KnownCarProblems2003 Toyota Camry Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 782 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Camry, most often about the speed control (33% of complaints, typically around 37,500 miles). It is 5th of 25 Camry model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Toyota Camry problems
Speed control
259 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
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.
I pulled into a business parking lot and came to a complete stop, shifted into reverse, took my foot off the brake, slightly touched the accelerator, removed my foot from the accelerator and the car suddenly accelerated rapidly on its own. I firmly applied the brake to stop but the car continued to accelerate. The…
Engine
164 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
There is clattering noise in the intake manifold. The noise started about 6 months ago and has gotten continually worse. I took the car to a local dealership and was told they had no idea what the noise was. The manufacturer claims it is not a defective part.
2003 Camry, 4 cylinder, 2.4l engine, xle model. Fluttering noise under light acceleration from the engine area. Dealer determined that the intake manifold needed to be replaced at a cost of $760.00. Engine had 86,000 miles. Very disappointed with this failure which should have never happened with a car of this…
Brakes
111 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages, antilock.
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.
2003 Toyota Camry anti lock brakes this situation has existed from the day I have bought this car. When the Camry rumbles over a bumpy road and I step on the brake pedal applying constant pressure the brakes are non responsive. The brakes do not stop the car. The brakes only start to work once the car is no longer…
Air bags
73 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
We were traveling in the center lane of I-5 at 55mph and a car (a jeep wagoneer) spun out of control on the adjacent cloverleaf and hit US on the passenger side. The impact was on our front right side tearing the right front wheel a-arm crumbling the right side of the car all the way back to the rear door of the 4…
I was involved in a crash where I was hit on the passenger side. Although the impact was severe enough to cause damage to the frame of the car, none of the six (6) air bags deployed. As mentioned in a previous complaint, there is now a gap on the dashboard around the area for the passenger air bag.
Steering
53 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, steering wheel/handle bar, column locking, linkages.
: the contact stated while turning, the steering wheel made a grinding noise. An independent repair shop determined the steering wheel needed to be removed and lubricated. Updated 03/20/06.
My 2003 Toyota Camry le with 37,451 miles is experiencing a loud popping noise in the steering mechanism and getting worse. Dealership advised needs intermediate steering shaft. Cost of repair $447.89. Dealership states this is a common problem. This is a potentially dangerous safety defect. Was unable to get any…
Transmission
40 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when driving low speeds, the transmission does not engaged. I took two to three seconds before the transmission would shift in gear. The dealer replaced the computer chip and upgraded the transmission which only minimally corrected the failure. A complaint…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving approximately between 55-65 MPH on normal road conditions. The transmission began to jerk excessively. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on four separate occasions for the identical failures with replacement of the transmissions. The four…
Suspension
29 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Dt: the contact stated the vehicle pulled to the left and to the right. However, more to the left. The tires have been maintained with proper air inflation. Road conditions or speed did not appear to impact the pulling. After the first incident the dealer aligned the front of the vehicle. This did not correct the…
: the contact stated while driving 25 MPH depressing the brake pedal the vehicle accelerated. This occurred four times. The first 3 times the vehicle was stopped with excessive pressure to the brake pedal. The last time the vehicle struck a pole. There was a police report taken at the scene of the accident. The…
Body and structure
29 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The steering on my 2003 Camry shakes during high speed. At times, there is a whistling noise coming from the driver front side. I thought it was related to low air pressure or unbalanced tires, but that's not the issues. Secondly, the paint on my car is peeling off, mostly the clear coating layer. I can not verify if…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the dashboard developed a crack, exposing the passenger's side air bag. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Camry recalls
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine surging
Summary
The petitioner owns a my 2006 toyota camry with a 4-cylinder engine that was purchased new in january 2006. The petitioner also previously owned a my 2005 camry. He alleges that both vehicles exhibited vehicle engine surging, which he described as a short duration (1 to 2 second) increase in engine speed occurring while the accelerator pedal is not depressed. In an initial interview, the petitioner estimated that 6 to 8 surge incidents, of varying severity, occurred in the my 2006 vehicle over the course of 10,000 miles and 7 months of ownership. The petitioner reports that the brake system is effective at overcoming the surge. However, he is concerned about reports filed with NHTSA alleging
Vehicle speed control
Summary
In a letter dated july 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 toyota and lexus vehicles, or to reopen a prior investigation preliminary evaluation (pe) 04-021.in a letter dated august 18, 2005, mr. Ziprin amended his petition to include allegations of interrelated brake and acceleration problems that allegedly result in inappropriate and uncontrollable vehicle
Throttle control system
Summary
The lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the v6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc) on the subject vehicles beginning in model year (my) 2002.odi opened the investigation to determine if the system could be the cause of complaints alleging the engine speed increased, or failed to decrease, (for a short duration) when the accelerator pedal was not depressed (the alleged defect).during the course of the investigation, odi analyzed agency data and reviewed vehicle
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Camry
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Camry?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (259 complaints, typically around 37,500 miles); engine (164 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles); brakes (111 complaints, typically around 21,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 13, 2004 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Camry?
- It is 5th of 25 Camry model years by number of complaints, with 782 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.