2003 Toyota Camry

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2008· STEERING

  THEY REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND CHARGED ME OVER $700 TO DO THIS AND I FOUND TECHNICAL BULLETINS STATING THIS WAS A DEFECT WITH THE CAMRY AND I WROTE TO TOYOTA AND NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR

• 12/31/2003· TIRES

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CONTINENTAL TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR TIRE FAILURE WITH THREE OF THE CONTINENTAL TIRES WHILE TRAVELING ALONG THE SAME ROAD. THE FIRST FAILED TIRE COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. THE SECOND WAS REPAIRED AT NTB. *PH *NM

• 12/30/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND NECK AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK AND LEGS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

• 12/30/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE CVS PARKING LOT. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE TO GET OUT THE PARKING. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATED AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE HIT OTHER TWO VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT AND FINALLY STOPPED. WITNESSES WERE AT THE SCENE AND POLICES WERE ARRIVED TO MAKE A REPORT. *TR

• 12/30/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IS FAULTY FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS BUILT. TOYOTA IS SAYING THAT THEY WON'T COVER AS ITS NOT IN WARRANTY. HOW CAN A PART THAT WAS FAULTY FROM THE DATE IT WAS INSTALLED NOT BE COVERED. IT IS CLEARLY A FACTORY ISSUE IN THEIR OWN ADMISSION. HOW CAN THEY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING? *TR

• 12/30/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WENT TO DRIVE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. STARTED THE CAR TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE AND GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK, THE MOTOR STARTED RACING DURING THIS TIME. TURNED OFF CAR GOT OUT OF CAR TO WAIT TILL LATER TO RUN ERRAND AND DECIDED TO TRY ONE MORE TIME. START CAR AGAIN TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE. IT SECEEDED THIS TIME BUT THE CAR ACCELLERATED OUT OF THE GARAGE RAPIDLY W/ OUT MY ASSISTANCE. DAMAGING SEVERAL ITEMS ON ITS WAY OUT OF THE GARAGE.*AK

• 12/30/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE NEW MODEL YEAR 03 AND 04 TOYOTA CAMRY SEDANS, SIENNA MINI VANS HAVE POORLY DESIGNED AND OR MIS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS CAUSING BLINDING GLARE TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS IN FRONT OF THESE VEHICLES. THE EXCESSIVELY GLARING LIGHT CAUSED EYE PAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

• 12/29/2010· 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.

• 12/29/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2005, THE POWER LOCKS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY BEGAN TO FAIL. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS THE FIRST TO MALFUNCTION, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND, MOST RECENTLY, THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I HAVE REPLACED 2 OF THE 3 MECHANISMS AT SIGNIFICANT COST. NOW THE THIRD IS FAILING. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK.

• 12/29/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. JB UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF UPDATED 04/12/10.*JB UPDATED 08/26/10. *JB

• 12/28/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

  CAMRY 2003 BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL FROZE WHEN DRIVING AND WOULD NOT PRESS DOWN AT ALL. FRANTICALLY, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 MPH AND 30 MPH, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PEDAL DOWN. (I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND TESTED THE BRAKES. THOUGH THE BRAKES SHOWED THAT THEY WERE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY, THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY FREEZING. I HAD TO CONTINUALLY TRY TO PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN AND FRANTICALLY WARNED MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR THAT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WOULDN'T BUDGE, THAT I LOST THE BRAKES. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS AT LEAST 1500 FEET BEFORE THE PEDAL EVENTUALLY WENT DOWN, WITH TIGHT HESITATION). *AK

• 12/27/2019· ENGINE

  ENGINE OVERHEATED AND HEAD GASKET BLOWN DUE TO HEAD BOLT THREADS BEING STRIPPED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING STUCK ON A DANGEROUS ROAD OR LEFT TO WALK ALONE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR THIS.

• 12/27/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE OVER HEAT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE HEAD BOLTS FAILED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

• 12/26/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT HAD SLIGHT RAIN DURING. EARLY MORNING, I WAS DRIVING IT KEEPING IT IN MIND THAT IT HAS SOME PROBLEM.... DRIVING AT 35-40 M/HR. THE CAR BEFORE ME STOPS ON THE STOP SIGN AND TRY TO STOP FOLLOWING 3 SECONDS RULE, HIT THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY BUT HEARD GRINDING SOUND AND DIDN'T STOP AND NEED TO GO TO ANOTHER INCOMING LANE ON THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAD THE SIMILAR PROBLEM..... ONE IN 2010 ONE IN 2011. I WENT TO JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY MO AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT WAS THEIR CLOSING TIME.... MET WITH ONE OF THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER .... EXPLAINED BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE OF ABS. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD HONDA 2002 AND NEVER HAVE TO SCARE ABOUT THESE TYPE OF INCIDENTS BUT WHY IT IS HAPPENING WITH TOYOTA. HE INSISTED THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE . LATER DURING REGULAR OIL CHANGE I ASKED TO CHECK BRAKES AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY FAULT THERE. I TOLD THEM THE INCIDENT THEY DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.... THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ONE DAY WAS DRIVING WITH FEAR ON INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANE. AFTER THAT I RARELY TAKE THE CAR FOR INTERSTATE DRIVING. IF DO I ALWAYS SCARE AND START USING BRAKES BEFORE 1/4TH OF THE MILE. AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE TO GET HELP FROM TOYOTA COMPANY WHY IT IS HAPPENING AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO SUE THEM LATER WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENED. IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMER, TAKE MY CAR AND FIX IT. *TR

• 12/26/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND SAID I HAD SLUDGE BUILD UP AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK - QUOTE $6200. THIS HAPPENED 2 DAYS BEFORE XMAS. I WAS STUNNED AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO MANAGEMENT. TOYOTA DENIED ANY SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND FAILED TO MENTION THAT A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WAS MADE FOR MODELS UP TO 2002 FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2003 WITH THE SAME ENGINE SPECS.*TR

• 12/25/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/23/2003· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION/ENGINE AT MODERATE SPEEDS (50 MPH) STUMBLES WHEN THROTTLE INPUT IS REMOVED. THE CONCERN IS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURS. DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME THROTTLE INPUT IS REMOVED. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE MODE.

• 12/22/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN LOW CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL BY ITSELF. WHEN MASTER CYLINDER FLUID IS ADDED THE PEDAL RETURNS TO ITS CORRECT POSITION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. *AK

• 12/21/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER AN EMBANKMENT, AND THEN INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE LOWER PART OF THE BODY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BODY SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO INVESTIGATED THE ACCELERATOR, AND CONCLUDED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, TWO YEARS PRIOR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN VEHICLE CONTROL, THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

• 12/21/2008· SUSPENSION

  MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF MY CAMRY> SUSPENSION APPEARS TO BE OFF FROM FACTORY AND IT CAUSES UNEVEN WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES> MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 52 K MILES AND IT'S HAD 4 SETS OF TIRES ALREADY. IT HAS BEEN ALIGNED 3 TIMES AND THE ALIGNMENT SHOP SAYS THERE IS NO ISSUES. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY TOYOTA CAMRY'S. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. *TR

• 12/21/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PLUNGE TO FLOOR MAT. THE PEDAL HEIGHT WAS VERY LOW, PUMPING PEDAL INCREASES THE HEIGHT. THE CAR WILL STOP, CONTINUED PRESSURE CAUSES PEDAL TO DROP TO FLOOR. *JB WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF, THE PEDAL WOULD TOUCH THE FLOOR. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING THE PEDAL WAS ABOUT ONE QUARTER INCH FROM THE FLOOR. *TC *SC

• 12/20/2012· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THEY REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/20/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  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

• 12/18/2013· 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

• 12/18/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE DAY I BEGAN TO SMELL ANTIFREEZE IN MY CAR. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHO INFORMED HIM THAT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. MY CAR HAS ONLY 77,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. WHILE REPAIRING MY VEHICLE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR SCREWS POPPED OUT. IT COST ME OVER 1700.00 TO REPAIR. MY MECHANIC REPORTED THIS TO BE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR'S HEAD GASKET TO GO WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. "IT'S UNHEARD OF". TOYOTA CLAIMS I AM NOT COVERED BECAUSE I'M OVER THE MILEAGE AND WOULD NOT HELP ME. CLEARLY THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

• 12/15/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AND ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *NM UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/23/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW

• 12/13/2011· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE SPRING BROKE IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHERE IT CLICKS IN AND SEAT BELT WON'T STAY FASTENED. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/13/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN A LINE OF CARS WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE TO OUR CAR. AGAIN, THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE FLOOR MAT (1) WAS ALL THE WAY BACK AGAINST BASE OF THE SEATS AND NOT IN THE AREA OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND (2) THE MAT IS BY DESIGN, CUT BACK 3 TO 4 INCHES SHORT OF THE CARPETED AREA UNDER, NEAR AND AROUND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND (3) THE BASE AND REAR OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE SUSPENDED 2 1/2 TO 3 INCHES AWAY FROM THE CARPETED FLOOR AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO A POSITION CLOSE TO THE FLOOR--AND IT DEFINITELY BEYOND THE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE THAT DRIVERS WOULD/COULD PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE ASSOCIATE WHO SAID "NO PROBLEM FOUND." PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR PERIODICALLY, BUT WE NOW KNOW TO PRESS DOWN HARDER THAN NORMAL WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. (WE ALSO NOTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH OUR 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE--BUT THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE. WHEN STARTING UP IN THE MORNING AND BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH FOOT COVERING THE BRAKE (AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL), THE ENGINE RPMS SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND IF YOU AREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DON'T HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR CAN SPEED UP SIGNIFICANTLY AND GO OUT OF CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO REPORTED TO TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE ASSOCIATE WHO ALSO SAID: "NO PROBLEM FOUND.") *TR SEE ALSO 10174244, SAME COMPLAINANT, DIFFERENT VEHICLE. *DSY

• 12/12/2018· SEAT BELTS

  THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING EVERY DAY TRIP AND ALL THE TIME FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, WHEN I PUT IT ON I REDO IT OVER AND OVER UNTIL IT LATCHES PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO LATCH IT.

• 12/12/2016· ENGINE

  ONE DAY I START MY CAR AND LEAVE IT TO WARM UP FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WHEN I GOT IN IT I NOTICE IT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR FROM VENTS,I STARTED DRIVING AND IT START GETTING HOT ,SO DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION, ABOUT FEW DAYS AFTER MY WIFE DROVE TO CHURCH AND CALL ME TO SAY THERE'S NO HEAT INSIDE, I TOLD HER CO COME BACK HOME ,WHEN I CHECK THE RADIATOR IT WAS ALMOST DRY,I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT,I FILL IT BACK UP AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, AND I START GETTING HEAT INSIDE AGAIN, TOOK IT ON THE ROAD FOR A TEST DRIVE ONLY TO START GETTING COLD AIR AGAIN SO I WENT HOME BACK PUT ABOUT A CUP OF ANTIFREEZE AND LIFT THE CAR ONLY TO FIND THAT THE LEAKING IS COMING FROM BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD,MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S LEAKING FROM THE HEAD BECAUSE THE BOLTS GO STRIPED AND THE HEAD IS SEPARATED FROM THE BLOCK AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS,AND IT'S GOING TO NEED A KNEW ENGINE, WHICH I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO BUY, TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE ISSUES, THERE'S A LOT OF OWNER GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. *TR

• 12/12/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB

• 12/12/2005· VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. AFTER A WHILE, BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

• 12/12/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  APPROACHING INTERSECTION THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP BEFORE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. SPEED AT IMPACT WAS APPROX. 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. JUST RECENTLY HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SOFT BRAKE PEDAL CHECKED, AND WAS TOLD OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CONCERNING PROBLEM. *JB

• 12/12/2003· STEERING

  FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE OF VEHICLE, THE CAR TRACKS LEFT. THE TRACKING TO THE LEFT OCCURS IN ANY LANE AT ANY TIME. I HAVE HAD INTO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. FIRST TWO VISITS RESULTED IN COMMENTS THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL" AND THE CROWN OF THE ROAD. A THIRD VISIT, AT ANOTHER DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TOE WAS "SLIGHTLY" OFF. WHILE THIS HAS AMELIORATED THE PROBLEM, IT CONTINUES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS "TYPICAL" FOR CAMRY'S WITH 16" WHEELS. I FIND THIS SITUATION UNACCEPTABLE. THE 15" WHEEL CAMRY DOES NOT APPEAR TO SUFFER FROM THIS CONDITION.*AK

• 12/11/2017· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  ON DECEMBER 7,2017, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT IN FLORIDA. AS I STARTED GOING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE. I HAD A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING.I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. LUCKILY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I KEPT PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT TOOK TIME FOR THE STEEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND TO ME. I SHUT OFF THE CAR BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I HAD 2 WITNESSES IN THE CAR.WHO SAW THAT MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE, AND THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PASSENGER CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT, AND IT WAS LYING COMPLETELY FLAT. I DO NOT KNOW WHY I HAD THIS LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME IN 2010, WHEN I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION,AND MY CAR HIT A TREE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND WILLL NOT DO SO BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE.

• 12/11/2015· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF COOLANT WAS PRESENT, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY INCREASED TO HIGH, AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN DUE TO FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET BOLTS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

• 12/11/2006· STEERING

  AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES, A KNOCKING SOUND BEGAN TO BE AUDIBLE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS SEVERAL DEGREES AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS IN PARKING. THE KNOCK APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE SAME FREQUENCY AS THE KNOCK AND A SLIGHT LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. THE NOISE AND SLIGHT JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL GRADUALLY WORSENED WITH TIME, AND THE CAR WAS JUST BEYOND THE GENERAL WARRANTY PERIOD WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER WAS "BAD STEERING COLUMN; NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". AS IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENT, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE COST WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $1000 AT THE TIME. NO REPAIR HAS YET BEEN DONE. THE KNOCK HAS CONTINUED AND AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES A SQUEAKING NOISE BEGAN TO ACCOMPANY THE KNOCK. NO DIFFICULTY STEERING AT NORMAL SPEED (E.G. DRIFTING) HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED AND NO ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. THE INCIDENCE DATE IS THE DATE THE SQUEAKING NOISE WAS FIRST NOTICED. *JB

• 12/10/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK DUE TO THE ENTRAPMENT OF THE FLOOR MAT. SHE USUALLY HAS TO MANUALLY REMOVE THE FLOOR-MAT TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY-TIME SHE OPERATED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 09V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL), SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT COULD NOT REACH A REPRESENTATIVE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE FLOOR- MAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 162,000.

• 12/10/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, THEN THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED AND READJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES. *AK THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE GROUND. *SCC *JB

• 12/09/2015· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

  "TAKATA RECALL" - I AM EXPERIENCING A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT & RIGHT, THE WHOLE DASH BOARD SHAKES WHEN THE AC OR HEAT IS ON, BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR & MAKING SOUNDS, AND WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT WILL MOVE FORWARD.

• 12/09/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE NOISE CAUSED BY INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACK AS DIAGNOSED BY A TOYOTA SERVICE DEALER. *TR

• 12/09/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE-ABS-VSC-TRAC OFF LIGHTS IN MY DASH HAVE BEEN COMING ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. FIRST JUST ONCE, THEN A WEEK LATER EVERY COUPLE DAYS, FINALLY 3 TIMES IN ONE MORNING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC, THEY SAID THERE WERE NO CODES. THEN I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND SOMEONE SUGGESTED VENTING THE GAS CAP. IT STILL CAME ON AGAIN LATER THAT DAY, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITH THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY BRAKE, ABS/VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS HAVE BEEN COMING ON IN MY 2003 CAMRY LEV6 BECAUSE THE VSC COMPUTER NEEDS REPLACING FOR ALMOST $1,800. ON A CAR WITH ONLY 25K MILES THAT IS ABSURD AND I REFUSED!! THE DEALER CONSULTANT EVEN SAID THAT WAS ODD. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT FOR THIS TO GO BAD. I HAVE READ ON-LINE FORUMS WHERE MANY TRUCK AND SUV OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND A PROBLEM TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. I AM NOT ABOUT TO SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY ON A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE. SOME OWNERS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT VARIOUS SENSORS COULD BE AT FAULT AND NOT THE WHOLE COMPUTER. ONE OWNER SAID HE FOUND IT WAS A BAD BRAKE PAD! I THINK THE SENSORS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR REPLACEMENT. WHETHER IT IS THE SENSORS OR THE COMPUTER, IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT, AND TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR IT. *TR

• 12/09/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ROTTEN EGG SMELL CAME INTO THE VEHICLE, IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED OR OPENED. CONSUMER FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN THE NOSE AND THE THROAT. DEALERSHIP/ FLOOR MANAGER MADE AN INCREDIBLE STATEMENT, INQUIRING IF PRESIDENT BUSH PUT SULFUR IN THE GAS, CALL HIM. *AK

• 12/08/2015· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT AFTER SWITCHING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWITCHED IN THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,705.

• 12/08/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.

• 12/08/2010· 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

• 12/07/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE STOPPED A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A FENCE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND WAS TREATED FOR A CONCUSSION, BRUISES AND LACERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND RULED AS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

• 12/07/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  2003 CAMRY WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *TS THE ELECTRONIC PART FOR THE ACCELERATOR WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER AFTER EACH ACCIDENT. *NM

• 12/07/2004· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH FRONT END VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *AK

• 12/06/2013· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURECrash

  DRIVER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL PASSENGER SIDE CRASH. THIS CRASH WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO DESTROY FRONT BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS, HOOD, PASSENGER SIDE FENDER, WHEEL/ TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO FACE & EYES WITH SEVERAL FACIAL FRACTURES, BROKEN NOSE WHEN FACE IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL. UPDATED 12-13-13 *BF UPDATED 12/18/13