to car. Testing of the car later revealed that the key could be removed from ignition when the car was not in park. Toyota is currently investigating. The consumer stated the vehicle was inspected and later returned to him. He assumed the vehicle had been repaired. There was no mention of the inspection or what had been done to his vehicle. On May 27th, the consumer's wife was driving and she noticed the vehicle suddenly downshifted into second gear. The consumer checked the vehicle and noticed the ignition and transmission problem occurred again. The consumer received a letter outlining the problem was due to spilled soda that caused the ignition interlock system to stick. Updated ivoq 07/03/12
I had parked in a parking space and was going to open my drivers door to get out. I had my keys in my hand and was reaching over to get my purse. I suddenly realized I was not in my parking place and had rolled backwards (lot was on a slope) and had hit the restaurants garbage can. I discovered at that point that my car was not in park and the ignition was turned off. In further checking I now know I can remove my car keys at anytime. Engine running or turned off, car in park or not. It does not matter. I can be driving down the road and remove my keys.the safety factor of keys not coming out of the ignition unless the car is in park and turned off is not there. Date of incident is approximate but I can verify if needed with the insurance company as the restaurant put in a claim for the dent on their garbage can.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle was sitting idle when another vehicle crashed into the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle was thrown forward, causing the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle and into a wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and head injuries and was transported to the hospital. A police report was filed and the vehicle was destroyed. There were no further injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the incident. The failure mileage was 205,000. Updated 02/19/14 the consumer stated that the vehicle would intermittently not be able to shift out of park. Updated 2/20/2013
Bought Camry 05 new and had intermittent vibration in the front . Have had all most all front end replaced, motor and tran mounts, cv drive lines .bearing,etc . I had the car down at the Toyota dealer many time over the years they could not find any thing bad ... I my self checked out for lose parts found nothing till I moved left side cv drive line and I could move the drive line up and down and around that goes into the transfer-case. I made a appointment again to the Toyota dealer and had the shop foreman look a this movement..he said this was normal and moves less then most 05 camrys. This vibration happen at 40 and up.
My wife was dropping my daughter to school bus stop and when she went o get the letters in our gated community mail.box , she was about to stop in the parking space when the car accelerate by it self,causing her injury and car and property damages. She says she couldn't control the car and the car hit the curb damaging the bottom of the car,the hood, front bumper, fender,passenger headlight ,and radiator and condenser and also the windshield. The car airbag didn't come out at any time. Causing her injury in her head and shoulder.
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Camry, 12% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (55 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries 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.