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, Jul 1, 2007
DELAYED RESPONSE OF ENGINE AND FORWARD MOTION OF THE CAR WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATION. FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS, IT SEEMS TO CREATE A REVVING OR SURGE IN THE ENGINE...LIKE SOMETHING IS OUT OF SYNCH. OTHER ISSUES RELATE TO PERSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE AND GRINDING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT WORKS ON MY CAR. AS OF TODAY, I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I AM NOT CONFIDENT I WILL BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I AM SCHEDULED TO BRING THE CAR IN THIS WEEK, BUT WILL NEED TO EXPEDITE IT GIVEN THE RAPID CHANGE IN BRAKE RESPONSE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. ON JUNE 21, 2007, THE VEHICLE SURGED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SO QUICKLY THAT IT WHIPPED THE CONTACT'S HEAD BACK AND LEFT SKID MARKS ON THE GROUND. SHE HAD TO REMOVE HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION (# DTO6003 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) THAT WAS CLOSED IN APRIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD TAKE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 27, 2007
CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE UPON PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. HYDRAULIC BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. METHOD USED TO STOP VEHICLE INCLUDED PUTTING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND APPLYING EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES WHICH HAD STOPPED BY SQUEEZING BETWEEN THEM AND THE CONCRETE MEDIUM. MY VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED ON DRIVERS SIDE BUT NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED (THANK GOD!). COULD NOT DUPLICATE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 28, 2007
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD.***CC *JB SEE ALSO 10181803. *DSY
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 28, 2007, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND REAR ENDED SECOND VEHICLE AND THEN A BUILDING BEFORE STOPPING. OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY FULLY DEPRESSING BRAKES, PUMPING BRAKES AND SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL TO NO AVAIL. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM IN 06/06 AND AGAIN IN 02/07. IN 06/06 DEALER STATED THERE WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND AN ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE. IN 02/07 DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. OPERATOR STATE HE HAD FOUR FAILURES BEFORE SERVICING IN 2006 AND ONLY ONE FAILURE BEFORE BRINGING IT IN IN 2007. THERE WAS DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *NM SEE ALSO 10196913 *SY
Vehicle speed control, Feb 20, 2007, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, IT LUNGED FORWARD OVER A CURB AND HIT A TREE. THE REAR AXLES WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE CONTACT HAD PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME.*AK THE VEHICLE LUNGED IN REVERSE, ONTO A MANIN STREET, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2007
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 2003 CAMRY WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS PARKED, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, TURNED CAR ON . PUT CAR IN DRIVE WHILE FOOT STILL ON BRAKE AND CAR SURGED FORWARD. THIS WAS SO FRIGHTENING AS A MOM AND CHILD WERE WALKING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I SMASHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURNED MOTOR OFF TO MAKE IT STOP. *JB SEE ALSO 10184772. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 20, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES DOWN TOO FAR. THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR CAUSED A COLLISION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE ACCELERATOR WAS ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY PUSHED THAT VEHICLE INTO A THIRD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THERE WERE NO MECHANICS CONSULTED.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. MINOR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED 6-7 TIME PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *NM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 30, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AT 1 MPH WIT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLE'S CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY TOYOTA. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2006, crash
I WAS DRIVING INTO THE AUTOMATIC CAR WASH, SLOWED TO GO UP SLIGHT RAMP TO TOP. GAVE THE CAR A LITTLE GAS AND IT STARTED REVING, DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED, JUMPED THE TRACK AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR WASH. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED TO OUTSIDE CARWASH, STILL REVING BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE FRONT BUMPER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FENDER WERE REPLACED, AND SUSPENSION DAMAGE REPAIRED. *NM
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, May 5, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR BODY REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE CRASH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THE FIRST THREE TIMES DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY CODES. ALSO, WHILE CARRYING 125 POUNDS OF BIRD SEED IN THE TRUNK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT ON A SLUSHY ROAD. WHEN THE BIRD SEED WAS MOVED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 7/11/2006 - THE CONSUMER REPORTED THESE INCIDENTS TO THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 2006, crash
I WAS PARKED IN A STRIP MALL WHERE I HAD JUST PICKED UP SOME DRY CLEANING. I ENTERED MY CAR, A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE, AND STARTED THE ENGINE. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE GEAR, AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE,,AND WENT TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING ANOTHER CAR PARKED ACROSS FROM MINE AND CONTINUED IN A SOMEWHAT CIRCULAR PATH UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND COME TO A STOP. I HAVE CALLED NHTSA TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 83 PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE UNDER "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL," AND 15 COMPLAINTS UNDER "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL." I HAVE ALSO CALLED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES (1 800 331-4331) AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED FOR ANY DEFECTS. I HAVE ALSO GONE TO A AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED AT $3,879.13. IN ADDITION, THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND I WAS CITED FOR "CARELESS DRIVING," AND PAID A FINE OF $107.70. I AM ALSO BEEN REQUIRED TO ATTEND A 4 HOUR TRAFFIC SCHOOL WHERE THE FEE IS $35.95. I WISH TO HAVE THIS MATTER INVESTIGATED.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 27, 2006, crash
2003 CAMRY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING CONSUMER TO CRASH INTO A WALL. *TS THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF ANY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN REGARDING HER COMPLAINT. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 8, 2006, crash
MY CAR IS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CRUISE CONTROL AND ABS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 21, 2006 IN NEW YORK CITY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND IN CLEAR WEATHER. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I ENTERED GAS STATION TO PUMP GAS. I LOST CONTROL WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HIT ANOTHER CAR PARKED TO PUMP GAS.. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jan 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS BARELY BEING TOUCHED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN ON A LEVEL HIGHWAY, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED,IT WILL ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 7, 2005, crash
2003 CAMRY WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *TS THE ELECTRONIC PART FOR THE ACCELERATOR WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER AFTER EACH ACCIDENT. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PLACING FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. IT BECAME AIRBORNE AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE FRACTURED VERTEBRAE'S. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT WAS PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT FROM 2 MPH, TO BEING OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SURGED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALED. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2005
DT: VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON AUGUST 12, 2005. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND SENT THE CONSUMER HOME WITH THE INVOICE. THERE WAS NO FOR WARNING. ABOUT 6 WEEKS BEFORE WHEN PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT SEEMED LIKE IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2005
CAR SURGES TO MAXIMUM REVOLUTIONS ON TACHOMETER WHEN MOVING GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. AT THE TIME OF BOTH INCIDENTS, CAR WAS IDLING WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON. APPLICATION OF BRAKE CONTROLLED SITUATION BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT SEVERE ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURS. THERE ARE 2 OTHER DRIVERS IN THE FAMILY, OF WHICH ONE IS A TEENAGER AND A FOURTH WILL START DRIVING IN 6 MONTHS. THIS IS THE SAME AS THE CURRENT DEFECT INVESTIGATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP05002. MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER, NOT THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID A DIAGNOSIS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND DETECTED NO PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A DIAGNOSIS FOR THIS ISSUE AND A NATIONAL RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 15, 2005
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DEVELOPED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IT REQUIRED 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE GAUGES WERE ERRATIC, THE RIGHT REAR STRUT AND MOUNT WERE BROKEN. *JB THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE HOOD RELEASE LATCH WAS RECONNECTED, BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLE NOISE. THE EXHAUST CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION TWICE. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2005, crash
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF BY ITSELF. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. AT ONE TIME CONSUMER WAS PUTTING THE CAR ON PLANKS TO CHANGE OIL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND HIT CONSUMER'S SPOUSE, WHO SUSTAINED INJURIES.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2005
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT WENT DOWN TOT HE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. JUST AS QUICKLY AS THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING IT STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOT EH DEALER BUT HEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK *NM