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, Aug 8, 2004
REARVIEW MIRROR INADEQUATE SERIOUS BLIND SPOTS. WORSE THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN IN 40 YEARS! 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY-ALL. *AK
Service brakes, Air, Jul 25, 2004
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES - BRAKES SLIP AND VEHILE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN APPLIED ON A BUMPY SURFACE. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 23, 2004
WITH ONLY 17000 MILE ON THE CAR I HAD TO HAVE ALL THE FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED AND HAVE THE ENGINE DE-CARBONIZE. EALER REPLACED THE INJECTORS, CHARGED ME FOR THE DE-CARBONIZE AND SUGGESTED TO SWITCH OFTEN TO DIFFERENT FUEL MANUFACTURES AND A REMENDY, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK
Tires, Jul 23, 2004
REF: MY EARLIER ODI #10047147 AND ODI #10080438. 2003 CAMRY (CURRENTLY 7700 MILES). GRADUAL RIGHT DRIFT SINCE PURCHASE JANUARY 2003. A TOTAL OF 10 NEW BRIDGESTONE 15" POTENZA RE92 TIRES (INCLUDING THE 4 ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME ON THE NEW VEHICLE) WERE MOUNTED ON THE CAR OVER A 4 MONTH PERIOD. RIGHT DRIFT WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND/OR CORRECT PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF SECOND TOYOTA DEALER PROMPTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, DIAGNOSED TIRES AS THE CAUSE, AND CORRECTED IT. ONCE TIRES WERE MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE OTHER THAN BRIDGESTONE, THE RIGHT DRIFT WAS CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE NOW IS A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM
Electrical system, Tires, Jul 17, 2004, fire
MY 2003 CAMRY HAD BEEN GREAT SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. ONLY HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, ONE MINOR THE OTHER WAS MAJOR. I HAVE 25000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND BOTH THE FRONT TIRES WERE BARE. I WAS ABLE TO SEE ALL THE TREADS FROM THE TIRES. THE MAJOR PROBLEM I GOT WAS MY CAMRY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE ENTIRE ENGINE. I'D PULLED UP TO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK, AND 20 MINUTES LATER, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. SPOKE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID IT LOOKS LIKE FAULTY/MALFUNCTION WIRE/CABLES. NOT SURE IF TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS, BUT NOW I'M LEFT W/O A CAR UNTIL M INSURANCE FIGURES EVERYTHING OUT. TOYOTA SHOULD BE NOTIFY IN CASE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE 2003 MODELS. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IT JUMPED A CURB AND COLLIDED WITH A GLASS WINDOW INSIDE A STORE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK *JB
Steering, Jul 14, 2004
CAR PULLS LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CAR IS UNUSUALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN MODERATE WINDS. CAR REQUIRES UNUSUALLY HIGH DEGREE OF CONCENTRATION TO KEEP DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR 5 TIMES, INCLUDING APPLICATION OF TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. OTHER OWNERS ARE REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE TOYOTAOWNERSCLUB WEBSITE AND OTHER FORUMS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2004
I WAS PARKING ,MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE BUT MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELARATE VERY QUICLY AND JUMP FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY.ONLY LUCK PREVENTED ANY DEATHS BECAUSE NOBODY WAS ON PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENED AT WEST PALM BEACH.I TOOK MY CAR TO STEWART TOYOTA.I TOLD THEM I READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MONTH AGO WHICH WAS ON FIRST USA PAPER (BUSINESS SECTION) THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY COMPLAIN BEFORE,KEPT MY CAR FOR A DAY .NEXT DAY,THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM.I HAVE TO LEAVE WITH IT. IT WAS VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY CAR.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jul 9, 2004
WITHIN 3 WEEKS FROM PURCHASE DATE THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH IN THAT TIME CORPORATION REPS ALSO TRIED TO FIND THE FAULT. THEY WERE UNABLE TO. I WAS TOLD CAR WAS FINE. I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND WOULD NOT TAKE IT . THE DEALER WOULD ASUME NO RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID IF I WANTED A NEW CAR I WOULD HAVE TO TRADE THIS MODEL IN TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW CAR. BECAUSE I WAS SO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND WOULD NOT TAKE THE CAR ANYPLACE ELSE TO SELL BECAUSE I KNEW HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS (AND SO DID THE DEALER AND IF THEY SOLD THAT DANGEROUS CAR TO ANOTHER IT WAS ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITY NOT MINE) I ACCEPTED THE CONDITIONS PUT FORTH BY MY DEALER AND TRADED MY 3 WEEK OLD TOYOTA IN FOR A NEW TOYOTAAND HAD TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $4000.00 BECAUSE THE 3 WEEK OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 1200 MILES ON IT WAS NOW A USED CAR. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 6, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THEN, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TOLD DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Jul 6, 2004
2003 CAMRY LE [XXX]. CURRENTLY 7585 MILES/17 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASE NEW. GRADUALLY DRIFTS RIGHT (BEGAN FROM BUY DATE). ONSET OF DRIFT IS APPROXIMATELY 3 SEC. AFTER STEADY TRACK ESTABLISHED. REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION/CORRECTION. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, OTHER THAN FOR LOCAL SHORT TRIPS. TIRES AS CAUSE HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. (SIX NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN MOUNTED; RF, THEN LF, THEN ALL 4 TIRES). TOYOTA DEALER CHECK OF ALIGNMENT AT 2049 MILES--"..ALL IN SPEC". TOYOTA DEALER, AFTER TEST DRIVE AT 7468 MILES REVEALED VEHICLE DID INDEED DRIFT EXCLUSIVELY RIGHT, AND INFORMED ME: (1) VEHICLE DRIVES LIKE ALL 2003 CAMRY'S (2) THAT HE COULD MAKE NO ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENT THAT WOULD IMPROVE CAR'S DRIVING PERFORMANCE, (3) THAT THE ONSET OF RIGHT DRIFT AS EARLY AS 2 SEC. AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRAIGHT TRACK WAS TOYOTA-ACCEPTABLE, (4) THAT DRIFT EXCLUSIVELY RIGHT WAS TOYOTA-ACCEPTABLE, (5) THAT PROBLEM OFTEN IS "OVER-SENSITIVE" DRIVER, (6) THAT HE WOULD NOT CONSIDER EXPLORING APPLICABILITY OF TSB ST002-04 AS POSSIBLE CORRECTION, AND (7) THAT MY OPTIONS ARE TO EITHER ACCEPT THE CONDITION OR GO TO ARBITRATION. AT REGIONAL LEVEL (TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER, TORRENCE, CA) I WAS TOLD THAT ALL SUCH PROBLEMS WERE HANDLED EXCLUSIVELY AT THE DEALER LEVEL, AND THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER DRIVING OTHER 2003 CAMRY'S (IMPLIED: I MIGHT THEREBY CONVINCE MYSELF THAT MY VEHICLE DROVE "NORMALLY"! A MOST INTERESTING AND REVEALING APPROACH TO A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT!) I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED A SECOND TOYOTA DEALER THAT INDICATED THAT IT IS INDEED POSSIBLE TO GET A "FIELD TECHNICAL REP" TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM (I AM ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT, BUT MY FRUSTRATION IS OBVIOUS). MEANWHILE, I HAVE TAKEN STEP OF ADVISING MY LAWYER IN WRITING TO CAREFULLY EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS UNSAFE STEERING PROBLEM AS A POSSIBLE PRIMARY AND/OR CONTRIBUTORY CAUSE FACTOR, SHOULD I EVER BE INVOLVED IN A DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR. *JB UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Fuel system, Other, Jul 3, 2004
WE FILLED UP OUR 2003 CAMRY LE AT COSTCO (ON A MONDAY). WE SHOPPED AT COSTCO AND THEN DROVE ABOUT 17 MILES TO OUR HOME. WE BACKED UP OUR INCLINE DRIVEWAY AND UNLOADED THE TRUNK. WE DROVE TO SAFEWAY (ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY) THAT SAME DAY AND DROPPED A RELATIVE AT THEIR HOUSE ABOUT A MILE AWAY. WE DROVE A TOTAL OF ABOUT 25 MILES AFTER THE FILL UP AT COSTCO. THE CAMRY WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK UNTIL FRIDAY. ON FRIDAY THE CAR WAS DRIVEN NO MORE THAN THREE MILES BEFORE IT STARTED TO HESITATE AND THEN STALLED. IT DID THIS FOUR TIMES BEFORE GETTING BACK TO THE HOUSE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE OVERFLOWED THE FUEL TANK AND THE CARBON CANISTER WAS FILLED WITH GAS. THIS CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO STALL THE CAR OUT BECAUSE IT IS SENSING AN OVER RICH CONDITION. THE PROBLEM IS WE DID NOT OVERFILL THE FUEL TANK AND WE DROVE IT FOR FAR TOO LONG FOR THIS TO BE WHAT CAUSED THE CARBON FILTER TO HAVE GOTTEN GAS IN IT. MAYBE BACKING UP THE DRIVEWAY WITH A FULL TANK CAUSED THE PROBLEM, BUT THAT IS A FLAW IN THE ENGINEERING OF THE CAR, NOT A MISTAKE BY THE CONSUMER. THE REPAIR AND TOWING COST 780 DOLLARS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND INDICATED THAT VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2004
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK. THE BREAK PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WHEN APPLIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Suspension, Jun 28, 2004
UPDATE TO COMPLAINT 10047147 ON 2003 CAMRY LE- VEHICLE CONSTANTLY DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT.*MR THE TIRES WERE ELIMINATED AS A CAUSE OF THE DRIFTING. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT A RIGHT DRIFT ONSET AS SOON AS TWO SECONDS WAS CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE BY TOYOTA. THE ONLY OTHER RECOURSE THE CONSUMER HAS IS TO SEEK CORRECTION AT THE DEALER LEVEL OR ARBITRATION. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 25, 2004, crash
VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN VEHICLE CRASHING INTO BUSHES AND CEMENT EMBANKMENT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2004
AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AGAIN AT ANOTHER STOP VEHICLE SURGED, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES ON THREE OCCASIONS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK *NM UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN
Air bags, Jun 24, 2004, crash
ON MAY 13, 2004, WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 50-55MPH. THE SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AT ANYTIME FROM THE CRASH. *JB THE SIDE AIR BAG SPLIT THE SEAT BACK UPHOLSTERY BUT FAILED TO FULLY DEPLOY. *SC *JB
Wheels, Jun 23, 2004
THE HUB CAPS ON THE VEHICLE CRACKED.*MR *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2004, crash
INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING DAYTIME, CLEAR SKIES, DRY ROAD,WITH NO DEBRIS. VEHICLE WAS PRACTICALLY NEW, HAVING LESS THAN 300 MILES. AT 1230 IN AFTERNOON, I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25-30 MPH ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE (IN A 45 MPH ZONE). ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE THAT WAS 5-6 CAR LENGTHS DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE INTERLOPER. I TOO STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL HARD TO AVOID VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALTHOUGH I WAS APPLYING SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE (1 LEG PRESS 400+LBS, AND WAS APPLYING APPROX 1/2 TO 3/4 OF THAT) , BUT MY VEHICLE SLOWED NEGLIGIBLE - PROMPTING AN EXPLETIVE VERSION OF "WHAT THE HECK?!?!". AFTER A COUPLE OF INEFFECTIVE ATTEMPTS TO PUSH DOWN BRAKE PEDAL I STOMPED IT, WITH LITTLE OR NO EFFECT. MY VEHICLE ULTIMATELY CAME TO A STOP THROUGH IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (AFTER TRAVELING APPROX 150-200 FEET). THE OTHER DRIVER AND VEHICLE, MY PASSENGER AND I WERE UNHARMED, BUT MY VEHICLE SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE. I REPORTED THE BRAKE PROBLEM TO BOTH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (LOCATED 1/4 MILE FROM THE SITE OF THE INCIDENT) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT INCLINED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, BUT I PRESSED THE ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND MY INSURER, UNTIL SOMEONE FROM THE TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE IN BALTIMORE AGREED TO EXAMINE MY VEHICLE. THE "EXAMINATION" OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE (FRONT-END DAMAGE AND ALL) HAD BEEN SITTING ON THE DEALERS LOT FOR 3 WEEKS, AND CONSISTED OF A COUPLE OF TEST STOPS IN THE PARKING LOT AND PULLING WHEELS OFF THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO INSPECT THE BRAKES. THIS, OF COURSE, YIELDED NO NEW INFORMATION AND TOYOTA EFFECTIVELY CLOSED THE COMPLAINT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2004, crash
I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CAR HIT THE STORE WALL, FIVE FEET FROM THE PARKING STALL. I REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THEY WERE OKAY. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR IT'S FIRST MAINTANCE AT THE TOYOTA DEALER, I TOLD THE SERVICE PERSON TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND WHY. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE 2003 CAMRY'S RPMS GO UP IF YOU HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND YOU SIMULTANEOUSLY STEP ON THE BRAKES LIGHTLY. THEY DID NOT REPLACE ANY BRAKE PARTS, INSTEAD THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKES IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON TO AVOID AN OTHER SURGING INCIDENT.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jun 10, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, CONSUMER DEPRESS BRAKES TO MAKE A STOP. WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE VEHICLE SURGED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT AT AN EXTENDED DISTANCE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER SHIFT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2004, crash
ON MAY 12, 2004 AT TIME 15:33 .MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. ND WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE, MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM FARMS RD CIRCLE ONTO RANGER ROAD. AS SHE MADE THE RIGHT TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR, CAUSING HER TO JUMP THE CURB ON THE LEFT IDE OF THE STREET, AND STRIKE A PORTABLE BASSKETBALL NET/POLE ON THE CURB IN FRONT OF THE CORNER HOUSE . THE POLE SMASHED IN THE FRONT ROOF OF THE CAR AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR CONTINUED DOWN THE GRASS CURB AND ITS UNDERCARRIAGE STRUCK THE CURB WHILE GOING BACK ONTO RANGER ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED. *AK
Tires, Jun 4, 2004
EXCESSIVE TREADWEAR AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES ON OEM CONTINENTAL TOURING CONTACT AS TIRES, ON MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. *AK