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: engine and engine cooling
115 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Apr 17, 2016
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY MAKES A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE DURING IDLE OR LIGHT ACCELERATION. MY CAR HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES INSPITE OF IT BEING 13 YEARS OLD. CLEARLY, TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD BUT SINCE MY CAR IS MORE THAN 6 YEARS OLD , TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT BUT MY CAR HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL NOW. HOPEFULLY, YOUR OFFICE CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jan 27, 2014
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE SEEMED HARD TO START. IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS MISFIRING. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING PROFUSELY. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME, SHE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR. SHE FILLED THE RADIATOR WITH COOLANT AND MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND A BAD AIR CONDITION FAN, NO FREON IN THE SYSTEM, AND THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER PAID $1200.00 TO FIX THE ISSUES. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES, THE AC STOPPED WORKING, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE, AGAIN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO YEARS PRIOR, BUT DESPITE HAVING 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, INDICATED NO PROBLEM. IT WAS RE-SET 3 TIMES, BUT EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON EVERY TIME. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2012
THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY RUFF AFTER START THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FAULT CODES ON THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS A NUMBER TWO AND THREE CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING BETWEEN THE NUMBER TWO AND THREE CYLINDERS (NO COOLANT WAS LEAKING OUTSIDE THE ENGINE). THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE HEAD, BUT THE FIRST BOLT STARTED TO STRIP AND THE TECHNICIANS STOPPED AT THAT POINT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $4,600 FOR A USED 80,000 MILE ENGINE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP AND HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED WITH A 30,000 MILE ENGINE FOR $3,000. COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ONE (THE HEAD BOLTS STRIPING OUT THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK) ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE DESIGN FLAWS. 1) THE HEAD GASKETS SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ON VEHICLES WITH LOW MILLAGE. 2) THE HEAD BOLTS SHOULD BE REMOVABLE WITHOUT DAMAGING THE ENGINE.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/27/12*LJ UPDATED 06/13/2012 *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2012
THE ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED OUT IN THE BLOCK CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW AND CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK. IN TALKING WITH MY REPAIR PERSON AND SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 4 CYL 2.4 L ENGINE. TOYOTA ISSUED A NEW PART NUMBER FOR THE BLOCK (TSB REF #EG015-07) SO THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO A RECALL. THE ONLY FIX IS A NEW ENGINE WHICH IS ABOUT $8000.00. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND VIBRATED AS IT ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT'SS MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FAILING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,767 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,025.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2012
EARLY HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD WATER MOVING FROM ONE END OF THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE TURNS OR WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN AUGUST 2007 WITH 98,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE OVER HEAT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE HEAD BOLTS FAILED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 16, 2011
DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS AND THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR WILL IDLE ALONG WHILE IN DRIVE; HOWEVER, PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THE CHECK ENGINE ERROR CODE POINTS TO THE THROTTLE BODY. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS STUCK IN THE "CLOSED" POSITION WHEN THIS ERROR HAPPENS. I'VE READ ABOUT THE NUMEROUS TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS WHO HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ON THEIR VEHICLES AT -- HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/TM6GC5T4DHVFS52CS -- IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ALL STATE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING AND CONTINUE TO CHARGE UPWARDS OF $1200 TO REPLACE AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY WITH A NEW THROTTLE BODY THAT STILL HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE DESIGN. ESSENTIALLY, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO SWAP OUT ONE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY FOR ANOTHER DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. SIMILARLY, TOYOTA CORPORATE IN TORRANCE, CA DENIES THAT THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A PRODUCT DEFECT. MOST LIKELY THIS IS DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THE PART AND EXPENSE TO INSTITUTE A RECALL OF THE THROTTLE BODY. A CURSORY REVIEW OF THE ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURES FOR TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS SHOWS THAT THIS COMPONENT IN PARTICULAR IS FAILING TOO OFTEN TO BE CHALKED UP TO BAD LUCK OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. A CONSUMER CLASS ACTION IS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS SORT OF DEFECT. I WOULD ASSUME THAT AN EXPERT WITNESS COULD TESTIFY AS TO THE DEFECT AND OPINE AS TO THE STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING MORE THAN ANY OTHER COMPONENT IN THE TOYOTA CAMRY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2011
ENGINE EMITS WHITE SMOKE DURING COLD START UP. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED DUE TO MANUFACTURING DESIGN WHICH MAY LEAD TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FAILURE. ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2011
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE ENGINE DRIVING FROM SNELL VILLE GA TO SOUTH CAROLINA TOYOTA CAMRY OIL LIGHT CAME ON THEN CAR CUTOFF FIRST TIME EVER. FAILURE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BROKE IN ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE; NEEDS ANOTHER ENGINE REBUILT OR NEW ONE ETC. AVAILABLE BUT CANNOT AFFORD ONE. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 22, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE BRAND NEW. RECENTLY I HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ONLY TO LEARN THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE #2 CYLINDER. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE BOLTS GOING INTO THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPED. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS CAMRYS OF THE SAME YEAR THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE IS PROHIBITIVE AND THE CAR IS WORTHLESS AFTER ONLY 8 YEARS OF USE. THIS IS AN APPARENT MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO REMEDY. DRIVING THE CAR AS IS WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND WE ARE STUCK WITH A CAR OF NO VALUE TO US.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY 4CYL CAR WITH 52,000 MILES, THAT HAS A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE NEXT TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ON FURTHER INSPECTION AND RESEARCH, IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE HEAD GASKET AREA, DUE TO STRIPPED OUT BLOCK/HEADBOLT, AS A CLEAR SIGN OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT INDICATED AND SUBSTANTIATED BY THE AMOUNT OF SIMILAR CASES FOUND ON INTERNET FORUMS SUCH AS: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/CAMRY/148454-CAMRY-WITH-STRIPPED-HEAD-BOLTS-2/. I CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM, SEEKING HELP WITH THIS $6,000 ISSUE AND WAS TOLD "NOTHING WE WILL DO". IT SEEMS CAR MAKERS WILL NOT DO THE RIGHT THING UNLESS THEY ARE FORCED TO AND THIS IS WHY I AM TRYING TO DO MY PART TO JOLT A VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS DESIGN FAILURE, BY A COMPANY CLAIMING TO PUT COSTUMERS FIRST, BUT INSTEAD SNUBS SO MANY OF US THE FIRST CHANCE THEY GET. CONSUMERS NEED HELP WITH THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA; PLEASE HELP US. THE BEST FIX SO FAR REPORTED IS PURCHASING ANOTHER TOYOTA 4CYL MOTOR WITH THE SAME FLAWED ENGINEERING AND TOYOTA WANTS NO PART OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SHORT COMING. I'VE OWN A FEW TOYOTA'S, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE WITH THEM AND TO KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET THIS COMPANY REFUSES TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE ACTION AND ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THEIR FAILURE. ANY AND ALL THE ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS NEEDED. THANK YOU *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AS IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE PULLED OUT, THE HEAD GASKET EXHIBITED AN OIL LEAK AND AFTER PRESSURE TESTING THE COOLING SYSTEM, THE CYLINDERS FILLED UP WITH COOLANT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,422. UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND POWER STEERING, ALONG WITH THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. UPDATED 11/23/11
Engine and engine cooling, May 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISES WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL GURGLING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BOLTS FAILED. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND MANIFOLD AND THE CONTACT HAD TO EVENTUALLY REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,914 UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN UPDATED 06/06/11. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 15, 2011
ENGINE FAILURE DO TO HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED OUT. HUNDREDS OF OTHER CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS AWARE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 30, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH VERY FEW SHOULDERS THE CAR STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A SHORT SHOULDER AREA AND CALLED THE AUTO CLUB FOR A TOW. THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED WITH THE HIGHWAY PATROL. SHE HAD TO WAIT IN A VERY DANGEROUS LOCATION WITH MANY HIGH SPEED HEAVY TRUCKS PASSING A FEW INCHES AWAY. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BELT TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE BELT TO FAIL THEN THE POWER STEERING AND ENGINE COOLING TO FAIL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 8, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO AN OPEN FIELD AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED (FIRE REPORT: 11-003597 AND POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 11-004293). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL JUNKYARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE (4 CYLINDER, 2.4 L) WHICH BEGAN LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM AROUND THE BACK OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS LIKELY A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, HE DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK WAS MOST LIKELY LOOSE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH WERE DUE TO THE BOLTS STRIPPING THE THREAD FROM THE BLOCK. HE SAID MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THAT POINT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 AND 2003 CAMRYS, AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS! I BOUGHT A TOYOTA BECAUSE I WANTED A VEHICLE WHICH I COULD BE DRIVING YEARS FROM NOW. NOW I'M LEFT WITH A VEHICLE I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO DRIVE NEXT WEEK! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 20, 2011
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. COOLANT LEAKING, PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, SAY MANY OTHER PEOPLE STATING HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET UNDER VEHICLE REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT 100,000 MILES. VERY UPSET. SAME DESCRIPTION AS EVERY ONE ELSE, GURGLING NOISE, COOLANT BEING QUICKLY REMOVED, MECHANIC CHASING THE PROBLEM TO THE ENGINE, ENGINE REPLACED. CALLED TOYOTA, JOKE OF A REACTION, NO APOLOGY OR ANY OFFER OF COMPENSATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2011
MY 2003 CAMRY WAS NO LONGER HEATING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEAT ON 'HIGH.' THEN I REALIZED THE THERMOSTAT WAS IN THE 'RED.' I HAD ANTIFREEZE ADDED AND IT WORKED FINE FOR 24 HOURS. THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND THE THERMOSTAT WENT DOWN TO 'NORMAL' RANGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, WHO ADDED MORE ANTIFREEZE. IT WORKED FINE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN: NO HEAT IN CABIN AND THERMOSTAT ON 'RED.' I COOLED IT DOWN AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. HE SAID THE BOLTS WERE NOT PUT IN PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING. I SEE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I CALL TOYOTA (1800 331-4331). THE REP SAYS TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ABOUT THIS, LEAVING ME SOL (SIMPLY OUT OF LUCK). RIGHT NOW, I'M LOOKING AT HAVING TO SPEND AT LEAST $1600 TO REPAIR A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE. REMEMBER, 'TOYOTA TOUGH?' I'VE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA OWNER FOR YEARS ' BUT I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE MY LAST. ' SIGNED, DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER