2004 Toyota Camry: engine failure

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Engine · 265,262 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the check engine light illuminated. The contact also stated that the engine consumed a quart of oil weekly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 265,262.

Filed Aug 9, 2014 · Body, Engine · 257,755 miles · AZ

I have a 2004 toyota camry le equipped with the 2az fe i4. At first I started hearing water sloshing from underneath the dashboard every time I stopped. On 1/30/2014 while stopping for a few minutes in a parking lot the cars temperature gauge started to rise. I immediately shut the car off, and opened up the hood to find coolant had been pushed out the overflow container, then I subsequently brought it to a mechanic. The mechanic stated the head gasket was blown. After a few days the mechanic got back to me, telling me the head bolts had stripped and the engine was unrepairable. I would need to replace the engine. This is a major problem, especially if it gave away when going down the freeway. Toyota needs to step up and fix this issue that is now becoming a very big problem. Toyota did release a tsb for dealers about this but it says to use timeserts or replace the block.

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Engine · 77,981 miles · NJ

17th june 2013 - water splash sound from engine on the right side of car with misfire and engine light on. Took the car to dealer and replaced spark plugs and ignition coils for two cylinders. Flush coolant system. I got the car back on 19th june 2013. After running 10 miles engine light came on again and engine was shivering while starting the car. Next day morning car towed to dealer. Dealer informed that engine blew up and it is beyond repair which needs a replacement.

Filed Oct 29, 2012 · Engine · 103,000 miles · FL

On oct 18, 2012, my car started to overheat. We had it towed to our mechanic. On friday, oct 19, 2012 our mechanic stated he could not fix it and looks like it is an engine coolant leak. He further stated we needed to take it to the dealership that we bought it from to confirm the engine was none repairable. On monday, oct 22, 2012, the service department called us and confirmed the bad news. Our 2004 camry 2.4l engine is leaking coolant inside the engine and the engine bolts are stripped. They gave us some options. The dealer could try to repair the bolts by retreading them (no guarantee it world work). Replace the engine (rebuilt and not guarantee it wouldn?t happen again). And finally, trade in the car (not enough to pay off my loan). After further research, this issue has been happening to camry since 2002. One post stated it was fixed with the 2004 models, but in 2004 the same engine is in the highlander and the camry. The highlander also has several posts to the same issue. When will toyota take responsibility for this problem and fix it without coming after the consumer! I have contacted toyota at 800‑331‑4331 and filed a complaint and was told the same thing the dealer told me, not their fault. I am really hoping the government takes these complaints and forces toyota to recall these cars and fix the issues.

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 30, 2012 · Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

Head gasket screws are stripped. Engine lost coolant but no leak was evident. After numerous repairs to cooling system, eventually head gasket blew and had to replace the engine with a rebuilt one. Coolant loss continued with second engine. Radiator was replaced. Coolant loss continues with new radiator. Now we know that the head gasket screws are stripped, the original and only source of the leak. Design flaw causes stripped head bolts in this model.

Filed Feb 18, 2012 · Engine · 155,000 miles · KY

Our 2004 camry 2.4 engine has just been diagnosed with the stripped head bolts at 155,000 miles and is currently in the shop. They are telling me it may need a new engine due to this common faulty toyota defect on this particular engine. I am outraged to know that I'm gonna be charged almost 6000 dollars to replace a faulty engine. Why isn't toyota doing something about this?! How much can they get away with for crying out loud.

Filed Oct 12, 2010 · Engine · 60,000 miles · VA

Engine failed. Car stalled while traveling on busy road. Dealership identified as throttle body. Required $ 1,100 replacement. Research indicates extensive problem for toyota.

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 Mar 18, 2010 · Acceleration · 67,944 miles · FL

On july 5 2008, I was driving my 2004 toyota camry with 67,000 miles on it on i95 in brevard co. Fl. As I accelerated a little to pass into the left lane, my car took off and proceeded to go faster even though I had taken my foot off of the accelerator. After about 30 seconds, my engine died. I managed to pull the car off the shoulder. After several attempts, I finally got the car started again and the engine light came on. Luckily there was an exit close by and I slowly drove my car off i95 and straight to mike erdman toyota in merritt island. They diagnosed the problem as the throttle body. They told me I was "lucky" that my car chose to shut off as a lady in merritt island had the same thing happen to her but her car didn't stop until it ran into a bank! My total bill, parts and labor were $1048.26 plus another $99.64 for the rental car for a grand total of $1147.90. After this happened, I went onto the toyota website and filed a complaint as I don't think a car with this low mileage should have this happen to it. (never heard from toyota) I also did some internet research and found that 100's of other people had this happen to their toyota's, mostly camry's models from 2003 - 2006. Check out the throttle body topic on topix.com....lots of angry camry owners with throttle body issues! This part should have been recalled....we want our repair money back!!!

Filed Feb 5, 2008 · Engine · 59,615 miles · NC · fire

My 2004 toyota camry engine died 10/ 22/07 w/59,615 miles on it. 13464 miles @ purchase-I was told that it was a program car w/extended warranty=6 yrs/100k miles. Found the window sticker when I traded it in. No problems with the car prior to the incident. Coming home from a trip, power steering lost some functionality; a service light came on; my husband put power steering fluid in; we headed to the nearest toyota dealer. En route we lost all power steering & ability to accelerate, engine began to smoke; car cut off. The dealership took 5-6 weeks to replace the engine. Doubt old parts are available. On a couple of occasions incorrect parts were ordered/received. Picked the vehicle up~12/1/07; 59620 miles on it. While awaiting repairs dealerships/corporate offices could only advise the car may be under basic warranty. Took it to the dealership where purchased the next business day. Smelled smoke and wanted assurance a new engine was put in as promised & that there were no other problems. They made $900+ worth of added repairs-rear main seal oil leak; axle boot leak. It had 59949 miles on it. At that point I didn't want it back. I wanted toyota to assume responsibility for selling a lemon. My main concern: is there a serious safety hazard with 2004 toyota camry models as seen in previous years (engine oil sludge)? Secondly, did something else cause this incident? The dealership where I purchased this camry should have responded to my dissatisfaction; they should have acknowledged/offered some incentives for selling me a lemon. Their only concern, make another sale. Requested a call from/audience with the owner. Hasn't happened. I needed a car and believed this was aberration with respect to camry models' performance. Not sure that they'll keep me as a customer. I thank god we had no accident, no known injuries. Please let me know if there's litigation re: this make/model; I'd like to join the litigants. I can give you my VIN number at your request. Thanks.

Filed Jun 25, 2007 · Engine · 44,101 miles · MA

Check engine light came on. Dealer diagnostic report showed a failure code of p0136 oxygen sensor malfunction. Dealer advised that sensor should be replaced at a cost of $230.00. If part was not replaced the engine or emissions system could be damaged, and the car unsafe to drive due to possible failure while driving.