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.
Seat belts, Jan 26, 2020
MY SEATBELT WON'T CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE AND OR RELEASE ON THEIR OWN HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN HAVE IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY I CANNOT BUCKLE MY DRIVER SEAT BELT AND ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING I AM ABOUT TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM REPLACED BEFORE I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT I WOULD HATE TO FIND OUT THAT THE SEATBELT THAT DOES WORK NOW STOPPED WORKING WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR IN AN ACCIDENT
Engine, Dec 27, 2019
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND HEAD GASKET BLOWN DUE TO HEAD BOLT THREADS BEING STRIPPED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING STUCK ON A DANGEROUS ROAD OR LEFT TO WALK ALONE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR THIS.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 30, 2019, crash
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. WHEN MY CAR STALED AND WAS SHAKING IN REVERSE. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS BECAUSE I THOUGHT I BACKED UP INTO SOMETHING. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEED OUT OF NO WHERE AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO TWO CARS.
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2019
THE CAR HAS LOST POWER. DOES NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY!
Seat belts, May 18, 2019
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AT ANY TIME.
Seat belts, Apr 29, 2019
THE SEAT BELT COMES UNFASTENED WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. YOU CAN PULL AND PULL ON THE BELT AND IT REMAINS LOCKED, BUT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY IF ONE HITS A BUMP, THE BELT UNLATCHES AND THE LIGHT COMES ON AND BUZZER SOUNDS. WENT TO JUNK YARD TO GET A DIFFERENT LATCH AND LEARNED THAT THEIR NEIGHBOR'S 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DOES THE SAME THING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FIXED. FOUND SAME COMPLAINT ON SEVERAL COMPLAINT BOARDS.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 25, 2019
COMING TO RED LIGHT CAR WOULD NOT STOP I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES ASB CAME IN THEN THE CAR WENT INTO HIGH RPMS,AND STOPPED SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD BLOW UP?.. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, FROM MY EXPERIENCE TO SLOW RPMS YOU PRESS GAS PETAL HARD UNTIL THE RPMS SLOW, I DO NOT HAVE FLOOR MAPS, NEVER HAD THEM...
Engine, Jan 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT DETECTED LIQUID LEAKING UNDER THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS ON THE ENGINE WERE STRIPPED OUT AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
Engine, Jan 3, 2019
CAR ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE AND AND DAMAGE ENGINE,THE HEAD BOLTS WON'T TORGUE TO TOYOTA STANDARDS BECAUSE THE ENGINE BLOCK IS ALUMINIUM AND BOLTS ARE STEEL ,THIS HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BUT STILL TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED RECALL
Seat belts, Dec 12, 2018
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING EVERY DAY TRIP AND ALL THE TIME FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, WHEN I PUT IT ON I REDO IT OVER AND OVER UNTIL IT LATCHES PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO LATCH IT.
Air bags, Oct 15, 2018
THE DASH IS CRACKING AT THE AIRBAG WHICH I SEE IS A REGULAR PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A NORMAL THING AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED FROM TOYOTA,
Seat belts, Oct 3, 2018
MY SEATBELT BUCKLE BUTTON DOESN'T WANT TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT WHEN I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT NOT COVER UNDER SAFETY. I HAVE TO PAID FOR REPAIR.
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Jul 30, 2018, crash
MY CAR WENT INTO A DEEP DITCH AND THE DRIVER OF MY CAR INCURRED A TERRIBLE CONCUSSION WHILE BANGING HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL UPON IMPACT. HER SEAT BELT WAS ON. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Engine, Jul 13, 2018
TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 - HEAD GASKET LEAK CAUSED BY HEAD BOLTS THAT COME LOOSE DUE TO BOLT HOLE PROBLEMS AT THE BLOCK. A MACHINIST WILL BE REQUIRED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE COST TO FIX EXCEEDS WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $2500-$8000. ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED AT 162,000 MILES. TOYOTA WILL NOT COMPENSATE BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THE ENGINE COOLANT CONTINUES TO LEAK. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE FOR 2002-2006.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2018, crash
COMING TO A STOP AND ABOUT READY TO STOP AND ALL OF SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLED TO LEFT AND ACCELERATED. THEN I HIT A PARKED CAR AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP.
Engine, Jan 18, 2018
OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER 1200 MILES DRIVEN
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 11, 2017
ON DECEMBER 7,2017, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT IN FLORIDA. AS I STARTED GOING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE. I HAD A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING.I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. LUCKILY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I KEPT PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT TOOK TIME FOR THE STEEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND TO ME. I SHUT OFF THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I HAD 2 WITNESSES IN THE CAR.WHO SAW THAT MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE, AND THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PASSENGER CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT, AND IT WAS LYING COMPLETELY FLAT. I DO NOT KNOW WHY I HAD THIS LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME IN 2010, WHEN I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION,AND MY CAR HIT A TREE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND WILLL NOT DO SO BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE.
Air bags, Sep 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STARTED TO FAIL AND WAS EXPOSED AT THE DASHBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2017
WHEN THE CAR IS ON, THE OPTION OF TAKING THE KEYS OUT IS STILL AVAILABLE. IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THE CAR TO BE OFF TO TAKE THEY KEYS OUT
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2017, crash
TAKATA INFLATORS: EVERY TIME I FIX MY VEHICLE INDIVIDUALS CAUSE HATE CRIMES DAMAGING MY VEHICLE AS I GO TO SLEEP OR WHEN I AM NOT VIEWING MY VEHICLE THEY MUST KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I CANT CATCH THEM EVEN THOUGH I THINK I KNOW WHO IT IS I CAN NOT PROVE IT SO THIS IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING I REMEMBER CHECKING MY TIRES IN THE NIGHT NOTICING NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM THEN CHECKED IN THE MOURNING AND NOTICED NAILS NAILED IN THE TIRES THEN I NOTICED DRIED TURTLE WAX ALL OVER THE BODY OF THE CAR MESSING UP THE PAINT WHEEL ALIGNMENT OUT OF LINE RIGHT DOOR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION TRUNK OPEN POWER SWITCH BROKEN POWER SUN ROOF SLIDING WINDOW BROKEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THIS HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATE IN COMBINATION TO THE DAMAGE BETWEEN 06/16/06 TO 04/21/17.
Air bags, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 11, 2017
CAN'T TAKE MY KIDS ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT NOT SAFE CAN'T GAVE FRIEND RIDE .CAUSE IT UN SAFE THIS CAR IS UN SAFE PLEASE CAN FIT MY CAR WHEN I GOT CAR DID NO IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH BAGS..MY RIGHT SIDE DASH HAS LINE ACROSS IT BUST OPEN. C
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2017
DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. GAS PEDAL WAS TAPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE SHUT OFF.
Service brakes, Jan 30, 2017
I WAS COMING TO A STOP PRESSING THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELLARATE UP TO 70 TO 100 SPEED AND KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES THE MORE I PRESS THE FASTER IT WENT I HAD TO RUN LIGHTS TO AVOID HITTING CARS FINALLY IT DECIDED TO STOP WHEN I SWIRL INTO A WALGREENS IT DID THIS 4 TIMES THAT DAYTHANK GOD I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR THAT IS SCARY IT ACELLLARATE FAST AND WONT STOP ....
Air bags, Jan 18, 2017
AIR BAD LIGH IS ON ALL THE TIME
Engine, Dec 12, 2016
ONE DAY I START MY CAR AND LEAVE IT TO WARM UP FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WHEN I GOT IN IT I NOTICE IT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR FROM VENTS,I STARTED DRIVING AND IT START GETTING HOT ,SO DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION, ABOUT FEW DAYS AFTER MY WIFE DROVE TO CHURCH AND CALL ME TO SAY THERE'S NO HEAT INSIDE, I TOLD HER CO COME BACK HOME ,WHEN I CHECK THE RADIATOR IT WAS ALMOST DRY,I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT,I FILL IT BACK UP AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, AND I START GETTING HEAT INSIDE AGAIN, TOOK IT ON THE ROAD FOR A TEST DRIVE ONLY TO START GETTING COLD AIR AGAIN SO I WENT HOME BACK PUT ABOUT A CUP OF ANTIFREEZE AND LIFT THE CAR ONLY TO FIND THAT THE LEAKING IS COMING FROM BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD,MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S LEAKING FROM THE HEAD BECAUSE THE BOLTS GO STRIPED AND THE HEAD IS SEPARATED FROM THE BLOCK AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS,AND IT'S GOING TO NEED A KNEW ENGINE, WHICH I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO BUY, TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE ISSUES, THERE'S A LOT OF OWNER GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. *TR