TroubleCAR
85
Trouble

2003 Toyota Camry

Complaints: 779Avg mileage: 61,044 miSince: Nov 2002
5 deathsCrashFire105 injured

Problem Areas

Vehicle Speed Control
231
Engine and Engine Cooling
52
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
52
Engine
52
Air Bags
51
Steering
38
Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
32
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
26
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
22

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
310,000 miNov 9, 2013HARBESON, DE
1 deathCrash1 injured

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2,100 miDec 15, 2004MASHPEE, MA
1 deathCrash1 injured

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 17, 2011DOUGLASVILLE, GA
1 deathCrash

MY MOTHER HAD COMPLAINED OF HER 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAVING MINOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. SHE ASKED MY UNCLE (A "BACKYARD" MECHANIC). MY UNCLE SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO CHECK THAT; SO SHE HAD MY SISTER CHECK ONLINE WHO FOUND THAT HER CAR WAS NOT UNDER RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE BELIEVE MOTHER HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. SINCE DEALERSHIPS ARE TYPICALLY MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, WE BELIEVE SHE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT AT THE LATTER. THIS WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. ON MAY 2, 2011, SHE WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. WHEN WE RECEIVED THE POLICE REPORT, IT SAID THE WITNESSES SAID THE CAR SEEMED TO ACCELERATE WHEN IT LEFT THE CITY STREET. SINCE SHE WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN, SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH, BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE REPORTS THAT SHE ACCELERATED. THE WAY I INTERPRET THE POLICE REPORT DRAWING IS THAT MOTHER TRIED TO AVOID A COLLISION TWICE: IT APPEARS TO ME THAT SHE MAY HAVE SWERVED TO THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID HITTING THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER AND, SEEING THE CAR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE COMING TOWARD HER, SHE MAY HAVE SWERVED AGAIN, WHICH TOOK HER OFF THE STREET AND DIRECTLY, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, IN THE PATH TO THE TREE WHICH SHE HIT WITH GREAT FORCE. ACCORDING TO PARAMEDICS, SHE PROBABLY NEVER HAD CONSCIOUSNESS AFTER IMPACT, SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED FOR SURE. THE HOSPITAL ER PHYSICIAN REPORTED IN ERROR TO THE POLICE THAT MOTHER HAD BRAIN CANCER AND MAY HAVE HAD SOME SORT OF EVENT (BLOOD CLOT BURSTING IN HER BRAIN). SHE DID NOT HAVE BRAIN CANCER, AND FROM WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM SPEAKING WITH MY PHYSICIAN, IT IS VERY RARE THAT AN EVENT CAUSING A PERSON'S LEG TO STIFFEN FORCING ACCELERATION. ADD ALL THE INFORMATION WE HAVE ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT COMBINED WITH THE FACT THAT SHE HAD COMPLAINED OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION LEADS US TO WONDER ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
77,000 miFeb 16, 2010BAY SHORE, NY
1 deathCrash

FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6,812 miApr 29, 2004INDIANAPOLIS, IN
1 deathCrash

WHEN COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE GRAZED ANOTHER VEHICLE, WENT ACROSS A STREET, GRAZED A BUILDING, AND DROVE STRAIGHT INTO ANOTHER BUILDING. DRIVER WAS CONSCIOUS WHEN PARAMEDIC ARRIVED. THEY FOUND THE DRIVER WITH BOTH FEET STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, AND LATER DIED DUE TO FATAL INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY PRESERVED THE VEHICLE AS EVIDENCE. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE CRASH WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL DEFECT. *AK *NM UPDATED 02/26/10 *BF UPDATED 09/02/10*JB UPDATE 9/21/2011*CW

AIR BAGS
139,000 miFeb 21, 2020LOUISVILLE, KY
Crash1 injured

ALMOST AT END OF EXIT RAMP FROM I264 TO BARDSTOWN RD NEAR GARDINER LANE INTERSECTION. HAD GREEN LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROX 25 MPH WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO EXIT ONTO BARDSTOWN RD (HWY 31?). ONLY MYSELF, DRIVER. I WAS IN LEFT HAND LANE TO EXIT TO WESTBD (?) BARDSTOWN RD. TOWARD DOWNTOWN AND A SMALLER CAR WHIPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME FROM RIGHT HAND KANE (TWO EXIT LANES GOING IN SAME DIRECTION. PERHAPS, THIS CAR WANTED TO CROSS OVER THREE LANES ON BARDSTOWN RD TO GET TO FAT LEFT TURN LANE AT GARDINER LN. THIS LIGHT IS OFTEN BACKED-UP. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY WERE NOT STOPPING MY CAR IN TIME AND I HOPPED CURB TO LEFT TO SMSLL TRIANGULAR MEDIAN. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I COULD NOT MAKE WISE DECISIONS WITHOUT SEEING AND I WAS HIT BY AIRBAGS, BRUISED IN FACE, ETC. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I VIEWED THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARD ME AS I WAS NOW PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC INTO TEO LANES OF BARDSTOWN RD. I COULD HAVE TURNED RIGHT AND AVOIDED HITTING ANY OTHRR VEHIVLE IF IT WERE NOT FOR AIRBAGS BLOCKING MY VIEW. I HAD NOT HIT ANY OBJECT OR VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. I KEPT APPLYING PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES ON WHICH I HAD SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIR. THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT STOP ME. I NEVER SAW WHY I STOPPED. AIRBAG BLOCKED VIEW. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING FINALLY HIT SOMETHING (LATER FOUND OUT) ANOTHER CAR IN TURN LANE TO GET ONTO I 264 IT FINALLY STOPPED. MY HEARING AID IN MY RIGHT EAR WAS EJECTED WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I FOUND IT LATER ON PASSENGER MAT IN REAR. THE AIRBAGS HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE TO DEPLOY FROM JUMPING ONE SMALL CURB. NO AIRBAG I AM ABLE TO TURN RIGHT WHETHER BRAKES WORK OR NOT. NO ACCIDENT.

AIR BAGS
300,000 miFeb 5, 2020SINKING SPRING, PA
Crash1 injured

CAR CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED WHIP LASH AND CONCUSSION.

AIR BAGS
168,769 miJul 30, 2018LILBURN, GA
Crash1 injured

MY CAR WENT INTO A DEEP DITCH AND THE DRIVER OF MY CAR INCURRED A TERRIBLE CONCUSSION WHILE BANGING HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL UPON IMPACT. HER SEAT BELT WAS ON. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

AIR BAGS
100,000 miDec 30, 2015SAN JOSE, CA
Crash2 injured

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
55,500 miSep 7, 2015WASHINGTON, DC
Crash1 injured

I WAS NEARLY FINISHED PARKING MY CAR WHEN THE CAR SPED UP, WENT OVER A CONCRETE CURB STOP, HIT AND KNOCKED OVER A SIGN POST. I RECALL THE ENGINE REVVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE 12 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS SCARY.

AIR BAGS
181,000 miSep 1, 2015BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH
Crash1 injured

THERE WAS A HEAD-ON CRASH INTO A STOPPED VEHICLE. SPEED ABOUT 45 MPH. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALED, DRIVER SUFFERED BROKEN STERNUM...UPDATED 10/02/15*BF

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
69,700 miSep 10, 2014ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Crash2 injured

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014, AT ABOUT 1:00 PM, I WAS LEAVING THE CHURCH PARKING LOT AFTER THE SERVICE AT SAN MARTIN DE PORRES CATHOLIC CHURCH. I WAS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH MY FRIEND (NAME PROVIDED ON REQUEST). I DROVE FROM THE LOWER LEVEL PARKING TO THE UPPER LEVEL PARKING LOT WHERE THE EXIT IS LOCATED. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. WE WERE COASTING TOWARD THE EXIT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR REVVED UP REALLY LOUD AND ACCELERATED/SPED THROUGH A SHORT STREET THAT FEEDS THE PARKING LOT. A WITNESS TOLD ME HE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR CONTINUED ON AT A HIGH SPEED ON THE DIRT PARKING LOT ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE CHURCH. IT WAS BURROWING THROUGH THE DIRT AND SPEWING OUT DIRT LIKE WE WERE IN A TORNADO. I STEERED THE CAR ALONG THE CHURCH FENCE TO PREVENT IT FROM GOING INTO THE STREET. AFTER A WHILE IT CRASHED INTO THE CHURCH'S FENCE AND SLOWED FOR A FEW SECONDS. (A WITNESS REPORTED HE RAN AFTER THE CAR TO GET THE LICENSE PLATE.) THEN THE CAR REVVED UP AGAIN AND SPUN TO THE LEFT AND PROCEEDED FORWARD A SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN PLOWED INTO THE BLOCK WALL GOING DOWN TO THE LOWER PARKING LOT. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR GOT STUCK ON THE BLOCK WALL AND DIED OUT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE CRASH. SOMEONE HAD CALLED 911 AND THE AMBULANCE, PARAMEDICS, AND POLICE ARRIVED. THEY ADVISED US TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR CARE. WE DID GO TO THE ER AND WERE EVALUATED. MY FRIEND HAD MUSCLE SORENESS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I CONTINUE TO HAVE MUSCLE SORENESS, AND MY WRIST AND RIGHT ELBOW WERE BRUISED AND HURT. I WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK AND KILLED IN THE PARKING LOT IF I HAD LEFT RIGHT AFTER THE SERVICE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CONSIDERED MY CAR A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

AIR BAGS
Mar 12, 2014SAN ANTONIO, TX
Crash2 injured

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING INTO A COVERED PARKING GARAGE, RETRIEVED HER PARKING TICKET AND PROCEEDED UP THE RAMP, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO A SPEED SHE COULD NOT CONTROL. SHE TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE HIT A PARKED TRUCK AND THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, MOVING THE TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 6-8 FEET. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS PRACTICALLY A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/13/14*JB

AIR BAGS
Dec 4, 2013THORNWOOD, NY
Crash1 injured

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.

AIR BAGS
115,000 miSep 24, 2013FOREST HILL, MD
Crash1 injured

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

AIR BAGS
43,911 miJun 7, 2013STATEN ISLAND, NY
Crash1 injured

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

AIR BAGS
77,000 miJun 2, 2013WILSONVILLE, OR
Crash1 injured

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
40,000 miDec 7, 2012WOOD-RIDGE, NJ
Crash1 injured

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
155,000 miJul 5, 2011CHICAGO, IL
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OF AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AREA AND SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND LEFT WRIST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
87,000 miFeb 11, 2011KANSAS CITY, MO
Crash1 injured

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.

Other Camry Years

Other Toyota Models