Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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.
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.
On January 12, 2010, I had my 2003 Camry detailed (washed inside and out-including the carpet)at a car wash. I proceeded to a nearby mall,where I stopped briefly at a store. Upon exiting the parking lot, I made a full stop at the stop sign. I then proceeded to go by stepping on the accelerator. At this point the car suddenly accelerated to a high speed, and I was not able to stop it, even though I was pressing on the brake. The car went across 3 lanes & up, over, and down a median,continued to go across another 3 lanes and finally came to rest after hitting a tree on another median. To the best of my knowledge, the accelerator became stuck in the down position, and pushing down on the brake to the left of it did not help, nor did the steering wheel turn as I was trying to avoid hitting the tree. Also, please be aware that my front air bag did not deploy. …
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. …
This Camry was purchased, new, by my mom and step dad is [redacted], or in 2003. They resided in florence, oregon, a beach town for the next 7 years. I moved my mom to reno, nv when she developed alzheimer's. Although nevada is a low humidity state, the fact that this car resided on the coast in florence, or where humidity is high, rain constant I feel this car should have the repair to the front airbag. I am my mom's caretaker in my home and now with hospice's help. I also have an adult son on ssdi who needs my assistance. I worry that if something happens to me, due to the airbags in this 2003 Camry, that my mom, son and family would be greatly affected, not to mention possible injury/death to me or passenger. Please consider this car to be included in the recall to repair/replace the Takata airbag. I have contacted the local Toyota dealership as well. …
The contact stated the front airbags did not deploy. The vehicle has 54,000 miles. There were four passengers all were wearing seat belts. The driver and passengers sustained minor injuries. The contact was traveling 55 MPH on the highway. The traffic was heavy and the road conditions were dry. A vehicle merging onto the highway cut in front of the contact's vehicle. The driver swerved to avoid hitting the van and lost control of the Camry. The vehicle was traveling north after losing control the front passenger side hit the cement median. The passenger rear door was the only door that would open after the crash. The passenger side of the vehicle was up against the cement median. The vehicle came to a stop facing southbound. The vehicle was towed away. The repair shop stated the airbag sensor was completely smashed. The contact has been told the vehicle was totaled. …
Takata inflators: every time I fix my vehicle individuals cause hate crimes damaging my vehicle as I go to sleep or when I am not viewing my vehicle they must know exactly when I go to sleep because I cant catch them even though I think I know who it is I can not prove it so this is why I am complaining I remember checking my tires in the night noticing nothing wrong with them then checked in the mourning and noticed nails nailed in the tires then I noticed dried turtle wax all over the body of the car messing up the paint wheel alignment out of line right door power window malfunction trunk open power switch broken power sun roof sliding window broken vehicle was stationary this happened on different date in combination to the damage between 06/16/06 to 04/21/17.
I was driving north on route 93 in my 2003 Toyota Camry during rush hour traffic when traffic went from approx. 40 MPH to a sudden stop. The cars in front of me all jammed on there brakes and successfully stopped, but when I stepped on my brakes, I could feel the brake pedal compressing and doing something, but I was unable to barely even slow down from approx. 3 car lengths away. I hit the car in front of me and my car crumbled. My 2 complaints are that the brakes definitely have a malfunction along with the air bags not deploying. Luckily, I had my seat belt on. The road conditions were dry and weather was sunny and clear. After this accident and my car has been repaired, I will be trading my car in and never buy a Toyota again.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated at an unknown speed without warning when the gear was shifted into drive. As a result, the vehicle traveled approximately 200 yards and then crashed into a wall. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal stuck and she was unable to depress the brake pedal. The air bag failed to deploy. NHTSA campaign id number 04V346000 (air bags: side/window) was referenced. A police report was filed. The insurance inspector felt that the electrical system caused the failure. As of October 25, 2007, the manufacturer had not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 41,000. See 10209036 also. Updated 01/11/08.
Related recalls
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.
Airbag complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 9% of the model year's 782 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Camry airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-346 (side/window, Jul 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Camry airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 46 crashes, 0 fires and 45 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.