MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-09-02

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: 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 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 780 complaints 2003 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 180 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 392 complaints 2019 2020: 270 complaints 2021: 154 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
2003: 780 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
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015268
2016180
2017148
2018736
2019392
2020270
2021154
202258
202362
202447
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 33%

33% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 261 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20260506

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 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 123 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 115 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
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

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 74 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

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

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, 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

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASH INJURY

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 (261 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (123 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (115 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 ▲ 1987

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 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.