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: vehicle speed control
266 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, May 6, 2026, crash
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly accelerate or lunge forward and had done so several times, both while idle, pressing the brakes, and while driving at various speeds. Suddenly accelerated downhill, and when approaching the inner section, the contact immediately turned the vehicle to avoid hitting another vehicle and ended up crashing into a nearby residence's garage, causing the vehicle to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The garage door was damaged, and the contact's vehicle's front-end was damaged. A police report was filed. The contact had stated they had experienced sleep issues and a fear of driving the vehicle since the incident. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been driven since. The contact spoke with a certified mechanic who informed them it was a known issue and of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control), which related to their experienced failure. The mechanic did not repair the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and they too confirmed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 14, 2022
I was going 45 to 50 mph and my car shut off in middle of highway and we barely got out of highway before getting hit there is recall on same kind of car for throttle body and that's what's wrong with mine so it has too be that they missed my car
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2021, crash
AS I TURNED SLIGHTLY RIGHT INTO MY PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT LIFTING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TOWARD THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN AND SPED UP THEN CRASHED RIGHT THRU THE GATE THAT DIVIDED THE PARKING SPACE FROM THE SIDEWALK. I WAS IN SHOCK AND THOUGHT THERE WAS A GHOST OF SOME KIND THAT JUST TOOK OVER THE GAS PEDAL AS IT SPED UP. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS DESTROYED AND FRONT GRILL ALONG WITH THE LOWER HEAD LIGHTS OF VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE HOOD OF THE CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 30, 2019, crash
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. WHEN MY CAR STALED AND WAS SHAKING IN REVERSE. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS BECAUSE I THOUGHT I BACKED UP INTO SOMETHING. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEED OUT OF NO WHERE AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO TWO CARS.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 25, 2019
COMING TO RED LIGHT CAR WOULD NOT STOP I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES ASB CAME IN THEN THE CAR WENT INTO HIGH RPMS,AND STOPPED SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD BLOW UP?.. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, FROM MY EXPERIENCE TO SLOW RPMS YOU PRESS GAS PETAL HARD UNTIL THE RPMS SLOW, I DO NOT HAVE FLOOR MAPS, NEVER HAD THEM...
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2018, crash
COMING TO A STOP AND ABOUT READY TO STOP AND ALL OF SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLED TO LEFT AND ACCELERATED. THEN I HIT A PARKED CAR AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 11, 2017
ON DECEMBER 7,2017, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT IN FLORIDA. AS I STARTED GOING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE. I HAD A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING.I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. LUCKILY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I KEPT PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT TOOK TIME FOR THE STEEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND TO ME. I SHUT OFF THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I HAD 2 WITNESSES IN THE CAR.WHO SAW THAT MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE, AND THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PASSENGER CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT, AND IT WAS LYING COMPLETELY FLAT. I DO NOT KNOW WHY I HAD THIS LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME IN 2010, WHEN I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION,AND MY CAR HIT A TREE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND WILLL NOT DO SO BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2017
DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. GAS PEDAL WAS TAPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE SHUT OFF.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH, BUT WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
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
Vehicle speed control, Oct 8, 2015, crash
I FELT A CLICK UNDER HOOD AROUND AREA OF DRIVER SIDE AS I BACKED OUT OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT THE BANK. I DROVE FORWARD ACROSS THE STREET INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT, TURNED MY WHEEL RIGHT TO PULL INTO PARKING PLACE AND THE ACCELERATOR INCREASED SENDING ME UP A CURB INTO A BRICK WALL. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, I HAD TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK TO TURN OFF BEFORE ACCELERATION STOPPED. MY ENTIRE FRONT END WAS SMASHED(HAVE PHOTOS OF CAR AND TIRE MARKS ON CEMENT). I STARTED CAR BACK UP AND IT REVERSED FINE. NO MATS UNDER PEDAL AND NO SLIPPING FOOT TO GAS PEDAL. CAR HAS 60,000 MILES AND WAS IMPECCABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2015, crash
I WAS NEARLY FINISHED PARKING MY CAR WHEN THE CAR SPED UP, WENT OVER A CONCRETE CURB STOP, HIT AND KNOCKED OVER A SIGN POST. I RECALL THE ENGINE REVVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE 12 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS SCARY.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 19, 2015, crash
WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED SHOT ACROSS THE STREET HITTING THE CURB BLOWING THE TIRES AND HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE AND TORE UP THE NEIGHBORS LAWN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP DUE TO THE LACK OF TRACTION. MY WIFE WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. WE HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT. I LOOKED AND THE MAT HAD NOT MOVED IN ANY WAY TO IMPEDE THE FOOT PEDAL. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND LET THEM EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND THE REPLY SAID IT WAS DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET FLOOR MAT. THEY DID NOT REVEAL WHAT THE COMPUTER DATA RECORDED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT COULD OF BEEN ANYTHING ELSE.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 3, 2015
I TOO HAVE BEEN NOTICING A SURGE WHEN I BACK UP AND TURN THE VEHICLE AND STEP ON THE GAS TO DRIVE OUT. I HAVE AVOIDED CRASHES WITH CARS NEAR BY, I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE SPEED ON LOW AND OUT OF DRIVE TO AVOID HITTING A CAR NEAR MY PARKED CAR. I AM NOT SURE OF THE MILEAGE ABOVE AS I AM JUST BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND TURNING MY CAR TO DRIVE, I MAKE SURE IT IS ON LOW.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2015, crash
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THERE WAS NO EFFECT. IN ORDER TO AVOID TRAFFIC I HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A STONE WALL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2015, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPECIFIED IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2015, crash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL DRY CLEANERS. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED RAPIDLY FORWARD GOING OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2014, crash
DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPING, SO THE CRUISE CONTROL CANCEL BUTTON WAS PRESSED. INSTEAD OF THE CAR DECELERATING, IT QUICKLY ACCELERATED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAD BEEN PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES WERE QUICKLY PRESSED, BUT BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, IT HIT THE REAR END OF THE CAR AHEAD. THE PERSON IN THE OTHER CAR HAD A PRECAUTIONARY MEDICAL EXAM A FEW DAYS LATER, BUT NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE CAMRY WERE NOT INJURED AND AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THE CAMRY WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE OTHER CAR WAS REPAIRED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2014
I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED AND REVVED TO VERY HIGH RPM'S. I MANAGED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND FINALLY SHIFT THE CONTROLS TO NEUTRAL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO NORMAL RPM'S AND I TURNED OFF THE KEY. TOYOTA FIRST CLAIMED "DRIVER ERROR", THEN ENTRAPMENT OF THE GAS PETAL BY A FLOOR MAT, THEN "DRIVER ERROR" AGAIN, ALLEGING I HAD "BRAKED INCORRECTLY AND MUST HAVE HIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE"!! I WAS SIMPLY LOW-SPEED DRIVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS, WHEN THEIR CAR RACED SUDDENLY ON ITS OWN ACCORD. I HAD NOT HIT THE BRAKES UNTIL I HAD TO EMERGENCY-STOP A RUNAWAY CAR! DEALER SAYS THEY "CHECKED THE COMPUTER" AND THERE ARE "NO ISSUES" TO RESOLVE! THIS IS A BLATANT, LETHAL DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 21, 2014
AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LIT UP AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING ODD NOISES WHEN THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS PRESSED, WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN WE OPENED THE FRONT THE ENGINE AND COOLANT WERE SMOKING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE THIS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG, APPARENTLY THE OIL HAD BEEN LEAKING AND THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR GAVE NO INDICATION OF THIS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 3, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ABNORMAL AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
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