2005 Toyota Camry Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about unexpected or sudden acceleration, usually at low speed while parking, pulling into a space, or shifting from reverse to drive, and many say the dealer could not find a cause. Second most common are seat belts that fold and stop retracting, followed by a clunk in the steering that is traced to the intermediate shaft, airbags that did not deploy in a collision, and hesitation or jerking from the transmission. Reports are spread widely across the odometer range, with acceleration accounts often on low-mileage cars and belt and steering complaints showing up from a few thousand to well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden or unintended acceleration at low speed

   • 330 complaints (46%)
   • median 36,738 mi at 5.0 yrs old (256 state mileage)
   • 163 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,300 (median of 17 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2025

   Complaints describe the car surging forward or backward while parking, entering a driveway, or shifting between reverse and drive, often with the brake already applied and the vehicle moving over a curb, barrier or building. Several owners say the engine revved high on its own, or that the pedal felt stuck down, and that braking did not stop the car until it hit something or was shifted to neutral and shut off. The dealer response described in these complaints is most often that nothing was found and the vehicle was operating as designed; a few owners report throttle body cleaning or no repair at all. Reported across a wide mileage range from near-new to over 100,000 miles, most often at very low speed in parking situations rather than on the highway.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive, try low-speed manoeuvres in a lot and check that the pedal moves freely and returns fully; ask whether the accelerator pedal sensor or throttle body has been inspected or replaced. Have a shop scan for stored codes and road-test the car in stop-and-go conditions.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On or about jan. 25, 2010, I was parking my 2005 Toyota Camry on the street in front if my house. As I put it into reverse to back into the parking space, it suddenly surged backward incredibly fast. The only thing that stopped it was the car parked behind me. No damage was visible on the other car; but my bumper was scratched and cracked. It scared me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10313942, filed 2010-02, 36,681 miles

   “While I was pulling into a parking space in a parking deck, my 2005 Camry crashed into the wall at the end of the space because of sudden or unintended acceleration. Extensive damage was done to the bumper and hood, but there were no injuries to me or my passenger. This happened in arlington, va on 1/23/10.”

   NHTSA complaint #10303646, filed 2010-02, 48,643 miles
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Front seat belts fold over and stop retracting

   • 44 complaints (6%)
   • median 68,285 mi at 7.4 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $432 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2019

   Complaints describe the front shoulder belt twisting or folding on itself as it retracts, then jamming in the pillar guide so it stays slack and loose, or will not pull out at all. Owners say it happens repeatedly, that manipulation only fixes it temporarily, and that replacing the assembly was expensive and in some cases did not stop it from recurring. One complaint also notes the belt light staying on, and dealers are described as attributing the folding to how the belt was handled. Appears from as little as a few hundred miles up to around 100,000 miles, and several owners describe it starting a few years into ownership.

   Recall 04V595000

   What to check: Pull each front belt out fully and let it retract several times to see whether it folds or jams in the guide, and confirm the belt warning light goes out when buckled. Ask whether either front belt assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2005 Toyota Camry le in august, 2005. After about 3 years, I started having issues with both front seatbelts retracting properly. When the seatbelt is initially pulled out to put it on, it does not retract to create a snug fit while wearing it. The fabric part of the seatbelt folds over and twists, preventing it from retracting. Most of the time it can be corrected with a little manipulation and much frustration. But, there have been a few incidents where I have had to take it to a mechanic to fix it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10660242, filed 2014-11, 37,000 miles

   “1 - seat belt - gets stuck , causing it to be inoperable and floppy. The plastic guide allows the webbing belt to get stuck in it. 2 - I cannot buy replace the belt , an important , common , inexpensive item , from anyone, but the dealer $200 + $100 labor. I can purchase lap belt for $15, but that is not good enough and does not fix the problem. Good design for the manufacturer , cheap because rightwas same as left , but poor design for me as it casused belt to be worn and get stuck . Car was 2005, but has 65000 so no more warranty . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10187449, filed 2007-04, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a collision

   • 69 complaints (10%)
   • median 39,500 mi at 5.7 yrs old (60 state mileage)
   • 60 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2021

   Complaints describe front or side impacts where the airbags stayed folded, including cases with substantial front-end damage and occupants injured, and one owner noting the seat was also damaged. In one account the SRS warning light came on, which owners understood to mean the belts and bags would not work in a crash. These owners generally report contacting the manufacturer or dealer and receiving no diagnosis or repair. Reported from under 15,000 miles to around 105,000 miles; several of the accounts involve collisions at moderate speeds.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the key to on and confirm the airbag light comes on briefly and then goes out; a light that stays lit points to an SRS fault. A scan tool can pull stored SRS codes, and the vehicle history should show whether any airbag-related campaign work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Westbound on I-285, middle lane, a car stopped totally in front of us, at dusk. We had 5-6 vehicle lengths between us ,but momentarily did not realize the car in front was not moving, as she did not even put on her brake lights. We braked, hitting her in the rear bumper. We were nearly hit by a tractor trailer behind us, but mercifully, he was able to move the front of his rig to the right lane beside us. We realized almost immediately that our airbags did not deploy, either side. The seat belts really held us. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10608064, filed 2014-07, 72,000 miles

   “On mar. 1 2010 my wife was driving in city traffic at 30 MPH when she rear- ended the car ahead. Her head hit the steering wheel and was rendered unconscious. The air bags never deployed despite major front end damage. Her memory of what happened was lost but she felt the car had jumped or surged just before. She was driving a 2005 Toyota Camry which has not yet been recalled.the car was totaled and Toyota doesn't feel the car might have a problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10317405, filed 2010-03, 21,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Clunk in steering traced to intermediate shaft

   • 87 complaints (12%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (74 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2025

   Owners describe a clunking or rattling noise from the steering area and front end, sometimes with vibration or shaking felt through the wheel, and in one case an alignment that could no longer be set. Complaints say the diagnosis was a worn intermediate steering shaft or column, with replacement given as the repair. One owner says the manufacturer declined to assist with the cost, another reports the noise case being attributed to worn tires before the shaft was suspected. Mostly reported between about 36,000 and 105,000 miles, with one instance at very low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive over uneven pavement and turn the wheel slowly while listening and feeling for a clunk or looseness in the column area. Ask for the service history on steering shaft or column replacement and check tire wear for an even pattern.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased the car on july 17, 2013 in which I felt a shaking in the wheel and a sever rattle in the steering wheel. I was assured by the dealership that the car needed new tires and a balance. (the tires were bad-dealership was selling as is) purchased new tires and had them balanced in which the car continues to shake and rattle in the steering wheel. I have taken it in to many shops and they think the intermediate steering shaft may be wearing. I was told that this is extremely rare and with the mileage it shouldn't be wearing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10605544, filed 2014-06, 103,000 miles

   “Dt: about 300 miles while driving steering wheel came loose, and caused loss of vehicle control. At 537 miles, while making a right hand turn and then a left turn, as driver attempted to straighten the vehicle steering wheel would not respond. Steering wheel had no control. The weather was dry, a flat road. The speed was about 65 pmh. Vehicle crahed into a wall. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained a broken back, and arm. Driver sustained a broken ankle and bruises.”

   NHTSA complaint #10123738, filed 2005-06, 300 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hesitation, surging and jerking from the transmission

   • 155 complaints (22%)
   • median 31,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (119 state mileage)
   • 46 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2025

   Owners describe the car hesitating or lagging when the accelerator is pressed from a stop or at low speed, then surging or jerking forward, sometimes more noticeable with the air conditioning on. Complaints mention erratic upshifts and downshifts, high idle or revs that hang, and dealers responding that the behaviour is within normal specifications or that there is no fix. A few owners say the engine would cut out unexpectedly at times. Most reports come at very low mileage, from near-new up to around 15,000 miles, and are described as present since purchase.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test from a stop and at low speed with the air conditioning on, feeling for a lag followed by a lurch, and check for a rough or high idle. Ask about transmission fluid service history and whether any shifting-related updates were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car continually hesitates then surges forward especially at speeds below 40 MPH and also when AC is on. Dealer has no fix. I provided printout of NHTSA reports but I was told that's just the way the car is. No choice but to get rid of this new car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10136127, filed 2005-09, 5,000 miles

   “Vehicle stalls in traffic and then suddenly the vehicle is okay. Manufacturer states they are aware of this problem with these vehicles. .....vehicle has a hesitation problem. On two different occasions consumer was placed in danger of crossing a bysy highway because the vehicle did not move...at all. The engine has a one minute delay between the tine the accelerator pedal is pressed to the time the rpms begin to go up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10117511, filed 2005-04, 50 miles

Buying note. With this model year, the practical focus is on behaviour at low speed: road-test parking and stop-and-go situations carefully and be satisfied with how the engine responds, and check the front belts and SRS light before buying. Service records showing whether steering, belt or throttle-related work was already done are worth asking for, since several owners report repeated visits without a confirmed cause.

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.