CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware of the NHTSA complaint data for the 2003 Camry. It is almost certainly misleading.
The problem with NHTSA data for the 2003 Camry is that for months on end, the news media repeatedly told the public that several Toyota models had an unintended acceleration defect, & to go to safercar.gov (the NHTSA's website) to file a complaint.
So, the NHTSA received a disproportionate number of complaints about Toyota unintended acceleration issues because of the national news media attention, to the point where their data is unreliable taken in context with any other vehicle that did not receive national news attention.
CarComplaints.com typically receives more complaints per day about vehicles than the NHTSA does, but the news media did not repeatedly say "go to CarComplaints.com to report your Camry acceleration problems" like they did about the NHTSA -- so although we have less complaint data than the NHTSA for the 2003 Camry, our data for the Camry is a far more statistically accurate representation of the Camry's reliability than what the NHTSA data shows.
The automated seat adjustment does not work. It froze in a farthest back, lowest level position. We have been told the whole seat needs to be replaced because of the airbags. We were given a cost estimate of $1600 by Bell Road Toyota. They say they have none in stock or available and do not know when one might become available. 2 independent auto repair centers have not been able to find the seat used. Toyota told one that 2 were coming through customs in LA. with a waiting list of 40 people. Then Toyota changed and said there would be no parts coming and none would be made.
We bought the car from the first owner that we knew well. The car has complete documentation of everything that has been done to it in extreme detail. The car was checked out by the Toyota dealership when we bought it less than a year ago. They said it was in prime mechanical condition and perfect outside. They just said it needed new tires, which we bought. Our great frustration comes from the fact that we have a vehicle that is otherwise in perfect condition. We, however, do not feel it safe to drive. We also cannot sell it as it is and there is no equity in it to purchase a different vehicle.
We are disappointed that Toyota produced a product this popular and viable that has no way or intention of making the repair possible. Please look at the top Blue Book price for this vehicle. Does Toyota feel any responsibility for the problem? We feel Toyota needs to take some responsibly for the problem. We have a car that is perfect except that it is unsafe to drive.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The automated seat adjustment does not work. It froze in a farthest back, lowest level position. We have been told the whole seat needs to be replaced because of the airbags. We were given a cost estimate of $1600 by Bell Road Toyota. They say they have none in stock or available and do not know when one might become available. 2 independent auto repair centers have not been able to find the seat used. Toyota told one that 2 were coming through customs in LA. with a waiting list of 40 people. Then Toyota changed and said there would be no parts coming and none would be made.
We bought the car from the first owner that we knew well. The car has complete documentation of everything that has been done to it in extreme detail. The car was checked out by the Toyota dealership when we bought it less than a year ago. They said it was in prime mechanical condition and perfect outside. They just said it needed new tires, which we bought. Our great frustration comes from the fact that we have a vehicle that is otherwise in perfect condition. We, however, do not feel it safe to drive. We also cannot sell it as it is and there is no equity in it to purchase a different vehicle.
We are disappointed that Toyota produced a product this popular and viable that has no way or intention of making the repair possible. Please look at the top Blue Book price for this vehicle. Does Toyota feel any responsibility for the problem? We feel Toyota needs to take some responsibly for the problem. We have a car that is perfect except that it is unsafe to drive.
- Cheri R., Phoenix, AZ, US