2003 Toyota CAMRY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
780 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
48,785 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 575 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 231 of 780 complaints (29.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 257 | 32.9% |
| Steering behavior | 59 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 41 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 231 |
| Engine | 52 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 52 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 52 |
| Air Bags | 51 |
| Steering | 38 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 32 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 28 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 231; Engine: 52; Engine And Engine Cooling: 52; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 52; Air Bags: 51; Steering: 38; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 32; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 28
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 196 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 94 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 81 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 72 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 87 |
| 150,000 and above | 45 |
Under 25,000: 196; 25,000 to 49,999: 94; 50,000 to 74,999: 81; 75,000 to 99,999: 72; 100,000 to 149,999: 87; 150,000 and above: 45
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (196). 205 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 74 |
| 2004 | 142 |
| 2005 | 47 |
| 2006 | 34 |
| 2007 | 38 |
| 2008 | 37 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2010 | 154 |
| 2011 | 36 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 74; 2004: 142; 2005: 47; 2006: 34; 2007: 38; 2008: 37; 2009: 41; 2010: 154; 2011: 36; 2012: 33; 2013: 22; 2014: 34; 2015: 29; 2016: 10; 2017: 7; 2018: 7; 2019: 8; 2020: 9; 2021: 8; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 257 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 59 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 41 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000781 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA THE LAST WEEK IN SEPTEMBER2002. WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF BUYING MY CAR THE PAINT STARTED TO CHIP OFF AND COME OFF IN CHUNKS. I HAVE MADE REPORTS TO THE COMPANY EACH TIME A NEW CHIP HAS OCCURRED (THE CHIPS AND HUNKS ARE DOWN TO THE BARE METAL) THE COMPANY HAD A REP COME IN TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND THEY CONTINUE TO KEEP SAYING IT IS ROAD DAMGE WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. THEY HAVE OFFERED NO HELP, OPTIONS OR SOLUTIONS TO MY PROBLEM. ALL I WANT THE CAR TO BE ANALYZED TO SEE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PAINT TO COME OFF. IT COULD B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001340 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT SO CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. CONSUMER INSPECTED UNDER HOOD AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002058 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. CONSUMER HAD THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE PEDAL ARE TOO SOFT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR BRAKES, AND THINKS THE CAUSE IS THE MASTER CYCLINDER. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003476 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
I HAD BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE. WHEN I PUT 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN DRIVE, IT SURGED FORWARD. I BRAKED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. I DEPRESSED BRAKE FULLY, NONETHELESS THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND VERY QUICKLY. VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED BY VIOLENT COLLISION WITH TWO PARKED VEHICLES AND CEMENT BLOCKS. ONLY GOOD FORTUNE PREVENTED DEATHS OF ANY PASSERS BY. WITNESSES OBSERVED MY FOOT FULLY ON THE DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AS THE CAR WAS AT REST AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007303 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007571 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND DISCOVERED WHAT I THINK IS A SAFETY CONCERN.THE TURN SIGNAL LEFT OR RIGHT DOES NOT SHUT OFF AUTOMATICLY WHEN EXITING OR ENTERING A RAMP OR WHEN TAKING A TURN THAT DOES NOT REQUIER A FULL TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL.MY WIFE BEEN IN TWO ALTERCATIONS ,ONE OF ROAD RAGE FROM ANOTHER DRIVER AND THE OTHER WAS A NEAR ACCIDENT ALL DUE TO SIGNAL NOT SHUTING OFF AUTOMATICLY WHEN RETURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK FROM MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN .NEVER IN THE 26 YEARS OF MY DRIVING CARS AND TRUCKS HAVE I HAD VEHICLE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008208 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
TAILPIPE ON 2003 CAMRY TO LOW TO GROUND. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008747 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
THE POWER WINDOWS WENT UP BY THEMSELVES, WITHOUT THE BUTTON BEING PRESSED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008747 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V346000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2004-07-13 (July 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗