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: service brakes
119 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2010
MY WIFE'S WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE TO STORE WHEN COMING TO CASUAL STOP HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD LOST ALL BRAKING POWER WHILE MERGING ONTO EXIT. MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES UNTIL AFTER 8-10 PUMPS OF BRAKE PEDAL CAR FINALLY REGAINED BRAKING POWER. SHE WAS TELLING ME SHE WAS ALMOST PREPARED TO RUN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH TO AVOID REAR-ENDING CARS IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS SCARED AND UPSET AND SAID SHE WON'T PUT OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR 7 YEARS OLD SON IN THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKES PROBLEM SINCE NEW. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THE TELL US THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN FIND WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES SINCE NEW,BUT THIS EVENT BEING THE WORST. I AM CALLING DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. MY WIFE DOES NOT WANT THE CAR AND STRONGLY BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WON'T BE FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A ENGINEERING PROBLEM NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. I AM SURE OF ALL THE TIMES WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I AM SURE THAT WHEN I TAKE IT THERE TOMORROW NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL TURN THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM INTO A PROFIT MAKER. THE CAR IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH 44,000 MILE AND NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PADS AT 40,000. MY WIFE AND I READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON BRAKING PROBLEMS AND ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE EXPERIENCE ON OUR TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. I WAS NOT IN THE CAR SO I'M NOT SURE IT WAS BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. MY OPINION IS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN CAR WAS NEW I HAD A PANIC STOP ON HIGHWAY ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 30 MPH FROM 65MPH. IF THIS CAR HAS ABS HOW CAN YOU SKID THE REAR TIRES AT ANYTIME. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIND NOTHING WRONG EVERY TIME . TOMORROW AT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE INTERESTING, MY WIFE WANTS ME TO TRADE IT IN AND SWEARS SHE WON'T DRIVE IT EVER AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 13, 2010
COMPLAINT HAVING DRIVEN A TOYOTA AND HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT'S IN THE NEWS TODAY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Mar 6, 2010, crash
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2010
TWICE LAST YEAR THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR IT JUST KEPT GOING. THE FIRST TIME I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR BY USING THE BRAKES AND IT FINALLY STOPPED AFTER IT WENT DOWN THE STREET A WAYS AND OVER A CURB. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND I HAD JUST STARTED UP THE CAR PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE SECOND TIME I HAD ENTERED A PARKING GARAGE, STOPPED TO TAKE A TICKET FROM A MACHINE AND WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS IT TOOK OFF. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF DANGER. IT FINALLY HIT A CEMENT BLOCK, BOUNCING BACK GOING FORWARD AGAIN BEFORE IT STOPPED. BOTH TIMES I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE SECOND TIME IN DECEMBER 2009 THEY TOLD ME OF THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CARPET, WHICH THEY SAID WAS OK ON MY CAR AND TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE WHEELS WOULD STOP TURNING. THEY ALSO SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON A RECALL BUT THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT BE A PART OF IT AS THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST UNTIL 2005 ON CAMRYS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 4, 2010
IN JULY OF 2007 OR 2008 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA IN A KOHL'S LOT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE MY HEAD TO BE THROWN BACK BUT I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO CHECK THE ODOMETER FOR THE REGISTERED SPEED. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL WITH ONE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND A CAR ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHIN AN INCH OR TWO FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS PROBABLY THE SCARIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN AN AUTOMOBILE. I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT OTHER OWNERS OF SOLARAS HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH THEIR AUTOS AND HAD BEEN TOLD THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. I FILED A REPORT AND SPOKE WITH A WOMAN FROM NHTSA WHO CALLED ME BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AGAIN. I BROUGHT MY SOLARA TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG OTHER THAN THE FLOOR MAT WAS PUSHED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF WHEN I'VE BEEN BRAKING TO TURN LEFT OR AM SLOWLY COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND ALWAYS WHEN I HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. IT FEELS AS IF I'VE HIT AN OIL SLICK IN THE ROAD AND THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS PRESS VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD. NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAS EVER BEEN AS SCARY AS WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS PARKING BUT THEY'VE ALL OCCURRED WHEN I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 2, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE DRIVER STATED THAT WHEN SHE DROVE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OVER A BUMP OR DOWN A HILL SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DRIVER STATED THAT IT FELT AS IF HER WHEELS WERE BOUNCING. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE ACCELERATION WHEN INITIALLY PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO, ON OCCASION, THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ENGAGE AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AN OPERATOR ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS TO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER LAST YEAR BUT THEY SAID IT INVOLVED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SEEMS THAT THE TOYOTA REPAIR PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALREADY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 22, 2010, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WE HAVE A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY AND A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. MY WIFE GENERALLY DRIVES THE 2003 CAMRY. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE OR PRESSING THE BRAKES WOULD GENERALLY CAUSE THE CAR TO SKID IRRESPECTIVE OF ROAD CONDITIONS - WET /DRY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CARE TO THE SHOP TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, ENSURED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NEW ETC. 3 WEEKS AGO I WAS IN A REAR END COLLISION - I HAD PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP AND HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CONTINUED TO SKID. I USED THE CAR IN FRONT TO EFFECTIVELY HALT OUR CAR. WITH ALL THE DISCUSSION OF THE TOYOTA RECALLS, I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE CARS THAT TOYOTA IS NOT REVEALING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I DROVE THE 1999 CAMRY AND THERE IS DEFINITELY A DIFFERENCE I THE RESPONSIVENESS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE BRAKES/BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 21, 2010
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 CAMRY SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN FOR NO OBVIOUS REASONS, EVEN FOR SMALL BUMPS/POTHOLES AND I LOOSE CONTROL OF STOPPING THE CAR. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT GONE INTO ANY ACCIDENT, BUT IT IS SCARY. NOW MY 17 YEAR DAUGHTER IS GETTING HER LICENSE AND I AM SCARED THAT SHE MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH 2003 CAMRY BRAKING SYSTEM. READING ALL THESE POSTS, I THINK THAT TOYOTA IS NOT HONEST WITH US SEE OTHER COMPLAINS AT HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/FORUM/TOYOTA/CAMRY/CONSUMER+COMPLAINT/760-760. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 15, 2010, crash
I HAVE A CAR TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 AND HAD TWO CAR ACCIDENTS (CRASH) IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 15, 2010
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE NEW. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES-THE PEDAL NEARS THE FLOOR BEFORE BRAKING ACTION BEGINS. REPORTED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY MAINTAIN THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND UP TO SPECS. I HAD THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS CHANGED ALONG WITH NEW SHOES ON THE REAR-EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE NOT WORN OUT-AND STOPPING IMPROVED ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL AN AWFUL LOT OF PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE BRAKING TAKES PLACE. I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY TOYOTA MOTOR CO. I THINK THE RECENT EVENTS WITH THEIR VEHICLE RECALLS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 13, 2010
I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THOSE PROMPTING THE PRIUS RECALL SINCE APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER, 2009. IF THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED ON ROUGH PAVEMENT (BUMPY, POTHOLES,ETC), IT SHUDDERS AND DOES NOT ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS EVEN WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND HAVE HAD THE ABS SENSORS CLEANED AND LINES INSPECTED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON BOTH WET AND DRY PAVEMENT. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 10, 2010
IN WET WEATHER, I OFTEN FIND THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY FAILING, EVEN AFTER I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED. ESPECIALLY WHEN I GO DOWNHILL NEAR MY HOUSE, WHEN I SLOWLY APPLY THE BRAKES IN WET WEATHER I HEAR A CRUNCHING SOUND AND GET LITTLE, AND OCCASIONALLY, NO BRAKE ACTION. N.B. I AM NOT SURE OF THE DAY I AM PUTTING IN BELOW, BUT AM PICKING THE 4TH AS AN APPROXIMATE DATE SO I CAN CONTINUE WITH THE FORM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 10, 2010
I WATCHED THE CNN EVENING NEWS COVERAGE YESTERDAY, FEBRUARY 9 ON THE PRIUS RECALL DUE TO A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE CNN NEWS REPORTER ACTUALLY OWNS A PRIUS AND WAS RELAYING HER EXPERIENCE. HER STORY RESONANT WITH ME BECAUSE I HAVE CONTINUALLY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 CAMRY. THOUGH I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THE TECHNICIAN HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING ROAD TESTS, NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM IS FOUND. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 7, 2010
I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE IN A PARKING LOT IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, WHEN MY CAR SURGED FORWARD. I HIT AND DAMAGED 2 PARKED VEHICLES AS WELL AS SUSTAINING SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE TO MY OWN CAR, BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. I CALLED THE POLICE AND REPORTED THE ACCIDENT, BUT I COULD NOT SWEAR THAT MY FOOT HAD NOT PARTIALLY COVERED THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS WINTER AND I WAS WEARING HEAVY BOOTS. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2003. TWICE SINCE THEN, IN MAY 2006 AND MARCH 2008, MY CAR SURGED ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. IN NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS DID I HAVE A FLOOR MAT RIDING UP UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS, BUT WHEN I LEAVE A MESSAGE TO TALK TO A SERVICE MANAGER I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK. A FEW DAYS LATER I RECEIVE A TRADE-IN OFFER FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *TW
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 7, 2010
I AM FINDING THAT THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 CAMRY LE DO NOT SLOW THE CAR WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR DEFECT IN THE ROAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 5 TIMES IN LAST YEAR WHEN I BRAKE WHILE GOING OVER A POT HOLE *TW
Service brakes, Air, Feb 7, 2010
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ANTI LOCK BRAKES THIS SITUATION HAS EXISTED FROM THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN THE CAMRY RUMBLES OVER A BUMPY ROAD AND I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLYING CONSTANT PRESSURE THE BRAKES ARE NON RESPONSIVE. THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKES ONLY START TO WORK ONCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER OVER BUMPY ROAD. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY CAMRY OWNERS AND THEY HAVE INDICATED THE SAME BRAKING FAILURE. TOYOTA INDICATES THIS IS NORMAL. HOW CAN TOYOTA BE ALLOWED TO NOT FIX A FAILURE OF THEIR BRAKING SYSTEM? WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM? YOU HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS FOR YEARS AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS! *TW
Electrical system, Service brakes, Electric, Feb 6, 2010
CAR ACCELERATED, COULD NOT STOP IN 5 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. THE LATEST ONE WAS ON BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. PRESSED HARD ON BRAKE AND CAR STOPPED JUST SHORT OF HITTING ANOTHER CAR. *CN
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 5, 2010
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DISCUSSION THREAD --------------------------------------------------------------- RESPONSE (KWIL) - 01/26/2010 04:26 PM WE APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR CONCERN WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR 2003 CAMRY, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO LET US KNOW. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. NONE OF THESE STUDIES HAS FOUND THAT AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS THE CAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, ADOPTED IN SOME FORM BY NEARLY ALL AUTOMAKERS, HAS SEVERAL FAIL-SAFE FEATURES AND ENHANCES SAFETY BY MAKING POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL AND ADAPTIVE LASER CRUISE CONTROL. TOYOTA VALUES THE SAFETY OF OUR OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC. IT IS OUR UTMOST CONCERN AND TOYOTA HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ADDRESS ANY DEFECT TRENDS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR EMAIL AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS UNDER FILE. IF WE CAN BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK, HTTP://WWW.TOYOTA.COM/HELP/CONTACTUS.HTML,TO CONTACT US. CUSTOMER - 01/22/2010 06:21 AM I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT MY VEHICLE - SINCE AN EXPERIENCE I HAD IN MAY OF 2009 IN NICHOLS, SC. I WAS DEPARTING MY SISTER'S FARM - HAD MY CAR IN REVERSE - WHEN IT ACCERALATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE HAD A VERY LOUD WHINE AND IN A MATTER OF SECONDS WENT FROM 0 TO 60 MPH (MY GUESS)IT WENT IN REVERSE ' ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION WITH HORSES AND BARN. I APPLIED BRAKES AND SHIFTED GEARS ' ALL IN VAIN. ONLY WHEN I TURNED THE KEY OFF ' DID THE CAR STOP. MY CAR RECEIVED SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS EXAMINED BY HARRELSON TOYOTA, ROCK HILL, SC. ' NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT I HAVE A TOYOTA 2003 CAMRY MODEL XLE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEM AS RECENTLY REPORTED IN THE TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I AM BRAKING ON AN UNEVEN OR SLIPPERY SURFACE, I HEAR A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE, THE BRAKES LOCK UP, AND THE CAR SKIDS. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS. I DO NOT REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM. *JB
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 4, 2010
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. AFTER READING THE NHTSA'S FEBRUARY 4, 2010 RELEASE ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO TOYOTA PRIUS' ALLEGATIONS OF MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE OR BUMP, I FINALLY FELT VINDICATED, ALBEIT I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE HAS HAD THE SAME TYPE OF BRAKING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED IT APRIL 2003 FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN DELTA, CO. WHENEVER I WAS BRAKING TO TURN A CORNER OR SLOW DOWN GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD, IF I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SHUDDER, THE PEDAL DECREASES AND I LOSE MY BRAKES! I HAVE TO START PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY TO GET THE BRAKES TO WORK. ONE TIME RECENTLY, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE HELP OF MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH DIDN'T REALLY WORK THAT WELL. AND I WAS GOING SLOWLY AT THE TIME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DELTA, COLORADO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASING THE CAR, HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. CAN YOU GUYS HELP ME? I AM NOT LOOKING FOR REVENGE AGAINST TOYOTA, MY WHOLE FAMILY SAVE ONE PERSON, DRIVES TOYOTAS. I JUST WANT BRAKES THAT WORK CORRECTLY. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
I READ ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKING DIFFICULTIES WHEN GOING OVER POTHOLES OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. I HAVE A 2003 CAMRY AND HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I ACTUALLY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSORS ON THE ABS, BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. ANYWAY I JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT LIMITED TO THE PRIUS IN 2010. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
AFTER READING THE RECENT DESCRIPTION OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THE 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS I REALIZED THAT THE DESCRIPTION IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM I HAVE ON MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND AT THE SAME TIME I HAPPEN TO HIT A POTHOLE OR A ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACE THE CAR WILL LOSE BRAKING ABILITY AND IT IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHATTERING SOUND LIKE YOU HEAR WHEN ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE ENGAGING, EXCEPT IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY EFFECT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT IT IS VERY MUCH A SENSE OF LOST OF CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS, AND MOST RECENTLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO SHIFT LANES SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AS STATED THIS PHENOMENA HAS OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 3, 2010
2003 CAMRY LE WITH A FAILING BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE PUSHED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR FOR THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THEY CLAIM THE BRAKES MEET MANUFACTURER'S SPECS, AND HAVE FAILED TO DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEM, AND NO FIX WAS EVER OFFERED. THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE OK, AND THEY AGREE THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW, AND THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDING EXCESSIVE DEPRESSION, WHICH TOYOTA DENIES. THEY HAVE OPENED A CASE FILE ON THE CAR, BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, FOR FEAR THE BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. PURCHASED AT SUNNYSIDE TOYOTA IN NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO (440)777-9911. I BELIEVE THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL IS FAULTY, AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. EVERY TIME I TAKE THIS CAR OUT FOR A TEST RIDE, IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING IT, AND TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING, EXCEPT HAVE YET ANOTHER OF THEIR DEALERS "LOOK AT IT". I AM TIRED OF TAKING THIS INTO THE SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED, ONLY TO BE TURNED AWAY SAYING IT'S "COMPLETELY UP TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS." FOUR TIMES IS ENOUGH !!! THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG. *TR