2003 vs 2004 Toyota Camry

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check. Walk away if found marks a fault serious enough to walk away from the car.

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

Nothing that 2003 lacks.

Both years

  • Stripped head bolt threads in the 2.4L All years Walk away if found One source so far

    What to check: Look for coolant loss and for coolant at the back of the engine where the head meets the block, and ask about any overheating or a head bolt thread repair.

    On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2002, a complaints site and an unofficial source, 38 owners report stripped head bolts at an average of 136,050 miles, with coolant leaks and overheating; 18 needed a new engine and 10 had thread inserts fitted.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

Rare catches

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

  • Rare Crystal White Color

    One year, on the Limited Edition Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Recalls

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

  • 04V595000 2004–2005

    Fitting some rear-facing infant seat bases with a very tight belt can unseat the buckle's status switch. NHTSA

  • 11V539000 2004–2005

    The crankshaft pulley may lack adhesive, so its outer ring can slip, causing noise or a battery warning light. NHTSA

Both years

  • 04V346000 2002–2004

    One or both curtain airbags may be twisted near the inflator. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2003, up to and including 2004.

  1. 2004A 225 hp 3.3L V6 for the SE V6, the 3.0L rises to 210 hp, and the V6s get a 5-speed automatic. A Limited Edition in Crystal White, with its own grille, fog lights and champagne badges. Edmunds

What it came with

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

Engines
3.3L V6 (2004–2006) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed automatic (2004–2006) Edmunds
Packages
Limited Edition (2004) Edmunds

Both years

Engines
2.4L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 3.0L V6 Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference, 4-speed automatic (2002–2004) Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
LE Edmunds, SE Edmunds, XLE Edmunds
Packages
Power-adjustable pedals (2003–2006) Edmunds

Colors

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

  • Crystal White 062, 2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial) Rare

Both years

  • Super White 040 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Lunar Mist Metallic 1C8 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Phantom Gray Pearl 1E3 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black 202 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Desert Sand Mica 4Q2 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black Walnut Pearl 3P5, 2002–2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Salsa Red Pearl 3Q3 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Aspen Green Pearl 6S7 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Catalina Blue Metallic 8Q2, 2002–2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Stratosphere Mica 8Q0, 2002–2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)