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.
Tires, Apr 15, 2005
THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS ON THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE TIRES COMPLETELY SEPARATED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 31, 2005
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT.*MR THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FADED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 23, 2005
WHEN DRIVING AND GOING DOWN HILL BRAKES WERE HARD, AND A NOISE COULD BE HEARD. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN THE ICE AND SNOW ON BOTH OCCASIONS. VEHICLE WENT INTO A FISH TAIL, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2005, crash
MY MOTHER BERTHA SUSSMAN WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN SHE APPROACHED THE GATE OF HER COMMUNITY. SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. SHE HIT A TREE AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED. SHE HAS SPENT THE LAST YEAR IN THE HOSPITAL, HOSPICE, AND NURSING HOME.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 14, 2005
EXTREME SULPHUR SMELL INSIDE CABIN OF AUTOMOBILE. THIS AIR QUA;ITY CANNOT BE BENEFICIAL TO THE OCCUPANTS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN ONGOING TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT NOT YET RESOLVED ECU MUST BE ADJUSTED AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 10, 2005
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND CONTINUE TO STEADILY HOLD IT DEPRESSED, THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A TIMELY STOP. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 7, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH HER FEET WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE SURGED. THE CONSUMER STATED IT SEEMED LIKE A COMPUTER PROBLEM. AN ACCIDENT DID OCCUR, HOWEVER THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SPIN BEFORE SHE COULD STOP IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN STALLED. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER , AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED EVEN MORE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO TWO PARKED CARS AND A BRICK WALL. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK THE CONSUMER RECIEVED A CHECK 18,636.18 IN FULL PAYMENT FOR AUTO LOSS. WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE RPMS WHERE HIGH. ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TC
Power train, Jan 31, 2005
WHEN TAKING OFF IN FIRST GEAR WHILE BEING COLD THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS, AND ACTS IF IT IS MISSING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS TOTALLY NORMALLY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP IT DOES FINE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2005
WHEN DISENGAGING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 10, 2005, crash
ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 2003 CAMRY XLE V6 MALFUNCTIONED, AND CAUSED THE CAR TO CROSS 3 LANES AND CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. I WAS UNINJURED, BUT THE CAR SUSTAINED $11,000 DAMAGE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2005
THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY 03 CAMRY HANGS DOWN. IT IS 4 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. I HAVE TRIED TO GET TOYOTA TO FIX IT BUT THEY SAY IT'S THE DESIGN INTENT. I'M AFRAID THAT IF THE CAR BOTTOMS OUT THE SYSTEM WILL FLY OFF THE CAR. I WATCH TWO PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE A MUFFLER FLEW OFF A VEHICLE AND WEDGED ITSELF INTO THE GAS TANK OF A TRUCK. IT CAUGHT THE HIGHWAY ON FIRE AND KILLED THE GUYS IN THE TRUCK. THE SYSTEM IS NOT INSTALLED ON THE CAR CORRECTLY. THERE IS A BRACKET THAT IS NOT HOOKED UP AND THE SYSTEM DOES NOT TUCK INTO THE EXHAUST CHANNEL. ALL THE CAMRY AND OTHER MODELS ON THIS FRAME ARE LIKE THIS. PLEASE HELP. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 30, 2004
WENT TO DRIVE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. STARTED THE CAR TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE AND GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK, THE MOTOR STARTED RACING DURING THIS TIME. TURNED OFF CAR GOT OUT OF CAR TO WAIT TILL LATER TO RUN ERRAND AND DECIDED TO TRY ONE MORE TIME. START CAR AGAIN TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE. IT SECEEDED THIS TIME BUT THE CAR ACCELLERATED OUT OF THE GARAGE RAPIDLY W/ OUT MY ASSISTANCE. DAMAGING SEVERAL ITEMS ON ITS WAY OUT OF THE GARAGE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 29, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. JB UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF UPDATED 04/12/10.*JB UPDATED 08/26/10. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 21, 2004
THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PLUNGE TO FLOOR MAT. THE PEDAL HEIGHT WAS VERY LOW, PUMPING PEDAL INCREASES THE HEIGHT. THE CAR WILL STOP, CONTINUED PRESSURE CAUSES PEDAL TO DROP TO FLOOR. *JB WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF, THE PEDAL WOULD TOUCH THE FLOOR. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING THE PEDAL WAS ABOUT ONE QUARTER INCH FROM THE FLOOR. *TC *SC
Vehicle speed control, Dec 15, 2004, crash
WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AND ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *NM UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/23/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Dec 12, 2004, crash
APPROACHING INTERSECTION THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP BEFORE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. SPEED AT IMPACT WAS APPROX. 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. JUST RECENTLY HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SOFT BRAKE PEDAL CHECKED, AND WAS TOLD OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CONCERNING PROBLEM. *JB
Suspension, Dec 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH FRONT END VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *AK
Air bags, Dec 3, 2004, crash
I PURCHASED A 2003 CAMRY NEW,THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO SIGNIFIGANT FRONTAL COLLISIONS IN WHICH NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED,THE LATTER RESULTING IN INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY WIFE. I AM ALARMED THAT THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURENCE OF AIRBAG FAILURE ON THIS SAME VEHICLE AND THE DEGREE OF INJURY WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED DUE TO THEIR FAILURE. WE ARE CURRENTLY CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER TO HOPEFULLY RESOLVE THIS MATTER.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS WITH INAPPROPRIATE SPEED, SHOT THROUGH A PARKING SPACE BEHIND ME, INTO NEXT ROW OF PARKED CARS, AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE, TOTALING IT. *BF *SC
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2004, crash
UNEXPLAINABLE SUDDEN SURGE CAUSED $5,389.95 IN DAMAGES TO MY TOYOTA CAMRY. *BF NO ANSWER REQUIRED - SEE RESPONSE TO CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE (CCMMERCURY REF. NO. ES04-009988, ODI REF. NO. 10101790) *MJJ THE SURGING WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Tires, Nov 26, 2004
CAR DEALER SAYS TWO OF THE CAR'S ORIGINAL TIRES ARE WORN OUT WITH CAR AT 19,970 MILES. TIRES ARE WORN TO THE INDICATORS ON THE OUTSIDE. TIRES WERE ROTATED TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. DEALER DID NOT INDICATE IF OTHER TWO TIRES WERE WEARING ALSO. MY SON NOTICED SIDE WEAR ON THE TIRES AT ABOUT 18,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS CAR NEEDS ALIGNMENT BUT NO ALIGNMENT CHECK WAS MADE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. DEALER COULD NOT DO ALIGNMENT THIS DAY, I WILL TAKE CARE OF ASAP. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND KEPT AT PROPER INFLATION.CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE, POTENZA, P205/65R15 92T.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 24, 2004, crash
OWER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION SUGGEST NHTSA INITIATE INVESTIGATION. *BF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND HAD RUN INTO A CONCRETE WALL AND OCCURRED ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS. *SC SEE ODI 10063095 (SIPEK). *DSY DUPLICATE OF 10101790. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Nov 23, 2004, crash
OWNER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION SUGGEST NHTSA INITIATE INVESTIGATION. *BF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDEN SURGED FORWARD HITTING A CONCRETE WALL. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME BRUISES. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED $5000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT WAS FOLLOWED BY TWO MORE SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. NO ANSWER REQUIRED - DUPLICATE OF ODI REF. NO. 10101616. *MJJ SEE ALSO 10063095 (SIPEK). *DSY