ToyotaCamry2004L4/toyota/camry/2004/l4/

2004 Toyota Camry — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Camry L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Toyota Camry L4 represents a generation of this enduring passenger car platform powered by a four-cylinder engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and rated by the EPA at 20 city, 29 highway, and 24 combined miles per gallon—a fuel efficiency figure that continues to inform maintenance schedules requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API-grade oil for routine service. Across its model history spanning 1990 through 2025, the Camry nameplate has accumulated complaint data revealing significant variation in owner-reported issues, with this 2004 model year recording 799 total owner complaints against three documented recalls, with vehicle speed control emerging as the primary complaint area. Compared to the broader dataset where complaints peaked at 3,613 in 2007 and reached their lowest point of just 11 in 2014, the 2004 model's complaint count positions it substantially below peak-years while remaining well above the manufacturer's subsequent improvement trajectory, indicating that while not immune to the platform-wide issues of its era, this model year falls within a period of notably elevated but not unprecedented reliability concerns for the nameplate.

Model year200820052004200320012000199919981993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/29/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65TR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1 alt 90915YZZF1
Engine air filter17801YZZ01
Fuel filter233000A020
Front wiper blades85212AA050 alt 852120C012
Serpentine belt9936631040 alt 9008091212
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8713906030

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.4 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3164 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 29 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2004 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.3–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2003 SE
157 hpHorsepower (as tested)
162 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003SE 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.50 sec157 hpFWD
2003LE 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.10 sec157 hpFWD
2002SE 2.4L I-48.41 sec16.28 sec157 hpFWD
2002LE 2.4L I-49.23 sec16.89 sec157 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, ATF in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.7
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper BoltsHybrid 125 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts159 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts162 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF Camry from 7/03 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression145-218 psi
Engine Compression145-218 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle34 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in / 1.102 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Camry sits in the middle of the 2002–2006 model run, where federal complaints declined steadily from a generation peak of 1,043 in 2002 to 433 by 2006; 2004's 799 complaints represent a modest improvement over 2003's 816 but remain well above the 2005–2006 levels. Recalls held at three for 2004, between 2003's single action and 2005's five, while investigations stayed low at two. Technical service bulletins peaked for the generation at 225 in 2004, notably higher than 2003's 165 and 2005's 162, suggesting elevated dealer-level service activity. The top complaint categories — Vehicle Speed Control (205), Steering (83), Air Bags (61), and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (44) — account for the bulk of reports, and the data records 223 crash-related and 13 fire-related complaints for the year; the data does not specify root causes for these patterns. Compared with the sharp spike that arrives in the next generation (3,613 complaints in 2007), the 2004 model shows a relatively contained profile. Takeaway: the 2004 Camry is a reasonable used buy if the speed-control, steering, and brake histories are verified, but the elevated TSB count warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
225
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
799
Owner complaints
223 involved a crash · 13 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 799 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control205
Steering83
Air Bags61
Service Brakes, Hydraulic44
Power Train35
Structure34
Tires26
Engine & Engine Cooling24

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V539000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 09/11/2011

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… 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…

04V595000Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 15/12/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 225 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Camry L4 take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Camry have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg.