2004 Toyota Camry Solara: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 161 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (20% of complaints); the 2002 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Solara. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the TPMS indicated that the tire pressure was low however, upon investigation the tires were at the correct tire pressure. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry solara. While operating the vehicle, the check engine indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to west herr toyota (4141 s. Western blvd, orchard park, ny) where it was diagnosed that fuel cylinder sensors one and two were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,231. *bf *jb”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry solara. The contact noticed that the dashboard was fractured. Priority toyota hampton located at 2301 w mercury boulevard, hampton, va 23666, (757)838-5000) was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall however, there was a warranty enhancement from the manufacturer for the failure in similar vehicles. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,151.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Exited freeway and hit brakes to slow and stop at traffic light. The motor accelerated, the brakes were too weak to stop the vehical, and I crashed into the stopped car at the traffiic light. It seemed that the cruise control did not turn off when I pressed the brake pedal. They failed to turn the cruise control off.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2019
“The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that the dashboard started to crack exposing the air bag. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2018
“Toyota transmission u241e is rigged with problems. Several of their models have this and it's costly. In addition the ecm ecu (computer unit) is problematic. You will have to fix the transmission or the computer or both. They have received many complaints about this but do little to fix or even help. You can find bunch of articles on it. See: http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/harsh-shifting-problems-on-toyota-rav-automatic-transmission-and-problem-repair”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2004 toyota camry solara. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. As a result, the contact cashed into a palm tree. The air bags deployed. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer collision center. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,100.”Owner report · Steering · May 2016
“The car has 70100 miles. Noticed that the steering wheel makes low clicks when turning and there is a slight movement in the steering wheel. Determined the problem to be a failure of the intermediate steering shaft. Contacted toyota, they said no recalls were on this vehicle. Asked toyota via email on 2/19 if the steering shaft has been re-designed and requested the correct part number to replace the defective part. Car is sitting awaiting an update from toyota and repair.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry solara. The contact stated that there was a power steering failure. A mechanic replaced the power steering pump, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v539000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired by a dealer or a mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2016
“When turning right at about 25mph, the steering wheel completely locked up. I applied the brakes immediately but they car still impacted, then continued over the curb. The steering wheel remained locked for a while after the car came to a stop and then finally released. Prior to this incident the steering wheel had locked on several occasions only when the car was shut off and parked, although it remained locked stubbornly even after the car was put in drive and the steering wheel adjusted slightly. This was the first time the car locked up while the key was in the ignition and the car was in motion. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camry Solara by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara reliable?
NHTSA has 161 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. The most complained-about area is structure (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Camry Solara problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.