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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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,500
Average Mileage:
157,500 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace piston rings (2 reports)
2003 Toyota Camry engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #4

Jan 012017

Camry LE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I always believed that Toyota was a good brand, but the oil consumption in my wife's 2003 Camry is horrible. I must add oil every 100 miles. It uses more oil than gas, and I cannot find the problem. There is no smoke from the tailpipe and no drips on the ground. Where the hell is it going?

- Martin G., Orangeburg, US

problem #3

Jun 062018

Camry LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

Per the "garage" high mileage cars burn oil...ok...well I had an oil change the day before I drove from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC (about 350 miles each way). I checked the oil prior to my departure - full, came back 3 days later, about 1qt per the dip stick...NO oil on the ground so where is it going??? My friend went to Toyota because he was having the same issue and the sales rep said it goes into the gas tank??? What?? My "garage" guys suggested I purchase a new car...per my last 3 Corolla's I have always driven them 200,000+ miles...are they not making cars the way they use to??? I only have 165,000 miles on this car and would like to keep it for another few years...Suggestions???

- dl104, Newark, US

problem #2

Jan 012014

Camry LE 16 valve

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,245 miles

I have to add oil 1 quart every 500 mls. my e mail is yuli@optonline.net

- Ayep Y., milford, CT, US

problem #1

Dec 212017

Camry LE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 214,563 miles

I DID AN OIL CHANGE AND CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AFTER 1200 MILES. FOUND OIL LEVEL AT THE TIP OF THE DIP STICK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TOYOTA CAN DO FOR ME TO FIX THIS CONCERN.

- Jose L O., Orlando, US

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