MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
781
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 781 complaints 2003 781 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2010: 603 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2022: 60 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1992 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1998 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 781 complaints 2003 781 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2010: 603 complaints 2010 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2016 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2022: 60 complaints 2022 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1987 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1991 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1993 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 1999 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 781 complaints 2003 781 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2005 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2009 2010: 603 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2011 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2015 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2017 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2021 2022: 60 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2023 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025

2003: 781 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003781
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072,886
2008933
20091,293
2010603
2011599
2012590
2013274
2014455
2015269
2016182
2017148
2018745
2019396
2020274
2021156
202260
202364
202451
2025146

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Vehicle speed control

33% · 261 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-05-06

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, 2018-03-12

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, 2003-01-27

Service brakes

16% · 123 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 115 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2012-06-10

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.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-20

Air bags

9% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2018-07-30

Also filed under Structure

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, 2012-09-14

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, 2012-07-24

Steering

7% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing column and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

1 recall · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 781 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2004-03-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-07-22 Throttle control system
  3. R
    2004-08-06Air bags04V346000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2005-08-05Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-05 Vehicle speed control
  5. I
    2006-09-14Defect petitionClosed 2007-04-03 Engine surging

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 261 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 123 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 115 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V346000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.