2003 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 816 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 239 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 112 people were injured and 5 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
80 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 12, 2021
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DISPLAYING A DEFECT IN THE DASH AREA WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND HOW TO PROCEED WITH REPAIRS.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2021, crash
Front passenger side collision at 30+ mph, NO airbags deployed
Air bags, Apr 29, 2020
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN PARK MODE LIKE LOUD BOOM AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT EVEN MOVE THE CAR. COUPLE METAL PIECES HIT ME
Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 21, 2020, crash
ALMOST AT END OF EXIT RAMP FROM I264 TO BARDSTOWN RD NEAR GARDINER LANE INTERSECTION. HAD GREEN LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROX 25 MPH WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO EXIT ONTO BARDSTOWN RD (HWY 31?). ONLY MYSELF, DRIVER. I WAS IN LEFT HAND LANE TO EXIT TO WESTBD (?) BARDSTOWN RD. TOWARD DOWNTOWN AND A SMALLER CAR WHIPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME FROM RIGHT HAND KANE (TWO EXIT LANES GOING IN SAME DIRECTION. PERHAPS, THIS CAR WANTED TO CROSS OVER THREE LANES ON BARDSTOWN RD TO GET TO FAT LEFT TURN LANE AT GARDINER LN. THIS LIGHT IS OFTEN BACKED-UP. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY WERE NOT STOPPING MY CAR IN TIME AND I HOPPED CURB TO LEFT TO SMSLL TRIANGULAR MEDIAN. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I COULD NOT MAKE WISE DECISIONS WITHOUT SEEING AND I WAS HIT BY AIRBAGS, BRUISED IN FACE, ETC. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I VIEWED THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARD ME AS I WAS NOW PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC INTO TEO LANES OF BARDSTOWN RD. I COULD HAVE TURNED RIGHT AND AVOIDED HITTING ANY OTHRR VEHIVLE IF IT WERE NOT FOR AIRBAGS BLOCKING MY VIEW. I HAD NOT HIT ANY OBJECT OR VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. I KEPT APPLYING PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES ON WHICH I HAD SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIR. THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT STOP ME. I NEVER SAW WHY I STOPPED. AIRBAG BLOCKED VIEW. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING FINALLY HIT SOMETHING (LATER FOUND OUT) ANOTHER CAR IN TURN LANE TO GET ONTO I 264 IT FINALLY STOPPED. MY HEARING AID IN MY RIGHT EAR WAS EJECTED WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I FOUND IT LATER ON PASSENGER MAT IN REAR. THE AIRBAGS HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE TO DEPLOY FROM JUMPING ONE SMALL CURB. NO AIRBAG I AM ABLE TO TURN RIGHT WHETHER BRAKES WORK OR NOT. NO ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Feb 5, 2020, crash
CAR CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED WHIP LASH AND CONCUSSION.
Air bags, Oct 15, 2018
THE DASH IS CRACKING AT THE AIRBAG WHICH I SEE IS A REGULAR PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A NORMAL THING AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED FROM TOYOTA,
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Jul 30, 2018, crash
MY CAR WENT INTO A DEEP DITCH AND THE DRIVER OF MY CAR INCURRED A TERRIBLE CONCUSSION WHILE BANGING HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL UPON IMPACT. HER SEAT BELT WAS ON. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Air bags, Sep 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STARTED TO FAIL AND WAS EXPOSED AT THE DASHBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2017, crash
TAKATA INFLATORS: EVERY TIME I FIX MY VEHICLE INDIVIDUALS CAUSE HATE CRIMES DAMAGING MY VEHICLE AS I GO TO SLEEP OR WHEN I AM NOT VIEWING MY VEHICLE THEY MUST KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I CANT CATCH THEM EVEN THOUGH I THINK I KNOW WHO IT IS I CAN NOT PROVE IT SO THIS IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING I REMEMBER CHECKING MY TIRES IN THE NIGHT NOTICING NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM THEN CHECKED IN THE MOURNING AND NOTICED NAILS NAILED IN THE TIRES THEN I NOTICED DRIED TURTLE WAX ALL OVER THE BODY OF THE CAR MESSING UP THE PAINT WHEEL ALIGNMENT OUT OF LINE RIGHT DOOR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION TRUNK OPEN POWER SWITCH BROKEN POWER SUN ROOF SLIDING WINDOW BROKEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THIS HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATE IN COMBINATION TO THE DAMAGE BETWEEN 06/16/06 TO 04/21/17.
Air bags, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 11, 2017
CAN'T TAKE MY KIDS ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT NOT SAFE CAN'T GAVE FRIEND RIDE .CAUSE IT UN SAFE THIS CAR IS UN SAFE PLEASE CAN FIT MY CAR WHEN I GOT CAR DID NO IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH BAGS..MY RIGHT SIDE DASH HAS LINE ACROSS IT BUST OPEN. C
Air bags, Jan 18, 2017
AIR BAD LIGH IS ON ALL THE TIME
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 17, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A PICNIC TABLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, May 5, 2016
TAKATA RECALL.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND NECK AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK AND LEGS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2015, crash
THERE WAS A HEAD-ON CRASH INTO A STOPPED VEHICLE. SPEED ABOUT 45 MPH. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALED, DRIVER SUFFERED BROKEN STERNUM...UPDATED 10/02/15*BF
Air bags, Aug 21, 2015
I NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT THE SEAM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS SEPARATING FROM THE DASH BOARD. THERE IS YELLOW BEGINNING TO SHOW ON THE TOP PART OF THE SEAM. IT IS GETTING LARGER AND SEPARATING MORE OVER TIME. I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT DEPLOY INJURING ANYONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND POSSIBLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH. I LIVE IN A HOT DESERT CLIMATE OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA.
Air bags, May 30, 2015
FILING A COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY FATHER-IN-LAW. HE HAS A VERY LOW MILEAGE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WHICH HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THERE IS A LARGE GAP WHICH HAS FORMED AT THE TOP OF THE AIR BAG COVER LINING AND DASHBOARD. LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, HE IS AFRAID OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING.
Air bags, May 19, 2015
NO ACCIDENT YET...BUT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAM IS SPLITTING. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY.
Air bags, May 13, 2015
THIS CAMRY WAS PURCHASED, NEW, BY MY MOM AND STEP DAD IS [XXX], OR IN 2003. THEY RESIDED IN FLORENCE, OREGON, A BEACH TOWN FOR THE NEXT 7 YEARS. I MOVED MY MOM TO RENO, NV WHEN SHE DEVELOPED ALZHEIMER'S. ALTHOUGH NEVADA IS A LOW HUMIDITY STATE, THE FACT THAT THIS CAR RESIDED ON THE COAST IN FLORENCE, OR WHERE HUMIDITY IS HIGH, RAIN CONSTANT I FEEL THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE THE REPAIR TO THE FRONT AIRBAG. I AM MY MOM'S CARETAKER IN MY HOME AND NOW WITH HOSPICE'S HELP. I ALSO HAVE AN ADULT SON ON SSDI WHO NEEDS MY ASSISTANCE. I WORRY THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, DUE TO THE AIRBAGS IN THIS 2003 CAMRY, THAT MY MOM, SON AND FAMILY WOULD BE GREATLY AFFECTED, NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLE INJURY/DEATH TO ME OR PASSENGER. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE TAKATA AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AS WELL. THANK YOU, PLEASE OFFER ME PEACE OF MIND AND HAVE THIS AIRBAG REPLACED/REPAIRED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jan 2, 2015
THIS CAR HAS AN AIRBAG STARTING TO COME OF OUT OF IT CONTAINMENT. IT IS THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. IT BEGAN AT ABOUT 50K BUT NOW IS GETTING WORSE AND THE MILEAGE IS OVER 74K. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST DEALER WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 63K. IT GETS WORSE EVERY DAY. *TR
Air bags, Oct 24, 2014
THE AIRBAG IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 APPEARS AS THOUGH IT MAY BURST OPEN AT ANY TIME. THERE IS A PORTION OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE PART OF THE AIRBAG HANGING OUT ON THE DASHBOARD. EACH YEAR IT GETS WORST. I LIVE IN A WARM WEATHER STATE, AND WONDER IF THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BULGING AIRBAG. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO TAKE TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE MY GRANDKIDS RIDING WITH ME ALL THE TIME NOW THAT THEY LIVE CLOSER TO ME, AND I AM AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Oct 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A CRACK, EXPOSING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Structure, Aug 20, 2014, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALTHOUGH THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR, NONE OF THE SIX (6) AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, THERE IS NOW A GAP ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AREA FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TR
Air bags, Jul 14, 2014
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT A CONCERN WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I WAS TOLD WITHOUT THEM TOUCHING MY VEHICLE THAT I NEEDED A NEW DASHBOARD WHICH IS OVER $2000.00. I LEFT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE $2000.00 PLUS TO PURCHASE A DASHBOARD. I WENT ONLINE TO TOYOTA.COM AND SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ON 6/24/2014. I SPOKE WITH [XXX], A DAY OR SO LATER AND SHE ADVISED ME TO GO BACK AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT, WHICH I DID AND I WAS TOLD WHEN I GOT THERE IT WOULD BE AN HOUR/HOUR AND A HALF BEFORE THEY GET TO MY CAR. I TOLD[XXX] (ADVISOR) THAT I'LL WAIT IN THE LOUNGE AREA, IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2:01PM, AT 2:30PM HE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS READY. I WAS GIVEN A COUPLE OF PRINT OUTS AND WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN I NEEDED A NEW DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OLD, PER [XXX]. HE ALSO ASKED ME IF I COULD READ WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS STATED ON THE PRINT OUTS, VERY RUDE! I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AGAIN AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD HAVE TO SPEAK WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FIRST AND SHE'D CONTACT ME IN A FEW DAYS, WHICH SHE DID AND SAID THE SERVICE MANAGER NAMED [XXX] SAID HE TOLD ME IT WAS A COSMETIC ISSUE. I NEVER SPOKE WITH A TIM. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP ME BECAUSE IT'S A COSMETIC ISSUE, PER [XXX] AT BEV SMITH TOYOTA. I ATTACHED PHOTOS WITH MY COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND A COMPLAINT SITE AND POSTED MY COMPLAINT ON THERE AND FOUND OUT I COULD CONTACT NHTSA. AS I STATED TO TOYOTA CORPORATION, I'M NOT SEEKING A NEW VEHICLE OR MONEY, I JUST WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I WOULD HATE FOR SOMETHING TRAGIC TO HAPPEN WHEN THE ISSUE COULD'VE BEEN RESOLVED! BASICALLY, TOYOTA IS SAYING THAT THEIR DASHBOARDS DON'T LAST OVER TEN YEARS. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEM AND I WAS CONSIDERING PURCHASING ANOTHER CAMRY, NOT AFTER THIS!! MY COMPLAINT ISN'T THE ONLY ONE FOR THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE. SHAMEFUL!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jun 24, 2014
I HAVE A 2003 CAMRY LE, AND I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS SHOWING GAPS AROUND THE CAVITY ON THE DASHBOARD. I USE THE CAR FOR DAILY TRANSPORTATION FOR PERSONAL USE, AND I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT EXPLODE FROM THE HIGH HEAT. I RESIDE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE TO SOLVE THIS MATTER? I HEARD AND READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR TOYOTA VEHICLE OF THAT YEAR BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG PROBLEM IN FLORIDA. *TR