2004 Toyota Camry: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Fuel system · 168,000 miles · CA · fire

A smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle was noticed and intensified over the span of 2 days. Vehicle was only driven due to the fact that it is the only vehicle owned by the family and having a chronically ill son transportation was needed to take him to his doctors appointment. Before usage of the vehicle a visual inspection was done by the father trying to locate the source of the smell with no avail. After the sons doctors appointment the car was inspected by a mechanic who has over 25 years automotive experience and an associates degree in automotive. The vehicle was stationary with the engine being at operating temperature from being driven to the location and the engine bay was visualy inspected with the engine off with no signs of fuel leakage. Being safety conscious, the mechanic obtained a fire extinguisher and water hose incase of a fire. The mechanic then turned on the engine and noticed a small leak at the fuel damper. He proceeded to remove the top plastic cover of the damper which LED to fuel spray with force enough to spray on the mechanic who was located at the front of the vehicle. The fuel obviously sprayed over the hot engine and exhaust manifold causing ignition of the gasoline. A friend who was with the mechanic quickly turned off the engine while the mechanic quickly doused the flames preventing damage to the vehicle. Upon research, this fuel damper was completely different from most camrys of this generation. The damper didn't even have toyota part numbers and seemed suspicious. Further research found that this unbranded fuel damper was for ca emmisions standards while another style was for federal standards. Other camrys that were made for ca did not use the style fuel damper as my camrys. It seems like toyota bought aftermarket dampers and installed them on an unknown amount of vehicles.I think they ran out of oem dampers

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · IL · fire

2004 camry se car sitting for two days. Car caught fire. Fire department stated that it seemed no foul play involved. To me it look like the origin of the fire started by the battery and wiring was the issue. Interior in good shape no windows busted.

Filed Mar 7, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 87,489 miles · SC · crash

I went to a local store to shop. I was attempting to park in the store lot, saw a space close to the front of the store. I slowed down to start turning (maybe 5-10 MPH) into the parking space and when I tried to brake, my brake pedal went straight to the floor and the car started speeding up. It kept going like someone else had control of the car! I couldn't stop it and it ran into a car that was parked in front of the space. It pushed the other car completely out of the parking spot and rammed her car in the front area. We both suffered vehicle damage and I was charged. There was smoke coming out from under my car and as I was attempting to stop my runaway car, my foot slipped onto the accelerator. I thought maybe my brakes had given out but the officer said the brakes were not bad. There were skid marks showing I tried to stop and I was able to drive it home, very slowly. I was so scared!! I remember seeing a segment on tv about toyota having problems regarding sudden acceleration in some of their cars.

Filed Oct 14, 2012 · Engine · 114,563 miles · CA

I noticed that white smoke was coming from my exhaust pipe, therefore, I took it to a mechanic to get it checked out. The mechanic simply told me it was due to a bad head gasket. Later on, in the middle of the fix, he told me that the engine was unrepairable, that I needed a new engine. I asked him, "why?" he told me that the bolts that keeps the engine in place can no longer be tighten. The engine can no longer be held in place. He called it, "stripped head bolts." according to the mechanic and his colleagues, it is a design flaw by toyota. The mechanics went on stating that, "even under normal driving conditions, these bolts will come loose causing coolant to leak in. Which caused the white smoke coming from tail pipe. So, I called up toyota to see if they can correct their problem. They told me that I needed to replace the engine. If toyota can't fix it, how would a mechanic fix it? I asked toyota if there were a recall for this, they simply said, "no." the government needs to step in and take care of this awful problem. It turns out that every 2003-200? Camry owners have or will have this awful problem. Is not just a reliability problem, but is also polluting our home planet. There are thousands of camrys on the road ranging from these years and all of them are or soon will be spewing out foreign smoke. No mechanic out there can fix the problem. All they can do is replace it with the same engine that will soon have the same exact issue. Please step in and make toyota fix this awful issues with the "stripped head bolt." [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · SC · fire

Toyota camry 2004 got caught on fire I drove my toyota camry 2004 the other day and suddenly the ABS system was triggered. Engine died. When I cranked it back up again, smokes started coming out. I changed my oil regularly. The last one was a week before at valvoline (they checked all fluids) toyota ran an investigation and this is what they made up: "serpentine belt is faulty, continued to be operated, pressure in radiator caused it to burst and sprayed coolant onto the battery and fuse box and relay panel which LED to a short circuit" I talked to a nice service technician at toyota and I was told that it might be something that they made up to get away it. He explained to me how that wasn't too likely to happen toyota told me that they'll call me before inspecting the car. They never did . They sent me a letter, which arrived a day after my vehicle is supposed to be towed from the dealer (on friday). I had to wait till monday to tow it away and they charged me weekends storage fee ($25 a day) I planned to just donate the car and it will usually takes 2-3 days. I thought I'll do that by the time they are ready to inspect my car. I called toyota earlier and they told me they would call me back (2 days - even after inspection). Again, that never happened till now the whole engine compartment is burned up. Most stuffs melted, but I'm surprised they can conclude that it's the serpentine belt. You have to look at my vehicle to believe. Everything there melted and turned black before fireman came (huge fire). I went to check and retrieve the belt and it looked like someone cut it deliberately. I even had hard time opening the hood because they damaged it..... Do you guys think this is a foul play? I got no full coverage on the car. I'm pretty much broke now....and they sorta push me to get rid of my car they said they'll call me to arrange a meeting for inspection. They never did and inspected my car anyway they cut some stuffs like serpentine belt from my engine.

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · NY · crash · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry. The contact stated that when her husband was driving, the vehicle went from the left lane to the right lane, down an embankment and crashed into a tree. The vehicle then erupted into flames. The driver was killed as a result of the crash. There were three witnesses who stated that they never saw any brake lights or skid marks. Also the state trooper who investigated the crash stated that he also noticed no skid marks. It was not determined at what speed the vehicle was travelling but it was totaled. The contact had not spoken with the dealer nor the manufacturer to-date. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2004 · Electrical · 12,000 miles · FL · fire

My car was locked & parked for approximately 1-1/2 hr when it caught on fire, the car was totaled, 2004 toyota camry.

Filed Nov 2, 2004 · Electrical · 1,200 miles · FL · fire

Complaint received via e-mail."my car caught on fire 1 1/2 hours after it was shut off and locked." please provide more detailed information.

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Body · 200 miles · OR · fire

Consumer stated while traveling 53 MPH front end started shaking hard. Consumer pulled vehicle over, and noticed passenger's side wheel well was on fire. *ak