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.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2003
ROTTEN EGG SMELL FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR THE LAST 7 MONTHS, SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. I CHANGED MANY DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS OF GRADE 87 GAS, AND THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. I HAVE ABOUT 9000 MILES ON IT.*AK MY FRIEND WHO BOUGHT A 2003 CAMRY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 7, 2003, crash
A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, V-6, WITH ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGEMENT, ACTUAL TURN-OFF, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE LIFTED WITH THE LEFT FOOT TO RESTART/RE-ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. LATER, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING, ON APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED AHEAD HITTING THE SUV PARKED AHEAD. TOYOTA DEALER, AND FIELD TECHNICIAN DROVE VEHICLE AND THE ONLY THING NOTICED WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OFF WHEN TURNING AROUND IN A DRIVEWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS SPORADIC ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN FIRST OBSERVED. TOYOTA LEGALLY DENIED THE CLAIM AFTER OVER 3 MONTHS TIME FROM REPORTING TO THEIR REGIONAL CENTER. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE FRONT END REPAIRED. THE CAR APPEARS TO BE OPERATING SATISFACTORILY. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED SLIGHTLY TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, HE STILL HAS TO LIFT THE PEDAL TO ENGAGE IT AGAIN. UPDATED 03/05/10
Structure, Nov 3, 2003
DURING THE DAY ODOMETER IS HARD TO VIEW. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE NEW DESIGN FOR THE 2003 MODELS. *AK
Air bags, Oct 30, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A BROAD SIDE COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND BACK INJURIES. *AK
Steering, Oct 24, 2003
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT AND DRIFTS WHEN DRIVEN UNDER MOST ROAD CONDITIONS. DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IN THREE ATTEMPTS. THIS STEERING DEFECT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. I INTEND TO TAKE STEPS TO FORCE TOYOTA TO REPURCHASE THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE OHIO LEMON LAW. *LA
Power train, Oct 24, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 40-43 MPH, AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABOUT TO BE SHIFTED INTO OVERDRIVE, THE FRONT END VIBRATED UNTIL ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THEN THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED THREE TIMES TO MAKE SURE THE TIRES WERE NOT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERS CONCLUSION WAS THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE OVERLOAD OR BAD TIRES. THE VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. (MAY BE A LOCKED UP CONVERTER OR THE TRANSMISSION) *NLM *SCC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Oct 20, 2003, crash
WHILE PARKING, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND CRASHED INTO A WALL IN A PARKING LOT. CAUSE OF PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *PH WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLES ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RACE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ABOUT 3 FEET AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *TS *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 15, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. *MR THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE PEDAL MOVED IN DISTANCE BEFORE HARD BRAKING OCCURRED. THE BRAKES WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED AS WELL. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO WERE THREE INCHES. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHOOT FORWARD WHEN BRAKING. *SCC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 14, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 14, 2003
ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMES INTO THE CAR. DOESN'T MATTER IF THE WINDOW IS CLOSED OR OPENED. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TODAY. MY 2003 CAMRY WAS A DEMO SO I'M SURE WHOEVER WAS DRIVING IT HAD TO HAVE NOTICED THE SMELL. NOBODY SAID A WORD TO ME ABOUT THIS. I FELT THIS WAS UNDERHANDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WENT TO THE INTERNET TO SEE OF THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND I FOUND ON YOUR SITE. SO NOW I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. *LA
Steering, Suspension, Oct 3, 2003
I PURCHASED A TOYOTA CAMRY V6 SE MODEL IN JULY OF 2003. SINCE PURCHASE THERE IS A STEERING PULL/VEER TO THE LEFT REQUIRING OVER CORRECTION TO THE RIGHT. I BROUGHT CAR INTO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS 4 TIMES, 1ST TIME WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NONEXISTENT; 2ND TIME, NO PROBLEM, NOTICEABLE AGAIN; 3RD TIME TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED, BUT CAR STILL VEERS TO THE LEFT. TWO WEEKS AGO, CAR WAS DRIVEN BY FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WHO COMMENTED THAT THE CAR WAS MECHANICALLY PERFECT. SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED CHECKING TIRES BUT WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. I TEST DROVE A BRAND NEW SE V6 MODEL DIRECTLY FROM THE DEALERS LOT AND FOUND THE SAME CHARACTERISTIC STEERING BEHAVIOR, WITNESSED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. I HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THIS VEHICLE (BETWEEN 20 & 40 MPH) BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS THE NATURE OF THE CAR AND I CAN BEGIN ARBITRATION IF I CHOOSE. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND HAVE BEEN GREATLY INCONVENIENCED BY THE NUMBER OF FRUITLESS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING THAT THE DEALERSHIP AND APPARENTLY TOYOTA'S SPECIALISTS WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IS ABNORMAL AND IN MY OPINION (AS WELL OF THOSE I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET) IS A DRIVING HAZARD. I WANT THIS TO BE FIXED, BUT BASICALLY HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.*JB
Visibility, Sep 26, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN JAN. 2003 SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS, BUT THE ONE THAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS TINY POCK MARKS ALL OVER MY FRONT WINDSHILED. IT LOOKS AS IF SOMEONE TOOK A NAIL AND TAPPED LITTLE TINY NICKS ON THE GLASS. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS HAPPENED, SEEING AS I DO NOT TAILGATE ANY VEHICLE ESPECIALLY TRUCKERS. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT THEY THINK THIS IS MY FAULT SOME HOW.
Steering, Sep 25, 2003
WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH THE STEERING WHILE VIBRATED SEVERELY. THIS MADE CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AND MAINTAINING IT ON THE ROAD VERY DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2003
BRAKE PEDAL OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY GOES TO THE FLOOR! DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT CORPORATE SAYS THAT'S NORMAL. I FEEL IT'S DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY TO SHORT DRIVERS. THIS CAR IS BRAND NEW AND I HAVE DRIVEN FOUR OTHER CAMRY'S, A 2002 AND 3-2003 S. THE DEALER SAYS THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE NEWER BODY STYLE BUT "THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT." 8JB
Equipment, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CHEMICAL SMELLS ARE COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Suspension, Sep 12, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AT ANY SPEED. *AK ON A FLAT ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SLIGHTLY. ON CROWNED ROADS IN PASSING LANES, THE VEHICLE PULLED MORE DRAMATICALLY TO THE LEFT. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN THE SPECIFICS. IN ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2003
NAR 9-10-03. FOIA EMAIL FWD FM KOST/GC INQUIRING HOW MANY 2003 TOYOTA'S HAVE HAD A PROBLEM OF ACCELERATING WHILE THE BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED, ES HAVE NO RECORD. *CB
Suspension, Sep 6, 2003
MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, BOUGHT NEW, STEERS TO THE LEFT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT. AFTER TWO VISITS TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER, THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THAT THE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 4, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES PEDAL IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD TRAVEL TIME ON THE PEDAL ABOUT ONE INCH AND SPONGY. DEALER STATED ALL 2002'S AND 2003'S HAD THAT PROBLEM. *PH *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 3, 2003
BRAKES DO NOT REACT UNLESS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS WHERE THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NORMAL. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE MINIMUM PEDAL CLEARANCE WHEN DEPRESSED WITH FORCE OF 110 FOOT POUNDS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING SHOULD BE 2.5 INCHES. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE BRAKE MEASUREMENT WAS 0.5 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO TEST THE REQUIRED PEDAL SPECIFICATION. *SCC *JB
Electronic stability control, Aug 31, 2003
2003 CAMRY SE, DESPITE TWO RETURNS TO DEALER, STILL CONSISTANTLY DRIFTS AND/OR VEERS TO THE LEFT. HEAD TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS THE #2 COMPLAINT ON LATE MODEL CAMRY'S, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE, AS IT WAS THE "NATURE" OF THE CAR.*AK I FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION (ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS MOST EVIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), AND HAVE READ THAT IT IS, IN FACT, A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG 2002/2003 CAMRY OWNERS. SOMEONE COULD EASILY GET HURT OR KILLED, WITH THIS MANY CAMRY'S OUT ON THE ROAD AND, EVIDENTALLY, MANY (ALL?) HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Seats, Aug 27, 2003
VEHICLE'S HEADREST SITS AT AN ANGLE WHERE IT CAUSES THE CONSUMERS HEAD TO BE PUSHED DOWN.*MR TRANSFERRED TO OVSC. *CB *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Aug 21, 2003
ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR EMERGENCY STOP IT WENT TO THE FLOOR.T TOOK EXTENDED DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CHANGED THE MAIN CYLINDER, BUT AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT HAVE ANY RESERVE DISTANCE AS IT SPECIFIED IN THE MAINTANANCE AND REPAIR MANUAL, THE PEDAL IS TOO SOFT AND SPONGY. BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL SOFTNESS THE BRAKING TIME IS INCREASED BY 3 SECONDS. WHEN I ASKED THE ASSITANT MANGER HAD THEY PERFORMED ACTUAL TESTS ON THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR HE TOLD ME THAT THEY DID A COMPUTERIZED BRAKE TEST, BUT WHEN I ASKED FOR HTE PRINTOUT HE SAID THAT THE COMPUTER CANNOT PRINT IT. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Aug 7, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT IT FELT AS THOUGH HE STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR. *AK *SCC *JB CONSUMER OWNS TWO 2003 CAMRY MODELS (HIS AND HERS) AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME CONDITION. *DSY
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2003
CONSUMER STATES BATTERY DOSE NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER TO RUN A/C AND RADIO AT SAME TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED,AND REPLACED ALTERNATOR. *AK