Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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.
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
After oxygen sensors were changed the VSC and track off lights came on and wouldn't turn off and it's using a lot of fuel consumption and it takes a second for the car to pick up after stepping on the gas pedal
Having purchased w 2003 Toyota Camry 2.4l, (with good paint, no rust, great interior, and new clear headlights) 3 days prior, the previous owner reported no current issues. The check engine light come on the 3 rd day as I drove away from the DMV having just titled it. AC was blowing cold, no other dash lights were on and I couldn't feel any apparent issues driving, so I proceed to my place of employment, where a friend whom is an independent mechanic had the machine to read check engine codes. I never made it. Had driven approximately 25 miles and came to a full stop for a red light. Upon turning green and beginning to accelerate, my Camry's engine died and would not start. When the key was turned it made no noise at all. Towed to a mechanic shop, I was asked if it had overheated, it had not. …
Car had been driven to get gas 1/2 mile down road. When returned from gas station we pulled onto property , turned off car and there were flames coming from the hood. Fire dept arrived and put out the fire. Total loss for car.
In November 2012, I was told by my the dealer that there was a leak in my water pump in my 2003 Toyota Camry. I got a second opinion and I was told that my water pump had a slow leak and that I should get it repaired. In December 2012, my car ran hot and was smoking really bad. Dealer stated that my I needed a new engine. I asked what was the issue and they stated that my head gaskets were blown. I asked the dealer could they repair the head gaskets and the answer was I needed a new engine. Got a second opinion who then told me that I had stripped head bolts and car could be repaired. Had car repaired and the car is running fine 173,000. I started doing research on the internet and literally I found hundreds of people with this same issue. …
I must saddly add my name to the list of deeply disappointed Toyota owners with the head gasket/ stripped bolts problem. My 2003 Camry has 105K miles and has been well maintained when the head gasket blew last week during normal usage. I have done enough research now to realize that the car was poorly engineered and the stripped bolts are pervasive with this make, model and year of car. I now require a new engine, which is a cost prohibitive repair. I was driving on the freeway and happened to be looking at the dashboard and when the temperature gauge went from normal to the the hottest possible. I immediately pulled over, let the engine cool, added oil and then waited a bit longer to ensure it had cooled sufficiently. I restarted the car, put in in drive and went about 20 ft before the temperature shot back up again. …
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 …
My wife had taken her 2003 Toyota Camry in for regular service in January, 2012 and told the dealer that she had been hearing unusual noises from the engine for some time. After inspecting the vehicle the service person said that Toyota had issued a bulletin to the dealers regarding replacement of the intake manifold dated April 15, 2008. It is curious that the bulletin stated that "this repair is covered under the Toyota federal emission warranty. This is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 mile, whichever occurs first-". The bulletin is dated April 15, 2008 and is to cover vehicles of the 2002-2004 model year Camry. This makes no sense as supposedly covering vehicles built 2002-2004 and issue a bulletin in 2008 and then say there is a 36 month warranty from the date the vehicle was put in service. …
Engine complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 164 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 21% of the model year's 782 complaints. The component named most often is engine (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Camry engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Toyota Camry, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Camry engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 7 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling 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.