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.
Visibility, Nov 22, 2004
THERE IS A CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER ONE YEAR AGO AND THEY STATED THEY HAD NO RECORD. *JB. NOISE WAS CAUSED BY OOSE MOLDING, WHICH IS COSMETIC AND NOT SAFETY RELATED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL INTO ADJACENT NEIGHBOR'S YARD. IMMEDIATE AND CONTINUAL APPLICATION OF BRAKES DID NOTHING -- ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED STRIKING A HOUSE. INSTEAD, I WAS FORCED TO STRIKE A ROW OF TREES TO STOP RUN-AWAY VEHICLE. FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDES. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE TREES, I WOULD'VE STRUCK A 500 GALLON PROPANE TANK, 2 PARKED PICKUP TRUCKS, AND THE ORIGINAL HOUSE FROM WHICH I WAS DEPARTING FROM. MY LONE PASSENGER AND I WILL BE EMOTIONALLY SCARRED FOREVER BY THIS INCIDENT. PLEASE FORCE TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL HERE! PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR A DEATH... PLEASE!!!*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Nov 8, 2004
WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH RPMS ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Visibility, Air bags, Structure, Nov 5, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK AND TOTALED. NONE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *NM THE HEADREST WAS SHAPED INCORRECTLY FOR A SHORT PERSON AND THE WINDSHIELDS REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES WERE DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING ON BRIGHTLY SUNLIT DAYS. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 2, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ,THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER NOTICED LESS OF BRAKING POWER. THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Steering, Suspension, Oct 25, 2004
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL THIS CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND CAR DRIFTS. DEALERSHIP IS NOT PROVIDING ANY ASSISTANCE. ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCING DID NOT HELP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
Tires, Oct 15, 2004
THE OUTER EDGE OF TIRES STARTED WEARING BALD JUST AFTER 15,000 MILES. CAR WAS SERVICED AT 15,000 AT DEALERSHIP AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED OUT OK. AT 19,000 STEEL BELTS STARTED APPEARING ON FRONT SET OF TIRES. CONTINENTAL WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED CAR MANUFACTURER.*AK
Air bags, Oct 6, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04-V346-000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER CATHY. *AK *TC
Vehicle speed control, Oct 6, 2004, crash
WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB GAS PEDDLE STUCK AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE CAR FROM MOVING. CONSUMER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER SPRAINED HER LEG AS A RESULT OF PUTTING SO MUCH FORCE ON THE BRAKE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, I SHIFTED THE 2003 CAMRY FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT HIGH SPEED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, CROSSED THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. 3 PEOPLE IN CAR, NO INJURIES. SO FAR, ESTIMATED BODY DAMAGE IS ABOUT $8000, BUT UNDERCARRIAGE HAS YET TO BE INSPECTED. REASON FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION IS UNKNOWN.AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 30, 2004
BRAKES ON VEHICLE ARE UNUSUALLY SOFT AND REQUIRE AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF TRAVEL BEFORE THEY ENGAGE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *TC
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 24, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Sep 16, 2004, crash
I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON ROUTE 93 IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN TRAFFIC WENT FROM APPROX. 40 MPH TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME ALL JAMMED ON THERE BRAKES AND SUCCESSFULLY STOPPED, BUT WHEN I STEPPED ON MY BRAKES, I COULD FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPRESSING AND DOING SOMETHING, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO BARELY EVEN SLOW DOWN FROM APPROX. 3 CAR LENGTHS AWAY. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MY CAR CRUMBLED. MY 2 COMPLAINTS ARE THAT THE BRAKES DEFINITELY HAVE A MALFUNCTION ALONG WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. LUCKILY, I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND CLEAR. AFTER THIS ACCIDENT AND MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, I WILL BE TRADING MY CAR IN AND NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Sep 13, 2004, crash
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK SUDDENLY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, BUT, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, STRUCK A BENCH, AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED IN THE INCIDENT. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND CLAIMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MALFUNCTION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSE BECAUSE OF THE A/C CYCLED THROUGH ON/OFF. RPM INCREASED. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE RACING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE A/C WAS ON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE BUILDING SECURITY. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Sep 9, 2004
WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY SPED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OVER THE CURB AND RUN AT HIGH SPEED INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS FINALLY STOPPED BY REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK
Power train, Sep 8, 2004, crash
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND EXITED TO RETRIEVE A GAS CAN. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED AROUND THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD INTO HER GARAGE. *NM *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 6, 2004, crash
I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES OF MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY TO SLOW DOWN IN PREPARATION OF A LANE CHANGE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 50MPH) DURING RUSH HOUR ON I-15 NORTHBOUND, A MAJOR LAS VEGAS HIGHWAY (4 LANES WIDE + SHOULDER AND EXIT LANE). TO MY SURPRISE THE ABS BRAKES KICKED IN AND SHUDDERED UNDERFOOT. I WAS NOT ATTEMPTING A FULL STOP AND HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP SHORT. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKES (FOOT WAS NOT ON ANY PEDAL) BUT THE ABS REMAINED ENGAGED AND THERE WAS A SENSE OF BOTH ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION SIMULTANEOUSLY. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED AGAIN TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED BY THIS OCCURRENCE BUT REMAINED CALM WHILE IN DISBELIEF MY CAR BEGAN TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY AROUND THE EXTREMELY CONGESTED FREEWAY. AS MY POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED I COULD BARELY AVOID SEVERAL COLLISIONS AS I TRIED TO FIRMLY ENGAGE MY BRAKES. I PRAYED TO GOD TO WATCH OVER ME AND HELD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL FOR DEAR LIFE. MY CAR WAS VEERING BUT NOT SLOWING AS IT SHOULD UNTIL FINALLY MY CAR STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPACT SENT MY CAR INTO A FULL 360 TURN. FINALLY THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WITH ME FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. MY CAR SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO SAFETY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT BOTH THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR AND I WERE ABLE TO WALK OUT OF OUR CARS UNASSISTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THOUGH BOTH OF US HAD NECK/SHOULDER/BACK STRAIN LATER. NEVADA HIGHWAY PATROL WAS ON SCENE AND TOOK A REPORT. I HAVE REQUESTED A FULL SAFETY INVESTIGATION AND AM AWAITING RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CEMENT BLOCK IN THE PARKING SPACE. *AK *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2004, fire
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 24, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT,BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 23, 2004
INQUIRY REGARDING WHY NO INVESTIGATION OR RECALL HAS BEEN DONE REGARDING BRAKES FOR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. *MR *NM
Suspension, Tires, Aug 20, 2004
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY PROBLEMS WITH LEFT PULL.*MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED IT WAS EITHER AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM OR TIRES. THE TECHNICIAN THEN REALIGNED THE VEHICLE BUT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE PULL IS DIMINISHED, IF NOT GENERALLY GONE, BUT IS CONCERN ABOUT THE PARAMETERS OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES IF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE ALIGNED OUT OF SPECIFICATION THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE WITH THE TIRES. *NM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2004, crash
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER HAD HER FOOT LIGHTLY RESTING ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. *SC *JB