2005 Toyota Camry Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Toyota Camry ranks 3rd worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 89 and 721 complaints, most centered on the engine (44% of complaints) and unintended acceleration or surge reports. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Camry years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 20 Camry years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 721
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 223
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 126
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 126 / 18
Top 2005 Toyota Camry problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine318 (44%)
- Brakes99 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain84 (12%)
- Steering71 (10%)
- Airbags65 (9%)
- Other51 (7%)
- Seat Belts46 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires39 (5%)
- Electrical System37 (5%)
- Structure & Body32 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, unexpected acceleration or speed surges at very low speeds, sometimes while parking, leading to collisions.
- Multiple reports describe brakes failing to respond or hold, even with the pedal fully depressed, causing the car to keep moving.
- One owner reported a burning odor followed by flames under the hood while driving around 40 mph, with brakes failing afterward.
- A steering wheel reportedly came loose and stopped responding shortly after purchase, leading to a loss of control and a crash.
- An airbag failed to deploy during a side-impact collision, leaving the owner exposed to shattered glass.
- Some owners noted odd electrical behavior, like a radio turning on by itself or cruise control not disengaging properly when braking.
2005 Toyota Camry recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 11V539000Nov 9, 2011Engine420,326 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
Risk: In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 10V035000Feb 3, 2010Other271,417 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
2005 Toyota Camry fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota Camry reliable?
- Compared to other Camry model years, the 2005 ranks poorly, sitting 3rd worst out of 20 years with a complaint index of 89 and 721 total complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Camry?
- Engine problems make up 44% of complaints, followed by brakes at 14% and transmission/powertrain issues at 12%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2005 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Camry, covering areas including the engine, seat belts, and tire/rim labeling requirements; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2005 Camry?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 42,000 miles overall, with engine complaints centering around 40,000 miles and transmission complaints around 23,250 miles.
- Is the 2005 Camry better or worse than the 2006 Camry?
- The 2005 Camry is worse than the 2006 model; 2005 carries a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict, while 2006 has a much lower complaint index of 42 and a Good verdict.