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.
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
Suspension, Electrical system, Interior lighting, Feb 6, 2010
MY TOYOTA SOLARA LSE, 2003, WITH 125,000 MILES HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND BROKEN MOUNT AND STRUTS PROBLEMS. 1. MY REAR MOUNT AND STRUTS BROKE AND I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTO MECHANIC IT MAY CAUSE A SERIOUSE ACCIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED. AS SOON AS I REPAIRED THE PROBLEM IN THE REAR, IMMEDIATLY THE FOLLOWING DAY FRONT MOUNT AND STRUTS BROKE. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. 2. MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT MONTHLY AND I CANNOT TELL MY LIGHTS ARE NOT ON BECAUSE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE OUT AND SOME WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AND AUTOMECHANICS CAN'T GET THEM OFF (ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT LINKED TO ANY ACTUAL PROBLEMS); 3. MY DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AS WELL. I LIVE IN CHICAGO AND CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOWN IN THE WINTER MONTHS. *CN
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A STORE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, REPAIRED AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
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
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010, crash
ON JANUARY 12, 2010, I HAD MY 2003 CAMRY DETAILED (WASHED INSIDE AND OUT-INCLUDING THE CARPET)AT A CAR WASH. I PROCEEDED TO A NEARBY MALL,WHERE I STOPPED BRIEFLY AT A STORE. UPON EXITING THE PARKING LOT, I MADE A FULL STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO GO BY STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. AT THIS POINT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IT, EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WENT ACROSS 3 LANES & UP, OVER, AND DOWN A MEDIAN,CONTINUED TO GO ACROSS ANOTHER 3 LANES AND FINALLY CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A TREE ON ANOTHER MEDIAN. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE TO THE LEFT OF IT DID NOT HELP, NOR DID THE STEERING WHEEL TURN AS I WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING THE TREE. ALSO, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MY FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT THE TIME, I HAD NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF INJURY, BUT INJURIES BECAME APPARENT SOON AFTER, AND CAN BE VERIFIED BY A DOCTOR. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE, IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP, WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA MANUFACTURING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 52,000. *JB SEE ODI 10301845 *DSY
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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2010
OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK. WITHIN MINUTES SAID IT WAS SLUDGE AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. *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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NOT AN APPLICATION TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL, SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 CAMRY. ON NOV. 8, 2009 I HAD A VERY BIG PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL I COULDN'T GET ANY GAS, AND THEN THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD AT A RAPID RATE SO THAT I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES. IT WAS TOTALLY UNDRIVABLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, AND I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY POSSESSION. THE PART WAS $428.01 PLUS THE LABOR COST. MY OLD CAMRY I DROVE FOR 12 YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I FEEL THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. WOULD YOUR AGENCY PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME? *TR UPDATED 11/16/10*BF THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 11/19/10 UPDATED 11/24/10*JB UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF UPDATED 04/12/11
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 3, 2010
I BOUGHT A TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 LE IN JUNE 2006 AND I FOUND THAT IT TAKES TIME FOR THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR.. I WENT BACK TO DEALER 3 TIMES THE CHECK THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THAT'S HOW THE CAR IS DESIGNED THEY CANNOT HELP ME, AND THEY SAID THAT I WILL GET USE TO IT. BUT I NEVER GET USE TO IT . IT VERY SCARY WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 2, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN; HOWEVER, IT ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE FORCED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SOME SMALL TREES WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER MIRROR, PARKING LENS, AND THE WASHER FLUID CONTAINER. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, RESTARTED IT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING AND CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,587. UPDATED 03/04/10. *LJ
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE DROVE THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER STOPPED SHORT AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER SINCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SHE ALSO STATED THAT BRAKES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,867. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,500.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE GEAR, SLIGHTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPM'S RAPIDLY INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING AND CONTINUED TO INCREASE UNTIL THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2010
MY CAMRY HAS A BLOW GASKET. I FOUND OUT BECAUSE MY MECHANIC DID THE EXAM HE PRESSURIZED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND PUT THE CAR UP ON THE LIFT. HE IMMEDIATELY NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. HE ALSO NOTICED A LARGE PIECE OF FOAM RUBBER BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK AND HEAD. THIS WAS BLOCKING OUR VIEW OF THE LEAK. WE COULD ONLY SEE THAT THE LEAK WAS BEHIND THE FOAM PIECE. THE ONLY OPTION TO DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF THIS LEAK WAS TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH I DID. AFTER THIS WAS REMOVED, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT COOLANT HAD BEEN LEAKING A MINOR AMOUNT FOR QUITE SOME TIME DUE TO BUILD UP BETWEEN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND BLOCK. THE ONLY OPTION LEFT IS TO REMOVE THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRES AN EXTENSIVE DISASSEMBLY (R AND R CYLINDER HEAD). AFTER LOOSENING THE BOLTS IN SEQUENCE, HE NOTICED THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE WERE LOOSE. FROM HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD, HE CAN CONFIDENTLY CONCLUDE THAT THIS ONLY MEANS ONE OF TWO THINGS: THE BOLTS WERE LEFT LOOSE AT THE FACTORY, OR THE BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. ( HE COMMONLY HAS SEEN STRIPPED BOLTS IN THE ALUMINUM CADILLAC NORTH STAR BLOCK DISCOVERED THROUGH LEAKING COOLANT.)NEXT, HE REMOVED THE HEAD AND SURE ENOUGH, ONE BOLT CAME OUT WITH ALUMINUM IN THE THREAD...THUS INDICATING A STRIPPED BOLT. THE PLACEMENT OF THE (INSULATION) FOAM RUBBER PIECE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CREATED AN UNEVEN DISPERSION OF HEAT, CREATING "METAL FATIGUE" IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ALLOWING THE HEADBOLT TO STRIP. IF TOYOTA HAD OUT AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD INSTEAD OF PLASTIC, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO NEED TO INSULATE (W/ FOAM PIECE), THUS ELIMINATING THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO UNFORTUNATELY REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPAIR IT OTHERWISE WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL. THIS IS AN ENGINE DEFECT AND WE WILL BE SEEING MORE OF THIS. *TW
Suspension, Jan 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION SINCE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS BUSHING NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 330002 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33012.
Equipment, Jan 22, 2010, crash
ON JANUARY 8, 2010, MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA SLAMMED INTO A PARKED SUV SENDING IT HALFWAY OUT OF IT'S PARKING SPACE. ONLY A SMALL RUBBER MAT WAS ON THE FLOOR, NOT TOUCHING THE PEDAL. THE ORIGINAL CARPET MAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REMOVED FOR CLEANING. INSURANCE COVERS AUTO BODY DAMAGE BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS NEW RECALL PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT IN THE LISTED AFFECTED YEARS (2007-2010). WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? DO I REPAIR THE CAR AND FORGET THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN? I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I COULD FIX IT OR NOT FIX IT AND TRY TO SELL IT, BUT WHO WOULD WANT THE CAR, IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT PUBLICITY ABOUT THE RECALLS AND TOYOTA'S RESPONSE TO IT. I SUPPOSE I WILL WAIT AND SEE HOW THIS ALL PLAYS OUT, BUT WANTED TO PUT ON RECORD (SOMEWHERE) AND PERHAPS OTHERS ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS I COINCIDENTALLY FOUND MYSELF IN. MY CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR IN THE PAST. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 22, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND AS SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,700. SEE ODI 10306036 *DSY