general problems of the 2004 Toyota Camry

I was driving to work on the WI 43 freeway (speed aprox. 70 mph) at 2:00am of 09/28/2020. I smelled something burning and saw sparks coming from under my dashboard. I pulled over to the side of the freeway and called 911. Two ozaukee county sheriffs and 1 port washington fire truck responded (incident number 20-27928). As you can see from the attached pictures which were taken the next day at the towing yard my car's dash and interior was totally melted by an electrical fire that was so hot it cracked the windshield. Although the car has some age on it, this is not something that should ever occur while driving down the highway. Fortunately no one was hurt. The car had to be totaled as it was beyond repair.

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.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 30 mph, the high beam headlights were activated and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted. Also, when the turn signal and windshield wipers were engaged, the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.

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.

Toyota Camry driver-side window fire. During August of 2014, I went shopping in lithonia, GA. I parked my 2004 Toyota Camry in the shopping center parking lot. A short time later, I returned to my car and observed smoke billowing from the driver side window of my vehicle. I immediately drove across the street to nalley Toyota of stonecrest to have the vehicle checked out. I was not aware of any recall at this time, and asked the service advisor to check for one. She did so, and told me there was not a Toyota recall for my vehicle. I proceeded to pay them $967. 00 in parts and labor to replace my entire master switch, the master switch assembly, and window motor in the driver-side door. After coming home, I proceeded to look for any information I could find on Toyota recalls of other 2004 Camrys. I found the Toyota recall list online and saw that my car had had the same problem as other Camrys being recalled, yet had not been included. In may of the following year (2015), the motor I was sold failed again. I was unable to raise my driver side window, so I went back to nalley Toyota at stonecrest. I spoke with a service advisor who explained that even though the recall had been expanded to include more vehicles with this problem, my Toyota Camry was still not included. I proceeded to pay an additional $234. 17 to have the window motor replaced again. Since that time, I have also experience the burning out of my car lighter. I have been waiting in vain for Toyota to include my model of Toyota Camry in the recall process. I am writing now to request that Toyota reimburse me for the money I have paid to have work done that would have been covered under the existing Toyota recall on window motors. Obviously, my car should have been included. I am attaching documentation of each transaction for your review. Thank you for your assistance.

Automatic locks will not lock or unlock the back passenger door. All other door locks operate properly. Creates safety issues as door does no lock when shifted into drive, the driver can no longer lock the doors while in the driver seat or using the key fob. This is the second time this car has had the same issue. Last time, in 2009, Toyota dealer made all repairs (~$500).

When I check the rear lights of my Toyota, I perceived that one of the rear lights won't turn on when I turn it on. Then I check the same light from others 6 Toyota Camry 2004 and I perceive that all car have the same problem with that left rear side light.

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?.

On August 4, 2012, I was driving on the highway when the throttle actuator control on my 2004 Camry broke. My car came to a complete and sudden stop, which I am very fortunate to have not been hit by another vehicle. I was not able to move the car and many cars were forced to swerve around me to avoid an accident. All of the lights on my dashboard were flashing. When I turned the car off and tried to restart it, the engine light stayed on. I was finally able to move the car after approximately 10 minutes, but was only able to drive at 10 mph. My mechanic checked the engine code & found the problem to be the throttle body actuator control. The price for the part was $900, not including labor. I purchased the car from lia Toyota of northampton, whom I have contacted & they will not assume any responsibility. I have also contacted the Toyota manufacturing of north America office in kentucky and am waiting for a response. This problem needs to be addressed as it is extremely dangerous.

This vehicle had a transmission replaced.

I recently bought a 2004 Toyota Camry with 35,000 miles when I bought it. I started having problems with the car stalling when accelerated, I took it to auto zone to have them check with a computer which it showed that it was a problem with the throtle. I called the Toyota dealer and I have been getting the run around, as days goes by the problem has increased, now the gas pedal doesnt need to be pressed for the car to take off, the rpm goes to 1500 even with the breaks on. I work 6 miles from the house and I had to start the car 8 times to be able to make it to work. I really think this is a safety issue that Toyota should acknowledge instead of ignoring people when complaining about their products. Does the same thing that happened in 2009 need to happen to me before I get a solution or an answer to my questions. Back then Toyota knew about the problem and as usual they swept it under the rug. I owe way too much money on that car. Do I have to spend thousands of dollars to get it fix. ? as a consumer dont I deserve to know why this vehicle is having this problem? I had an altima & had to trade it in for this crap of so called car because of economical issues, and I regret it 100%. This is the second time I've got a Toyota and all I've had its nothing but problems and as usual Toyota ignores everything. I need a vehicle that is reliable and that I can trust my familsy to be safe in. I don't feel safe driving it, I can't put this vehicle on the road and jeopardize the live of inocent people. All I want is to have a safe drivable vehicler. Can somebody help before tragedy happens.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry xle. The contact was driving 65mph when the vehicle shut down, and coasted to a stop. The vehicle restarted and was diagnosed by a private mechanic. The testing failure diagnostic message was code 2112 new throttle body failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 79,300. Rds.

1. My car was stopped while driving 2. First time 3. Problem with pedal sensor, diagnose code po2121/2122.

All three passenger power door locks quit functioning properly. They will still "lock" but will not "open" door locks. Hanford Toyota told us the electrical motors became too weak to open the locks. But they all happened at the same time! car had approx 73847 miles on odometer. Repair/replacement cost is approx $300 per door. I feel there could become a dangerous fire potential and should be replaced under recall.

1. There was no event the car went into a idle in the middle of the road. There was no acceleration. Took my car to the local Toyota dealer and they found a bad "throttle body". I'm finding out this is a coming problem for 2004 Toyota Camry's and whats amazing, the Toyota parts manager said this should be a recall item. Please note this item costs over $1000 to replace!! this is uncalled-for!! thousands of people on line are complaining. Something has to be done. 2. This problem only happen once (Feb. 22nd, 2011) 3. Toyota repaired the problem by replacing the throttle body. (dealer name: bernardi Toyota in framingham, MA 508-766-2463).

While driving the vehicle it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down almost to a stop without driver pressure on the accelerator pedal changing. This problem occurred each time the vehicle was driven. The service department where the vehicle was purchased strongly recommended the vehicle not be driven before repairs could be made. The vehicle was left at the service department where they diagnosed the problem as a defective throttle pedal control, p/n 78010-33010. I am waiting on the service department to repair the problem.

The vehicle's rear window defroster, which I believe is a required safety item in NJ, does not work. Per Toyota, entire convertible top must be replaced to repair window, and the new defroster does not work either. Toyota refuses to acknowledge that this is a design flaw and refuses to replace the top under warranty or repair the window so that the defroster works. This problem with the solara convertible has been an ongoing problem spanning many years, starting with 2004 model.

This problem has to do with the power door actuator on the driver door. The malfunction started intermittently at certain temperatures. The door lock on driver side would not work when pressing the remote or pressing the power door lock button on driver door. As the problem progressed the interior door lock button and latch stopped functioning in manual mode. Not allowing the driver to exit the vehicle. The lock does not open anymore and does not override the malfunctioning door actuator. As a result, should I need to quickly egress the vehicle in an emergency such as a fire or otherwise I will not be able to do so. The only way to open the door at this time is to press the power door lock button back and forth until something catches on, and the button opens. However, this will likely not work in an emergency. I've requested that Toyota replace the faulty part, but was informed that given that the vehicle is out of warranty they are not responsible for it. I requested that they take my case to southeastern Toyota upper management to make a decision. According to the Toyota dealer I was at, the service manager for the entire southeastern united states did not agree with my complaint and did not think it was within their duties to replace the part. My investigation into the issue has revealed that this issue repeats with many other vehicles of the same model years 02-06. . Read more...

In the middle of driving my 2004 Toyota Camry on a busy street, my car experienced a throttle body failure. The service engine light came on and my car stalled in middle of traffic. We had to put the car in neutral to pull it off from the road and wait for a tow truck. The service shop advised me that it will cost over $1000 to fix the faulty throttle body. Toyota is aware of the problem and fixed it in later model years, but to date, no recall has been issued. This is a very dangerous defect and should be recalled as it does affect all 2004 Camrys. My car only has 45,000 miles on it.

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. 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. Notified the corporate office of Toyota and they responded with the fact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and would not acknowledge any safety problem. World Toyota in atlanta will repair the problem for approximately $424. 00, but I feel it should be Toyota's responsibility and definitely a safety issue.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry 4-cylinder vehicle which was purchased in 2004. While driving speeds of less than 2 mph there was an unexpected surge at 3,000 rpms, the vehicle rapidly accelerated and the contact almost crashed into the garage. An independent mechanic stated that there was a faulty computer chip in the gas pedal. The computer chip was replaced at the owner's expense for $750. The manufacturer advised the contact that they would call him back after they spoke with management. The failure and current mileages were approximately 26,000. The consumer stated during testing of the vehicle to determine the cause of the unintended acceleration, the drivers floor mat was in the trunk of the vehicle. The entire gas pedal assembly was replaced as a unit with the computer chip/sensor attached. Updated 10/23/09.

I had problems with car 1st day. They even gave me a free sunroof and 3 free oil change due to the problem and said everything was fix. But still having problem. Now my Cadillac comvor is out and they refuse to fix after saying it was covered. And my car is only 2004 Toyota Camry.

In parking garage I wanted to back up from post. I put car in reverse and had foot on brake. When I released brake slightly, the engine roared and the car lunged back and even with my foot mashing on the brake, the car jumped a curb in the garage and did not stop until it hit an SUV and knocked it into a brick wall. My passenger suffered a subdural hematoma and was hospitalized in portland, or during christmas vacation. She had to remain in portand 30 days until she had a clear ctscan. January 21, 2013 I was stopped for stop sign with foot on the brake, when same vehicle lunged forward at about 30 mph. I had a repeat when I was braking to slow down for a turn, and vehicle just lunged forward and it took me half a block to get the car to stop. On January 26, 2013 I had a repeat of the stop sign incident. I had foot on brake and was at a complete stop, when car lunged forward. Fortunately there were no cars coming and I safely made a left turn as it was a dead end street. Again it took me about half a block to get the car to come to a stop again. I do not feel safe to drive this car and have left it with a local Toyota dealer and had brakes repaired. I have spoken to service manager, rick, and at hq, [xxx], about my issues. Toyota has politely brushed me off like a piece of lint both for the accident in 2007 and my current issues. I have joined the class action suit against Toyota and am requesting the brake override as a stop-gas measure. I currently have 82,700 miles on vehicle and had planned to drive it for several more years. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The consumer stated on October 17, 2004, after being out of the vehicle for about 1 1/2 hours, the vehicle burned to ashes. The firemen seemed to think the problem was the air fuel flow and or electrical. Consumer just got the vehicle. It was locked so no one could have done this. The consumer heard a popping sound and a pedestrian yelled about the fire. The vehicle burnt to ashes, totaling the vehicle.

My car was locked & parked for approximately 1-1/2 hr when it caught on fire, the car was totaled, 2004 Toyota Camry.

Complaint received via e-mail. "my car caught on fire 1 1/2 hours after it was shut off and locked. " please provide more detailed information.

At 630 miles the odometer failed. Which read 56 miles upon purchase. The speedometer, cruise control, and the odometer operated under one module. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. Three months later, the module failed again. Took the vehicle back to the dealer. They replaced the speedometer assembly. While driving with the vehicle in cruise control it will surge forward at an alarming rate of speed. Took the vehicle back to the dealer.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While approaching a stop light at 35 mph, the vehicle lurched forward. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on four separate occasions for the identical failures. The transmission was replaced on two separate occasions, and the computer system was reset. None of the repairs have remedied the failure. The current mileage was unknown the failure mileage was 26,835. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. Updated 1/14/10 updated 01/15/jb.

Drl will not turn on headlights that the owners manual on page 98 said that it will, this could cause a serious accident. The auto is a new 2004 Camry xle, with 902 miles at this time. The lights should come on as stated in the book, or a warning should be in the manual, that the headlights will come on when the light switch is in the drl.