2004 vs 2005 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.

2004

Nothing that 2005 lacks.

2005

Nothing that 2004 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

2004

  • Rare Crystal White Color

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

2005

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

Recalls

2004

  • 04V346000 2002–2004

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

2005

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

Both years

  • 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

What changed between

After 2004, up to and including 2005.

  1. 2005Freshened grille, headlamps, taillamps and wheels. A Standard model joins, anti-lock brakes and a 5-speed automatic become standard on every car, with Optitron gauges, steering wheel audio controls and leather on the XLE V6. Edmunds

What it came with

2004

Transmissions
4-speed automatic (2002–2004) Edmunds
Packages
Limited Edition (2004) Edmunds

2005

Trims
Standard (2005–2006) Edmunds

Both years

Engines
2.4L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 3.0L V6 Edmunds, a published reference, 3.3L V6 (2004–2006) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference, 5-speed automatic (2004–2006) Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
LE Edmunds, SE Edmunds, XLE Edmunds
Packages
Power-adjustable pedals (2003–2006) Edmunds

Colors

2004

  • Crystal White 062, 2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial) Rare
  • Black Walnut Pearl 3P5, 2002–2004 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)

2005

  • Mineral Green Opal 6R6, 2005–2006 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sky Blue Pearl 8S4, 2005–2006 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Indigo Ink Pearl 8P4, 2005–2006 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

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)
  • Salsa Red Pearl 3Q3 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Aspen Green Pearl 6S7 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)