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, Jan 14, 2008
THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE MANIFOLD HAS A PROBLEM CAUSING A VERY LOUR RATTLING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MANY MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM FORUMS ON THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/T9MGD2F66FRTCKKID. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2007
HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BROKEN. TOYOTA WON'T HELP EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2007
GETTING A LARGE CHATTER OR RATTLE FROM THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH AFTER REVIEWING INTERNET INFO APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT WARRANTS A DEFECTIVE ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ALMOST A YEAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF NOT USING THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF OIL AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD TICKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2007
BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING NOISE SHORTLY BEFORE TAKING CAR TO DEALER FOR 90,000 MILE SERVICING. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. HAD MANIFOLD REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 26, 2007
2003 CAMRY LE, 39,000 MILES. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS ITSELF DOWN WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY, THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT OF A DEALERSHIP WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A SEEMLY UNRELATED ISSUE. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN OUTSIDE, IT COULD BE DEADLY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM GIVEN ITS DANGEROUS FAILURE MODE. THE CAR INITIALLY HAD START ISSUE A DAY EARLIER. IT ONLY STARTED AFTER THE HOOD HAS BEEN OPENED FOR A FEW MINUTES. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. THE START ISSUE HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES IN THE DEALERS LOT. AFTER IT FINALLY STARTED, IT HAD A POWER WINDOW FAILURE, FOLLOWED BY THE SHUTTING DOWN OF THE CAR BY ITSELF WHILE THE CAR WAS PHYSICALLY MOVING. THE DEALER COULD NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM BUT SUSPECTED THE BODY ECU (ENGINE CONTROL UNIT) BECAUSE OF THE POWER WINDOW FAILURE. THEY REPLACED AN ECU AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Apr 10, 2007
I PURCHASED THE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN SEPTEMBER 2005. WHILE I LOVE MY CAR I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS AFTER HEARING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. I HEAR SLOSHING SOUND UNDER THE DASH. IT IS REALLY LOUD WHEN BRAKING, ACCELERATING, OR PARKING. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR YOUR CAR. ALSO , HEAR A SQUEAKY, GRINDING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL, NO MATTER HOT OR COLD WEATHER. THE DELAERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT THEM. THEY KEPT IT 2 DAYS, AND SAID NOTHIGN WAS WRONG. IT CONTINUED FOR ANTOHER WEEK, AND I RETURNED WITH IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT AND CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY, AND TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY WERE SURE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THEY WILL NOT RETURN ANY PHONE CALLS OR EVEN TALK TO ME WHEN I GO THERE. THE LAS THING, WAS THE PAINT CONTINUALLY CHIPPING AND PEELING OF IN CHUNKS ON THE HOOD, FRONT BUMPER, AND REAR BUMPER. I HAVE SPOKEN TO TOYOTA ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY CONTINUED TO SAY IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT, AND MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THIS ALL STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND CONTINUED TODAY. PLEASE ADVIS ME IF THEREWAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO FIX ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. THANKS. AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 20, 2007
TOYOTA DEALER ADVISES REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 2003 CAMRY 4-CYLINDER DUE TO LOUD RATTLING NOISE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS NOTED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2007
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW TOYOTA CAMRY XLE IN MAY 2003. ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING IT, I BEGAN TO HEAR A SLOSHING SOUND UNDER THE DASH BOARD. THE PRODUCING OF THE SOUND WASN'T CONSISTENT BECAUSE SOME DAYS IT WASN'T PRESENT AT ALL. WHEN THE SOUND FIRST STARTED IT WAS VERY FAINT AND THE PASSENGER COULD NOT HEAR IT EVEN WHEN I POINTED IT OUT. I CHECKED FOR LEAKS BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY. TODAY, THE SOUND IS A LOT MORE NOTICABLE; HOWEVER, IT STILL DOES NOT PRESNET ITSELF EVERYDAY. I TRIED TO OBSERVE IF IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUT SIDE OR HOT, BUT THE SOUND IS NOT CONSISTENT. WHEN THE SOUND IS PRESENT, I WOULD HAVE TO TURN MY MUSIC UP A LITTLE TO IGNORE IT. MY CAR'S PERFORMANCE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE HAMPERED BY THIS SLOSHING OR SPLASHING NOISE SO I THOUGHT MY FLUIDS WERES JUST CIRCULATING. BUT IT HAS BECOME QUITE EMBARASSING AND ANNOYING HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT. I READ ANOTHER CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA COULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE SO THEY BOUGHT THEIR CAR BACK. I AM NOW INQUIRING TO TOYOTA ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT I WISHED I HAD WHEN MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM FIRST ARISED AT THE 20,000 MILE MARK. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2006
03 CAMRY MANIFOLD AT 45K TOOK CAR TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF KNOCKING/VIBRATION COMING FROM ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP UNDER WARRANTY AND RECOMMENDED TENSIONER BE REPLACED, OUT OF WARRANTY ITEM, TO FULLY CORRECT NOISE. NOISE PERSISTED AND I LEARNED TO DEAL WITH IT SINCE IT WASN'T HARMING THE ENGINE. PROGRESSIVELY GOT MORE ANNOYING AND AT 58K TOOK BACK TO DEALER. SSERVICE REP LISTENED TO IT FOR 2 MINUTES AND SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH WOULD COST $591 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I DECIDED NOT TO LEAVE CAR AND HAVE WORK DONE AGAIN SINCE IT WAS NOT HARMING THE ENGINE AND MORE OF A NUISANCE THAN ANYTHING. AT 60,500K I E-MAILED TOYOTA AND ASKED ABOUT THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY COVERAGE AND WAS TOLD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COVERED UP TO 60K OR 5 YRS. I ONLY HAVE SELF TO BLAME FOR NOT BEING PROACTIVE SOONER, BUT TOYOTA SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS RATHER COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT "THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS 5 YRS OR 60,000 WHICH EVER COMES FIRST FROM THE VEHICLES DATE OF FIRST USE..."*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2006
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING ONLY 51000 MILES 2003 CAMRY . TOYOTA DEALERS EST. $675.00 TO REPAIR . I NOTICED ON LINE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 CAMRY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2006
MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, WHICH I MAINTAINED IN A NORMAL MANNER, W/APPROPRIATE OIL CHANGES. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I PUT IN 1 QT OF OIL, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. A SHORT TIME LATER, I DROVE THE CAR AND IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLACKING SOUND, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT; CALLED A MECHANIC TO COME TAKE A LOOK. HE SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND WE COULD NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL. I TOWED IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AWAY. THEY CHECKED IT OVER COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN CALLED AND SAID THE ENGINE HAD SLUDGE IN IT, AND NEEDED A $7,000-$8,000 REPAIR. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE THE OIL HAD OBVIOUSLY NOT BEEN CHANGED PROPERLY. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE TOYOTA DEALER TALKED ME INTO A $999 EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN, WHICH HE ASSURED ME WOULD COVER ANY MAJOR ISSUES THAT MIGHT COME UP WITH A CAR -- THEIR TENDER LOVING CARE PACKAGE. NOW THE WARRANTY (WHICH TOYOTA IS DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM, SAYING IS AN OUTSIDE COMPANY, THEREFORE NOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM) COMPANY DENIED THE REPAIR. ALSO, TOYOTA DENIED COVERING THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND TONS OF MATERIAL ONLINE INDICATING THAT THEY'VE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY ENGINES AND SLUDGE ISSUES. IT LOOKS LIKE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA ALWAYS SAYS IT IS THE OWNER'S FAULT. I HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND HAVE SOME OF THE RECORDS. I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS, BUT HAVE WELL OVER HALF OF THEM. THE CAR HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS FOR 100,000 MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THE ENGINE PROPERLY AT THEIR EXPENSE. A $7-8K REPAIR IS A MONUMENTAL EXPENSE FOR OUR FAMILY. THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS, AS AN ENGINE LOCKING UP OR STOPPING COLD COULD PRESENT A SERIOUS DRIVING ISSUE, AND CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE A VERY BROAD PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRYS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 10, 2006
CAR MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN IDLE AND IN FIRST GEAR. I GOT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BY TOYOTA DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS A BROKEN AIRFLOW DEFLECTOR IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS FLAPPING AROUND. THIS PROBLEM IS REPORTEDLY COMMON ON CAMRYS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A HISSING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED .*AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2005
INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE ON 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.4 ENGINE (TOYOTA MOTOR CO.) WILL NOT REPLACE. THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY REPLACED THEM WITH A NEW TYPE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY CAMRY HAS 65000 MILES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2005, fire
DT: 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE ENGINE I 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER. DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE WAY VEHICLE WAS OPERATING BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS UP TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE HOW THE FIRE STARTED. DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL OR FUEL. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BURNED COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT WAS THE HIGHWAY PATROL DEPARTMENT WHO NEEDED TO DO THE REPORT. TOOK PICTURES OF VEHICLE AT THE JUNK YARD. VEHICLE HAD ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS. THERE WAS NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2005
DT: THE VEHICLE ACCELARATED ON ITS OWN AND SURGED FORWARD 6 OR 7 TIMES. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND DEALT WITH THE LIABILITY DEPARTMENT. AND THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON NOVEMBER 12, 2003. *AK SEE ALSO 10055728. *DSY
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2005
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, CAUSING A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. RATTLE WAS HEARD AT IDLE SPEED AND BECAME LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING. TOYOTA REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT A TOTAL COST OF OVER $500 (PART + LABOR) BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED JUST OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN TSB EG018-2004. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 14, 2005
EXTREME SULPHUR SMELL INSIDE CABIN OF AUTOMOBILE. THIS AIR QUA;ITY CANNOT BE BENEFICIAL TO THE OCCUPANTS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN ONGOING TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT NOT YET RESOLVED ECU MUST BE ADJUSTED AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2005
THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY 03 CAMRY HANGS DOWN. IT IS 4 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. I HAVE TRIED TO GET TOYOTA TO FIX IT BUT THEY SAY IT'S THE DESIGN INTENT. I'M AFRAID THAT IF THE CAR BOTTOMS OUT THE SYSTEM WILL FLY OFF THE CAR. I WATCH TWO PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE A MUFFLER FLEW OFF A VEHICLE AND WEDGED ITSELF INTO THE GAS TANK OF A TRUCK. IT CAUGHT THE HIGHWAY ON FIRE AND KILLED THE GUYS IN THE TRUCK. THE SYSTEM IS NOT INSTALLED ON THE CAR CORRECTLY. THERE IS A BRACKET THAT IS NOT HOOKED UP AND THE SYSTEM DOES NOT TUCK INTO THE EXHAUST CHANNEL. ALL THE CAMRY AND OTHER MODELS ON THIS FRAME ARE LIKE THIS. PLEASE HELP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Nov 8, 2004
WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH RPMS ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2004, fire
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2004
I WAS PARKING ,MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE BUT MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELARATE VERY QUICLY AND JUMP FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY.ONLY LUCK PREVENTED ANY DEATHS BECAUSE NOBODY WAS ON PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENED AT WEST PALM BEACH.I TOOK MY CAR TO STEWART TOYOTA.I TOLD THEM I READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MONTH AGO WHICH WAS ON FIRST USA PAPER (BUSINESS SECTION) THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY COMPLAIN BEFORE,KEPT MY CAR FOR A DAY .NEXT DAY,THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM.I HAVE TO LEAVE WITH IT. IT WAS VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY CAR.*AK