2003 Toyota Camry problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (229) · Engine And Engine Cooling (47) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (43)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Camry model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
575 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (157)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 157 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-16 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“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 i…”
2026-10-04 · Exterior Lighting“i am reporting a serious nighttime visibility and roadway-safety concern involving excessive glare from modern led headlights while driving my 2003 toyota camry. when vehicles equipped with extremely bright led headlights approach from the opposite direction or follow behind me, the glare can temporarily impair my vision and make it difficult to se…”
2026-05-06 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 75,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 hitt…”
2025-07-28 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 165,064 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2003 toyota camry. the contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,888, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 165,064…”
2024-09-20 · Unknown Or Other“no incident. but it's a problem with the abs. dealership says it's nothing wrong with the brakes. but it is. had a diagnostics done at auto zone, and it came back showing a code for the abs system. but showed the service dept the code that it showed something is wrong with abs. they still say nothing is wrong.…”
2023-05-24 · Structure:frame And Members · 206,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service and the mechanic informed her that the subframe, muffler, the brakes, and the gas tank were extremely corroded. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 206,000.…”
2022-11-28 · Unknown Or Other“48 degrees outside, sitting in my car waiting a few minutes for it to warm up, after about one minute of sitting in it, the rear driver side window just cracked everywhere and shattered. glass all over. not happy, no reason why this should have happened. no cars were around, nothing hit it, it just shattered with no warning or no reason. i alwa…”
2022-10-06 · Engine · 215,000 mi“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 ma…”
2022-06-26 · Power Train“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 apparen…”
2022-06-14 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.