2003 Toyota CAMRY SOLARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 20.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 |
Air Bags: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Seats: 2; Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029860 · 2003-07-22 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193905 · 2007-06-21 (June 21, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. ON JUNE 21, 2007, THE VEHICLE SURGED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SO QUICKLY THAT IT WHIPPED THE CONTACT'S HEAD BACK AND LEFT SKID MARKS ON THE GROUND. SHE HAD TO REMOVE HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION (# DTO6003 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) THAT WAS CLOSED IN APRIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD TAKE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219025 · 2008-02-24 (February 24, 2008)
I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE FRONT OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA HIT A CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SNOWY AND ICY. BECAUSE OF THIS, REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS UNAVOIDABLE. I WAS UNPLEASANTLY SURPRISED THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT; HOWEVER I WAS ASSURED BY THE SALESMAN THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE, AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS PART OF THE OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER PROTECTION TOYOTA OFFERS. THE OUTCOME OF THE AIRBAGS FAILIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220607 · 2008-03-07 (March 7, 2008)
2003 TOYOTA SOLARA AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE STATES THAT SHE SUFFERED NECK AND CHEST PAIN FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316935 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)
IN JULY OF 2007 OR 2008 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA IN A KOHL'S LOT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE MY HEAD TO BE THROWN BACK BUT I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO CHECK THE ODOMETER FOR THE REGISTERED SPEED. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL WITH ONE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND A CAR ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHIN AN INCH OR TWO FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS PROBABLY THE SCARIEST THING …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10316935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307104 · 2010-02-06 (February 6, 2010)
MY TOYOTA SOLARA LSE, 2003, WITH 125,000 MILES HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND BROKEN MOUNT AND STRUTS PROBLEMS. 1. MY REAR MOUNT AND STRUTS BROKE AND I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTO MECHANIC IT MAY CAUSE A SERIOUSE ACCIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED. AS SOON AS I REPAIRED THE PROBLEM IN THE REAR, IMMEDIATLY THE FOLLOWING DAY FRONT MOUNT AND STRUTS BROKE. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. 2. MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT MONTHLY AND I CANNOT TELL MY LIGHTS ARE NOT ON BECAUSE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE OUT AND SOME WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AND AUTOMECHANICS CAN'T GET THEM OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307104 at NHTSA ↗