Toyota Camry Complaints (2003)

782 consumer complaints on file.

#10384238February 23, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IN MY 2003 CAMRY HAD A FAILURE OF THE LOCK ACTUATOR. IN MID JANUARY 2011, IT JUST WOULD NOT OPEN, NOT MANUALLY UNLOCKING AT THE DOOR HANDLE, WITH THE LOCK SWITCH IN THE CAR, OR THE REMOTE UNLOCK. THE CAR WAS NOT HIT OR DAMAGED BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, FOR $90 THEY TOOK APART THE DOOR AND SAID THE LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAILING, AND IT WOULD BE ALMOST $500 TO REPLACE IT. I DECLINED HAVING IT REPLACED AT THIS TIME, SINCE IT WORKED AFTER THE MECHANIC TOOK IT APART AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER (IT HAS BEEN ONE WEEK AND HAS NOT LOCKED UP AGAIN YET). I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED SINCE MY CHILD RIDES IN THE BACK SEAT, AND I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM. IF THE CAR WERE HIT IN THE SIDE THAT WORKED, I WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET HER OUT OF THE CAR, WITHOUT PULLING HER THROUGH THE FRONT SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383360February 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. COOLANT LEAKING, PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, SAY MANY OTHER PEOPLE STATING HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET UNDER VEHICLE REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT 100,000 MILES. VERY UPSET. SAME DESCRIPTION AS EVERY ONE ELSE, GURGLING NOISE, COOLANT BEING QUICKLY REMOVED, MECHANIC CHASING THE PROBLEM TO THE ENGINE, ENGINE REPLACED. CALLED TOYOTA, JOKE OF A REACTION, NO APOLOGY OR ANY OFFER OF COMPENSATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382979February 16, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,175 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,275.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381602February 11, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, CAUSING HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN THREE VEHICLE CRASHES CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF TWO VEHICLES AND THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURING ENGINEER EXAMINED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER BUT THERE WAS NO RECORDED BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,600.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10382070February 8, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 CAMRY WAS NO LONGER HEATING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEAT ON 'HIGH.' THEN I REALIZED THE THERMOSTAT WAS IN THE 'RED.' I HAD ANTIFREEZE ADDED AND IT WORKED FINE FOR 24 HOURS. THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND THE THERMOSTAT WENT DOWN TO 'NORMAL' RANGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, WHO ADDED MORE ANTIFREEZE. IT WORKED FINE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN: NO HEAT IN CABIN AND THERMOSTAT ON 'RED.' I COOLED IT DOWN AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. HE SAID THE BOLTS WERE NOT PUT IN PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING. I SEE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I CALL TOYOTA (1800 331-4331). THE REP SAYS TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ABOUT THIS, LEAVING ME SOL (SIMPLY OUT OF LUCK). RIGHT NOW, I'M LOOKING AT HAVING TO SPEND AT LEAST $1600 TO REPAIR A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE. REMEMBER, 'TOYOTA TOUGH?' I'VE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA OWNER FOR YEARS ' BUT I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE MY LAST. ' SIGNED, DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381018February 7, 2011
STEERING
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 SATISFACTION THROUGH THE DISTRICT OR NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380188February 4, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION IN JANUARY OF 2009, BUT THEY WERE NOT TOLD WHY. A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND NOW THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANS AXLE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE GEAR SHIFT BOX, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND MAKE A BANGING NOISE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 70,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED; HOWEVER, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS VALID UP TO 75,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 1/3/11 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379993February 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL WHEN THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL MIXED IN WITH THE OIL BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMELL MOVED THROUGH THE VENTS AND BURNED HER EYES. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE GASKETS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378632January 25, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FAULTY THERMOSTAT OR THE HEADERS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,668.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378507January 24, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK ON THE HEAD GASKET AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,600. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 04/29/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376542January 13, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN, IT ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAK, IT FAILED TO STOP AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT SLAMMED ON A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. I SUFFERED INJURIES ALONG WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10374737January 5, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THE LOW ANTI FREEZE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE BOLTS SEPARATING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373836January 3, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN MARCH 2010 I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S TOYOTA THAT I BELIEVE I EITHER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO FIX OR HAVE TOYOTA SHARE IN THE COST. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA TO REGISTER THE COMPLAINT THEY SAID COULDN'T HELP ME, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. MY WIFE'S CAMRY (2003 WITH JUST UNDER 100,000 MILES) DEVELOPED A LEAK IN ITS HEAD GASKET, SO I TOOK IT INTO OUR LOCAL GARAGE. THEY LOOKED AT IT (PRESSURE TEST) CONFIRMED IT WAS LEAKING AND WENT ON LINE (IDENTIFIX.COM) TO SEE WHAT EXPERIENCES OTHER MECHANICS HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED FIXES. THE RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS BEING REPORTED FREQUENTLY AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT ALSO RESULTED IN A MORE SEVERE PROBLEM OF STRIPPING THE ENGINE BOLTS OUT OF THE BLOCK, REQUIRING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC SAID I WOULD BE BEST OFF TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE IF IT WAS MORE THAN JUST THE HEAD GASKET, I MAY BE ABLE TO WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THEM. IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET SHOULDN'T CAUSE THE STRIPPING OF THE ENGINE BOLTS. WE TOOK IT INTO OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INVESTIGATED - TOOK THE HEAD OFF - AND FOUND THAT IT WAS WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD FEARED, THREE ENGINE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. COST FOR A NEW ENGINE BLOCK, HEAD, LABOR, ETC. $7,500. I TOLD THEM WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND ONLINE - THIS WAS HAPPENING A LOT TO THIS TYPE ENGINE (2003 - 6) - AND MY BELIEF THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT TOYOTA COULD DO TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OR WAS THERE A RECALL, ETC. THE SERVICE REP SAID NO... NO HELP FROM TOYOTA. I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK AND CAN YOU SEND YOU COPIES, INCLUDING THE IDENTIFIX REPORT. CONSIDERING ALL THE PRESSURE PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT, AND LAWYERS HAD TO EXERT ON TOYOTA TO GET THEM TO ADMIT AND ADDRESS THE RECENT ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD CHECK OR ADD MY CASE TO A DATABASE TO SEE IF SOME LEGAL ACTION IS WARRANTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374149December 29, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WAS AT A FULL STOP, READY TO EXIT A PARKING LOT. IMMEDIATELY UPON STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR, CAR SHOT FORWARD, JUMPED A CURB AND PROGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED. I ATTEMPTED FULL BRAKING WITH NO EFFECT, IMMEDIATELY PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND CONCENTRATED ON STEERING TO AVOID CARS IN ROAD. VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP FOR 1.5 BLOCKS. CAR MAT HAD NOT MIGRATED, ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE POSITIONS DID NOT APPEAR OR FEEL ABNORMAL. VEHICLE HAD PERFORMED WITHOUT MAJOR PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS/ FROM 50,000 MI (WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR) UNTIL DATE OF INCIDENT. ANALYSIS BY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FAILED TO ASCERTAIN CAUSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372394December 25, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I AM THE OWNER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY . AND I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAIN DUE TO THE ENGINE DEFECTS IN MY VEHICLE . IN APRIL 2008 , I DISCOVERED THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND IT WAS SO SEVERE THAT I HAD TO TAKE TO THE MECHANIC SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE MECHANIC DID THE PRESSURE TEST COOLING SYSTEM TEST AND FOUND COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM CYLINDER HAD BY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD . THE MECHANIC REMOVED VALVE COVER AND FOUND 2 HEAD BOLTS LOOSE .MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY 56000 MILES AT THAT TIME. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE CAR COULD OVERHEAT ANY MINUTES. SO THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED .IT COSTS ME $2700 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE .SO I REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURE /DEALERS IN TORRANCE . THEY RESPOND TO ME THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I REQUESTED NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD FROM CALIFORNIA TO HELP ME TO RESOLVE THE MATTER . THE TOYOTA STILL INSISTED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369630December 8, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT HAVE ANY RESISTANCE AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ACCELERATING FOR A SHORT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,500.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369665December 8, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCKS FOR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WORK INTERMITTENTLY?? THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON HERE NOW I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PART (ACTUARIES) FOR THE DOOR LOCK? I DO ALSO AGREE THAT IT COULD POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM AS SOMETIMES THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK AT ALL WITHOUT HAVING TO FORCE IT AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN A POND OR DITCH FILLED WITH WATER THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS!! [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
#10365452November 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 23,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365478November 12, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364197November 5, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE CAR STALLS WHEN IN MOTION. NO WARNING AT ALL. COULD BE GOING 10MPH OR 65MPH, AND IT SUDDENLY GOES TO IDLE SPEED. DEALER SAID IT IS THROTTLE BODY (ELECTRONIC SENSOR?) ISSUE AND MUST BE REPLACED FOR $1200. WARRANTY IS 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 77,000 MILES. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA. OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!! NOT ONLY IS THIS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF, BUT TOYOTA AND NHTSA SEEM TO BE IGNORING THE PROBLEM. MY CONGRESSMAN AND CT CONSUMER PROTECTION WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS AND I URGE YOU TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP-------SAVE (LIVES) TOYOTA DRIVERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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