Toyota Camry Complaints (2003)

782 consumer complaints on file.

#10706467April 18, 2015
ENGINE
THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER, A RATTLING SOUND COULD BE HEARD UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE CHANGING LANES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND A LOUD POUNDING SOUND COULD BE HEARD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. JUST AFTER TURNING ONTO THE SIDE STREET FROM EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR DIED. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WITHIN A 5 MINUTE PERIOD. UPON OPENING THE HOOD, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RESERVOIR FOR THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS BONE DRY. THE RADIATOR HAD BEEN FLUSHED AND REFILLED ONLY 2 MONTHS EARLIER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. UPON THEIR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT PREVIOUS TO THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON MINUTES BEFORE THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. IN AUGUST, 2012, A RUSHING FLUID SOUND COULD BE HEARD IN THE DASH AREA. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, ALL HOSES AND A RADIATOR FLUSH WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. IN FEBRUARY 2013, THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RUSHING FLUID SOUND COULD STILL BE HEARD OFTEN. IF THE RADIATOR FLUID RESERVOIR WAS TOPPED OFF, GENERALLY THE SOUND WOULD STOP. THE FLUID SOUND BEGAN AGAIN IN JANUARY 2015. THAT WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR GETTING THE RADIATOR FLUSHED. A NEW RADIATOR CAP WAS ALSO INSTALLED AT THAT TIME. I NEVER HEARD THE RUSHING FLUID SOUND AFTER THAT FLUSH. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM FORCED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE COST OF A USED MOTOR AND ALL LABOR IS ALMOST $5,000. THAT'S APPROXIMATELY WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF ALMOST IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10695324March 19, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPECIFIED IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10695183March 18, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL DRY CLEANERS. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED RAPIDLY FORWARD GOING OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691323March 1, 2015
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO GET GAS 1/2 MILE DOWN ROAD. WHEN RETURNED FROM GAS STATION WE PULLED ONTO PROPERTY , TURNED OFF CAR AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. TOTAL LOSS FOR CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691120February 27, 2015
ENGINE
MY WIFE HAD TAKEN HER 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE IN JANUARY, 2012 AND TOLD THE DEALER THAT SHE HAD BEEN HEARING UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE ENGINE FOR SOME TIME. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A BULLETIN TO THE DEALERS REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DATED APRIL 15, 2008. IT IS CURIOUS THAT THE BULLETIN STATED THAT "THIS REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER THE TOYOTA FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY. THIS IS IN EFFECT FOR 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST-". THE BULLETIN IS DATED APRIL 15, 2008 AND IS TO COVER VEHICLES OF THE 2002-2004 MODEL YEAR CAMRY. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AS SUPPOSEDLY COVERING VEHICLES BUILT 2002-2004 AND ISSUE A BULLETIN IN 2008 AND THEN SAY THERE IS A 36 MONTH WARRANTY FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN SERVICE. WE WERE NEVER ADVISED OF THIS BULLETIN UNTIL 2012 AND REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE COST OF $ 765.52 ON MARCH 27, 2012. WE SENT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680850February 3, 2015
ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE VALVES TO THE ENGINE HAD BECOME LOOSE AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO RUN ON TO THE EXHAUST. AS A RESULT, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10676996January 21, 2015
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,259.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10669754January 2, 2015
AIR BAGS
THIS CAR HAS AN AIRBAG STARTING TO COME OF OUT OF IT CONTAINMENT. IT IS THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. IT BEGAN AT ABOUT 50K BUT NOW IS GETTING WORSE AND THE MILEAGE IS OVER 74K. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST DEALER WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 63K. IT GETS WORSE EVERY DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661321November 30, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPING, SO THE CRUISE CONTROL CANCEL BUTTON WAS PRESSED. INSTEAD OF THE CAR DECELERATING, IT QUICKLY ACCELERATED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAD BEEN PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES WERE QUICKLY PRESSED, BUT BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, IT HIT THE REAR END OF THE CAR AHEAD. THE PERSON IN THE OTHER CAR HAD A PRECAUTIONARY MEDICAL EXAM A FEW DAYS LATER, BUT NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE CAMRY WERE NOT INJURED AND AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THE CAMRY WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE OTHER CAR WAS REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661133November 27, 2014
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT APPEARS TO BE LATCHED BUT ISN'T ALWAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10654987November 14, 2014
STEERING
PLEASE ADD ME TO OTHER CAMRY OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT STEERING NOISE, EITHER AT REST OR DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, STEERING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT: CLICKING SOUND HAPPENS AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THE NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. NOW I HAVE LOST THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. SO, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING SOME KIND OF SWITCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING COLUMN! I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES WHICH ARE ALL FINE! READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND REALIZING THAT TOYOTA IS NOT OWNING TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE OWNERS HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED. IT DEFINITELY IS A DESIGN PROBLEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651189October 29, 2014
ENGINE
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING!!! WENT TO REPLACE THE GASKET AND THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND HAD TO HAVE TO HAVE A HEAD BOLT REPAIR KIT PUT IN ALONG WITH THE GASKET KIT WHICH WITH LABOR COST ME OVER 4,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS! THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM BLOCK THAT OVER HEATED BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAK WHICH IN THAT OVERHEATED THE BLOCK/BOLTS AND CAUSED THEM TO STRIP THE THREAD FROM THE BLOCK BOLT, IN THAT HAD TO GET A REPAIR KIT DRILL THE HOLE OUT INSERT A STEAL COIL TO HOLD THE STEAL BOLT IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK!!! POINT BEING I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS FACTORY ERROR OF AN ALUMINUM HEAD THAT EITHER SHOULD HAVE HAD STEAL INSERTS OR A STEAL BLOCK TO BEGIN WITH FOR ABOUT 4,000 WHICH IS CLOSE TO WHAT THE CAR WOULD COST IF I BOUGHT IT AT THIS TIME WITH THE MILES CURRENTLY ON IT!!! A WASTE OF MY MONEY WHEN THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM TOYOTA IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! I HONESTLY CAN SAY THAT THIS IS MY 3RD CAMRY I HAVE OWNED AND I HAVE ALWAYS SWORE BY THE TOYOTA CAMRY BUT AFTER MY RESEARCH AND MY MONEY AND MY HEADACHE I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN HOW THERE NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE ON THIS ONE AND US AS TOYOTA OWNERS LOVE AND VALUE THE TOYOTA NAME COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT ITS VERY UPSETTING I'VE DROVE THE CAMRY SINCE 2004 AND BEEN SO PROUD OF THE NAME AND PASSED ALONG THE GOOD QUALITY OF THE CAMRY NAME ON AND ON THEN I COME ACROSS THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AND TOYOTA WON'T STEP UP TO THE PLATE ON IT REALLY TARNISHES THE NAME FOR ME!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649913October 25, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED AND REVVED TO VERY HIGH RPM'S. I MANAGED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND FINALLY SHIFT THE CONTROLS TO NEUTRAL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO NORMAL RPM'S AND I TURNED OFF THE KEY. TOYOTA FIRST CLAIMED "DRIVER ERROR", THEN ENTRAPMENT OF THE GAS PETAL BY A FLOOR MAT, THEN "DRIVER ERROR" AGAIN, ALLEGING I HAD "BRAKED INCORRECTLY AND MUST HAVE HIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE"!! I WAS SIMPLY LOW-SPEED DRIVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS, WHEN THEIR CAR RACED SUDDENLY ON ITS OWN ACCORD. I HAD NOT HIT THE BRAKES UNTIL I HAD TO EMERGENCY-STOP A RUNAWAY CAR! DEALER SAYS THEY "CHECKED THE COMPUTER" AND THERE ARE "NO ISSUES" TO RESOLVE! THIS IS A BLATANT, LETHAL DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649580October 24, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING IN MANO ROAD N E BEEN I SANTI TO USE THE BRAKE TO MAKE A CHANCE LINE BEVANDE I ATTIVE TO MY APPARTAMENTO I ROUND TENERE SAS NO BRAKE IN SECONDA AT THATCHER TIME I DEPENDANCE ON UDINE HANBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR N THAI CHALLENGER ERICE WITH IN 15 MINUTES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649652October 24, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
ON OCTOBER 21 I WAS RETURN TO MY HOME MY SPEED WAS 40 ON A MAIN STREET AND WHEN I START TO SLOW MY SPEED USING THE BRAKE I SHOCKED THERE WAS NO BRAKE N I TRIED THEN I USED THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR .ALL THAT HAPPENED IN SECONDS .... AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO TO THE NEAREST MECHANICS THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED .... THE 2 THINGS WERE WITHIN 15 MINUTES ... I STILL TERRIFIED WHAT I WILL DO IF THAT HAPPENED AND I USUALLY PICK MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WITH ME ... THE MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR N HE DID NOT FIND ANY SERIES THING.... SO WHAT IS GOING ON??? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649671October 24, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 APPEARS AS THOUGH IT MAY BURST OPEN AT ANY TIME. THERE IS A PORTION OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE PART OF THE AIRBAG HANGING OUT ON THE DASHBOARD. EACH YEAR IT GETS WORST. I LIVE IN A WARM WEATHER STATE, AND WONDER IF THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BULGING AIRBAG. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO TAKE TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE MY GRANDKIDS RIDING WITH ME ALL THE TIME NOW THAT THEY LIVE CLOSER TO ME, AND I AM AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649044October 21, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABLE TO SIMPLY RE-START THE CAR WITH EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR (OR ANYTHING ELSE). THE PROBLEM WAS ERRATIC SO IT NEVER OCCURRED WITH THE MECHANICS. NOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS OCCASIONALLY WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OR BRIGHTS OF THE CAR ON. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (10/11/14) WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF (AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS: GPS, AC, RADIO, ETC). EVEN THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THEN, IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS, EVERYTHING TURNED ON AGAIN. THE CAR'S ENGINE DID NOT EVEN NEED TO BE RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR 20+ MILES. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST, HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT TRIGGERED IN THE PAST BY TURNING THE LIGHTS ON. THERE WAS NO APPARENT TRIGGER AT ALL. THE PROBLEM IS ERRATIC AND DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10644816October 15, 2014
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE
TL* 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643724October 9, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOODING OF FLOOR BOARDS. RUGS, AND THE WELLS UNDER RUGS LIKE A POOL FILLING UP WITH WATER ABOUT THREE INCHES DEEP, AFFECTING FRONT DRIVERS AREA AND THE REST OF THE CAR FLOOR BOARDS FRONT AND BACK. MECHANIC ADVISES DUE TO OPENING OF BODY SEAMS IN THREE PLACES. COST TO REPAIR, AND REPLACEMENT OF RUGS THAT WERE UNABLE TO BE DRIED $2,000. NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AUTO IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE OTHERWISE AND MAINTAINED SCRUPULOUSLY. OWNED BY LITTLE OLD LADY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643115October 7, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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