Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
Transmission started to act up at around 40 MPH. Took it to certified transmission who in turn tried different parts, they even took to the Toyota dealer for assistance with the problem. After over a month, they decided I should replace the transmission. Even after the new transmission certified transmission still was testing the car and would stall. The car never stalled before the new tranny. Certified finally called for me to pick up my car. I asked if he was sure it was safe and he said yes. Friday late afternoon I picked up the car and paid $4,000 for transmission. Drove it Saturday once and it started to dog a few times. Sunday I went to grocery store and on the way home the car died in the middle of the busiest street in kansas city. I was pulled off to the side calling my ins. Tow service when I was rearended at about 40 mpg. …
Followup to odi #10256120. Informed by Toyota rep that your agency performed two investigations f the 2003 Camry respecting acceleration surges but returned no findings of vehicle failure.your website recounts about 130 reports of such 2003 Camry failures mostly (102) under vehicle speed control , some under power train auto trans & vsc accelerator pedal. For Ford taurus I counted 12; Honda accord and Chevrolet malibu 20+ - all for model year 2003. As % of cars sold quite small even for Camry but as an occurrence ratio of 6-1 or 10-1 vs. The other models quite impressive.. The fact you conducted two investigations of Camry is telling in and of itself. How many accelerator investigations did you conduct for the 2003 taurus, accord & malibu? Absent an airplane like recorder how can you be assured that there was no vehicular failure? …
On October 24, 2012, I parallel parked my 2003 Toyota Camry on the street. The car in front of me was leaving, so he asked me to move back a few inches so he could get out. My car was still running so I shifted the car into reverse, and as I began to take my foot off the brake pedal, my car accelerated backwards at a very fast speed into the car behind me. Wanting to pull up a few inches to get out and assess the damage, I shifted the car into drive and as I did, my car accelerated forwards into the parked car in front of me. It accelerated at such a high speed that it pushed the three cars in front of me together. At no point during these two rapid accelerations did I ever apply my foot to the gas pedal. This incident caused damage to several cars and could have ended up with much more severe consequences had I not been in that location.
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.
2003 Toyota Camry automatic trans. Put in reverse to back out of garage. Surged cut wheels to avoid hitting house next door, brick 50 ft from garage. Avoided a direct collision. But clipped some bricks at corner. Another 75ft into a small creek opposite bank stopped car. Braking was to no avail. Injury minor - pinched nerve in left shoulder. Counted 75+ reports for same model year involving spontaneous acceleration on your site. Your investigation in '03 or '04 found nothing suggesting unfamiliarity w/vehicle. We are the original owners. A goodly number of the reports are for recent years taking unfamiliarity out of the play. What are you doing currently respecting Camry acceleration issues?....regards, harvey miller
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.
2003 Toyota Camry le was running, sitting in driveway, but in park with emergency brake on. Car "took off" in reverse, and only came to a stop when driver jumped into car, pushed hard on foot brake, turned off ignition, and car door slammed into another parked vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. After parking the vehicle and exiting it, the contact noticed that the vehicle suddenly shifted into reverse and began rolling backwards. The occupant sitting in the front passenger seat was able to turn the steering wheel causing the vehicle to travel over a curb which flattened both rear tires. No one was injured and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact had the pawl mechanism and tires repaired. The failure mileage was 60000. Updated 05/10/10 the vehicle was parked and the engine was left running; the transmission was in the park position; but the parking brake was not activated. The vehicle was on an uphill slant,downhill being to the rear of the vehicle. Minutes after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle began to roll backwards. The vehicle's transmission lever did move into reverse. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact was told by Toyota that the vehicle needed a new transmission in January of 2009, but they were not told why. A rebuilt transmission was installed and now the contact was advised that the trans axle failed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was told that the failure occurred because of the gear shift box, which caused the transmission to slip and make a banging noise while driving approximately 20 MPH. The original transmission failed at 70,000 miles. The manufacturer stated that the warranty expired; however, the extended warranty was valid up to 75,000 miles. The contact stated that the failure was a manufacturers defect. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 90,000. Updated 03/15/11 updated 1/3/11
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 5% of the model year's 782 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.