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:
153 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
51 / 4
Average Mileage:
38,621 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.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when the driver was making a turn and slowing down, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. The driver was injured as a result. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while parking and shifting into reverse, the vehicle suddenly accelerated backward and crashed into a tree. The contact suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not examined for the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. While the contact was driving in reverse approximately 2 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle uncontrollably traveled over a curb and continued onto the lawn, then crashed into a wooden fence. There was no personal injury. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a dealer where they refused to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was waiting upon a response from the manufacturer pertaining to the unintended acceleration. The failure mileage was 50,420.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact was entering a parking space and accelerating slightly when the vehicle abnormally lurched forward and then accelerated. The contact attempted to abruptly apply the brakes and shifted into park yet the vehicle crashed into a concrete slab which stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and a diagnostic was performed. The dealer advised that a failure was not located within the vehicle to cause unintended acceleration but did advise that the brakes failed. The contact was awaiting repairs to the body damage. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact then applied extreme pressure to the brakes when the vehicle finally stopped. The dealer was informed about the failure and stated that they would like the contact to bring it in.the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 104000.
- Estelline, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Camry le. The contact stated while applying the brakes, the vehicle abnormally accelerated until more pressure was applied to the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure but advised that the failure could potentially be caused by a defect in the throttle body. The dealer cleaned the throttle plate to correct the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but did not provide any assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 23,900. Updated 12/30/10. Updated 04/06/11
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry le. The contact was sitting at a stop light when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact abruptly applied the brakes and was able to stop the vehicle against the curb. The manufacturer advised having the vehicle diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 107,768.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact was reversing 2 mph when the vehicle independently, rapidly accelerated. The contact attempted to apply the brakes but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle drove over several curbs and crashed through a fence before independently stopping. The rear bumper, tires and rims were damaged. A police report was available. Both the manufacturer and the contact's insurance company were investigating the cause of failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 50,400.
Only owner of 2003 Camry, after pulling into covered parking deck into normal parking space which happens to be on an incline (ramp going up to next level) I felt sudden acceleration in the gas pedal and the vehicle lurched forward. I immediately tried to brake in time, but not before the car jumped over the concrete stopper in the spot and made impact with the concrete ledge ahead. Damage to front fender, hood and left front quarter. No physical injury was sustained. Contacted personal insurance and filed case with Toyota. Toyota will inspect the vehicle and respond within 30 business days. Meanwhile I am responsible for my $1000 deductible and left driving a vehicle that I do not feel safe in.
Letter from congressman van hollen on behalf of constituent, re his concerns about unintended acceleration of his 2003 Toyota Camry the consumer stated as soon he started the vehicle and made a turn in front of his building, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. He attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not stop and continued to accelerate out of control. The vehicle continued out of control onto a grassy area, hit three curbs and as a result, the front tires went flat and the wheels were completely bent. The vehicle finally jumped the side of the curb of the parking lot and the front end crashed to the ground. The air bag deployed and the consumer suffered second degree burns on his right arm, and his wife's left hand and fingers were bruised. Updated 08/24/10
I got in the car and attempted to move it from the garage to my driveway. When I stepped on the accelerator the car surged and spiraled out of control. The accelerator 'locked' and I was unable to stop the vehicle as the brake would not work. The car crashed in my neighbor's yard against his tree.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. While in a parking space, the contact was driving at approximately 15 mph in the reverse position with an excessive increase in the acceleration without warning. The vehicle would not stop when the brakes were engaged and crashed into two parked vehicles in which there were no occupants inside. There was no personal injury. A police report was filed of the incident. The contact's vehicle front end passenger side sustained severe damages; and the two parked vehicles sustained minimal damages. The vehicle was driven from the scene and repaired a collision center. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. Updated 10/15/10 the consumer stated the repair cost was approximately $3000. A Toyota engineer inspected the vehicle and stated there was no problem with the accelerator link or any other components for that matter. Updated 10/21/10
S10 appropriate handling-letter regarding Toyota problems 2003 Toyota Camry. The consumer stated while on her way to work, she discovered the brakes were no longer functional. The vehicle began to accelerate on its own despite of how hard she applied the brake pedal. The vehicle then went on a grassy area, struck two trees and finally came to rest in a river.. the consumers vehicle was totaled. The consumer suffered a minor injury.
In 2003, I purchased anew 2003 Toyota Camry SE and within the first month or so had a "sudden acceleration" and a minor accident-- no injuries. I reported details to NHTSA at that time, and to Toyota who denied any liability. A long story. Eventually, the dealer replaced the master brake cylinder @ my request, which is the location of the cruise control cut-off, I believe. I have had no recurrence since then. However, the cruise control is still an issue, for if one just taps the brake to come off control, it does that. But to re-nter the cruise system, the pedal must be lifted manually, or depressed and released quickly, or the control re-engaged at the steering wheel switch. Details of this experience are in my earlier submission. I believe this demonstrates an electronic problem with this system and I felt Toyota was derelict in their handling of my concern and perhaps since then with the whole sudden acceleration problem. I thought you should be reminded and should, perhaps, review my earlier submission..
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. While traveling at 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning causing the contact to crash into a nearby wooden fence. There were no injuries and a police report was filed for the incident. The vehicle was not diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 38,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact was attempting a right turn at speeds of 5 mph when the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and proceeded to crash into a wall. The contact attempted to brake but to no avail. She was not injured. The contact was cited by the police and a police report was available. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The crash was being handled through her insurance company. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.
Sudden acceleration in reverse. On 2/18/07 two incidents of sudden acceleration in drive avoiding accident by shifting into N and braking. Info has been forwarded to VRTC on this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving 20 mph when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home to be inspected by the insurance company. The current and failure mileages were approximately 85,000. Updated 11/03/10. Updated 11/22/10 updated 11/23/10
2003 Toyota Camry. Consumer states unintended acceleration the consumer stated when she entered a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. She veered to the right away from a brick building and drove over a curb, a sidewalk, a drop down to grass and along shrubs at the base of the building. The consumer was able to bring the vehicle under control. All together, the vehicle traveled about 100 feet or more in a circle in a short period of time. The consumer stated the first time the incident happened was in May 2006 when the vehicle suddenly accelerated as she was backing out of a parking space. The vehicle had been idling for a few minutes with the air conditioner on before she placed the gear in reverse. There was no property damage and the police were not called in either incident.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry le. While driving up a hill at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated while the contact had the brake pedal depressed. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle in front of it. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to two different dealership but both dealers were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a local mechanic for repair. The current mileage was approximately 120,000. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Updated 11/03/10.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Somerset, NJ, USA