2003 Toyota Camry: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 780 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (29% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 780 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,888, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 165,064.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2025
“No incident. But it's a problem with the ABS. Dealership says it's nothing wrong with the brakes. But it is. Had a diagnostics done at Auto Zone, and it came back showing a code for the ABS system. But showed the service dept the code that it showed something is wrong with ABs. They still say nothing is wrong.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2024
“48 degrees outside, sitting in my car waiting a few minutes for it to warm up, after about one minute of sitting in it, the rear driver side window just cracked everywhere and shattered. Glass all over. Not happy, no reason why this should have happened. No cars were around, nothing hit it, it just shattered with no warning or no reason. I always loved Toyotas but this is really discouraging.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was going 45 to 50 mph and my car shut off in middle of highway and we barely got out of highway before getting hit there is recall on same kind of car for throttle body and that's what's wrong with mine so it has too be that they missed my car”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2022
“I have a 2003 Toyota Camry le (4 cylinder, 2. 4 l) which began leaking engine coolant from around the engine block. My mechanic determined that the root cause of the leak was loose head bolts in the engine block. I was advised to either replace the engine or rebuild it both of which are cost prohibitive given the value of the car at 114,000 miles. I have come to learn that this is a very common problem with 2003 Camrys and Toyota has issued no recall for this issue. This particular car was well maintained by Toyota dealership service.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2021
“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle onto her driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine bolts had sheared off. The contact stated that the bolts were replaced and torqued to specs however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2021
“2003 toyota camry. Consumer writes in regards to defective airbag. The consumer stated the vehicle was displaying a defect in the dash area where the air bag is located. The consumer requested information about the vehicle and how to proceed with repairs.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2021
“Driver seat belts releases on its own especiall while driving. I stop and push metal clasp back into position, sometimes with force to make sure it is engaged. Sometimes it stays in place, sometimes not. I also check to make sure nothing is in the way of metal clasp before pushing it into the slot. I never know when it will pop back again undtil the light on the dashboard starts to flash. This has been going on for about 2 months.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2021
“I started my car and began to back up, when the rear-view mirror burst into smoke, it began filling the car with smoke. I reached up and pulled the wires out of the mirror and the wires were arcing. After I pulled the wires out the smoke started subsiding. I opened the doors and aired out the car.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2021
“After oxygen sensors were changed the VSC and track off lights came on and wouldn't turn off and it's using a lot of fuel consumption and it takes a second for the car to pick up after stepping on the gas pedal”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 228 of these complaints and injuries in 106 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camry by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Toyota Camry reliable?
NHTSA has 780 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Toyota Camry. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Camry problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,700 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Toyota Camry have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:side/window. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.