2005 Toyota Camry

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 721 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
42,000 milesMedian miles at failure

575 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control216
126060
Steering54
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission42
200
Seat Belts38
305
Service Brakes, Hydraulic37
1104
Air Bags37
22026
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal20
1007
Electrical System17
441
Unknown or Other16
402
Tires16
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler16V396000
Filed Jun 2, 20167,749 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc

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 heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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 Cooling11V539000
Filed Nov 9, 2011420,326 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

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 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.

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.

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.

Equipment › Other › Labels10V036000
Filed Feb 3, 2010153,418 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels10V035000
Filed Feb 3, 2010271,417 vehiclesGulf States Toyota, Inc.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly04V595000
Filed Dec 15, 2004150,061 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.

Remedy. 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..

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 9, 2026142,000 milesKY

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 next to the vehicle that was damaged in the event of the fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled. No injuries were reported. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 9, 2026VA

Car caught on fire in apartment complex over night. whole car was destroyed

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Feb 10, 2026248,083 milesTX

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 that the mileage was 248,083 on March 15th, 2022.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Oct 12, 2025CA

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 rear driver side door. My car kept going until I was finally able to get the brake to work and it stopped just before another parking lot curb with planter zone. As far as I can tell the brake and or accelerator malfunctioned dangerously and suddenly. It could also have been a malfunctioning TPS (throttle positioning sensor). I would like my car inspected to determine what caused this malfunction. While everyone involved said they felt fine. One person, in the first car hit, was sitting in the driver seat, luckily no one was in the front passenger seat. That driver said she was ok. The second car was unoccupied. This dangerous incident had no warnings or symptoms prior to the accident. My online research shows that there was a recall that included my make and year for sticky pedal, floormat, and deformed accelerator cable housing. These can cause unintended acceleration or unresponsive pedal. According to the Toyota website my VIN has no outstanding recalls though. I would like my car checked out because any recall repair, if done, may not have been done thoroughly enough to prevent the collision I experienced on September 28, 2025, s

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 6, 2025PA

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 brother while driving and depressing the accelerator and brake pedal simultaneously. The contact’s brother flushed the brake lines however, the failure persisted. The contact’s brother became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24E101000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Steering) from the NHTSA.gov website. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was cross contamination of the braking system and the entire braking system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 15, 2025KY

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 be tranmission. Not sure exactly.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2024FL

While going about 15MPH the car accelerated on its own . Had a hard time finally stopping vehicle breaking and put the car in neutral.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 9, 2023IL

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 and in reverse to back up a couple feet so that I wasn’t hit by a moving car on the highway. And then drove the car home. And Toyota to report the problem.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Aug 8, 202372,000 milesCA

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 brake master cylinder was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 72,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2022170,000 milesCA

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

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Aug 26, 2021NJ

July 14, 2021 arriving back to New Jersey from Las Vegas. I pick up my vehicle Wednesday night at Hoboken NJ garage , heading home my 2005 Toyota Camry vehicle air bag (steering wheel) deployed. As I was driving (15mph) no lights was on the dashboard, no pot holes on the street and there was no accident involving my vehicle. I was hit in the face from the air bag pretty hard it almost made me crash into a electric pole and gas station. 911 was called, the Jersey City police department, fire department and Ambulance arrived. The area was block off looking for car parts or pot holes nothing was found so the police report can be completed. I treated inside the ambulance at the scene, my left hand was burned and head/ neck was hurting. I just decline going to the hospital at the moment. The police called a towing company as I called my car insurance to informing them the situation. As my vehicle was being towed away the police officer said its a malfunction problem it can be a recall I don't know about. The following day I was in touch with my claim agent from my insurance, letting them no where my vehicle was towed at. They informed me to get in touch with the Toyota to see if they going to take full responsibility of the air bag being deployed on July 14, 2021 . I called Toyota Corporation and gave them all the information they asked and then I was told a inspector would reach out to inspect my 2005 Toyota Camry vehicle but it has to be a auto body shop. The place the police go

Unknown or Other
Filed May 8, 2021CA

TOYOTA CAMRY 2005 LE SUNROOFPROBLEMS WATER

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 1, 2021AL

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN

Tires
Filed Dec 14, 2020169,000 milesCA

TOTAL TIRE TREAD SEPARATION LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE

EngineCrash
Filed Jun 21, 2020104,000 milesKS

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?

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 17, 20191,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, AN ITEM FLEW OUT OF A TRUCK WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE SAFELY, THEN SAFELY WENT OVER BACK TO THE LEFT LANE. THE CONTACT THEN MANEUVERED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BLOODY NOSE AND ANKLE INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN THE BACK AND BROKEN RIGHT ARM. BOTH INJURED REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DON'T NORMALLY SENT OUT INSPECTOR ONLY IF THERE WAS A DEATH INVOLVED. A REPORT WAS FILED FROM THE INSPECTOR THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD COME UNDONE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 800 OR 1000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 15, 2019190,000 milesCT

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I TAKE EVERYDAY AS I WAS MILDLY TURNING WITH THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL SPUNG TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR WENT OUT OD CONTROL SPINNING AND ENDED ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE THAN MY CAR STARTED TO FLIP OVER NONE STOP AND THE AIRBAGS DIDNT NOT BURST OR COME OUT.

Engine
Filed Mar 23, 201992,987 milesAZ

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.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 20, 201977,800 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE FOLDED OVER AND APPEARED VERY LOOSE. THE SEAT BELTS HAD NO STRENGTH AND WOULD NOT TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO I-10 TOYOTA (78980 VARNER RD, INDIO, CA 92203, (760) 565-0447) WHERE THE MECHANICS UNFOLDED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT'S SON HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FIVE TIMES. THE SEAT BELTS CONTINUED TO FOLD AND WERE TOO TIGHT TO FASTEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800. *TT *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2019120,000 milesAZ

BRAKE PEDAL IS "STUTTERING" AT QUICK STOPS. WHEN TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNS YELLOW AND I PRESS DOWN BRAKE FIRMLY, THE BRAKE WORKS, THEN RELEASES BY ITSELF. I HAVE TO QUICKLY PRESS IT AGAIN TO ACTUALLY STOP VEHICLE. THIS "STUTTER" CAUSES THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD A FEW FEET. IT'S A BIT SCARY TO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER BRAKING APPROPRIATELY. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON BRAKES!!!! DANGEROUS!!! HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY FOR LAST 3 MONTHS!!!

20 of 721 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202450100Routine
202364220Do not drive
202260110Routine
2021156121Fatalities reported
2020273320Above average
2019394610Above average
2018738840Above average
2017148350Routine
2016183220Routine
2015271131Fatalities reported
2014455341Fatalities reported
2013274211Fatalities reported
2012589260High concern
2011599570High concern
2010602910High concern
20091,29310192Fatalities reported
20089338130High concern
20072,88610644Fatalities reported
2006317542Fatalities reported
2005 — this page7215106Fatalities reported
20046383115Fatalities reported
20037801105Fatalities reported
200295342012Fatalities reported
20012724113Fatalities reported
20004544283Fatalities reported
19995012422Fatalities reported
19986003310High concern
19975554273Fatalities reported
1996417785Fatalities reported
19953035111Fatalities reported
19942873108Fatalities reported
19932602102Fatalities reported
19925652190Above average
19911491101Fatalities reported
1990134230Routine

Compare every Camry year →

Reading this record

6 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.