TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Camry airbags problems
severe 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
34crashes
38injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 53 airbags complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 53 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling regulations at the state and local level define the pre-disposal deployment of airbag and pre-tensioner assemblies as hazardous material treatment. Hazardous material treatment may require special training, certification or licensing in certain areas. TMS recommends that dealership personnel carefully review and follow ALL local and state regulations, and where necessary, contract with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal facilities.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pre-tensioner devices did not perform as expected (including an unintended deployment event), please follow the steps in the recommendations section below.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two core airbag failures in the 2005 Camry: deployments that should happen but don't, and one case where deployment happened without any collision.
Airbags that don't deploy: The most common complaint is airbag failure during crashes. Owners describe frontal collisions at speeds from 5 to 70 mph where the driver- and passenger-side airbags did not deploy despite severe front-end damage—totaled vehicles, mangled frames, demolished bumpers. Head-on impacts with guardrails, trees, and other vehicles are cited. Owners sustained head trauma, broken ribs, broken collar bones, whiplash, spinal injuries, and chest injuries. In at least one rollover, both front airbags failed to deploy. Side curtain airbags also failed to deploy in at least one side-impact collision. Multiple owners contacted Toyota or dealerships; some were told the impact angle was wrong or damage was insufficient. One owner reports the manufacturer refused to investigate.
Unintended acceleration paired with airbag failure: Several owners report the vehicle suddenly accelerated—while parking, backing out, or at low speed—with the brake unresponsive. Vehicles lurched forward at high RPM, crashed into fire hydrants, poles, trees, and other cars. In each case, the airbags did not deploy. One report notes brake failure occurred alongside acceleration.
Warning light and sensor issues: Owners report the airbag light stays on or flickers intermittently, sometimes resetting briefly after dealer service but returning. One owner's lighter passenger (95 lbs) triggers the airbag light to turn off. A dealer cited TSB EL005-05 as available but out-of-warranty vehicles aren't covered by recall. One airbag was found to have a visible hole; dealer refused repair. Another owner observed the airbag padding rupturing or bulging visibly on the dashboard.
Same Toyota Camry airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag fails to deploy in frontal collision
In multiple frontal and head-on crashes at speeds ranging from 5 to 70 mph, drivers report that the driver-side and/or passenger-side airbags did not deploy despite severe front-end damage. Owners sustained injuries including head trauma, broken bones, whiplash, and chest injuries when the airbag system failed to protect them.
When: Occurs during frontal impacts at various speeds (5–70 mph); reported across 23,000–114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy during frontal collision despite significant front-end damage; Driver or passenger struck head, steering wheel, or dashboard directly; Severe injuries sustained (head trauma, broken ribs, collar bone, whiplash, spinal injuries); Vehicle totaled or heavily damaged
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners report Toyota dealership claimed insufficient damage to bumper to trigger deployment or that sensor angle did not detect crash; dealerships performed no repairs in some cases; investigation declined in at least one case
Spontaneous unintended acceleration; airbag fails to deploy on impact
Multiple owners report unintended acceleration while in parking lots, driving slow speeds, or exiting driveways—often with foot on brake. The vehicle accelerates to high RPM or surges forward uncontrollably, crashes into fixed objects or vehicles, and the airbags fail to deploy upon impact. Owners sustained injuries; vehicles were totaled.
When: Occurs at low to moderate speeds (2–35 mph); reported at mileages 35,000–200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly accelerates despite brake pedal applied; Engine revs from idle to high RPM or vehicle lurches forward; Driver loses control of vehicle in parking lot or street; Crashes into fire hydrants, poles, trees, fences, or other vehicles; Airbags fail to deploy during impact; Injuries sustained; vehicle totaled
Repairs/costs cited: Owners mention dealership could not determine cause; at least one report notes brake failure occurred alongside acceleration; one vehicle destroyed at 200,000 miles
Airbag warning light stays on or cycles intermittently
Drivers report the airbag warning light remains illuminated or turns on and off intermittently. Some dealerships performed diagnostic work and found no fault; others offered TSB EL005-05 as a solution but owners declined due to cost (approximately $90–$100 per visit) and lack of recall coverage. In one case, light persists after dealer recalibration attempts.
When: Reported as early as 4,900 miles; continues at 39,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on dashboard illuminated; Light turns off and on intermittently; Light remains on despite dealer diagnostic test showing no fault; Light returns shortly after dealer recalibration
Repairs/costs cited: TSB EL005-05 available; dealer diagnostic test cost ~$44–$90; recalibration cost ~$90 but temporary fix (light returned within 2 weeks in one case)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB EL005-05 available for owner correction; no recall issued
Passenger-side airbag disables intermittently for lighter adults
Owner reports the passenger-side airbag light turns on and off intermittently or stays off when a lighter adult (approximately 95 lbs) sits in the passenger seat, despite correct seating. Dealer told owner the light behavior is normal and passenger may need to gain weight. Toyota has issued TSB EL005-05 to address this, but the owner's vehicle is out of warranty and not covered by recall.
When: Reported approximately 1 year after vehicle purchase; also reported at 4,900 miles with 100 lb passenger
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light turns off or stays off with lighter adult in seat; Light cycles on and off intermittently; Passenger seated correctly; Issue persists for passengers under 95 lbs
Repairs/costs cited: TSB EL005-05 issued but not applied; owner charged ~$90 for dealer recalibration attempt, which did not resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB EL005-05 available; no recall issued; out-of-warranty vehicles not covered
Passenger-side airbag seam splits; airbag appears ready to deploy abnormally
Two owners report visual defects in the passenger-side airbag. One observed a hole inside the airbag while cleaning leather; dealer confirmed the defect on two vehicles of the same year and model but refused to repair it. Another owner noted the airbag padding appears to be rupturing or bulging on the dashboard, progressively worsening, possibly due to Florida heat.
When: One reported at 176,108 miles; another at unknown current mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Seam around passenger airbag splits in half or hole visible in airbag; Airbag bulges or protrudes from dashboard; Defect worsens over time; Airbag light may be on; Visual evidence of material failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to repair split seam; hole documented by multiple vehicle inspection; no parts or costs cited
Spontaneous steering-wheel airbag deployment; no collision
Owner reports steering wheel airbag deployed suddenly while driving at 15 mph in normal conditions with no collision, no warning lights, and no road hazards. Owner struck in face hard enough to nearly cause secondary crash; sustained facial and hand burns and head/neck injuries. Police and emergency services attended; police officer stated it was likely a recall issue.
When: At 15 mph, no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys without collision or impact; No dashboard warning lights active before deployment; No road hazards present; Owner struck in face with force; Injuries: facial burns, hand burns, head/neck pain
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; owner taken by ambulance to scene; police report completed; Toyota inspector examined vehicle at auto body shop on 7/27/2021
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota inspector visited on 7/27/2021; decision issued 8/25/2021 declining to take responsibility for airbag deployment
Driver-side airbag light comes on repeatedly after dealer repair
Owner reports driver-side airbag light illuminated. Dealer diagnosed the airbag as inactive and repaired it, but the light returned while driving. Owner returned to dealer, who replaced the airbag in the steering column, but the light came back on again, indicating a chronic fault that repairs are not resolving.
When: Multiple occurrences over repair period; unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag light on; Light returns after dealer repair; Light returns again after steering column airbag replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed airbag inactive; replaced airbag in steering column; light recurrence indicates unresolved fault
Side curtain airbag fails to deploy in side-impact collision
Owner reports in a low-speed side-impact collision (2 mph), another vehicle struck the driver's side of the 2005 Camry. The side curtain airbag on the driver's side did not deploy. No injuries were sustained in this instance, but the failure represents a system malfunction.
When: At 2 mph; reported at 114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbag does not deploy in side-impact collision; Impact occurred on driver's side
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent body shop; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no assistance provided
Front passenger airbag warning light does not illuminate when passenger present
Owner reports that when an occupant sits in the front passenger seat, the airbag warning light fails to illuminate, suggesting the system may not recognize passenger presence and may not deploy the airbag in a collision.
When: Reported at approximately 39,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light does not turn on when passenger seated; System may not detect passenger presence for deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no response detailed
Both front airbags fail to deploy in rear-end collision and rollover
Owner reports vehicle was struck from behind at 55–60 mph, causing the vehicle to collide with a guardrail and sustain major damage to both front and rear. Both driver and passenger front airbags did not deploy. Owner struck head and neck; vehicle destroyed. Manufacturer stated they will not investigate the failure.
When: At 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Both front airbags fail to deploy after rear-end collision at 55–60 mph; Vehicle struck guardrail causing rollover; Major damage to front and rear of vehicle; Head and neck injuries sustained
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused to investigate airbag failure
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Slid into SUV in front of me. It did about $4000.00 worth of damage but none of the air bags deployed. *nm
[xxx] was stopped at an exit ramp on a freeway in his 2005 camry. He was rear ended by another vehicle at approximately 55-60 MPH, causing [xxx] car to hit a guard rail. Both cars were totaled and sustained major damage. [xxx] air bags did not deploy, despite the fact his vehicle sustained large impacts to both the front and back of his car. [xxx] hit his head and sustained head injuries (in…
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 53 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 21,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.