Model year guide

2004 Toyota Camry

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Toyota Camry is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 217 on record.

2004 Toyota Camry — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Toyota Camry at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints799
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$4,016

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Toyota Camry recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #11V539000 · 09/11/2011

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 …

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 …

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #04V595000 · 15/12/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #04V346000 · 13/07/2004

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Toyota Camry common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 799 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2004 Toyota Camry safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Toyota Camry 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Toyota Camry MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,750

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Toyota Camry worth?

Low
$2,300
Typical price
$4,016
High
$6,000

From 216 comparable 2004 Toyota Camry listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Toyota Camry costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,450
Total$16,200
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,016) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,582), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Toyota Camry trims & engines on record

Trims
LE · LE V6 · XLE · SE · SE V6
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl 157 hp · 3.3L 6-cyl 230 hp

2004 Toyota Camry vehicles on record

Other Toyota Camry model years

2004 Toyota Camry — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Toyota Camry have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2004 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry?

Based on 799 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, steering, fuel system.

What is the 2004 Toyota Camry safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Toyota Camry crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Camry get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Toyota Camry at about 23 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway).

How much is a 2004 Toyota Camry worth?

Comparable 2004 Toyota Camry listings run roughly $2,300–$6,000, typically around $4,016 (from 216 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.