Motor Almanac

Toyota / Camry / 2005

2005 Toyota Camry

Family: Camry · filed with NHTSA as CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA

Summary

  • In its first three years the 2005 Camry drew 186 complaints — 0.7× the median of its generation (2002–2006). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Accelerator & Cruise Control, holds 37% of the 794 that name a component.
  • 5 recalls filed for this model year.
  • 2 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
813
Recalls
5
Investigations
2
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
21–25
Annual fuel cost
$2,500–$2,950
Median mileage at complaint
42,000 mi (n = 643)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
245 / 11 / 135 / 18

What owners report

Accelerator & Cruise Control

292 complaints · 37% of complaints that name a component · median 40,000 mi (n = 236)

Owner report ON 4/13 AROUND 2PM, I ARRIVED AT FRIEND'S TOWNHOUSE (ADDRESS: 203 WILDFELL TRL. CARY NC27513). I DROVE MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF THE TOWNHOUSE SLOWLY WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. BEFORE I SHIFTED THE GEAR TO THE 'PARKING', MY CAR SUDDENLY SHOOT UP AND HIT THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER BOX IN THE FRONT OF THE T…
Owner report 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE REVERSING THE ENGINE REVVED TO HIGH RPM AND LUNGED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 7 FEET, JUMPED A 6 INCH CONCRETE STEP AND PLOWED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. *JS

Brakes

102 complaints · 13% of complaints that name a component · median 28,000 mi (n = 87)

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

Powertrain

100 complaints · 13% of complaints that name a component · median 25,000 mi (n = 74)

Owner report BOUGHT CAMRY 05 NEW AND HAD INTERMITTENT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT . HAVE HAD ALL MOST ALL FRONT END REPLACED, MOTOR AND TRAN MOUNTS, CV DRIVE LINES .BEARING,ETC . I HAD THE CAR DOWN AT THE TOYOTA DEALER MANY TIME OVER THE YEARS THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THING BAD ... I MY SELF CHECKED OUT FOR LOSE PARTS FOUND NOTHING TILL…
Owner report WHILE SWITCHING LANES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AT A STOPLIGHT ABOUT 10 FEET BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT, AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HIT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATION AT LEAST 6-7 TI…

2% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2002–2006)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 270.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
20021,013409most complaints
2003806271
2004799270
2005813186
200643591fewest complaints

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

16V396000 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Filed 2016-06-02 · 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 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.

11V539000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Filed 2011-11-09 · 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 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.

10V035000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2010-02-03 · 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.

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.

10V036000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2010-02-03 · 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.

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.

04V595000 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Filed 2004-12-15 · 150,061 vehicles

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..

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
DP06003VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2006-09-142007-04-03
DP05002VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2005-08-052006-01-05

DP06003: ENGINE SURGING

DP05002: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Camry2.4L 4cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive213125$2500
Camry2.4L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive213024$2600
Camry3.0L 6cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive182621$2950
Camry3.3L 6cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive182721$2950
Camry Solara2.4L 4cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive202924$2600
Camry Solara2.4L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive213024$2600
Camry Solara3.3L 6cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive182721$2950
Camry Solara Convertible3.3L 6cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive182621$2950

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2005 Toyota Camry 4-DR.Not RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 328 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2026-01-07UNKNOWN OR OTHERSome 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 Serv…
2026-01-07UNKNOWN OR OTHERSome 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 Serv…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYAcid 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…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYTo 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 in…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYThe 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 vehicl…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYAcid 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…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYTo 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 in…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYThe 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 vehicl…
2024-12-05STRUCTURE:BODYToyota 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 …
2024-12-05STRUCTURE:BODYToyota 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 …

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Camry, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Camry model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.