12 of the
204 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
79,750 miles.
EXITED FREEWAY AND HIT BRAKES TO SLOW AND STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE MOTOR ACCELERATED, THE BRAKES WERE TOO WEAK TO STOP THE VEHICAL, AND I CRASHED INTO THE STOPPED CAR AT THE TRAFFIIC LIGHT. IT SEEMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT TURN OFF WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEY FAILED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11175023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,100 milesST Petersburg, FLCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
ON MARCH 6, 2016, MOVING WEST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH 10:45 P.M., LESS THAN 500' FROM HOME. CRYSTAL CLEAR NIGHT. CAR FREEZES, STEERING & BRAKES LOCK, CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND KEEPS MUCH HIGHER SPEED. WITH BOTH ARMS, I PULLED CAR FROM HEAD-ON WITH UTILITY POLE TO VERY HIGH PALM TREE. HEAD-ON ITH TREE, AIRBAG RELEASES, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. I TURNED CAR OFF, TOOK KEYS, CAR ENGINE CONTINUES AS DID HORN BLOWING & WHITE SMOKE. IT TOOK THREE AAA TRUCKS TO REMOVE CAR FROM TREE TRUNK, WITH STEERING AND BRAKES STILL LOCKED. CAR WAS ALONE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD MOVING WEST, DRIVER ALONE, VERY RESIDENTIAL WITH PEOPLE WALKING DOGS, PILOTS AND STEWS RUNNING, JOGGERS AND PUPS AND CATS PROWLING. NO ONE WAS AROUND. A GUARD FROM A GATED COMMUNITY ON THE STREET'S NORTH SIDE WAS THE 1ST TO APPEAR. EVENTUALLY 4 POLOCE OFFICERS WERE THERE, ONE TALKED TO ME OFTEN.
NHTSA complaint #10979427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN, WHILE CHANGING LANES TO THE SLOW LANE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, I LOST CONTROL, AND THE CAR CAREENED OFF THE FREEWAY AND DOWN AND EMBANKMENT. THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT I WAS NOT INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10384215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesSalisbury, MDCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2004 TOYOTA SOLARA SEV6 SPORT- VEHICLE HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN TRAVELING AT "PARKING LOT SPEEDS" OR IN "STOP & GO TRAFFIC" , OR BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP - ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND WHEN BRAKES (ANTI-LOCK YET) ARE DEPRESSED, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RESISTANCE. VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP!! ENGINE SURGES. FLOOR MATS NO ISSUE. FIRST INCIDENT 2008 OR 09, I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE SURGED, JUMPED A CURB & INTO A RAVINE. ENGINE WAS STILL SURGING (WHILE DOWN IN THE RAVINE!) UNTIL IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. 2 WEEKS AGO, DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, (OVERCAST BUT DRY CONDITIONS APPROXIMATELY 1:00PM) I WAS THROWN BACK IN MY SEAT SUDDENLY. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR-ENDED INITIALLY DUE TO THE THRUST BACK, BUT NO ONE HAD IMPACTED THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. REALIZING THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. AGAIN, NO RESISTANCE, THEY WENT FLAT. MY VEHICLE REAR ENDED AND DROVE UNDER THE BACK END OF AN SUV. UPON IMPACT, MY KNEE SLAMMED INTO THE DASHBOARD, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BRUISED UP MY THIGH. SWELLING IN SHOULDER DUE TO BELT. NO INJURY TO PERSON IN OTHER VEHICLE. NO SKID MARKS ON ROADWAY. FILED CLAIM W/TOYOTA HOME OFFICE. THEY ARE INSPECTING THE CAR THIS WEEK @ DEALERSHIP. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN WALKING IN FRONT OF THIS CAR WHEN THESE INCIDENCES HAPPENED? THEY WOULD BE DEAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS & POTENTIALLY DEADLY ISSUE. I WILL NEVER GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THAT CAR EVER AGAIN. NOT FOR A MILLION DOLLARS! LIFE IS TOO PRECIOUS TO ME. AS A FORMERINVESTIGATOR/AGENT MYSELF, I IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ASAP BEFORE THIS VEHICLE (OR OTHERS OF THE SAME) KILL SOMEONE. THIS CAR (2004 TOYOTA SOLARA {2 - DOOR CAMRY}) IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR. I HAVE BEEN SPARED FROM BROKEN BONES, BUT I MAY NEED KNEE SURGERY. WAITING ON THE RESULTS OF AN MRI. PLEASE TAKE THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. SO THANKFUL MY CHILD WASN'T DRIVING OR IN THE CAR WITH ME. FILED A POLICE REPORT WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
NHTSA complaint #10332716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesAtlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA AND THE BRAKES ON MY CAR ARE NOT AS ACCURATE AS THEY SHOULD BE. I RECENTLY HAD MY BRAKES REPAIRED IN DEC. 2009 AT SANDY SPRINGS TOYOTA IN ATLANTA AND WAS STILL NOT PLEASED WITH THE RESISTANCE OF THE BRAKES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE 2004 CAMRY SOLARA SHOULD BE RESEARCHED FURTHER DUE TO THE BRAKES. OFTEN TIMES I HAVE TO PRESS MY BRAKES TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THEY STOP COMPLETELY.
NHTSA complaint #10308470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,500 milesEvanston, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA THAT HAS BEEN RECENTLY DESCRIBED IN THE 2010 PRIUS. I FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO KERRY TOYOTA IN COVINGTON, KENTUCKY ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. I HAVE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORT INCLUDING TOYOTA'S CLAIM THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH EVERY TOYOTA DEALER WHO HAS WORKED ON THE CAR SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. NONE HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND AS A FEMALE, I DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I AM AN EXCELLENT DRIVER WITH NO ACCIDENTS IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING. MOST RECENTLY, ON THIS PAST MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, AS I DROVE TO WORK, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PUT ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES, I HIT A POT HOLE AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. THE BRAKE PEDAL SOFTENED AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND THIS TIME THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE CAR SLOWED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CONSISTENT. SUDDEN BRAKING, A BUMPY ROAD OR LOOSE TRACTION, ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE, ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES. THE ISSUE IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I REFUSED TO SELL THE NOW 6 YEAR OLD CAR TO MY BROTHER FOR HIS DAUGHTER TO DRIVE. I DO NOT THINK THAT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER COULD POSSIBLY RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10305523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRomoland, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I JUST READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE BRAKING PROBLEM WITH THE NEW TOYOTA PRIUS. IT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY OR UNEVEN SURFACE THE CAR WOULD EXPERIENCE BRAKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA. I WAS COMING TO A STOP ON A RURAL ROAD THAT WAS VERY BUMPY JUST BEFORE THE STOP SIGN.THE BRAKES RESPONDED LIKE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ABS ACTUATING. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO FADE. AFTER THAT INCIDENT MY BRAKES NEVER SEEMED TO BE THE SAME. I HAVE TO BRAKE MUCH SOONER AND WITH MORE FORCE THEN I HAD TO USE PRIOR TO THE ABOVE INCIDENT. HAS THERE BEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SOLARA?
NHTSA complaint #10304757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBishop, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA V6 HAD CONSISTENT BRAKE FAILURE. A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BLED BRAKES, CHECKED PRESSURE ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER 'S SPECS AND CHECKED OUT CORRECTLY. -EXHAUSTED POSSIBILITIES FOR REASONS FOR SPORADIC BRAKE FAILURE. ONLINE RESEARCH DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. NO SOLUTION POSTED TO DATE. CONCERN REGARDING CONTINUING SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO UNEXPECTED FAILURE, AND LOW PEDAL INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10191038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesPortland, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS 5 TIMES TOYOTA CLAIMS ALL WEAR AND TEAR BUT THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS A DEFECT CAR IS A LEMON FROM THE START. TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10173939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesPortland, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2004 TOYOTA SOLARA THIS CAR IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT 100%. I HAVE REPLACED 2 SETS OF BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPERS BOTH RIGHT SIDE. ALSO BOTH INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND RIGHT CV SHAFT, WHEEL BEARINGS. A NEW BATTERY THE INTERIOR IS FALLING APART AND THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD PULLING TO THE RIGHT. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REPLACE MOST OF THE PARTS AS THEY SAY NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10172186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES. IN 2/05 I HAD A WHOLE COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED. NOW LESS THAN 8 MONTHS LATER I NEED ANOTHER ONE. THE DEALER OR TOYOTA CORP STATE THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I TOTALLY DISAGREE AND FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. I HAVE WRITTEN NUMEROUS LATER MADE MANY CALLS AND TOYOTA IGNORES THEM ALL. I TOOK THE CAR AND HAD IT INSPECTED AT A INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDER AND THEY STATE THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG OR DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10144737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD - CAR PULLED SEVERELY TO LEFT AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TOYOTA'S FIRST ATTEMPT LESSENED LEFT HAND PULL. TOYOTA'S SECOND REDUCED PULL, BUT NOW STEERING IS SLOPPY. TOYOTA SAYS THEY "FIXED" IT. CAR FEELS "TWITCHY". ON CROWNED ROADS YOU WILL PULL HARD TO WHATEVER SIDE THE ROAD LEANS TO. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE - TOO SCARY TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR - SHARP RATTLE FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE IS SOFT.
NHTSA complaint #10093105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.