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
816 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2010
ON AUGUST 20, 2009, STARTED MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WITH GEAR SHIFT IN "PARK", CAR ENGINE RACED AS IF ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. ENGINE WAS SCREAMING, I WAS AFRAID TO SHIFT IT INTO "DRIVE". SHUT OFF CAR AND RE-STARTED, CAR IDLED FINE AT NORMAL SPEED. PROCEEDED TO DRIVE CAR WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AM SURE THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT THE TIME.THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE IN 74,000 MILES AND 7 YEARS OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP. *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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2010
I HAVE AN 2003 CAMRY XLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN MARCH 2003, I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. IT USUALLY OCCURS ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR. I DID NOT REPORT IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND NOT A PROBLEM WHICH COULD BE REPRODUCED ON COMMAND. UNTIL ALL THE PUBLICITY THE LAST FEW MONTHS I ASSUMED IT WAS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WHICH HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO AN AIR CONDITIONER UNIT OUTSIDE OF HER RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR $800. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2010, crash
IN APRIL 2007 I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED GREATLY. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. I HIT ANOTHER CAR AND A FENCE BEFORE I COULD THROW IT INTO PARK AND STOP IT. HAD I GONE THRU THE FENCE, I WOULD HAVE GONE INTO A DEEP RAVINE AND I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO TELL THE STORY. I TOLD THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT DAY THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR; IT WOULD NOT STOP. I TOLD THEM THEY SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT IT. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY, THEY WOULD COVER THE DAMAGES - AROUND $6000. I TOLD THE GARAGE THAT REPAIRED THE CAR THAT IT WOULD NOT STOP. HE SAID I HAD TO HAVE HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOT THE BRAKE. NO I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT TOLD HIM SO. I TOLD CARSON CITY TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND LATER WHEN RECALLS STARTED, AGAIN TOLD HIM. HE SAID I COULD NOT PROVE IT. HAD ANYONE BEEN LISTENING TO ME 3 YEARS AGO, LIVES MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAVED. I AM STILL ANGRY ABOUT IT AND AM LOOKING TO REPLACE THE CAR AS SOON AS I CAN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE GEAR WAS PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING THE CRASH. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000. UPDATED 02/26/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2010, crash
FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
GAS PEDAL NON RESPONSE ,WHEN FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF GAS PEDAL,CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE 4-CYLINDER. 66,000 MILES. OCCASIONAL MINOR "LUNGING FORWARD" FROM STATIONARY POSITION. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE SITTING AT A BANK DRIVE-UP WINDOW, THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE IN GAS FEED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SLIGHTLY BUT WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE IT RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE GENERAL TOYOTA ACCELERATOR PROBLEM AND COULD GET WORSE. NO ACCIDENTS TO DATE. DATE INDICATED IS ONLY APPROXIMATE. I WOULD HAVE MADE A SPECIFIC NOTATION OF THE DATE IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE GENERAL PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENTS. I REPORTED MY CONCERN VERBALLY A FEW DAYS AGO TO THE NATIONAL TOYOTA TELEPHONE CONTACT (AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CALL WAS BEING RECORDED) BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY. ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE GENERAL "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" PROBLEM THAT TOYOTAS HAVE. TOYOTA SAYS THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY CLICKING THE GAS CAP MORE THAN ONCE WHEN REATTACHING IT AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RATHER FLAKEY EXCUSE, AND I HAD TO PAY THE DEALER TO TURN OFF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MORE THAN ONE YEAR AGO BUT RECENTLY RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM THE DEALER TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS FOR FREE. ARE THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM RELATED TO THE TOYOTA COMPUTER SYSTEM? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2006, WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 5 MPH TO AT LEAST 60 MPH WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE AND THE APARTMENT COMPLEX IN WHICH SHE LIVED. IN ADDITION, THE CONSUMER HAS A LINGERING INJURY FROM THE ACCIDENT. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2010
IN 2005, I WAS DRIVING EAST ON U.S. HWY 74 BETWEEN I-26 AND SHELBY, NC IN MY 2003 CAMRY. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET FOR 65 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CAR BEGAN INCREASING SPEED TO 75 MPH. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED. I REPORTED THIS TO A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHEN I RETURNED TO CHATTANOOGA. HE SAID TO LET HIM KNOW IF IT EVER HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS YEAR, I SENT MY DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA E-MAILS REMINDING THEM OF THE PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED IN 2005. NEITHER RESPONDED. THEN, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TALKED WITH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE GENTLEMAN SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD BEEN HAVING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH ITS CRUISE CONTROL FOR MANY YEARS (HE MENTIONED A SPECIFIC PIECE THAT WAS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION), BUT IT WAS NOT REGARDED AS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE TAPPING ON THE BRAKE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2010
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS ONE IN DRIVEWAY AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. *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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 14, 2010, crash
MOVING AT 1 TO 2 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS SLOWING DOWN INTO A HEAD-IN SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL PARKING SPACE. THEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR LAUNCHED FORWARD, ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AT FULL SPEED OVER AN EMBANKMENT, THROUGH THE AIR OVER A SIDEWALK CRASHING INTO THE SIDE OF A PARKED VEHICLE WHICH, FROM THE EXTREME IMPACT, RAMMED INTO AN ADJACENT PARKED CAR. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, NEVER ON THE ACCELERATOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER BUT THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN FOR PERSONAL SAFETY THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN AGAIN UNTIL IT WAS TRADED IN FOR A NEW HONDA. THE MILEAGE WAS 44,080. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 14, 2010
I WAS NOT GETTING HEAT IF MY CAR WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT. UPON EXAMINATION BY MY MECHANIC HE FOUND THERE WAS A GAP BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE HEAD TO THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK HAD STRIPPED AND THE HEAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE BLOCK. . FIRST THE MECHANIC TRIED TO DRILL NEW HOLES WITH NEW BOLTS. HE DIDN'T FEEL THAT IT WOULD HOLD IN THE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE BLOCK SO I HAD TO GET ANOTHER ENGINE WHICH COSTS ME $3215.78. I HAD NO CAR FOR OVER A MONTH. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS ISSUE. IF THE HEAD DETACHED, THE CAR WOULD HAVE LOST POWER. WHAT IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED AND GOT HIT FROM BEHIND. ALSO WITH THE HEAD SEPARATED THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE FUEL COULD HAVE EXPLODED OR STARTED A FIRE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRYS ON THE ROAD TODAY. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2010
TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 4 CYLINDER. RATTLING NOISE FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS NOISE OCCURS DUE TO PLASTIC MATERIAL OF WHICH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OF. MY MECHANIC HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IS VERY COMMON. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2010, crash
I WAS PARKING MY 2003 CAMRY IN A MALL PARKING LOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I HAD NO CONTROL AND SMASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN 60+ YEARS OF DRIVING. NOW I KNOW IT WAS THE TOYOTA ACCELERATOR THAT CAUSED THE CRASH. MY ED MORSE TOYOTA DEALER IN DELRAY BEACH FL. TURNED ME AWAY FROM SERVICE SAYING IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BUT I SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH ANYONE THERE. I KNOW IT IS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT I TOLD THE DEALER I WANT TOYOTA TO KNOW THIS HAPPENED TO MY 2003 CAMRY AND I WANT THEM TO FIND THE CAUSE AND REMEDY IT. MY WIFE ALSO HAS A 2003 CAMRY AND WE DRIVE THEM BOTH WITH FEAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2010, crash
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ACCELERATION SURGE OF 2003 CAMRY WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. REPORTS OF ACCELERATION SURGES ON YOUR SITE EXCEED 140 FOR THE 2003 CAMRY VERSUS (AS BEST I COULD IDENTIFY) 29 FOR THE MALIBU, 26 FOR THE ACCORD AND 12 FOR THE TAURUS, ALL 2003 MODELS. IN LIGHT OF RECENT TOYOTA FINDINGS ARE YOU GOING TO REOPEN INVESTIGATIONS OF THE 2003 CAMRY?...*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
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Feb 10, 2010
THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT IS NOT FIXED TO THE UNDERLYING FLOOR. IT SLIDES AROUND. THIS CONDITION WAS APPARENT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. BEFORE I RECENTLY HEARD THIS COULD BE AN ACTUAL DANGER BY INTERFERING WITH THE GAS OR BRAKE PEDALS, I JUST STRAIGHTENED IT OUT WHEN I SAW IT HAS MOVED OUT OF PLACE. NOW I REMOVED THE MAT BUT THIS MEANS THE FLOOR BELOW IS NOT PROTECTED FROM DIRT, ETC. IT BOTHERS ME THAT TOYOTA NEVER THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISSUE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT LATER MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY STILL WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S A 2003 AND NOT UNDER A RECALL ORDER. I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT SO IT KNOWN THAT THE 2003 CAMRY (XLE) HAS THIS PROBLEM TOO. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 9, 2010
IN THE SPRING OF 2008 THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ON OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY "FROZE" IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED BY ANY MEANS INCLUDING THE ELECTRONIC KEYLESS ENTRY, THE KEY IN THE DOOR OR MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE. THERE WAS NO "WARNING" THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN IT JUST COULDN'T BE UNLOCKED. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE LOCK. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE "ACTUATOR" HAD GONE OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST TO ME OF APPROX. $380.00 WHICH I PAID. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN IN 9-09 ONLY THIS TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND AGAIN WITH NO "WARNING". THIS TIME WE WERE IN THE VEHICLE AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT HAD HAPPENED AGAIN UNTIL WE PARKED AND TRIED TO EXIT. AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ( TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE) AND THE ACTUATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AGAIN AT A COST OF APPROX $350. MY CONCERN IS THAT WITH NO "WARNING OF WHEN THIS IS GOING TO OCCUR THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AND IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF A PERSON WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR VEHICLE DUE TO THIS FAILURE. I ASKED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MAIN OFFICES OF TOYOTA IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO REPORTS OF THIS SORT OF PROBLEM. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT I HAVE THE ONLY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS BEARS INVESTIGATING FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL CONSUMERS WHO OWN A VEHICLE THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR IN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2010
I PURCHASED A USED TOYOTA CAMRY, 2003 MODEL, FROM A SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS CAR DEALER IN JANUARY, 2007. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD ABOUT 103,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR'S ENGINE REVVED UP, THERE WAS A EASILY PERCEPTIBLE JOLT AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS LATER I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, VERY HARD. THE CAR ACCELERATION RATE WENT SLIGHTLY DOWN, ENGINE RPMS STILL HIGH, AND I COULD BARELY KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR, SO I BECAME CONCERNED (ALMOST FEARED) OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS, RPMS WENT BACK TO MORE NORMAL LEVELS, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS STILL ACCELERATED. AT THAT MOMENT I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND IF I HAD LET GO ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD HAVE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. AFTERWARDS, AND FOR BOUT 15 MINUTES (15-16 MILES) I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS AND THE CAR CRUISED ON ITS OWN AT ABOUT 65 MPH. I FINALLY GOT HOME, PARKED THE CAR AND NEXT TIME I USED IT EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS. I DON'T RECALL IF I HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS LATER ON. *TR