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.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN INTERMITTENT ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK DEALER CAN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM ON VEHICLE. *LA
Vehicle speed control, Apr 16, 2004
VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. ALSO, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 15, 2004
REQUEST INFORMATION ON THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ON TOYOTA CAMRY'S 2002 & 2003, SOLARA'S AND LEXUS ES 300. *PH REPORT SUMMARY IN REGARDS TO THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. *LA
Vehicle speed control, Apr 12, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH A WALL. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 8, 2004
2003 CAMRY LE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS SINCE NEW. HAD PROBLEM IDENTIFIED SINCE 1000 MILES. HAS TAKEN ALMOST 1 YEAR SINCE PURCHASE TO GET NEW ROTORS ON CAR. ALWAYS FADES/ VIBRATES WHEN BRAKES ARE HOT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2004, crash
CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND STOPPED AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ON A CONCRETE CURB. THE PLASTIC UNDER GUARD WAS PULLED OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FREE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT.*AK THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON, BUT NOT ENGAGED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 2, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ON 7/14/03. WHEN MY SON RODE WITH ME ON 3/18/04 AND 3/26/04, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE THAT I WAS UNABLE TO HEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 3/26/04. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 4000 MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AS A BEARING IN A ROD. THEY RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM TOYOTA TO PULL OUT THE ENGINE AND FOUND ANOTHER ROD TO BE BAD. THEY THEN DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FAULTY. I HAVE ALSO READ THE COMMENTS ON THE BRAKES. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NEVER HAD THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR, THE PEDAL DOES DEPRESS FURTHER THAN WITH OTHER CARS. THESE ARE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004, crash
WHILE PARALLEL PARKING ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED HITTING A PARKED CAR. *PH *MR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF INCIDENCES OF POSSIBLE UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION OF MY 2003 CAMRY, WHERE CAR SEEMS TO SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004, crash
CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A TOLL BOOTH. THIS CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BRUISED CHEST, AND CONSUMER'S WIFE SUSTAINED 2 TWO BROKEN RIBS. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IT WAS AS IF THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND EVEN THOUGH HE HAD FEET ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE KEPT GOING. HE STATES THAT HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, IMMEDIATELY CUT THE IGNITION OFF, PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKES, AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. HE SAYS THAT THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED HE AND HIS WIFE WAS THE SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER STATED HE SAW ON TV THAT TOYOTA WAS RECALLING 2002-2003 CAMRYS FOR EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION. *AK *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004, crash
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO1 REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH FUEL PUMP GUARD RAIL. DROVE THOUGH IT AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE. *AK *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004, crash
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WOULD PROCEED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *AK THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE SOFT. *JB UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER BRAKING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, HE USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK . UPDATED 07/12/12
Suspension, Mar 30, 2004
I BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE IN JAN.04 AND TEST DROVE IT AND IT PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE SALESPERSON SAID IT WAS TIRE PRESSURE SO THEY ADJUSTED IT. WE DROVE THE CAR A LONG DISTANCE AND THE WHOLE TIME IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS A TSB OUT ON 2003-2004 CAMRY'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2004, crash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED CAR TO JUMP CONCRETE CURB AND HIT A TREE. DRIVER WAS ENTERING A 90 DEGREE PARKING STALL. VEHICLE SPEED BEFORE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS LESS THAN TWO MILES PER HOUR (NEARLY STOPPED).*AK UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN
Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2004
SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING SPEED TO FAST AND THE ODOMETER WAS 4% OVER TO MANY MILES. (NAR) *PH *CB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO CRASH INTO A WALL AND DAMAGED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *JB THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE THIRD INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE DONE BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES WENT ON STRIKE. *LA *CB SEE ALSO 10132649. *DSY UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN
Steering, Suspension, Mar 24, 2004
2003 CAMRY LE PURCHASED AUGUST 2003. CAR PULLS/VEERS TO LEFT AT SPEEDS BELOW 50-55 MPH. WHEN REACHING SPEEDS ABOVE THIS, THE PULL /VEERING TO THE LEFT IS VERY PRONOUNCED (ESPECIALLY INTERSTATE DRIVING). HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE; THE FIRST VISIT THEY CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, TIRES, ETC. AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM AND STATED VARIATIONS IN THE ROADS TRAVELED MAY CAUSE THIS. SECOND VISIT, ROUTINE ITEMS WERE CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD TECHNICIAN COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER TAKING HIM ON A DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE, HE "SAW THE PROBLEM" AND THE CAR WAS LEFT AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON. THEY ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT TO SPECIFICATIONS AND SAID THEY ROTATED THE UPPER SPRING INSULATORS (?). THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. (THEY HAVE BEEN VERY COURTEOUS THROUGHOUT) WAS TOLD THEY HAVE BASICALLY DONE ALL THEY CAN OR KNOW OF, BUT WOULD CONTACT TOYOTA FOR FURTHER IDEAS. THIS STEERING DEFECT CAN BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Mar 23, 2004
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED TWICE FOR PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Mar 23, 2004
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AS IF WANTING TO ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO AVOID A COLLISION. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS CITED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE CONCERNING THE BRAKES. DEALER WOULD SIMPLY REMOVE THE RUST AND DO NOTHING ELSE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2004
SURGE PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. AT TIMES, WHEN I SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE MY CAR SURGES FORWARD RATHER THAN ACCELERATING SMOOTHLY.*AK
Power train, Mar 18, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JERKED. ALSO, GEARS WERE HARD TO CHANGE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 35 MPH. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE WAY CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2004
WHILE TRYING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CAMRY LUNGED FORWARD GOING OVER TWO CONCRETE MEDIANS. IT TORE UP TWO WHEELS AND TIRES ON THE LEFT SIDE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 17, 2004
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 14, 2004
TOYOTA CAMRY-2003-SUDDEN SURGE. *AK UPDATED 7/3/12 *CN UPDATED 07/12/12