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.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 9, 2008
ENGINE NOISE CAUSED BY INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACK AS DIAGNOSED BY A TOYOTA SERVICE DEALER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 27, 2008
WATER PUMP FAILURE,REPLACED 3 TIMES 1ST. TIME15MONTHS INTO NEW CAR WARRANTY 2NDTIME 13MONTHS LATER STILL UNDER WARRANTY 3RDTIME AFTER 5 YEAR WARRANTY TOYOTA COVERED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2008
THERE IS CLATTERING NOISE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE NOISE STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN CONTINUALLY WORSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE NOISE WAS. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS IT IS NOT A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2008, crash
THE CAR WAS IDLING, WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES. I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE CAR FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE INSTANT THE SHIFT LEVER WENT INTO DRIVE THE CAR ENGINE ROARED, THE TIRES SQUEALED, I WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE SEAT AND THE CAR SHOT FORWARD HEADING TOWARD VEHICLES ON A BUSY STREET. I SEEMED TO HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, EXCEPT FOR STEERING, FROM THAT POINT ON. TO AVOID A BROADSIDE COLLISION WITH VEHICLES THE STREET I FOLLOWED THE CONTOUR OF THE BANKS DRIVE THROUGH LANE WHICH WAS A 90 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT. NOTHING I DID SEEMED TO HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE MOTION AND OPERATION OF THE CAR. IN MAKING THE TURN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CLIMBED OVER THE DRIVEWAY CURB. IN CORRECTING FOR THAT I OVER STEERED THE CAR AND CLIMBED THE CURB ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY STRIKING A WELLS FARGO SIGN ON THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY BEFORE ADVANCING INTO THE MAIN BANK PARKING LOT. THE CAR PROCEEDED FORWARD WHERE, JUST AFTER ENTERING THE PARKING LOT, IT STRUCK THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND BUMPER OF A USPS MAIL TRUCK. THE CAR RICOCHETS OFF THE MAIL TRUCK AND PROCEEDS INTO AND ALMOST THROUGH THE ADJACENT CVS PHARMACY PARKING LOT BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE GASOLINE TANK WAS GUTTED WHEN THE CAR RAN OVER THE SIGN RESULTING IN GAS BEING DUMPED ON THE BANK DRIVEWAY. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE GAS WAS SPILLED ON THE BANK DRIVEWAY JUST AFTER THE SIGN. THE GAS CONTINUED TO SPILL BUT DIMINISHED AS THE CAR PROCEEDED THROUGH THE CVS PARKING LOT TO THE POINT WHERE THERE WAS NO GASOLINE SPILL AT ALL WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. IT IS MY BELIEF THE CAR STOPPED FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN IT RAN OUT OF GAS. NOTHING I DID OR TRIED TO DO APPEARED TO HAVE ANY EFFECT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 9, 2008
DUE TO ANTI FREEZE LEAK THE MECHANIC FOUND LEAK TO BE COMING FROM CYLINDER HEAD GASKET, WHEN HEAD WAS REMOVED FOUND 3 CENTER BOLTS WERE LOOSE, THREADS WERE STRIPPED AND DAMAGED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A DEFECT IN 2003 4 CYL TOYOTA CAMRY ENGINES. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER, AS IT WAS REPAIRED ELSEWHERE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 24, 2008
DOOR SLAMMED SHUT AND SIDE AIR CURTAIN DEPLOYED. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND AT A FULL STOP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH WATER AND DROVE TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED WATER BETWEEN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND THE BLOCK. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THREE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 20, 2008, crash
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO OUR DAUGHTERS DAYCARE TO DROP HER OFF AS SHE DOES EVERY MORNING AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A HIGH THROTTLE SPEED JUMPED THE CURB AND WENT CRASHING INTO THE BUILDING. EVEN PUMPING THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP GOING FORWARD WAS TO JAM THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO REVERSE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (BRAKES STILL DIDN'T WORK) AND THEN HAD TO JAM THE GEAR SELECTOR TO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPDATE AS OF TODAY. OUR VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE CENTER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, AND WE ARE SCARED OF THE THROUGH OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO BE A ELECTRONIC ISSUE AND CONNECTED TO THE SPEED CONTROL. I HAVE FOUND A MESSAGE BOARD ON THE INTERNET WHERE 97 OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED. AND TOYOTA DOES A RECALL ON THE FLOOR MATS? HMM I SMELL A COVER-UP AND A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR
Air bags, Aug 20, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE HEAT FROM THE SUMMER HAS CAUSED A LARGE GAP IN THE DASH WHERE THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS. YOU CAN SEE A YELLOW COVER INSIDE WHICH I AM AFRAID IS THE AIRBAG. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2008, crash
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP AT AROUND 40 MPH. TOOK IT TO CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION WHO IN TURN TRIED DIFFERENT PARTS, THEY EVEN TOOK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROBLEM. AFTER OVER A MONTH, THEY DECIDED I SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. EVEN AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION STILL WAS TESTING THE CAR AND WOULD STALL. THE CAR NEVER STALLED BEFORE THE NEW TRANNY. CERTIFIED FINALLY CALLED FOR ME TO PICK UP MY CAR. I ASKED IF HE WAS SURE IT WAS SAFE AND HE SAID YES. FRIDAY LATE AFTERNOON I PICKED UP THE CAR AND PAID $4,000 FOR TRANSMISSION. DROVE IT SATURDAY ONCE AND IT STARTED TO DOG A FEW TIMES. SUNDAY I WENT TO GROCERY STORE AND ON THE WAY HOME THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSIEST STREET IN KANSAS CITY. I WAS PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE CALLING MY INS. TOW SERVICE WHEN I WAS REARENDED AT ABOUT 40 MPG. WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE WITH FIGHTING WITH EVERYONE, WITH NO CARE OR CONCERN FROM ANYONE, I FINALLY GAVE UP FIGHTING. I ENDED UP LOSING MONEY WITH THE OTHER INS. CO. BECAUSE EVEN IF THEY REPAIRED THE DAMAGE, THE CAR STILL DIDN'T WORK AND CERTIFIED TRIED TO SAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING ELSE. NOW AFTER WHAT I KNOW, I FEEL CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION DID NOT TREAT ME FAIRLY. *TR
Steering, Aug 13, 2008
MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY'S STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING CLUNKING NOISES AS I TURNED CORNERS SO I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. IT REQUIRED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A STEERING ASSEMBLY ON ANY OF MY OTHER CARS EVER....SO WHY WOULD THIS 89,000 MILES, 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY NEED THIS PART COMPLETELY REPLACED? AND BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW UPDATED GENUINE TOYOTA PART......DOESN'T THAT INDICATE THAT TOYOTA KNEW THIS PART WAS BAD AND CHOOSE NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL BUT PASS ON THE REPAIR ISSUES TO THE CONSUMER? AND WHAT IF I HADN'T GOTTEN IT REPAIRED WHEN I DID....I COULD I HAVE LOST STEERING ALL TOGETHER. *TR
Tires, Aug 6, 2008
2 FLAT TIRES, ONE ON AUG 2 AND ONE ON AUG 6, 2008. CAUSE OF BOTH WAS A FAILURE OF A RUBBER TIRE VALVE STEM. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED IN REAR TIRES. AFTER FAILURE, RAPID LOSS OF PRESSURE IN TIRE WITH A COMPLETE FLAT TIRE WITHIN 1 TO 3 MINUTES NO INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR
Visibility, Aug 6, 2008
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE; SUN VISOR AND CUP HOLDER BROKE, REAR CAR STEREO SPEAKERS HAVE BECOME SO BRITTLE, THEY CRACK AT THE TOUCH. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE QUALITY OF EVERYTHING IS SO BAD AND THE CONSUMER SUFFERS AS A RESULT OF IT. A TOYOTA DEALER GAVE ME A PRICE OVER $900 FOR ALL REPAIRS, BUT OVER $400 FOR THE SPEAKER COVERS, THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE BACK PANEL. I WENT TO AN AUTO ACCESSORY SHOP, HE CAN BUY THE COVERS FROM A TOYOTA DEALER FOR $40, PUT THEM ON FOR $65, TOTAL $105. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PRIOR TO THIS, THE UPHOLSTERY IN THE ROOF OF MY CAR CAME APART AT THE REAR WINDOW. TOYOTA REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY NEVER EXPLAINED TO ME WHY I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES BEFORE I HAD 10, 000 MILES ON THEM, I THINK THEY WERE JUST BAD TIRES. IF ANY OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEWER CARS. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA, BUT I NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS WHEN THEY BELIEVED IN QUALITY. *TR
Air bags, Aug 5, 2008
MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER LOOKS LIKE IS COMING APART. I SEE A GOOD GAP BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE DASHBOARD. INSIDE THE AIRBAG COVER, I CAN SEE A YELLOW PLASTIC SHEET KIND OF MATERIAL. I AM WORRIED WHETHER IT WILL AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRBAG OR WHETHER IF DUST OR SOMETHING GETS IN , IT WILL CREATE PROBLEM ON ITS FUNCTIONALITY. I TOOK IT TO GENE MESSER TOYOTA IN LUBBOCK,TEXAS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID "TECH STATES SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE CAUSED DO TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. AIR BAGS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH. COST TO REPLACE ....". THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT AN ISSUE AND IF I WANT I CAN REPLACE MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO SEAL THE GAP ON MY EXPENSE. 1. IT MAY LOOK FINE NOW WHAT IF TOMORROW IF THE COVER COMES OUT FULLY THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. 2. ANYTHING CAN GET-IN IN SUCH A BIG GAP. 3. EXCESSIVE HEAT ( THE MAX TEMPERATURE ON THIS MONTH-JUNE WAS AROUND 98+) SO THEY MEAN TO SAY THE DASHBOARDS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THAT OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ?(PROBABLY IT WILL BE LITTLE MORE INSIDE). SO ARE THEY SAYING EXCESSIVE SUMMER HEAT CAN CREATE A GAP BETWEEN DASH-BOARD AND AIR BAG COVER FOR ANY CAR?. AIR BAG IS SUCH A CRITICAL SAFETY PART. HOW CAN TOYOTA ALLOW SUCH GAP BETWEEN THE COVER AND DASH-BOARD FOR THE SUMMER HEAT? *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2008
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, ONE REAR SPEAKER COVER STARTED TO CRUMBLE. THE NEXT MONTH, THE ENTIRE COVER CRUMBLED WITH NO EXTERNAL FORCE APPLIED. ONE WEEK AGO, MY OTHER SPEAKER COLLAPSED IN ON ITSELF THE SAME WAY...WITH NO OUTSIDE PRESSURE OR INFLUENCE. AS A CHEMIST, I CAN SAY DEFINITIVELY THAT THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE SPEAKER COVER IS DEFECTIVE. THE PLASTIC DURING THE MOLDING PROCESS WAS NOT HEATED THOROUGHLY. NOW, TOYOTA SAYS THAT IT WILL BE AROUND $650 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BACK COVER WHICH THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2008, crash
WIFE TURNED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY WHICH SLOPES DOWN (10 - 20 DEGREES) AS SHE HAS BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 20+ YEARS WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOPPED THE CAR. SHE VEERED LEFT TO AVOID GOING OVER A 20 FOOT EMBANKMENT AT THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL. BASED ON THE ANGLE OF IMPACT THE CAR ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS ROOF. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. MY WIFE REMAINED SUSPENDED BY THE SEAT BELT UPSIDE DOWN UNTIL EMERGENCY FORCES ARRIVED. SHE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUISES AND CHEST PAINS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SEAT BELT. IF SHE HAD GONE OVER THE EMBANKMENT ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN. NEW TIRES HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE CAR (FRONT WHEELS) DURING JUNE 2008 AT WHICH TIME THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ALSO CHECKED FOR WEAR BY AN AUTO MECHANIC. THE CAR WAS "TOTALED" AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. SUBSEQUENTLY I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE CAR (AFTER THE ACCIDENT); THE BRAKE CYLINDER WAS FULL. FURTHER, THE TOYOTA CAMRY IS EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE WEAR INDICATORS. NO INDICATION (SOUND) OF EXCESS WEAR WAS GIVEN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. MY WIFE IS ADAMANT SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I SURMISE TWO THINGS COULD HAVE HAPPENED: 1. THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY AND GRAVITY ACCELERATION DOWN THE DRIVEWAY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAR'S SPEED AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT; OR 2. THE CAR SURGED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) IN WHICH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES WAS INADEQUATE TO STOPPED THE CAR. BASED ON PRIOR NHTSA COMPLAINTS/ACTIONS (REF NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS PE04021; DP05002; AND DP06003) AND THE SIMILARITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES, I BELIEVE THE ETC FAILED. I RECOMMEND THE NHTSA AND TOYOTA TAKE ACTION TO REMEDY THIS UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR
Equipment, Jul 17, 2008
REAR SPEAKER COVERS DISINTEGRATING. *TR
Equipment, Jun 24, 2008
TOYOTA CAMRY- SPEAKER GRILLS DISINTEGRATE--DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. GRILLS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. SUNLIGHT CAUSES THE PLASTIC TO DISINTEGRATE AND CRUMBLE. VERY LITTLE USE AND HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER CAR PURCHASE. RESEARCHED ONLINE TO DISCOVER HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SPEAKER GRILLS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2008
VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING/VIBRATING NOISE THAT STARTED AROUND 57,000 MILES. IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR, THOUGH OIL CHANGE HAD BEEN DONE LESS THAN 1,000 MILES PRIOR TO NOTICING THIS. SOUND GOT WORSE AND WORSE OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO AND WAS USUALLY LOUDEST WHEN THE CAR WAS FIRST STARTED UP IN THE MORNING OR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING ALL DAY. HEARD MOSTLY WHEN IT WAS IDLING IN PARK AND WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED DRIVING. ONCE YOU GOT GOING, THE SOUND WASN'T SO BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO THE OIL CHANGE PLACE AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A LIFTER PROBLEM. DID SOME RESEARCH AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/T9MGD2F66FRTCKKID AND VARIOUS OTHER PLACES ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S ACTUALLY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD WARRANTY WAS 5 YEARS OR 50K MILES. SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED I HAD THEM RESEARCH DATE OF FIRST USE AND, OF COURSE, MY 5 YEAR CUTOFF WAS 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO MY PHONE CALL. THE SOUND GOT SO BAD BY 58,000 MILES I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WITHOUT TELLING THEM WHAT I HAD FOUND OUT, THEY TOLD ME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $600. VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP BEING REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AS I WRITE THIS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE AWARE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND RECALL THIS PART SINCE IT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. *TR
Suspension, Jun 19, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. THE VEHICLE THEN TURNED LEFT AND LANDED IN A DITCH. AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND STRUCK HER IN THE FACE. SHE AND HER GRANDSON SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO AN AREA HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,309 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,359.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 9, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IS ONLY BEING REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. UPDATED 07/16/08.*LJ
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2008
IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR THAT I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT MY HEADLINER COMING DOWN. THEY INITIALLY AGREED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE IT AND THEN AFTER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE GOT INVOLVED THEY RESCINDED THEIR INITIAL AGREEMENT TO REPAIR IT. I ASKED CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO IS LOCATED IN TORRANCE, CALIF. TO SEND ME A WRITTEN LETTER STATING WHY THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE IT AS THEY INITIALLY AGREED TO AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF 2003 AND AS STATED, IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD NO SATISFACTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THE HEADLINER IS CONTINUALLY COMING DOWN AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. TOYOTA CONCLUDES IT IS WEAR AND TEAR. YOUR HEADLINER SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE THE VALVE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SLUDGE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. HE HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED ROUTINELY AT 5,000 MILES; THEREFORE, THE SLUDGE BUILD-UP WAS ABNORMAL. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PERSONALLY SERVICED. HE ALSO HAS A SAMPLE OF THE SLUDGE TAKEN FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,949. UPDATE 05/13/08 *BF AFTER A BREAKDOWN OF THE ENGINE, HUGE AMOUNTS OF GEL OIL SLUDGE WAS VISIBLE IN THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD. UPDATED 05/13/08. *JB
Air bags, Apr 24, 2008
PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON HARD DOOR SLAM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 14, 2008
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I SCANNED FOR CODES WHICH INDICATED CODE NUMBER 0456 LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE TWICE BEFORE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND EACH TIME HAD TO CLEAN A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON THIS TIME THE DEALER SCANNED THE SAME CODE AND DIAGNOSED THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND GAS CAP MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATION BUT THEY INDICATED THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED. THE CAR CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE POOR QUALITY MATERIALS USED IN THE FUEL FILLER NECK. REFER TO COMPLAINT ODI ID NUMBER 10223726 DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR