2005 Toyota Camry problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (245) · Steering (57) · Seat Belts (40)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Camry model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
575 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler 2016-06-02 · campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heat
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2011-11-09 · campaign 11V539000 · 420,326 vehicles
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIEN
Risk: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
Defect: GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
Defect: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Service bulletins (162)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 162 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-09 · Structure:body · 🔥 fire“car caught on fire in apartment complex over night. whole car was destroyed…”
2026-04-09 · Electrical System · 142,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2005 toyota camry. the contact stated that his daughter's vehicle caught on fire while parked in a residential area. the vehicle was unoccupied during the fire; the contact was alerted by the fire department. the fire originated from the engine, it was reported that the cause of the fire was faulty wiring. there were 2 vehicles …”
2026-02-10 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 248,083 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2005 toyota camry. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the mileage was 125,647; however, the contact found a repair bill from january 10th, 2018, that indicated that the mileage as 233,045. additionally, a carfax report indicated tha…”
2025-10-12 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“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 re…”
2025-08-06 · Steering“the contact owns a 2005 toyota camry. the contact’s brother performed brake repair on the vehicle and added prestone dot 3 brake fluid to the brake reservoir. the contact stated that several days later, while driving at approximately 25 mph, the brakes locked up and the vehicle failed to move. the vehicle was taken to the brother’s residence by her…”
2025-03-15 · Unknown Or Other“just bought this car on 3/12/2025 was assured nothing wrong. when taking off it goes about 8 ft then hesitates causing the car behind to almost hit me. twice it's happened. pulling out of busy intersections is dangerous. also it will down shift while driving regularly. causing cars to run up on you. it also almost died at.a stop sign. could b…”
2024-01-22 · Service Brakes“while going about 15mph the car accelerated on its own . had a hard time finally stopping vehicle breaking and put the car in neutral.…”
2023-11-09 · Unknown Or Other“unattended acceleration. i was on a slight incline, trying to enter the highway. i was stopped with my foot on the break with all of a sudden acceleration, and i started to surge forward. i kept my foot on the break and kept the car from moving forward, but it did seemed to it, going into high gear to want to move forward. then put it in neutral an…”
2023-08-08 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 toyota camry. the contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the brake was depressed and failed to respond, and the vehicle drove over the parking block. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact drove the vehicle to her residence. the vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the br…”
2022-02-24 · Engine · 170,000 mi“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 v…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.