2004 Toyota Camry: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Acceleration · 164,000 miles · TN

The speedometer needle stopped moving one day and another day it moved erratically. A few days later, the shifting became really hard, would take a lot of pressing of the pedal to increase speed. Finally, it wouldn't even go above 20-30mph on highway no matter what. Later it was found that the vehicle speed sensor has gone bad. Replacing that fixed the problem but still the car hesitates before shifting, especially in low gears (<550mph).

Filed Jul 20, 2011 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry. The contact stated while driving the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate. The dealer repaired the failure previously; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified, but denied assistance with the repairs. The failure was not remedied. The failure and current mileage was 60,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · MD

My wife's 2004 camry hesitates on acceleration at times. There is a brief, few-second hesitation, followed by a surge where the car suddenly lurches forward. This problem has occurred frequently whenever either of us drive the vehicle and ever since she first purchased it (used) about a year ago. We thought it may have been transmission-related, but toyota has inspected the vehicle a couple times to no avail and has denied any problem.

Filed May 19, 2006 · Transmission · 100 miles · NJ

Severe hesitation when depressing throttle to full-throttle. Ex: when pulling into traffic or when attempting to over take a vehicle engine appears to remain at idle when gas pedal is fully depressed to the floor. No down shifting occurs along with no engine RPM increase. After 2-4 seconds engine then responds. If throttle is gradually depressed to full-throttle there is no symptoms, engine does respond properly. I believe it may be a problem in communication between the throttle position sensor and transmission TCM.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Acceleration · 10 miles · NH

I own a 2004 camry se with the 3.3 liter v6. Ever since we purchased this car we have put up with a terrible hesitation in throttle response. Many times we have nearly been hit by other cars while pulling into the flow of traffic. I have taken it to the dealership and spoken with the manager as well as met with the regional toyota rep. They both acknowledged that this is an issue but offered no resolution.

Filed Jan 12, 2006 · Transmission · 27 miles · MO

Since I purchased my 2004 toyota camry se v6 new in november 2003, there has been a problem with acceleration after coming to a yield. Basically what occurs is I come to an intersection or a situation where I must yield and when I press the gas pedal the car hesitates for a few seconds. When I first purchased the car I thought this may be new car jitters and it would eventually straighten out. However, two years later the problem still exists. This can potentially be a dangerous situation for several reasons. If you make the decision to go and there is oncoming traffic but the car hesitates a wreck could possibly happen. So to keep this from happening, I will press the gas pedal more than necessary to over-compensate for the hesitation and then when the car does go it jets out into traffic faster than I anticipate. I voiced my concern to the local toyota dealer in columbia, missouri and their first response was "oh, that's just normal v6 hesitation." I expressed there was nothing normal about it and I wanted to talk to the manager. The manager called in the regional rep and we all went for a ride in one of the 2004 xle v6 so they could show me the problem exists in all the v6's. The regional rep agreed there was a problem but they didn't know exactly how to fix it. He did say that when the problem was resolved they would let me know. So far no phone call.

Filed Nov 28, 2005 · Transmission · MD

My 2004 camry, v6 has had a hesitation since I first purchased it. The hesitation happens after stopping a signs or when trying to accelerate to merge into traffic. Twice I have taken it to the dealer and was told it was something with the brain that sends information from throttle sensor to the transmission. The service tech stated that it was just the v6's and the 2004 cars that have this problem, until more people complain no repairs or recalls will be made.

Filed Oct 27, 2005 · Transmission · 10 miles · WA

Extreme hesitation when accelerating from stop or from low speed.

Filed Sep 17, 2005 · Transmission · 50 miles · WA

Intermittent problems with engine/transmission hesitation and shifts in speeds lower than 40 MPH. Problems noticed from time car was purchase to current. Dealer has checked the car four times and duplicate the problem. The vehicle changes gears several times when driving at 25 MPH. Originally the shifting problems lurched,jerked, as if someone was hitting from behind. Tsb 00505 was applied on july 28, 2005 by the dealer. It changed the shifting problem so that it isn't a jerk but sounds like a bump from the rear of the vehicle, also caused significant delay when vehicle is at a stop and then accelerated. Many instances made me uncomfortable about safety: pulling out when there's a break in traffic, hesitation happens significantly long enough for there not to be a break anymore; coming to four way stop, when its my turn to go, hesitation creates confusion to other drivers. The problem is also distracting when driving in traffic because driver is trying to second guess the vehicle to alter the problem.

Filed Jul 21, 2005 · Engine · 19,500 miles · MN

(1) merging onto highway after slowing down a bit on an exit ramp. (2) hesitation in acceleration - car actually slows dramatically instead of accelerating. (3) attempted to exercise warranty and the manufacturer would not repair. Attempted arbitration and that failed also. Note that this problem occurs regularly. The dealer technician claims the car shifts into neutral when braking and then needs to shift back into gear when accelerating and the performance is typical.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Acceleration · NY

The vehicle tends to hesitate and not accelerate while pressing down on the accelerator pedal while on the road. Owner will contact manufacturer. *jb

Filed Mar 25, 2005 · Acceleration · 8,500 miles · GA

Consumer complained about an acceleration problem. While driving at approximately 35 MPH driver would step on the accelerator and the vehicle would began to hesitate. Then, the speed would continue to decrease even when the accelerator pedal was pushed down to the floor. This happened without warning. Owner contacted the manufacturer and the dealer. The dealer has had the vehicle for a month. However, they were unable to duplicate the problem.