MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 32 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 64 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 134 complaints 1991: 149 complaints 1992: 565 complaints 1993: 260 complaints 1994: 287 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 780 complaints 2003 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 931 complaints 2009: 1289 complaints 2010: 600 complaints 2011: 597 complaints 2012: 587 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 452 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 177 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 726 complaints 2019: 385 complaints 2019 2020: 263 complaints 2021: 153 complaints 2022: 57 complaints 2023: 58 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 133 complaints 2025
2003: 780 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198632
198758
198864
1989113
1990134
1991149
1992565
1993260
1994287
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008931
20091289
2010600
2011597
2012587
2013274
2014452
2015268
2016177
2017148
2018726
2019385
2020263
2021153
202257
202358
202445
2025133

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 30%

30% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 231 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

COMING TO A STOP AND ABOUT READY TO STOP AND ALL OF SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLED TO LEFT AND ACCELERATED. THEN I HIT A PARKED CAR AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180312

I HAD BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE. WHEN I PUT 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN DRIVE, IT SURGED FORWARD. I BRAKED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. I DEPRESSED BRAKE FULLY, NONETHELESS THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND VERY QUICKLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030127

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 52 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 52 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY RUFF AFTER START THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FAULT CODES ON THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS A NUMBER TWO AND THREE CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120610

WHILE DRIVING, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT SO CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. CONSUMER INSPECTED UNDER HOOD AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021220

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 52 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180730

I AM MAKING THIS REPORT FOR MY MOTHER, WHO WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH SHE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH AND RAN INTO A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG IN HER VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN THE COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120914

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS THEN DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120724

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 780
I 20040303 — PE (closed 20040722)

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

R 20040806 — air bags

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.

Campaign 04V346000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050805 — DP (closed 20060105)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I 20060914 — DP (closed 20070403)

ENGINE SURGING

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (231 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V346000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota Camry reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota Camry is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Camry?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.