TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Camry suspension problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 11 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 21 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 suspension 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.
VEHICLE PULL/DRIFT IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE. UPDATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2005 Toyota Camrys report a range of suspension issues that start early in the vehicle's life. The most common complaint involves premature tire wear and alignment problems—some cars begin wearing tires heavily or pulling/wandering within the first 5,000 miles, even after dealer alignment attempts. Several owners found manufacturing defects: one discovered a rear toe arm assembly with missing threads at the factory connection point; another reported both rear strut caps failing, the first at 3,900 miles (warranted) and the second at 45,000 miles (refused).
Rear strut and strut mount problems appear frequently, with noise from the trunk area over bumps and premature wear requiring replacement by 116,000 miles. A few owners experienced handling danger—one lost steering control at 50 mph when a rear lower control arm failed; another faced severe front-end misalignment veering left immediately after purchase, with the dealer ordering parts and refusing to provide a loaner during a months-long wait. Brake application pulling left or right after alignment, and a persistent thump in the rear suspension noted from day one of ownership, also feature in owner reports. One owner stated Toyota acknowledged a known problem with a promised service bulletin that did not arrive on schedule."
Same Toyota Camry suspension reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rear strut and strut mount failure
Rear struts and strut mounts develop looseness or wear, producing noise from the trunk area over bumps; strut replacement needed. One owner reported both rear strut caps failing prematurely.
When: 24,000 miles (first occurrence); 3,900 miles (strut cap); 45,000 miles (second strut cap); 116,000 miles (driver-side strut and coil)
Symptoms owners cite: Noise from rear/trunk area, especially over bumps; Thump in rear suspension from day of ownership
Repairs/costs cited: Strut and strut mount replacement; one case used camber bolt kit; dealer replaced both rear lower control arms in one case. Estimated cost $600 in one instance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided discount on repair in complaint #1. Owner stated Toyota acknowledged a known problem with service bulletin promised for October but not delivered by January (complaint #10).
Front-end alignment defect and component failure
New vehicle exhibits severe front-end misalignment pulling sharply left; dealer identifies faulty flange, spring, and bolt but does not replace parts immediately, requiring prolonged unsafe driving.
When: Immediately after purchase (December 23, 2004); subsequent occurrences at 5,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers sharply toward left, difficult steering; Car pulls left or right when brake pressure applied
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer service department identified faulty flange, spring, and bolt but required months-long parts wait; no loaner provided. Owner performed 4-wheel alignment and replaced passenger-side rear toe arm assembly due to missing threads on factory part.
Premature tire wear and wandering
Vehicle exhibits wandering and pulls side to side, causing rapid tire wear on inside edges of front tires beginning around 5,000–10,000 miles.
When: 5,000 to 10,000 miles; tires replaced every 10,000 miles per one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Tire wandering and pulling side to side; Vehicle follows dips in road; excessive inside edge wear on front tires; Unusual tire noise at 30+ mph
Repairs/costs cited: Strut bolts replaced and camber bolt kit installed in one case. Dealer alignment did not resolve issue in multiple cases.
Rear lower control arm failure
Rear lower control arm fails suddenly, causing loss of steering control at highway speed.
When: 76,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of steering control at 50 mph; Vehicle required towing
Repairs/costs cited: Both rear lower control arms replaced by dealer.
Rear toe arm assembly manufacturing defect
Passenger-side rear toe arm assembly leaves factory without proper threads on female connection point, causing both ends to slide freely at the attachment.
When: Discovered at 5,000-mile service (first alignment performed)
Symptoms owners cite: Unusual tire noise at 30+ mph
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side rear toe arm assembly replaced; 4-wheel alignment completed.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Purchased new, 2005, Toyota camry xle on december 21, 2004. Returned car to dealer on december 23, 2004 due to severe problem with alignment of front end. Car veers toward left if not holding steering wheel tightly to prevent veering. Service department releases car, stating faulty flange, spring, and bolt. Does not replace faulty parts, has to order. Car unsafe to drive, but dealer does not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver side strut and coil needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2005 Toyota Camry?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 17,300 and 76,900 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,300; a quarter make it past 76,900. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.