2005 Toyota Camry Solara Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara most frequently report dashboard cracking and stickiness, along with unintended acceleration or throttle hesitation from the drive-by-wire system. Airbag non-deployment in crashes is a recurring concern, and a smaller group of complaints describes transmission and throttle hesitation at low speeds, particularly when merging or resuming acceleration after slowing.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracking, stickiness, and windshield glare

   • 22 complaints (24%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2025

   Complaints describe the dashboard vinyl developing cracks, a sticky or gummy residue, and in some cases a shiny surface that reflects sunlight onto the windshield and impairs forward visibility. Owners report the problem appearing gradually over several years and worsening in hot, sunny climates. According to complaints, dealers confirmed the dashboard needed replacement but quoted out-of-pocket costs, and some owners were told the replacement part was no longer available. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from around 12,000 to over 115,000 miles, with many owners noting the problem developed years after purchase regardless of how carefully the vehicle was stored.

   What to check: Inspect the dashboard closely for cracks, peeling vinyl, or a shiny residue before purchase, and ask whether the dashboard has been replaced; if not, factor in the cost, as the dealer may no longer stock the part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Horrible cracks all along dash board. Called Toyota and told them I have seen many post about the same problem. They stated that only if they got enough complaints would they possibly do anything. We have owned 4 toyotas, don't know if there will be any more if they don't do something!”

   NHTSA complaint #10506032, filed 2013-04, 75,000 miles

   “We have been the sole owners of the car and have lived in miami, fl throughout the entire length of ownership. Not long after time of purchase, we began to notice the same complaint so many other owners have complained about: the melting and cracking of the dashboard. Although the cracks and shine are unsightly and the stickiness is bothersome, the most troublesome result of this defect is the glare it casts on the windshield. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10667673, filed 2014-12, 30,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or stuck accelerator

   • 21 complaints (23%)
   • median 50,100 mi at 5.5 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2017

   Complaints describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating without the driver pressing the gas pedal, most often at low speeds in parking lots or when shifting into reverse or pulling into a space. Owners report being unable to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes in some instances. According to complaints, dealers and Toyota inspected the accelerator components and generally reported finding nothing wrong, and the Solara was not included in the Toyota unintended-acceleration recalls covering other models. Reported across a broad mileage range from around 2,000 to over 135,000 miles, with no clear concentration at a particular mileage interval.

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has any history of sudden acceleration events and review any available service records; test the throttle response carefully during a test drive, particularly when maneuvering at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1. I put the car in reverse and it accelerated suddenly, hitting another car and a post. 2. This happened the one time but I haven't gotten the car back from the body shop, yet. 3. Toyota has denied responsibility since they examined the car carefully in its immobile wrecked condition at the body shop and found the accelerator to be fine. I also, had after market floor mats.”

   NHTSA complaint #10312381, filed 2010-02, 64,000 miles

   “I own a 2005 solara sle v6 automatic: pulling into a restaurant parking space, making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward: jumping the curb, forward onto a muddy open space, an approx. 25* incline, and into a low barrier wall between the two neighboring restaurants' parking lots (with cars on the other-side of the barrier). Fortunately, no vehicles or persons were stuck!; just, the damage to my vehicle! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10576595, filed 2014-04, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Throttle hesitation and transmission lag (drive-by-wire)

   • 18 complaints (20%)
   • median 7,037 mi at 2.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2014

   Owners describe a noticeable delay of up to two seconds between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle responding, particularly after slowing and then resuming acceleration. Some complaints also describe abrupt downshifts and a lurching sensation. According to complaints, dealers acknowledged the behavior but attributed it to the drive-by-wire throttle system design, and a software update was applied to some vehicles early on without fully resolving the concern. Several complaints were filed at very low mileage, under 10,000 miles, suggesting the condition is present from early in the vehicle's life rather than developing with wear.

   What to check: During a test drive, pay attention to throttle response when accelerating from a near-stop and when merging; if a lag or lurch is present, ask whether the transmission control software has been updated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was surprised to see how many identical complaints there were concerning the acceleration lag with the 6 cylinder '05 solara. My complaints to Toyota yielded no results. The car hesitates when slowing then accelerating then jumps forward. Same problem when accelerating to merge with traffic. Many close calls and snapping of the neck on acceleration. Drive by wire is poor substitution for drive by mechanism.”

   NHTSA complaint #10200717, filed 2007-08, 1,000 miles

   “The second generation Toyota solara uses drive by wire technology instead of a throttle cable. My car experiences a lag between the time when I press the gas pedal and when the car actually starts to move. This happens in a specific scenario where the car is decelerating, but then the driver resumes accelerating. The lag can last up to 2 seconds and presents a critical safety issue which has LED to three near miss accidents in intersections for me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10168990, filed 2006-09, 500 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag non-deployment in crashes

   • 17 complaints (18%)
   • median 59,850 mi at 8.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2025

   Complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during collisions that owners and responding officers considered significant enough to expect deployment. Owners report contacting Toyota and visiting dealers for answers, and according to complaints they were generally told the airbag system performed within design specifications or that the dealer was not authorized to investigate the matter. Complaints were filed at varying mileages with no consistent pattern, as these events depend on crash circumstances rather than accumulated miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag warning light is currently illuminated and have the occupant detection system and airbag control module scanned for fault codes before purchase, as one TSB describes the occupant detection ECU as a known failure point.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was in an accident on september 10, 2005. I was driving northbound on 5th street in santa monica and had the green light. As I entered the intersection, I saw a car going eastbound on santa monica blvd entering the intersection against the light. I was unable to stop in time and hit the other car. My airbags did not deploy. The on-scene officers, the body shop, and the claims adjuster were concerned that my air bags did not deploy. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10140474, filed 2005-10, 9,854 miles

   “My passenger airbag indicator was illuminating the off light when an adult was seated in my passenger seat. Diagnostics done at a Toyota dealership indicated I needed a new occupant detection ecu. It failed for unknown reasons. This was a $670 fix. They installed a new one and it did not work. They then installed another one, which did not work properly either. Finally, they installed a third one and it wasn't working properly either. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10704903, filed 2015-04, 114,649 miles

Buying note. The dashboard deterioration is a well-documented cosmetic and visibility concern on this model year, and buyers should inspect the dash carefully and price in a potential replacement. The unintended acceleration complaints span many years and mileages, so a careful low-speed test drive and a review of any available service history are worthwhile steps.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.