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, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2014, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING INTO A COVERED PARKING GARAGE, RETRIEVED HER PARKING TICKET AND PROCEEDED UP THE RAMP, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO A SPEED SHE COULD NOT CONTROL. SHE TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE HIT A PARKED TRUCK AND THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, MOVING THE TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 6-8 FEET. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS PRACTICALLY A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/13/14*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Dec 6, 2013, crash
DRIVER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL PASSENGER SIDE CRASH. THIS CRASH WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO DESTROY FRONT BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, HOOD, PASSENGER SIDE FENDER, WHEEL/ TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO FACE & EYES WITH SEVERAL FACIAL FRACTURES, BROKEN NOSE WHEN FACE IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL. UPDATED 12-13-13 *BF UPDATED 12/18/13
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Dec 4, 2013, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, AND AS HE WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE PARKWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, DESPITE THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CONSEQUENTLY HE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A DEEP LACERATION TO HIS KNEE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2013, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IN WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FENDER-BENDER, BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING, TURNED INTO A RATHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE, AS SHE WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT AHEAD, AND SENT HER TWO LANES OVER INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED HAD THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HER INJURIES, MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS SERIOUS. UPDATED 10/28/13
Power train, Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Aug 11, 2013, crash
I WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT WAITING TO TURN LEFT, WHEN SUDDENLY I GOT HIT FROM THE REAR RIGHT PART OF MY CAR. FROM THAT MOMENT THE CAR COULD NOT DRIVE.. THE REAR LEFT PART OF THE CAR BODY AND THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. THE REPAIR SHOP DECLARED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ANY MORE. ONLY LATER OF THE INCIDENT DID I REMEMBER THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH IN A PARKING LOT , THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PROTECTED BARRIER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO PEDESTRIANS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION AND A BURN MARK CAUSED BY SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,911. UPDATED 7/17/13 *CN
Air bags, Jun 2, 2013, crash
WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE OF I-5 AT 55MPH AND A CAR (A JEEP WAGONEER) SPUN OUT OF CONTROL ON THE ADJACENT CLOVERLEAF AND HIT US ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE IMPACT WAS ON OUR FRONT RIGHT SIDE TEARING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL A-ARM CRUMBLING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE REAR DOOR OF THE 4 DOOR SEDAN. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BUT NEITHER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY WIFE WAS THROWN AGAINST HER SEAT BELT CAUSING BRUISING AND THE DOOR CREATING LARGE BRUISES ON HER RIGHT HIP, KNEE, AND PAIN ACROSS THE CHEST (FROM THE SEAT BELT). *TR
Air bags, May 5, 2013
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS BEEN CURLED UP AND NOW IT'S STARTING TO CRACK, IT SEEMS THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOYED ANYTIME SOON. I KNOW THERE IS SOME ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT IN 2003 CAMRY, I JUST CAN'T ABLE TO FIND THE INFO AND DEALER IS NOT THE BIG HELP EITHER. THANKS *TR
Air bags, Jan 31, 2013
I NOTICED A SLIGHT SWELLING IN THE AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SEAM. I LOOKED DOWN INTO THE CREVICE AND SAW A SLIGHT SEPARATION. I DIDN'T PAY IT NO MIND AT THE TIME. TODAY, THE SEAM SPLIT HAS GROWN TO THREE INCHES. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY AND INJURE A PASSENGER. *TR
Air bags, Sep 28, 2012
A LARGE GAP DEVELOPED BETWEEN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER AND THE DASH BOARD. INSIDE THE GAP, A YELLOW COVER, POSSIBLE AIRBAG, CAN BE SEEN. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. *TR
Air bags, Sep 14, 2012, crash
I AM MAKING THIS REPORT FOR MY MOTHER, WHO WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH SHE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH AND RAN INTO A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG IN HER VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN THE COLLISION. THANK GOD THE SEAT BELT WORKED. I AM FILING THIS REPORT WITH HER NAME AND PERSONAL INFORMATION, EXCEPT THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS MINE, AS SHE DOESN'T USE EMAIL. *TR
Air bags, Jul 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS THEN DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE ARMS AND NECK AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Structure, Oct 27, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA, CAMRY WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (AT MY EXPENSE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT). I LIVE IN OREGON WHERE WE HAVE SEASONS SO IT ONLY GETS HOT A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND I USE A SUN VISOR DURING THE SUMMER FOR PROTECTION. IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR WHERE THE AIRBAG IS IN THE DASH, THE RECTANGULAR INDENTATION (LIKE A SEAM) AROUND THE AIRBAG HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE TOP EXPOSING YELLOW FOAM AND HAS ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGERS OR EVEN MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY. MY FATHER IS TERMINALLY ILL WITH CANCER AND ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 115 POUNDS AND I HAVE TO DRIVE HIM TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS REGULARLY. I WAS SO CONCERNED WHEN I FIRST NOTICED WHAT I CALL A "DESIGN FLAW" THAT I MADE HIM RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. HOWEVER, SINCE HE IS SO THIN, HE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE BACK AND WANTED TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT AGAIN WHICH I ALLOWED HIM TO DO AFTER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MEDFORD (LITHIA MOTORS, INC) GUARANTEED ME "100%" THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS PURELY COSMETIC. I HAVE PROVIDED PROOF OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO LITHIA AND HAVE SPOKEN TO TOYOTA CORPORATE A FEW TIMES. THEY STILL INSIST IT IS ONLY COSMETIC AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENTIRE DASH AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. I MAINTAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF THEY CAN AFFORD TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY ON SAFETY (PER THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS) AND ARE SPENDING EVEN MORE ON PR, THEY CAN DO A "GOOD WILL" REPAIR FOR A LOYAL CUSTOMER. TO THEIR CREDIT, I SHOULD ADD THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 50% TO REPAIR THE DASH, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE "UNREPAIRABLE" BY THEIR UPHOLSTERY PERSON. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM FOR MONTHS NOW. I AM A VERY PRINCIPLE BASED PERSON AND BELIEVE THIS IS WRONG CONSIDERING THE AGE, MILEAGE, ETC AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT THEIR EXPENSE ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. DOES CUSTOMER SERVICE STILL EXIST?? *TR
Air bags, Jul 27, 2010
SEAL AROUND FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAG SEPARATING FROM DASHBOARD CAUSING DANGER OF SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Air bags, Apr 28, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE CRASH AND A REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE PREVENTED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 98,000. UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB
Parking brake, Power train, Air bags, Apr 20, 2010, crash
OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY/ SOLARA ACCELERATED WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. THE REGULAR BRAKES ALSO FAILED AS WELL AS THE AIRBAGS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Mar 6, 2010, crash
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
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010, crash
ON JANUARY 12, 2010, I HAD MY 2003 CAMRY DETAILED (WASHED INSIDE AND OUT-INCLUDING THE CARPET)AT A CAR WASH. I PROCEEDED TO A NEARBY MALL,WHERE I STOPPED BRIEFLY AT A STORE. UPON EXITING THE PARKING LOT, I MADE A FULL STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO GO BY STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. AT THIS POINT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IT, EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WENT ACROSS 3 LANES & UP, OVER, AND DOWN A MEDIAN,CONTINUED TO GO ACROSS ANOTHER 3 LANES AND FINALLY CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A TREE ON ANOTHER MEDIAN. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE TO THE LEFT OF IT DID NOT HELP, NOR DID THE STEERING WHEEL TURN AS I WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING THE TREE. ALSO, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MY FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT THE TIME, I HAD NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF INJURY, BUT INJURIES BECAME APPARENT SOON AFTER, AND CAN BE VERIFIED BY A DOCTOR. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE, IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP, WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA MANUFACTURING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 52,000. *JB SEE ODI 10301845 *DSY
Air bags, Aug 21, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A STATIONARY WOODEN POWER POLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NUMEROUS INJURIES SUCH AS 10 BROKEN RIBS, NUMEROUS BACK INJURIES, INJURED SPLEEN, AN INJURY AND CUT TO LEFT BICEP. THE DRIVER ALSO SUSTAINED NUMEROUS BRUISES AND BROKEN BONES IN HER RIGHT HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Feb 5, 2009, crash
THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT HEAD ON INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER CAR. I WAS GOING APPROX. 35 TO40 MILES PER HOUR AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE,DRIVER AND PASSENGER. IN TURN, MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I DO HAVE SEVERAL PICS. *TR
Air bags, Sep 24, 2008
DOOR SLAMMED SHUT AND SIDE AIR CURTAIN DEPLOYED. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND AT A FULL STOP. *TR
Air bags, Aug 20, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE HEAT FROM THE SUMMER HAS CAUSED A LARGE GAP IN THE DASH WHERE THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS. YOU CAN SEE A YELLOW COVER INSIDE WHICH I AM AFRAID IS THE AIRBAG. *TR
Air bags, Aug 5, 2008
MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER LOOKS LIKE IS COMING APART. I SEE A GOOD GAP BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE DASHBOARD. INSIDE THE AIRBAG COVER, I CAN SEE A YELLOW PLASTIC SHEET KIND OF MATERIAL. I AM WORRIED WHETHER IT WILL AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRBAG OR WHETHER IF DUST OR SOMETHING GETS IN , IT WILL CREATE PROBLEM ON ITS FUNCTIONALITY. I TOOK IT TO GENE MESSER TOYOTA IN LUBBOCK,TEXAS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID "TECH STATES SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE CAUSED DO TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. AIR BAGS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH. COST TO REPLACE ....". THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT AN ISSUE AND IF I WANT I CAN REPLACE MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO SEAL THE GAP ON MY EXPENSE. 1. IT MAY LOOK FINE NOW WHAT IF TOMORROW IF THE COVER COMES OUT FULLY THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. 2. ANYTHING CAN GET-IN IN SUCH A BIG GAP. 3. EXCESSIVE HEAT ( THE MAX TEMPERATURE ON THIS MONTH-JUNE WAS AROUND 98+) SO THEY MEAN TO SAY THE DASHBOARDS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THAT OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ?(PROBABLY IT WILL BE LITTLE MORE INSIDE). SO ARE THEY SAYING EXCESSIVE SUMMER HEAT CAN CREATE A GAP BETWEEN DASH-BOARD AND AIR BAG COVER FOR ANY CAR?. AIR BAG IS SUCH A CRITICAL SAFETY PART. HOW CAN TOYOTA ALLOW SUCH GAP BETWEEN THE COVER AND DASH-BOARD FOR THE SUMMER HEAT? *TR
Air bags, Apr 24, 2008
PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON HARD DOOR SLAM. *TR
Air bags, Mar 7, 2008, crash
2003 TOYOTA SOLARA AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE STATES THAT SHE SUFFERED NECK AND CHEST PAIN FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *KB