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.
Power train, Jan 20, 2004
MANUAL TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. DEALER HAD NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 20, 2004
IN NOVEMBER 2003 VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, TWO MONTHS LATER, ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. DEALER INDICATED BOTH TIMES THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Jan 15, 2004
THIS CAR PULLS LEFT AND TRACKS POORLY UNDER MOST DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD IN CROSSWINDS AND ON WET ROADWAYS. IT WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT LOW CASTER ANGLE WAS TO BLAME. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOOSEN AND JIGGLE THE ENGINE CRADLE TO GET THE CASTER ON THE MINIMUM SPECIFICATION FOR CASTER, BUT THIS HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE POOR HANDLING. AFTER 4 VISITS AND MUCH UNNECESSARY DELAY, THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA NOW CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS DEFECT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH LANE DRIFTAGE, AND LIMITS THE USE OF THE CAR. I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S AND TOYOTA'S POSITION. I SELECTED TOYOTA FOR THEIR APPARENT GOOD REPUTATION FOR INTEGRITY AND SERVICE, BUT MY EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN OTHERWISE. MY INTERACTIONS WITH TOYOTA THROUGH THEIR AGENTS HAS SHOWN THAT THEIR REPUTATION APPEARS TO BE LARGELY BASED ON THEIR OWN PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN--NOT ON SERVICE AND QUALITY. I AM NOW FACED WITH THE PROSPECT OF ARBITRATION AND LAWSUIT TO FORCE TOYOTA MOTOR CORP TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE KNOWINGLY SELL THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING BUYER, SO I MUST CHOOSE TO EITHER SUE TOYOTA OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE MYSELF.
Visibility, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
THE CD CHANGER INITIALLY HAD ISSUES WITH PLAYING CDR (CDS MADE ON A COMPUTER AT HOME). IT WOULD SKIP ALL OF THE TIME. IT ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH REGULAR CDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FAST-FORWARD OR REVERSE TO A SPECIFIC AREA OF A SONG TRACK. IT TOOK A VISIT AND A COUPLE TELEPHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THEM TO AGREE TO REPLACE THE CD CHANGER. EVER SINCE THIS WAS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. HOWEVER, IN THE CAMRY THAT I HAD AS A LOANER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ON 7/28/03, THAT VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ITS CD CHANGER AND I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT. THE MOON ROOF HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2003. BASICALLY, IT HAS BEEN LEAKING AND A WATER NOISE IS HEARD WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL AND THE RADIO NEEDS TO BE TURNED UP TO DROWN THE SOUND OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN WAS ON 7/28/2003. AT THAT POINT OF TIME, THE MOON ROOF WAS NOT EVEN CLOSING COMPLETELY. TOYOTA FLEW A FIELD TECHNICIAN FROM CALIFORNIA TO KANSAS CITY FOR THE REPAIR. HE CLAIMS THAT THE REASON FOR THE MOON ROOF NOT CLOSING WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED WHEN THE HEATED LEATHER SEATS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT CAUSED THE TIMING FOR THE ROOF TO BECOME CORRUPTED. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER SAW THIS PROBLEM EVER WITH ANY 2002-2003 MODEL CAMRY AND THAT IS WHY A FIELD TECH WAS SENT OUT. AFTER HE FIXED THE SUNROOF, I WAS ASSURED BY CHARLES EPP, TOYOTA'S REGIONAL MANAGER, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS FULLY REPAIRED AND HE PERSONALLY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS TESTED FOR WATER ISSUES TOO AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS CORRECTED BY RESETTING THE TIMING. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE MOON ROOF IS STILL LEAKING AND HAVING WATER NOISES DURING HIGHWAY OPERATIONS DURING RAINSTORMS. RECENTLY, I HAD AN ARBITRATION HEARING AT JAY WOLFE TOYOTA WITH AN ARBITRATOR FROM NCDS.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 15, 2004
GAS TANK THUMP WHEN STARTING FROM STOP. SLIGHT THUMP AND HEAVY THUMP ALL DEPENDS HOW MUCH FUEL IN TANK. SUSPENSION BOLTS TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECS. PARKING BRAKE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT COMING UP TO HIGH HARD HOLDING ON HILL AND BRAKE PEDAL TO SOFT.
Seat belts, Jan 14, 2004
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSED BRUISES ON THE CHEST OF PASSENGERS IN THOSE SEATING POSITIONS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jan 13, 2004, crash
WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP. AS RESULT, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 9, 2004, crash
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE USE OF THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND IT REVVED WITHOUT DRIVER'S ASSISTANCE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 9, 2004
BRAKES HAVE A PULSATION IN BRAKE PEDAL WHEN STOPPING. FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND,LATERAL OUT OF ROUND AND REAR DRUMS NEEDED TO BE MACHINED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, WHEN STOPPING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, MOTOR MAKES A FLUTTERING SENSATION.*AK
Suspension, Jan 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE AT 65 TO 70 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED, AND AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE FIVE TIMES AND COULD NOT FIX IT. *AK
Tires, Dec 31, 2003
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CONTINENTAL TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR TIRE FAILURE WITH THREE OF THE CONTINENTAL TIRES WHILE TRAVELING ALONG THE SAME ROAD. THE FIRST FAILED TIRE COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. THE SECOND WAS REPAIRED AT NTB. *PH *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 30, 2003
THE NEW MODEL YEAR 03 AND 04 TOYOTA CAMRY SEDANS, SIENNA MINI VANS HAVE POORLY DESIGNED AND OR MIS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS CAUSING BLINDING GLARE TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS IN FRONT OF THESE VEHICLES. THE EXCESSIVELY GLARING LIGHT CAUSED EYE PAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Service brakes, Air, Dec 28, 2003
CAMRY 2003 BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL FROZE WHEN DRIVING AND WOULD NOT PRESS DOWN AT ALL. FRANTICALLY, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 MPH AND 30 MPH, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PEDAL DOWN. (I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND TESTED THE BRAKES. THOUGH THE BRAKES SHOWED THAT THEY WERE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY, THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY FREEZING. I HAD TO CONTINUALLY TRY TO PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN AND FRANTICALLY WARNED MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR THAT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WOULDN'T BUDGE, THAT I LOST THE BRAKES. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS AT LEAST 1500 FEET BEFORE THE PEDAL EVENTUALLY WENT DOWN, WITH TIGHT HESITATION). *AK
Power train, Dec 23, 2003
TRANSMISSION/ENGINE AT MODERATE SPEEDS (50 MPH) STUMBLES WHEN THROTTLE INPUT IS REMOVED. THE CONCERN IS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURS. DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME THROTTLE INPUT IS REMOVED. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE MODE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 22, 2003
BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN LOW CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL BY ITSELF. WHEN MASTER CYLINDER FLUID IS ADDED THE PEDAL RETURNS TO ITS CORRECT POSITION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. *AK
Steering, Dec 12, 2003
FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE OF VEHICLE, THE CAR TRACKS LEFT. THE TRACKING TO THE LEFT OCCURS IN ANY LANE AT ANY TIME. I HAVE HAD INTO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. FIRST TWO VISITS RESULTED IN COMMENTS THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL" AND THE CROWN OF THE ROAD. A THIRD VISIT, AT ANOTHER DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TOE WAS "SLIGHTLY" OFF. WHILE THIS HAS AMELIORATED THE PROBLEM, IT CONTINUES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS "TYPICAL" FOR CAMRY'S WITH 16" WHEELS. I FIND THIS SITUATION UNACCEPTABLE. THE 15" WHEEL CAMRY DOES NOT APPEAR TO SUFFER FROM THIS CONDITION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, THEN THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED AND READJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES. *AK THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE GROUND. *SCC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 9, 2003
WHILE DRIVING ROTTEN EGG SMELL CAME INTO THE VEHICLE, IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED OR OPENED. CONSUMER FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN THE NOSE AND THE THROAT. DEALERSHIP/ FLOOR MANAGER MADE AN INCREDIBLE STATEMENT, INQUIRING IF PRESIDENT BUSH PUT SULFUR IN THE GAS, CALL HIM. *AK
Power train, Dec 4, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. FROM DRIVE TO PARK TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP AND CAR WON'T MOVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 28, 2003
ROTTEN EGG (OR WORSE) SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, THE SAME AS IN MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. VISITS TO DEALERS WITH 1999 WAS NO HELP. JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT SERVICE BULLETIN & HAD QUARTER VENT DUCT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. SAME SMELL IN 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. DEALER SAID IT NO LONGER HAS VENTS SO NO PROBLEM. COULD NOT GET WORK ORDER RECEIPT TO PROVE I WAS AT DEALERS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. TH/MA. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 24, 2003
DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS LOCKED UP AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS. *JB *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2003
MY WIFE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 CAMRY LE AND HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING ON THE VEHICLE. IN OUR OPINIONS THERE IS EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE THE BRAKING SYSTEMS STARTS TO ENGAGE AND YOU MUST PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL PRACTICALLY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP. AS A RESULT, MY WIFE NEARLY HAD TWO ACCIDENTS DURING SUDDEN STOPS. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEIR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND WE MUST GET USED TO THEM. *LA
Steering, Suspension, Nov 18, 2003
2003 CAMRY PURCHASED JAN 03: COMPLAINT WAS--CAR HAS TO BE "HERDED" CONTINUALLY. WILL NOT MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE OF TRAVEL. FEELS LIKE IT IS "ON TOP OF THE BUBBLE." ANNOYING. DEALER CHECKED ALIGNMENT AND SAID "ALL WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS--NO PROBLEM FOUND." IT STILL DOES IT! (CHECKED 5/22/03) *LA THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT ABOUT 3 SECONDS AFTER THE PRESSURE WAS RELEASED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ONLY DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT NOT THE LEFT, THEREFORE CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALWAYS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE TIRES WERE REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT DRIFT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE RIGHT WAS ACCEPTABLE TO TOYOTA. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Nov 17, 2003, crash
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, DRIVER'S FOOT WAS PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS REARENDED DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 11, 2003
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COMPUTER CONTROLLED THROTTLE, ELECTRONIC COMPUTER CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION, AND CRUISE CONTROL. AT VARIOUS TIMES THE CAR WILL EITHER HESITATE FOR 5-10 SECONDS WHEN ACCELARATION IS DEMANDED OR ALTERNATIVELY UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE IT WILL SHIFT DOWN SEVERAL GEARS THE ENGINE RACING MADLY AND ACCELARATE. IN CRUISE CONTROL IT SOMETIMES SHIFTS DOWN AND ACCELARATES 15 MPH OVER THE SETPOINT.*AK