10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,915 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #20

Feb 022022

Camry

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, smoke started coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer and was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 292020

Camry

  • 104,000 miles
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?

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #18

Mar 222019

Camry

  • 92,987 miles
The engine roared and immediately I was going too fast. Put on the brakes and it did not reoccur but it scared me. I was on a city street and turning into the right lane from the left lane. Fortunately the street was not too busy. I did not hit anything.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #17

Oct 242018

Camry

  • 65 miles
Takata recalled on the highways my shaking and didn't want to stop

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #16

Feb 012018

Camry

  • 99,000 miles
'takata recall' on the first start in the morning an ample amount of white smoke comes out the exhaust. I have not detected any odor. I understand that a lot of people that own the Camry are having the same issue.

- Weeki Wachee, FL, USA

problem #15

Nov 012017

Camry

  • 70,000 miles
Takata recall, the engine smoke white in the startup when the car set for a day or so.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #14

Jul 152015

Camry

  • miles
Gears not working

- Helena, MT, USA

problem #13

Mar 192016

Camry

  • 100,000 miles
March 19th 2016, driving on a city street when the car suddenly accelerated. Applied the brakes/emergency brake. Car continued to accelerated and I attempted to enter freeway. I was unable to turn the steering wheel and I hit a car that was entering the freeway.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #12

Mar 192016

Camry

  • 100,000 miles
On March 19, 2016, I was driving my Toyota 2005 Camry at approximately 35 mph, when the car suddenly accelerated. I applied the brakes, emergency brake and put the car in park. The car continued to accelerate and I attempted to approach the freeway on ramp. I was unable to turn the steering wheel. I crossed a raised island and into the freeway lane and hit a car that was driving onto the freeway ramp. Both cars were damaged. My car was totaled. I was transported to hospital and was discharged from emergency room.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 152006

Camry

  • 15,000 miles
2005 Camry purchased used as a program car in Nov 2005 with 12K miles on it. When starting up vehicle, then driving at less than 10 mph in reverse (to back up out of a driveway or parking space), applying the brake and then putting car into drive, the car will accelerate intermittently on its own before driver depresses the gas pedal. Driver always has had to continue to apply the brake for sefveral seconds, to be certain the vehicle will not surge forward, esp if approaching a corner less than 100 ft away. The dealer was informed of this phenomena in early 2006, while vehicle was still under warranty. Dealer examined the vehicle but could not replicate the problem. Owner has "learned to live with" the safety defect. Driver never knows when event will happen. Most recent occurence was 4/10/16. No one but owner is allowed to drive the car. Vehicle now has 120K miles on it, and has otherwise been reliable.

- Geneva, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 232015

Camry

  • 147,000 miles
We noticed white smoke coming out of the car so we took it into our mechanic who told us that coolant was leaking into the engine. He noted that upon doing some research this was a common problem with that year model and repairing it would be extremely costly. We were told we should not drive it anymore because the engine could quit on us at anytime. My husband checked the crank case dipstick and the radiator, both were contaminated with rust.at this point it was determined that we could no longer drive the car..

- Reading, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 072014

Camry

  • 108,000 miles
My car started making clicking noises underneath the hood when I turned a corner. I took it to gateway Toyota to find out what the problem was and found out that that I need a new transmission. My problem with needing a transmission is that the car was made to be in automatic overdrive. In the manual is states that the overdrive should always be on. I believe that driving with the overdrive on at all times caused the transmission to eventually fail before its time. I also believe there is a defect in the transmission because when I turn off the overdrive, the car drives fine. In addition, many mechanics I have talked to stated that the overdrive really shouldn't be used that often and it is strange that the Toyota Camry were built to have the overdrive on continuously. I know that there is no recall, but I strongly believe that this problem happens often, but may not be reported due to the mileage.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #8

Feb 132015

Camry 4-cyl

  • 78 miles
I was driving on a city street at about 35mph when rough, somewhat grinding noises came from under the right side of the car hood of the 2005 Toyota Camry. These noises continued for about 15 minutes while I was driving. I stopped at a red light. When I had the right-of-way and attempted to proceed, I found I could not turn the steering wheel. I thought the car was inoperable but when I exerted great effort, the wheel did turn. Fortunately, I was able to turn a corner and move into a public parking lot. Again with great steering difficulty and noise from below the car hood, I drove the car about a quarter of a mile to my home and the car was towed to a service center. Updated 4/14/16

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #7

Oct 102013

Camry

  • 86,000 miles
This is a delayed response, as I was not aware that Toyota finally accepted responsibility for spontaneous accelerations. I was in slow, stop and go traffic and my car suddenly accelerated. I recall looking down as I pressed the brake as hard as I could because the car was not stopping or decelerating. I thought that my foot must have been inadvertently on the gas pedal but it was firmly planted on the brake. The brake worked as there were definite skid marks. I slammed into the back of a Tahoe, totaling my car and causing a pulled shoulder, whip lash, and a deviated septum in my nose from the airbag deployment. I was afraid that the policeman would not even believe my account of the accident so I did not report the incident as clearly as it occurred (though I definitely accepted responsibility). I just received a check for approximately $23 a few weeks ago for a class action lawsuit settlement. I am furious that I lost an otherwise (paid for) great car, sustained injuries and more important, endangered people around me. I also now have an "accident" on my insurance record. The financial, physical and emotional toll this has taken can certainly not be "bought out" with $23. I wish that I had told my experience to the officer as I clearly perceived it, regardless of how implausible it seemed. Now, I have foolishly already purchased another Camry, and, once again they have a major safety recall. At least they have openly acknowledged this one. However, I cannot get them to return my calls with an appointment for a repair. What am I supposed to do in the meantime" wait until another "accident" happens? how can I get in to get a repair" please let me know. I am afraid to drive it but cannot afford to rent a car indefinitely. I am grateful to have found this site. Thank you.

- Hartwell, GA, USA

problem #6

May 162014

Camry 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Engine oil consumption I have this issue since 2 yrs ago, I would like to express this to other Toyota owners, I'm looking for help and possibly to get an official recall from Toyota, thank you.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #5

Nov 192013

Camry 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine being defective. The check engine light illuminated. A diagnosis revealed water was in the engine and it would need to be replaced at a cost of $1,858.33 the consumer was informed, the heads could not be removed, because of an engine defect. The screws on the manifold or heads were coming loose and that's how water entered the engine, and the head gasket had blown. The consumer stated about a month ago, she started having problems with the vehicle. She was informed the ignition needed to be replaced. Also, the water pump, and alternator were replaced. The air compressor and heater sensor element failed. Updated 05/12/14.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #4

Sep 042013

Camry 4-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
My car is 88000 miles, its 2005 Toyota Camry standard automatic transmission. One fine day, when driving on the highway, I got an engine light check. I couldn't stop on the road, so took an exit and when I slowed down while on the exit ramp the engine stopped suddenly. I though its one off incident and start it again and started driving, but at the next immediate signal light, I had to stop for the red light and the engine stopped again. I got it towed to the nearest car mechanic, they said, it's the engine locked problem and it needs to be replaced. I wanted to get a second opinion and got it towed to another mechanic, he told the same, engine locked. If I were to take it to the dealer shop they would take exorbitant amount of money to just figure out the problem. I am extremely pissed that Toyota Camry engine would fail for 88,000 miles.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #3

Nov 292012

Camry 4-cyl

  • 61,048 miles
At 60667 miles, car diagnosed with oil pan and water pump leakage. Cost of repair approximately $900 at Toyota dealership. Car has been garage kept and maintained at recommended intervals with no previous problems. While Toyota had a massive recall for defective water pumps and with no apparent mileage limit and for years as far back as 2001 models, the 2005 base Camry did not receive a recall even though the water pump leakage in this model year is obviously an issue.

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

problem #2

Dec 292012

Camry

  • 43,360 miles
Defective throttle body...found out this is common with Camry. Over 1,000 to replace. Outrageous for a car with 43K miles and original owner. Thos should be a recall item by Toyota.

- Belmont, MA, USA

problem #1

Feb 242012

Camry

  • 113,770 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that white smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe upon starting. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the engine was leaking oil. The contact was also informed that the entire engine would be destroyed within a few months if it were not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent repair shop on three occasions where various repairs were performed. The failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,770.

- Rosemead, CA, USA