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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2003
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 (MIDYEAR 210 HP MOTOR). THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR FADE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSING THE PEDAL. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING AS THERE ISN'T ANY "PEDAL" TO THE BRAKE AND HAS TO JUST KEEP PRESSING, PRESSING, PRESSING THE PEDAL UNTIL THE CAR STOPS. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THIS IS HOW THE CAMRY BRAKES ARE DESIGNED AND IT IS NORMAL. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE INSISTS THAT SINCE HE CAN NOT REENGINEER THE CAR HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THE PROBLEM. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WAS "OBVIOUSLY" CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM, BUT THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE DISMISSED HIS CONCERN. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA "THINKS" IT'S SMARTER THAN THE REST OF US. BUT PERHAPS THEY SHOULD TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT WHERE THAT ATTITUDE HAS GOTTEN A FEW OF THE OTHER AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS. THE CAMRY'S BRAKES DO NOT GIVE THE DRIVER A FEELING THAT THE BRAKES WILL STOP THE CAR. IN FACT, THE CAR DOES NOT STOP. THESE BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS. *AK *SCC
Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2003
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY 3.0L V6 (MIDYEAR 210HP MOTOR) THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE STATED IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS DANGEROUS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THE PEDAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHED FURTHER TOWARD THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE BOLTED OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITH A RUSH OF POWER. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT WAS HOW THE CAR WAS ENGINEERED, AND HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE LEAD MECHANIC SAID THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO GET USED TO IT. IT HAD BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *AK *TS *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER. TECHNICIAN ADJUSTED BOTH REAR BRAKE SHOES.*AK *CB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 25, 2003
WHILE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 15MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Seats, Jul 22, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES FORWARD, RELEASED BRAKE AND SEAT WILL MOVE BACK. DEALER REPLACED ALL SEATS, AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Jul 18, 2003, crash
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND HIS KNEES WERE INJURED WHEN THEY HIT THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT HANDLE BAR. THE DESIGN OF THE ADJUSTMENT HANDLE BAR WAS NOT CORRECT AND STUCK OUT OVER 1 INCH TO FAR. PH *CB *JB
Visibility, Jul 11, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING, THE CONSUMER FELT HOT AIR BLOWING FROM THE AIR VENTS WHILE THE UNIT WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TRAVEL WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AT ALL TIMES. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *CB *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 10, 2003
THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. ALSO GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE THE SAME HEIGHT AND CLOSE TOGETHER. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2003, crash
WHILE TRAVELING THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. *AK CONSUMER WAS MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPOT AND LIFTED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO DRIFT FORWARD A SHORT DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RAN OVER A PARKING STOP, A SIDEWALK CURB AND THEN RAN INTO A WOODEN FENCE WHERE IT STOPPED. ON PRIOR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD SIMILARLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. IN THESE INSTANCES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2003
WHEN DRIVING A ROTTEN EGG SMELL ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN WHICH CAUSES THE OCCUPANTS TO FEEL A BURNING SENSATION IN THE NOSE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE GASOLINE STATIONS IN TENNESSEE ARE NOT REGULATING THE AMOUNT OF SULFUR IN THE GAS. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 26, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND COLLIDED WITH SEVEN OTHER VEHICLE'S. *JB CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES HOWEVER THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. *TT *JB SEE ALSO ODI 10025068 *DSY
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 24, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 22, 2003
I PARKED MY 2003 CAMRY (WITH UNDER 5000 MILES ON IT) ON A STEEP, CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY ON A DRIZZLY MORNING. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, CREEPING FROM A DEAD START, MY BRAKES FAILED...OR MY TIRES DIDN'T GRIP THE ASPHALT. I DON'T KNOW WHICH. I JAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WENT SKIDDING DOWN THE INCLINE. WHEN I REACHED THE BOTTOM, MY CAR FINALLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC, SO I AVOIDED A COLLISION. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE EXTENSIVE SKID MARKS LEFT BY MY CAR. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 16, 2003
THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN MANUFACTURING OR QUALITY CONTROL OF 2003 CAMRY BRAKE SYSTEM. *MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED WHEN THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY, THE BRAKES WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES, HE DISCOVERED THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKES WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS CONTAINED GLAZE AND THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE INOPERATIVE. *TS *JB *CB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 14, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE RACED BACKWARDS WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. *MR *TT *JB SEE ODI 10019875 *DSY
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 13, 2003
THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR HAD A CRACK IN IT THAT WAS LEAKING GAS. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2003
MISSION EXHAUST FUMES HAVE AN EGG SMELL. THE FUMES ARE SEEPING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS.*AK
Seats, Jun 9, 2003
WHEN A BUMP WAS HIT IN THE ROAD, THE SEAT MADE A LOUD NOISE. *JB THE SEAT WAS LOOSE AND MADE A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP. DEALER TRIED TO FIX TWO TIMES. HOWEVER SEAT WILL NOT REMAIN FIRM. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jun 2, 2003
2003 V6 CAMRY HAS ENGINE SURGES/SHUDDERING THROUGH ALL SPEEDS. IS REALLY NOTICEABLE AT38-40 MPH. DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED ENGINE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMED - PROBLEM WAS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING IN CITTY WHERE SPEEDS WERE MORE INCREASED AND DECREASED. CONTINUED TO TAKE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. *AK
Power train, May 31, 2003
VEHICLE SHUDDERED AROUND 40 MPH RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER PERFORMED ALL APPLICABLE TSBS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ALSO EXHIBITED A SEVERE SHUDDER TWICE AT 70 MPH. *TT
Structure, May 28, 2003
CONTINUAL WATER FLOODING REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT RUG AND FLOOR. DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING FROM FACTORY AND REPLACED AFTER 3 TRIES. FLOODING STILL OCCURRING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2003, crash
I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE BRAKES ON MY '03 CAMRY LE. WHEN CONTINUED OR STRONG PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. ON SAID DATE I REAR-ENDED SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFICIT. TOYOTA LEGAL GOT INVOLVED AND SAID IT WAS 'NORMAL'. THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS VERY DANGEROUS & MISLEADING! *NLM
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2003
I OWN A NEW, 2003, TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS A VERY LOW VOLUME CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS ARE ON. BECAUSE I CAN NOT HEAR THE CLICKING SOUND WITH THE NORMAL BACKGROUND ROAD NOISES, THE TURN SIGNALS STAY ON EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT GOING TO TURN. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY AND TRAFFIC VIOLATION ISSUE AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO BOTH MY TOYOTA DEALER AND TO THE CAR MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY, BUT THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION FOR MY COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW TO GET SATISFACTION AND RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 21, 2003, crash
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PURCHASE OF A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T RESPOND. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. (MODEL XLE) MR SCC *JB THE CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM, HE BRAKED AND SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION. AS HE BRAKED AN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AS HE STEERED TO THE LEFT AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE TO CORRECT THE INITIAL SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. HE THEN STEERED BACK TO THE RIGHT, THEN LEFT, THEN RIGHT, IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THAT TIME, HE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. IN TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER CROSSED THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY SLAMMED SIDEWAYS INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. *JB UPDATED 04/09/10. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2003, crash
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ALL OF SUDDEN SURGED FORWARD. *JB UPDATED7/2/12 *CN