Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Toyota Camry submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words
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.
AS I TURNED SLIGHTLY RIGHT INTO MY PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT LIFTING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TOWARD THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN AND SPED UP THEN CRASHED RIGHT THRU THE GATE THAT DIVIDED THE PARKING SPACE FROM THE SIDEWALK. I WAS IN SHOCK AND THOUGHT THERE WAS A GHOST OF SOME KIND THAT JUST TOOK OVER THE GAS PEDAL AS IT SPED UP. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS DESTROYED AND FRONT GRILL ALONG WITH THE LOWER HEAD LIGHTS OF VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE HOOD OF THE CAR.
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.
TAKATA INFLATORS: EVERY TIME I FIX MY VEHICLE INDIVIDUALS CAUSE HATE CRIMES DAMAGING MY VEHICLE AS I GO TO SLEEP OR WHEN I AM NOT VIEWING MY VEHICLE THEY MUST KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I CANT CATCH THEM EVEN THOUGH I THINK I KNOW WHO IT IS I CAN NOT PROVE IT SO THIS IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING I REMEMBER CHECKING MY TIRES IN THE NIGHT NOTICING NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM THEN CHECKED IN THE MOURNING AND NOTICED NAILS NAILED IN THE TIRES THEN I NOTICED DRIED TURTLE WAX ALL OVER THE BODY OF THE CAR MESSING UP THE PAINT WHEEL ALIGNMENT OUT OF LINE RIGHT DOOR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION TRUNK OPEN POWER SWITCH BROKEN POWER SUN ROOF SLIDING WINDOW BROKEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THIS HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATE IN COMBINATION TO THE DAMAGE BETWEEN 06/16/06 TO 04/21/17.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BULGE ON THE DASHBOARD WHERE THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAM HAD SEPARATED AND THERE WAS A COLORED SUBSTANCE AROUND THE SEPARATION AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD PADS ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
THE STEERING ON MY 2003 CAMRY SHAKES DURING HIGH SPEED. AT TIMES, THERE IS A WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE. I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO LOW AIR PRESSURE OR UNBALANCED TIRES, BUT THAT'S NOT THE ISSUES. SECONDLY, THE PAINT ON MY CAR IS PEELING OFF, MOSTLY THE CLEAR COATING LAYER. I CAN NOT VERIFY IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE OR NOT. SOMEONE HAD INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL. I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY DOCUMENTED INFORMATION.
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THERE WAS NO EFFECT. IN ORDER TO AVOID TRAFFIC I HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A STONE WALL. *TR
CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO GET GAS 1/2 MILE DOWN ROAD. WHEN RETURNED FROM GAS STATION WE PULLED ONTO PROPERTY , TURNED OFF CAR AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. TOTAL LOSS FOR CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A CRACK, EXPOSING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
FLOODING OF FLOOR BOARDS. RUGS, AND THE WELLS UNDER RUGS LIKE A POOL FILLING UP WITH WATER ABOUT THREE INCHES DEEP, AFFECTING FRONT DRIVERS AREA AND THE REST OF THE CAR FLOOR BOARDS FRONT AND BACK. MECHANIC ADVISES DUE TO OPENING OF BODY SEAMS IN THREE PLACES. COST TO REPAIR, AND REPLACEMENT OF RUGS THAT WERE UNABLE TO BE DRIED $2,000. NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AUTO IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE OTHERWISE AND MAINTAINED SCRUPULOUSLY. OWNED BY LITTLE OLD LADY. *TR
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALTHOUGH THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR, NONE OF THE SIX (6) AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, THERE IS NOW A GAP ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AREA FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TR
I WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT WAITING TO TURN LEFT, WHEN SUDDENLY I GOT HIT FROM THE REAR RIGHT PART OF MY CAR. FROM THAT MOMENT THE CAR COULD NOT DRIVE.. THE REAR LEFT PART OF THE CAR BODY AND THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. THE REPAIR SHOP DECLARED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ANY MORE. ONLY LATER OF THE INCIDENT DID I REMEMBER THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A SIGNALED LEFT TURN INTO A PAKING SPACE AT CVS PHARMACY. AS I BRAKED AND TURNED, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD HITTING A STACKED STONE PILLAR AND CAME TO A CRASHED STOP. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HAD A SCRAPE ON MY SCALP FROM THE SUN VISOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA, CAMRY WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (AT MY EXPENSE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT). I LIVE IN OREGON WHERE WE HAVE SEASONS SO IT ONLY GETS HOT A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND I USE A SUN VISOR DURING THE SUMMER FOR PROTECTION. IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR WHERE THE AIRBAG IS IN THE DASH, THE RECTANGULAR INDENTATION (LIKE A SEAM) AROUND THE AIRBAG HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE TOP EXPOSING YELLOW FOAM AND HAS ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGERS OR EVEN MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY. MY FATHER IS TERMINALLY ILL WITH CANCER AND ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 115 POUNDS AND I HAVE TO DRIVE HIM TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS REGULARLY. I WAS SO CONCERNED WHEN I FIRST NOTICED WHAT I CALL A "DESIGN FLAW" THAT I MADE HIM RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. HOWEVER, SINCE HE IS SO THIN, HE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE BACK AND WANTED TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT AGAIN WHICH I ALLOWED HIM TO DO AFTER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MEDFORD (LITHIA MOTORS, INC) GUARANTEED ME "100%" THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS PURELY COSMETIC. I HAVE PROVIDED PROOF OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO LITHIA AND HAVE SPOKEN TO TOYOTA CORPORATE A FEW TIMES. THEY STILL INSIST IT IS ONLY COSMETIC AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENTIRE DASH AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. I MAINTAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF THEY CAN AFFORD TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY ON SAFETY (PER THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS) AND ARE SPENDING EVEN MORE ON PR, THEY CAN DO A "GOOD WILL" REPAIR FOR A LOYAL CUSTOMER. TO THEIR CREDIT, I SHOULD ADD THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 50% TO REPAIR THE DASH, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE "UNREPAIRABLE" BY THEIR UPHOLSTERY PERSON. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM FOR MONTHS NOW. I AM A VERY PRINCIPLE BASED PERSON AND BELIEVE THIS IS WRONG CONSIDERING THE AGE, MILEAGE, ETC AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT THEIR EXPENSE ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. DOES CUSTOMER SERVICE STILL EXIST?? *TR
CONSUMERS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS, WATER LEAKS IN THE TRUNK AND GAS RESERVOIR, DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY RELEASING AIR INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TS SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST ON COLD STARTS. THE ENGINE VALVE STEM SEALS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE STRUT SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED DUE THEM BEING WORN. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING.*JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 04/223/10.*JB
IN JANUARY 2008, MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY V6, WITH 35000 MILES ON IT, DEVELOPED A SQUEAK IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED DURING PARKING OR DURING ANY 90 DEGREE TURN. THE TOYOTA DEALER GREASED THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE SQUEAK WENT AWAY. IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPACK THE STEERING COLUMN INSTEAD OF GREASING IT AT A COST OF $225.00, OR REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $700.00. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PARTICULAR MODEL FOR THAT PROBLEM, AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID NO. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE OR CONCERN ARISING FROM THIS PROBLEM, AND IS IT COMMON AMONG THAT MAKE AND MODEL TOYOTAS. *TR
THE SPEAKER PANEL BEHIND THE BACK SEAT HAS CRACKED AND THIS HAS MADE HOLES IN THIS BACK PANEL. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING PLACED IN THE BACK WINDOW TO HAVE CREATED THIS TO HAPPEN. WE CONTACTED OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $500.00 DOLLARS TO FIX WHICH IN MY OPINION IT WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY MATERIAL THAT THE TOYOTA COMPANY USED. IN ALL OF THE CARS I HAVE BOUGHT OVER THE YEARS MANY DIFFERENT MAKES THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. I WENT INTO A PART SITE TO SEE IF THIS CAN BE REPLACED AND MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS PANEL. I LOVE MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY BUT IF I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA. I ALSO EMAILED THE TOYOTA CORP OFFICE AND THEY DID NOT GIVE ME ANY RESPONDS TO THIS MATTER. *TR
IN 3/2003 I PURCHASED A TOYOTA CAMRY. WITHIN 1-2 YEARS I NOTICED MINOR CRACKS DEVELOPING ON THE TWO SPEAKER COVERS AT THE BACK OF THE CAR UNDER THE BACK WINDOW AND BEHIND THE BACK SEATS. THE CRACKS PROGRESSED WITH TIME BUT I HAD FORGOTTEN TO BRING IT UP TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SPEAKERS ARE LOCATED IN A PLACE I DO NOT NORMALLY LOOK AND BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE ONLY CHEAP PLASTIC COVERS. BY 2006 THE PLASTIC WAS ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING INTO THE LOUDSPEAKER ASSEMBLY CREATING AN EVER BIGGER BLACK HOLE. THE DEALER POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON CAMRYS AND THAT YOU MUST REPLACE THE WHOLE BACK PANEL BEHIND THE BACK SEATS NOT JUST THE PLASTIC COVER FOR $450 PLUS LABOR. I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER TOYOTAS DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE THEY USE A DIFFERENT VENDOR FOR THE SPEAKER COVERS. SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY TOYOTA DECLINED TO REPLACE THE COVERS. ON THE ADVICE OF THE CA NMVB I SEARCHED THE INTERNET (HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/TTPVEUN8TERT6NBKJ) AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT OWNERS OF 2002-2004 CAMRYS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE DISCOVERED CAMRYS IN PARKING LOTS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT NOW APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH TOYOTA FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO NEW CAMRY BUYERS. THE TOYOTA DEALER ALSO FAILED TO DISCLOSE THIS PROBLEM WHENEVER THEY INSPECT THE CAR, INCLUDING THE INTERIOR, DURING SERVICE. I AM REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA REPAIR MY CAMRY AND RETURN IT TO ITS ORIGINAL APPEARANCE. I AM RECOMMENDING THAT A FINE BE LEVIED ON TOYOTA FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO NEW AND USED CAMRY BUYERS. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL ALL 2002-2004 CAMRYS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO BE CONCERNED FOR THE PUBLIC'S POTENTIAL EXPOSURE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO FINE PARTICLES/GASSES FROM THIS DISINTEGRATING PLASTIC AND EXPOSURE TO TODDLERS WHO PLACE THEIR HANDS IN THE LOUDSPEAKERS AND THEN EAT POTENTIALLY TOXIC MATERIAL. (SEE HTTP://WWW.MSNBC.MSN.COM/ID/22360355/). *TR
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER COMING APART. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS GAP IN BETWEEN THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIR BAG COVER AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR BAG IF IT IS NEEDED. *KB THE DEALER STATED THE SEPARATION APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE HEAT.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER ROOFING MATERIAL FELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY GLUE OR WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLINER IS DETACHING FROM THE BACK BY THE REAR ALL THE WAY ACROSS. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A GAP IN THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE AIR BAG COVER. THE AIR BAG CAN BE SEEN THROUGH THE GAP. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG IS IN STILL IN PLACE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING ABLE TO SEE THE AIR BAG THROUGH THE GAP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,009.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED HOLES IN THE REAR SPEAKER COVERS AND PIECES OF THE COVERS HAD FALLEN INTO THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN MARCH OF 2007 AND STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST FOR PARTS, BUT THE CONTACT MUST PAY THE LABOR FEES. WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN, THE SPEAKER COVER FRAGMENTS FLOAT AROUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
I PURCHASED THE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN SEPTEMBER 2005. WHILE I LOVE MY CAR I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS AFTER HEARING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. I HEAR SLOSHING SOUND UNDER THE DASH. IT IS REALLY LOUD WHEN BRAKING, ACCELERATING, OR PARKING. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR YOUR CAR. ALSO , HEAR A SQUEAKY, GRINDING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL, NO MATTER HOT OR COLD WEATHER. THE DELAERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT THEM. THEY KEPT IT 2 DAYS, AND SAID NOTHIGN WAS WRONG. IT CONTINUED FOR ANTOHER WEEK, AND I RETURNED WITH IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT AND CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY, AND TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY WERE SURE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THEY WILL NOT RETURN ANY PHONE CALLS OR EVEN TALK TO ME WHEN I GO THERE. THE LAS THING, WAS THE PAINT CONTINUALLY CHIPPING AND PEELING OF IN CHUNKS ON THE HOOD, FRONT BUMPER, AND REAR BUMPER. I HAVE SPOKEN TO TOYOTA ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY CONTINUED TO SAY IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT, AND MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THIS ALL STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND CONTINUED TODAY. PLEASE ADVIS ME IF THEREWAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO FIX ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. THANKS. AK
RUST SPOTS APPEARED ON 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, ESPECIALLY ON TRUNK LID , THROUGHOUT 2003-2006. TOYOTA DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY, STATING IT WAS ENVIRONMENTAL. MY SON' CAR AXLE OF SAME YEAR HAS SAME PROBLEM . HE LIVES 60 MILES FROM ME. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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