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, Mar 21, 2010, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE MY 2003 CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE SAME DRIVEWAY. SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IS CORRECTED BY TAPPING THE BRAKE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2010
SUMMER 2007, DRIVING FROM BEDFORD, TX TO SOUTHWEST FORT WORTH, 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM NEAR STOP CONDITION TO MUCH HIGHER SPEED FOR TWO OR MORE BLOCKS. NOT SURE HOW FAST IT WAS GOING. DON'T RECALL DETAILS. THIS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. STILL OWNS CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010, crash
10/06/09 ACCIDENT--UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR AND REAR GARAGE WALL. BECAUSE CAR HAS NOT APPEARED ON RECALL LISTS MY INSURANCE CO. ADVISES I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT AND WILL FACE INCREASED PREMIUM. I FEEL THIS UNFAIR AND UNJUST. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I WAS ADVISED TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT WITH YOU BY TV CONSUMER ADVOCATE "7 ON YOUR SIDE". THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I STARTED IT TO PUT IN GARAGE--THEREFORE, I CANNOT PUT PROPER SPEED IN AREA SUBSEQUENT TO THIS SECTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2010, crash
IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT ON DECEMBER 8, 2009, MY 2003 CAMRY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB, RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO TEST DROVE IT AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL TO 2003 CAMRY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AT SPEEDS OF UNDER 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN IN A CIRCULAR MOTION AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD REVVING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL FINALLY CRASHING INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THERE WAS A TIRE BLOWOUT, EXACT LOCATION UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH INTO THE GARAGE, WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING. THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND AND FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED.THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 6300. UPDATED 04/20/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010, crash
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME UNEXPLAINABLE ACCELERATION BEING AIRED ON TELEVISION NEWSCASTS ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AS I WAS DRIVING IN FRONT OF A POPULAR SHOPPING AREA MY CAR ACCELERATED AT AN ALARMING SPEED. IT FELT LIKE A JET. I QUICKLY ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON MY FOOT BRAKE AND EVEN TRIED THE HAND BRAKE. THE CAR CEASED TO STOP. THE CAR CROSSED A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND DANGEROUSLY ENTERED A BUSY PARKING LOT AT A POPULAR MALL. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO DODGE PEDESTRIANS, MOVING AND PARKED CARS UNTIL I TURNED SUDDENLY AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN THAT DIVIDED THE PARKING ROWS IN THE PARKING LOT. ON-LOOKERS CAME TO CHECK ON ME AND SPOKE OF HOW THE BACK TIRES WERE SMOKING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS GOING SO FAST. SHAKEN UP, MY PASSENGER AND I CALLED FAMILY MEMBERS WHO RUSHED TO THE SCENE AND PROCEEDED TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN. THE FRONT WHEEL AXLE WAS BENT, AND THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE CRASH. THANKFULLY, NEITHER MY PASSENGER NOR I WERE INJURED, BUT VERY SHAKEN UP. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY SERVICE CENTER, THEY WERE ABLE TO SURMISE THAT THE CAR WAS A BIT MANGLED AND REQUIRED PARTS NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HILO, HAWAII. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE CAR EXCEEDED $3,000. I CONTACTED MY CAR INSURANCE CARRIER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. NEARLY ONE MONTH LATER, THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED THEM TO PLEASE EXAMINE THE CAR AND EVALUATE WHETHER IT WAS SAFE FOR DRIVING. THE MICRO CHIP DID NOT INDICATE ANYTHING ABNORMAL ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE AGENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010, crash
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN HER 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ON 10/05/04. WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE SHE STATED THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THAT SHE COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP. THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT QUOTES HER AS SAYING "SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE MECHANICALLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BUT I DO NOT FIND ANY INDICATION THAT THE PROBLEM OF THE ACCELERATOR WAS ADDRESSED. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT COURSE OF ACTION WE SHOULD TAKE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010
TL* CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE HAD IT. SHE ALMOST RAN THREW HER WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. SHE NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE BUT THOUGHT THAT FILING A COMPLAINT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 70,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I TOOK IT INTO A TOYOTA DEALER WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, BUT THEY DID NOTHING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
8/4/2000 MY TOYOTA CAMRY LE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT OAKLAND MALL PARKING LOT INTROY MICHIGAN AND I WAS INVOLVE IN ACCIDENT, TRIED EXTREMELY HARD ON BRAKE BUT COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
I PULLED INTO MY BROTHER'S DRIVEWAY AND WAS GETTING READY TO PARK WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AS IF I HAD THE GAS TO THE FLOOR(WHICH I DIDN'T). I CRASHED INTO MY BROTHER'S TRUCK KNOCKING IT INTO HIS HOUSE, STILL COULDN'T STOP THE CAR, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CLIMB HIS TRUCK. IT THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AND SIDE SWIPED HIS OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED, I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AND TRYING TO GO. I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED WHERE I COULD TURN IT OFF WITH THE KEY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS NEARLY $14,000.00 PLUS THE DAMAGE TO MY BROTHER'S PROPERTY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSIONS. THE FOUR TRANSMISSIONS FAILED WITHIN 45,000 MILES. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. ALSO, DURING BRAKING THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE DRIVER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010, crash
DRIVER/OWNER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN GARAGE. PLACED VEH. IN REVERSE AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING DRIVER TO ZOOM ACROSS STREET AND CRASH INTO A TREE, SUSTAINING SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES, PARTIAL PARALYSIS, HEMATOMA, FRACTURED VERTEBRAE IN UPPER THORACIC AREA, SPINE DAMAGE, RECTUM/COLON DAMAGE AND INJURIES, REQUIRING DRIVER TO WEAR DIAPERS AND BE FED THROUGH FEEDING TUBE. PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHIPPED TOOTH, WHIPLASH, AND OTHER INJURIES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010, crash
BACKING INTO PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF BACK PORCH ABOUT 8 FEET FORM PORCH CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO CAR AND PORCH. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 4 CYLINDER CAMRY. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN AUGUST, 2006. IN THAT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER, I HAD 2 OR 3 ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT DUE TO THE NEW PLASTIC FLOOR MATS I HAD INSTALLED OR WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FOOT EXTENDED OVER THE END OF THE PEDAL AND WHEN I PRESSED DOWN, I HIT THE ACCELERATOR AS WELL. I HAVE HAD NO INCIDENTS SINCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY 4CYL, LE MODEL. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CRUISE/SPEED CONTROL WAS ON, THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED QUICKLY. BOTH TIMES, I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE SPEED CONTROL OFF AND IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE, I DID NOT TAKE IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN 2006 AND ONCE IN 2007. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATES (THE MONTH/DAY BELOW IS JUST A GUESS), BUT I DID WANT TO GET THIS INCLUDED IN ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEMS OTHER WERE HAVING.*TR
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Feb 27, 2010
SUDDEN INCREASE IN RPMS AS I WAS BACKING UP MY CAR UP TO MY WOOD PILE..IT RAMMED INTO MY WOOD PILE AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING WHEN I FINALLY TURNED OFF THE CAR. SAME THING HAPPEN WHEN I WAS COASTING UP TO A STOP SIGN FEB 2010.. BOTH TIMES I PUT ALL THE STRENGTH I COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. IT NEVER STOPPED IN 2009 BUT I DID GET IT STOPPED ON THE 2010 INCIDENT BECAUSE I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BACK END OF THE CAR ON THE 2009 INCIDENT FROM THE CAR HITTING THE STACK OF WOOD.. WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 26, 2010, crash
WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT AT WALMART IN STAFFORD, VA. WHEN GAS PEDAL REV UP HIGH IN MY 03 TOYOTA CAMRY AND RAN OVER STEEL POLE BARRIERS . *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. YESTERDAY THE CONTACT WIFE EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UPON PUTTING THE GEAR IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO AN IRON FENCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER HAS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND THE CONTACT WILL BE OBTAINING A POLICE REPORT. THE PASSENGER HIT HER HEAD BUT DID NOT SEE A DOCTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,220. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/10*JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
I OWN A 2003 CAMRY XLE PURCHASED NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN CARSON CITY, NV. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SURGING, LURCHING AND HESITATING SINCE PURCHASED. I REQUESTED THE SERVICE DEPT TO CHECK IT OUT MANY TIMES. THEY ALWAYS SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG LEADING ME TO BELIEVE I WAS CRAZY. AFTER THE 4TH TIME I PRINTED OUT MANY OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, THEY STILL TOLD ME "NOTHING WAS WRONG" BUT THEY SAID TOYOTA IS PUTTING IN A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT WAS IN 2006. WOW, IF NOTHING WAS WRONG WHY WOULD THEY GO TO THAT EXPENSE? NOW AFTER ALL THAT HAS COME TO LIGHT WITH THE TOYOTA PROBLEMS, I SEE WHY. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS CAR AND KNOW THAT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. UPDATED 03/19/10
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE HAD THE SAME GAS PEDAL STICKING PROBLEM. I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR REVVED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO USE ALL OF MY POWER TO STOP THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF FOR IT TO STOP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE FOR ME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WOULD NOT BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IF IT HAD NOT HAPPENED TO ME. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT I AM VERY FEARFUL NOW THAT I HEAR THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR