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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.

5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,913 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 windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2003 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #6

Sep 142012

Camry

  • miles

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

2003 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to accessory outlet(cigarette lighter) and rear windows not working. The consumer stated when the vehicle was returned to her, she was informed the cigarette lighter had a short and had been fixed. She was also told the right rear window motor was burned out and would need to be replaced. The two front windows were working. The consumer declined the repairs for the window. However, the next week, the passenger window stopped working. A few weeks later, she received a notice in the mail, in which a recall had been issued for a faulty window control button on the driver's door, but for the 2006 models. The consumer stated one day it rained, and after it stopped, the windows started to work again.

- Burbank, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 202005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,926 miles
The contact stated the automatic door locks were defective. The dealer replaced both front door lock actuators, which corrected the problem with the door locks. After a while, both rear door locks failed. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the problem. The power window was inoperative. Updated 01/11/06.

- Stoney Point, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 062005

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,800 miles
Window motor broke without warning. Mechanic says no way should a motor break on a 2 year old car. Internet blogs full of stories of window motors breaking on Toyota vehicles. Replacement cost is $700 which is ridiculous.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

problem #3

Jan 152003

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • 750 miles

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

The cd changer initially had issues with playing cdr (cds made on a computer at home). It would skip all of the time. It also had issues with regular cds when attempting to fast-forward or reverse to a specific area of a song track. It took a visit and a couple telephone calls to Toyota's customer service to get them to agree to replace the cd changer. Ever since this was replaced, I have had no further issues with the vehicle since then. However, in the Camry that I had as a loaner when the vehicle was in on 7/28/03, that vehicle had the same issue with its cd changer and I told the service manager about it. The moon roof has had issues since the vehicle was originally purchased in January 2003. Basically, it has been leaking and a water noise is heard when operating the vehicle at highway speeds, which is not normal and the radio needs to be turned up to drown the sound out. The vehicle has been to the dealership for repairs for four times. The last time it was in was on 7/28/2003. At that point of time, the moon roof was not even closing completely. Toyota flew a field technician from California to Kansas City for the repair. He claims that the reason for the moon roof not closing was because the battery was disconnected when the heated leather seats were installed and that caused the timing for the roof to become corrupted. The dealership never saw this problem ever with any 2002-2003 model Camry and that is why a field tech was sent out. After he fixed the sunroof, I was assured by charles epp, Toyota's regional manager, that my vehicle was fully repaired and he personally assured me that it was tested for water issues too and that everything was corrected by resetting the timing. While operating the vehicle shortly after the repair, the moon roof is still leaking and having water noises during highway operations during rainstorms. Recently, I had an arbitration hearing at jay wolfe Toyota with an arbitrator from ncds.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #2

Nov 032001

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2003 Toyota XL Camry has a control that closes the driver's window. When activated you can release the button and the window continues to close. There is no safety stop which stops the action when the button is released. This can be a fatal exposure to a child or adult caught in the path of the window.

- New Freedom, PA, USA

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problem #1

Feb 132003

Camry

  • 21,000 miles
The power windows went up by themselves, without the button being pressed.

- New Freedom, PA, USA

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