Most common 2003 Toyota Camry problems
Share of the 782 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Camry complaints by model year
Best Camry years: 2022, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2009, 2018, 2007, 2002, 2008. Compare all years →
2003 Toyota Camry recalls (1)
Air bags › Side/window
On certain vehicles equipped with curtain shield air bags (csa), one or both of the curtain air bags May be twisted near the inflator due to improper assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the csas and replace the air bag assembly if necessary. The recall began on August 6, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2003 Toyota Camry:
Throttle control system
The Lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to Toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the v6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.Toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc) on the subject vehicles beginning in model year (my) 2002.odi opened the investigation to determine…
Engine surging
The petitioner owns a my 2006 Toyota camry with a 4-cylinder engine that was purchased new in January 2006. The petitioner also previously owned a my 2005 camry. He alleges that both vehicles exhibited vehicle engine surging, which he described as a short duration (1 to 2 second) increase in engine speed occurring while the accelerator pedal is not depressed.
Vehicle speed control
In a letter dated July 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 Toyota and Lexus…
What 2003 Toyota Camry owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 259 →
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly accelerate or lunge forward and had done so several times, both while idle, pressing the brakes, and while driving at various speeds. Suddenly accelerated downhill, and when approaching the inner section, the contact immediately turned the vehicle to avoid hitting another vehicle and ended up crashing into a nearby residence's garage, causing the vehicle to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The garage door was damaged, and the contact's vehicle's front-end was damaged. A police report was filed. The contact had stated they had experienced sleep issues and a fear of driving the vehicle since the incident. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been driven since. …
I was going 45 to 50 mph and my car shut off in middle of highway and we barely got out of highway before getting hit there is recall on same kind of car for throttle body and that's what's wrong with mine so it has too be that they missed my car
Engine & cooling all 164 →
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle onto her driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine bolts had sheared off. The contact stated that the bolts were replaced and torqued to specs however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
I have a 2003 Toyota Camry le (4 cylinder, 2. 4 l) which began leaking engine coolant from around the engine block. My mechanic determined that the root cause of the leak was loose head bolts in the engine block. I was advised to either replace the engine or rebuild it both of which are cost prohibitive given the value of the car at 114,000 miles. I have come to learn that this is a very common problem with 2003 Camrys and Toyota has issued no recall for this issue. This particular car was well maintained by Toyota dealership service.
Brakes all 118 →
Sudden Unintended Acceleration: I had been out doing errands in the morning. I returned home, pulling up in front of my townhouse which is on a cul de sac. After gently coming to a stop, I planned to back up just a bit to park my car along the curb. (I did not have my foot on the accelerator, as the car normally goes gently backwards when you put it in reverse.) When I put it in R, the car accelerated backwards and crashed into a car that was parked along the curb about 15-20 ft behind me. I instinctively put the car in D to stop going uncontrollably backwards. The car shot forward; the brakes did not work. The car was out of control, making very loud revving sounds and loud screeching sounds from slamming on the brakes. Somehow, it did finally come to a stop by itself of the way around the cul de sac. …
Today I pulled over to drop off child at school, was already to park and car accelerated and hit the car in front of me. My foot was clearly on brake as I was already going no more than 5 miles an hour to park. It was not driver error. That feeling of the car thrusting forward when my foot was on brake was something I never felt before. I called Toyota and checked the recall list the car is not listed. I am sending it tomorrow to Toyota for service. The impact was so hard, my body is completely tense even 5 hours later. The thrust was not driver error, thank god for the car in front of me that I hit or else would have been worse. All I could do out of panic was put the car in park but I think it stopped because I hit the car in front of me.
2003 Toyota Camry engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Toyota Camry a good car?
Based on 782 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Camry rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Camry at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Toyota Camry?
The speed control & acceleration — 259 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the engine & cooling (164) and brakes (118).
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?
There is 1 recall for the 2003 Toyota Camry, the most recent from July 13, 2004 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Camry?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2017 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2018, 2007, 2002 and 2008. See the full Toyota Camry years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Camry problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.