Toyota Camry Complaints (2003)

782 consumer complaints on file.

#10561996January 27, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE SEEMED HARD TO START. IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS MISFIRING. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING PROFUSELY. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME, SHE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR. SHE FILLED THE RADIATOR WITH COOLANT AND MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND A BAD AIR CONDITION FAN, NO FREON IN THE SYSTEM, AND THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER PAID $1200.00 TO FIX THE ISSUES. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES, THE AC STOPPED WORKING, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE, AGAIN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO YEARS PRIOR, BUT DESPITE HAVING 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, INDICATED NO PROBLEM. IT WAS RE-SET 3 TIMES, BUT EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON EVERY TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559691January 13, 2014
ENGINE
THIS IS TO REPORT A FAILURE ON ENGINE MODEL #2AZ-FE (EFFECTS 2002-2007 CAMRYS, HIGHLANDERS AND RAV4) DUE TO STRIPPED CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY TOYOTA TSB2740 THAT RELATES TO THIS RECOGNIZED PROBLEM OF STEEL CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS STRIPPING OUT OF THE ALUMINUM ENGINE, ESPECIALLY ON THE FIREWALL OR BACKSIDE OF THE ENGINE POSSIBLY DUE TO A FOAM INSULATION PIECE TO PROTECT A PLASTIC MANIFOLD PART FROM HEAT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE FOAM PIECE ALLOWS A HEAT BUILD UP ON THE ENGINE SIDE. THE COSTS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WAS $2,131. AND INCLUDES MACHINING THE WARPED HEAD, NEW HEAD GASKET AND BOLTS AND A LONG THREAD INSERT SET. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT TOYOTA KNEW YEARS AGO OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TSB; BUT DID NOT RECALL FOR A SOLUTION BEFORE THIS LED TO METAL FAILURE AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. MANY OF THESE ENGINES WILL FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD OF 60K HAS EXPIRED. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO REMEDIES WITH TOYOTA CORP FOR THIS FAILURE, I WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING ABOUT IT. I AM GLAD TO REPORT THIS AS I SEE THAT MANY, MANY ENGINE FAILURES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS BASICALLY UNADDRESSED DESIGN PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556564December 18, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION
HAD A PROBLEM WITH WHEEL BEARING FRONT PASSENGER. IN FEBRUARY 2013 HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND 4 NEW TIRES. STARTING HEARING A BANGING NOISE IN REAREND OF CAR IN NOVEMBER 2013. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A BUSHING. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN JANUARY2014 TO HAVE THIS REPLACED. ON MONDAY DECEMBER 16, 2013 I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE INTERSTATE AND HAD NO CONTROL OF MY CAR. I ALMOST WENT INTO A POLE AND TRIED TO SWERVE TO AVOID A PASSING PICKUP TRUCK ON MY LEFT. I FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE. THE CAR WOULD GO OVER A BUMP OR TRY TO MAKE A CORNER AND IT WOULD SWAY TO THE LEFT. DROVE 15 MPH HOME AND DROVE TO MY MECHANIC . HE SAID THE STEERING RODS IN THE REAR ARE JUST LOOSE AND FELL OUT. MY CAR IS TEMPORARY WELDED TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I STILL HAVE A NOTE. I PURCHASED THE CAR MARCH 31ST 2011. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554540December 4, 2013
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, AND AS HE WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE PARKWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, DESPITE THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CONSEQUENTLY HE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A DEEP LACERATION TO HIS KNEE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10551614November 9, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY DAUGHTER WAS RETURNING HOME FROM COLLEGE AND LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE ON I-85 IN SOUTH CAROLINA, CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND CRASHED INTO TWO TRACTOR TRAILERS AND DIED AT THE SCENE. SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT AND DETERMINED SHE WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 90 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT A SPEED MY DAUGHTER WOULD TRAVEL AT. WITNESSES ALSO SAID SHE WAS PASSING PEOPLE ON THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED, WHICH IS SOMETHING SHE WOULD NOT DO EITHER. I BELIEVE THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND SHE COULD NOT STOP IT AND WAS DRIVING ON THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE WITH HER OUT OF CONTROL CAR. THE EMERGENCY LANE ENDED AND SHE HAD TO RE-ENTER THE TRAVEL LANE BUT LOST CONTROL AND CROSSED THE MEDIAN. MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN DRIVING FOR TWO YEARS AND HAS THOUSANDS OF MILES OF EXPERIENCE AND WOULD NOT DRIVE IN THIS MANNER, UNLESS SHE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE COMPLETED DRIVERS EDUCATION AND HAS HAD NO MOVING VIOLATIONS OF ANY KIND SINCE SHE HAS BEEN DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#10551446November 7, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545780September 24, 2013
AIR BAGS
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IN WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FENDER-BENDER, BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING, TURNED INTO A RATHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE, AS SHE WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT AHEAD, AND SENT HER TWO LANES OVER INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED HAD THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HER INJURIES, MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS SERIOUS. UPDATED 10/28/13
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10542239September 6, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPOT. AS I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. UNDER MY FOOT, THE GAS PEDAL MOVED ON ITS OWN, SPEEDING UP TO FRIGHTENING INTENSITY. MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO BRAKE DID NOT DISENGAGE THE ACCELERATION. I CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE. FINALLY, THE ABS KICKED IN (I FELT THE PULSATING OF THE BRAKING) AND CAR STOPPED, AFTER GOING OVER A CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER, A CURB, UP AN INCLINE AND STRIKING A 6 FOOT TALL COMMERCIAL FENCE. THE IMPACT PUSHED OVER THE FENCE TO ABOUT A 75 DEGREE ANGLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHICH EXAMINED THE CAR (THEY SAID), CHECKED FOR "CODES" REGARDING MY MODEL AND TOLD ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10541989September 5, 2013
ENGINE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AT 65,000 MILES I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE ON MORNING STARTUP. RESEARCH LED ME TO THE ENGINE HEAD NOT BEING SECURED BECAUSE OF THE STRIPPED BOLT PROBLEM. I STARTED USING A DIP STICK TO MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF COOLANT IN MY OVERFLOW BOTTLE BEFORE MORNING STARTUP. I PHYSICALLY MARK THE DIP STICK. THE COOLANT LOSS IS MINIMAL SO FAR. I NOW HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE QUESTION IS: DO I DARE TAKE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY? APPARENTLY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO BE MADE FOR A LAW OFFICE TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537599August 27, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY AT 6:30 AM, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE ON THE GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I THEN PULLED OVER AND LIFTED THE HOOD TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS OUT OF PLACE. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, SO I VEERED BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR ACCELERATED A LITTLE BUT NOT MUCH. AFTER A MILE I WAS DESCENDING ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. I KEPT PRESSING ON THE GAS AND THE CAR GOT SLOWER AND SLOWER AND FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE. I THEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR IN MORNING TRAFFIC AND PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY WITH THICK ON GOING TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK AND WAITED, ONCE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED HE ASK ME IF THE CAR WOULD CRANK? I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN, IT MADE THIS CLUCKING NOISE AND I KNEW THAT MY ENGINE WENT TO ENGINE HEAVEN. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION WITH ALL OF MY OIL CHANGES ON A CONSISTENT BASES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534701August 11, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS, POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS
I WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT WAITING TO TURN LEFT, WHEN SUDDENLY I GOT HIT FROM THE REAR RIGHT PART OF MY CAR. FROM THAT MOMENT THE CAR COULD NOT DRIVE.. THE REAR LEFT PART OF THE CAR BODY AND THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. THE REPAIR SHOP DECLARED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ANY MORE. ONLY LATER OF THE INCIDENT DID I REMEMBER THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532451July 29, 2013
ENGINE
AFTER TEN YEARS, MY 2003 CAMRY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY HUSBAND WAS ON ROUTE 20 WITH THE OIL SHOT OUT, STARTED SMOKING HE HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE 511 EMERGENCY SAW THE SMOKE FROM FAR AWAY WHICH MADE THEM FOLLOW THE SMOKE. MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ALL OF THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE EMPTIED OUT IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. TWO TOWS AT $189 A PIECE AND A DIAGNOSTIC FROM THE AUTO REPAIR AT $112. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515643June 7, 2013
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH IN A PARKING LOT , THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PROTECTED BARRIER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO PEDESTRIANS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION AND A BURN MARK CAUSED BY SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,911. UPDATED 7/17/13 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10514754June 2, 2013
AIR BAGS
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 DOOR SEDAN. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BUT NEITHER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY WIFE WAS THROWN AGAINST HER SEAT BELT CAUSING BRUISING AND THE DOOR CREATING LARGE BRUISES ON HER RIGHT HIP, KNEE, AND PAIN ACROSS THE CHEST (FROM THE SEAT BELT). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10511513May 11, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN, AS LOCK REFUSES TO MOVE. INITIALLY IT REFUSED TO LISTEN TO POWER OR REMOTE LOCKING, BUT NOW IT REFUSES TO MOVE FROM MANUAL LOCKING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD LEAD TO AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL. EVERYTHING ONLINE POINTS TO FAULTY DOOR ACTUATORS. HUNDREDS (IF NOT THOUSANDS) OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE. THE YEAR RANGE IS GUESSED TO BE 2002 TO 2005 OR 2007. 14 OTHER COMPLAINTS EXIST FOR THIS YEAR RANGE WITH THE DOOR ACTUATORS NOT WORKING: 10489801, 10483194, 10479564, 10461669, 10384238, 10369665, 10361184, 10342871, 10308523, 10308206, 10297834, 10284015, 10265333, AND 10253429. PLEASE, INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510683May 5, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS BEEN CURLED UP AND NOW IT'S STARTING TO CRACK, IT SEEMS THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOYED ANYTIME SOON. I KNOW THERE IS SOME ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT IN 2003 CAMRY, I JUST CAN'T ABLE TO FIND THE INFO AND DEALER IS NOT THE BIG HELP EITHER. THANKS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510701May 5, 2013
ENGINE
2002-2006 TOYOTA CAMRY & OTHER MODELS WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINES ( 2AZ) ENGINES BLOWN HEAD GASKET / STRIPPED HEAD BOLT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509286April 23, 2013
ENGINE
VIBRATIONS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD - VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND NOISY DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD ISSUE -IT IS BROKEN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504432March 25, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A SIGNALED LEFT TURN INTO A PAKING SPACE AT CVS PHARMACY. AS I BRAKED AND TURNED, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD HITTING A STACKED STONE PILLAR AND CAME TO A CRASHED STOP. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HAD A SCRAPE ON MY SCALP FROM THE SUN VISOR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502308March 11, 2013
ENGINE
WE FOUND COOLANT ON OUR GARAGE FLOOR. WE TOOK THE CAMRY TO OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BOLTS. WE WERE TOLD THAT A USED ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA HAD ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS TO THEIR DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM SOME YEARS BEFORE, BUT WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA'S 1-800-331-4331 NUMBER I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY EXTENSIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. BASED ON WHAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CAMRY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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