2003 Toyota Camry Solara problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags:frontal (3) · Air Bags (3) · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Camry Solara model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (101)
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 2024-07-12 · 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,
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev1 · 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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 101 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-01-18 · Air Bags · 79,000 mi“air bad ligh is on all the time…”
2015-08-19 · Vehicle Speed Control · 72,000 mi · 💥 crash“ when backing out of the driveway the car suddenly accelerated and at a high rate of speed shot across the street hitting the curb blowing the tires and hitting a telephone pole and tore up the neighbors lawn before coming to a stop due to the lack of traction. my wife was stepping on the brakes and the car continued to accelerate. we had owned the…”
2014-08-04 · Electrical System · 112,000 mi“i have a 2003 toyota solara sle v6. i have been having an issue with my car, where the speedometer stops working while driving. it happens frequently, but without warning. sometimes the speedometer will go to zero for 1-3 seconds, other times it will stay there for 10 minutes. i have also had times where the car stops accelerating. i will be drivin…”
2013-12-06 · Structure:body · 140,000 mi · 💥 crash“driver airbag failed to deploy when the vehicle was involved in frontal passenger side crash. this crash was severe enough to destroy front bumper, headlights, hood, passenger side fender, wheel/ tire. the vehicle was total loss. the driver sustained severe injuries to face & eyes with several facial fractures, broken nose when face impacted the …”
2013-06-06 · Engine · 59,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry solara. the contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the oxygen sensors needed to be replaced. the dealer did not provide a reason for the failure. the failure mileage and current mileages were 59,…”
2012-02-26 · Visibility · 48,000 mi“there's a design flaw in toyota solara models 1999-2003 (the model changed in 2004), and it's this: at the very top of the back of the back seat, where the seat fabric is tucked into the plastic back, this backing has a 'lip' that sticks out and catches on the convertible top each time it's lowered or raised, usually snagging the top of the back…”
2010-04-20 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 46,000 mi · 💥 crash“our 2003 toyota camry/ solara accelerated while in neutral and with the parking brake on. the regular brakes also failed as well as the airbags. *tr…”
2010-03-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“in july of 2007 or 2008 while attempting to park my 2003 toyota solara in a kohl's lot the car suddenly accelerated while i had my foot on the brake. the acceleration was strong enough to cause my head to be thrown back but i didn't have time to check the odometer for the registered speed. i was pulling into a parking stall with one car directly …”
2010-02-16 · Vehicle Speed Control · 103,000 mi · 💥 crash“gas pedal non response ,when foot was taken off gas pedal,cause loss of control. *tr…”
2010-02-06 · Suspension · 95,000 mi“my toyota solara lse, 2003, with 125,000 miles has electrical problems and broken mount and struts problems. 1. my rear mount and struts broke and i was told by an auto mechanic it may cause a seriouse accident if not repaired. as soon as i repaired the problem in the rear, immediatly the following day front mount and struts broke. it is very expe…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.