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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,750 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2003 Toyota Camry. Attorney representing consumer writes in regards to air conditioner problems, vehicle shuts off when switched in reverse and other mechanical problems. The consumer had another mechanic checked the vehicle, and he determined the motor mounts needed to be replaced. When the consumer returned to the selling dealer, they informed her the motor mounts were only weak. While stopped at a light, the vehicle suddenly shut off.
2003 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to engine problems. The consumer stated the engine seemed hard to start. It felt as though it was misfiring. The air condition stopped working, the vehicle overheated and started smoking profusely. When the consumer arrived home, she discovered there was no coolant in the radiator. She filled the radiator with coolant and managed to get the vehicle to her local mechanic. The mechanic found a bad air condition fan, no freon in the system, and the radiator was leaking. The consumer paid $1200 to fix the issues. However, after driving 10 miles, the ac stopped working, the engine overheated and smoke was emitting from the engine, again. Also, the check engine light illuminated two years prior, but despite having 3 different mechanics inspect the vehicle, the computer diagnostic system, indicated no problem. It was re-set 3 times, but eventually came back on every time.
While attempting to park suddenly vehicle surged forward. Consumer was depressing the brakes, but, vehicle jumped a curb, struck a bench, and several other items. Consumer was not injured in the incident. Dealer examined the vehicle, and claimed that the air conditioner was causing the problem. The consumer states that the malfunction may have been cause because of the A/C cycled through on/off. RPM increased. A witness stated that he heard the engine racing. The consumer stated that the A/C was on. The incident was reported to the building security.
While traveling on the highway without prior warning, chemical smells are coming through the air conditioner vents. Dealer has inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. Also, the consumer has a problem with the driver seat belt.
- Deer Park, NY, USA
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- Montgomery, AL, USA