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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,361 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Feb 202010

Camry

  • 10,000 miles

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

I have had a problem with my 2003 Camry since the day I bought it. The antilock brakes kick in for no obvious reasons, even for small bumps/potholes and I loose control of stopping the car. Luckily I have not gone into any accident, but it is scary. Now my 17 year daughter is getting her license and I am scared that she might not know how to control the situation. Dealer says there is no problem with 2003 Camry braking system. Reading all these posts, I think that Toyota is not honest with us see other complains at www.aboutautomobile.com/forum/Toyota/Camry/consumer+complaint/760-760.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #25

Jan 252007

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
I was involved in a rear-end collision in my 2003 Toyota Camry when my ABS brakes failed. The car was taken to the dealership the next day to have the brakes inspected. The inspection was visual only. The ABS brake light was not on and no defect was observed. The service advisor recommended that we have our tires replaced, in case the tires contributed to the failure. We replaced all four tires. One week later, we experienced another incident in which the brakes failed to deploy correctly, causing us to feel unsafe at a stop light in tight traffic. We took the car in for a second inspection. A Toyota technician took me for a test ride and said they had received complaints of "soft, cushy" brakes, but that whenever tested, these brakes met the Toyota specifications. Again, we were dissatisfied and felt that our safety was compromised in this car. We contacted Toyota's corporate headquarters and registered a complaint. An accident report was taken over the telephone. We were given no further help. We recontacted the dealership and requested that the district technician take our car for a test ride. On 4/4/08, the technician and the service manager of the dealership took the car out on a test ride. They informed us that the ABS brakes met Toyota's specifications. Despite the dealerships assurances, my husband had a third incident recently in traffic where the brakes failed once again. We fear for our safety in this car and do not want to drive it in traffic or otherwise.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #24

Mar 012005

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
When driving and going down hill brakes were hard, and a noise could be heard. Consumer was driving in the ice and snow on both occasions. Vehicle went into a fish tail, almost causing a collision. Dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #23

Mar 012005

Camry

  • miles

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

2003 Toyota Camry le, anti-lock brake system failure. The consumer noticed that every time when pressing on the brake pedal, and continue to steadily hold it depressed, the ABS would activate immediately, but the vehicle failed to come to a timely stop.

- Millington, NJ, USA

problem #22

Dec 132004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Anti-skid brake system on my 2003 Camry xle V6 malfunctioned, and caused the car to cross 3 lanes and crash into a guard rail. I was uninjured, but the car sustained $11,000 damage.

- Solon, OH, USA

problem #21

Feb 232004

Camry

  • 5,600 miles
Automatic braking system (anti-skid) activated prematurely on two occasions.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #20

Nov 022004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While applying the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. The consumer noticed less of braking power. The ABS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The consumer drove to the dealer to have the vehicle inspected. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Please fill in additional information.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #19

Sep 302004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes on vehicle are unusually soft and require an abnormal amount of travel before they engage.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #18

Sep 152004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles
I was driving North on route 93 in my 2003 Toyota Camry during rush hour traffic when traffic went from approx. 40 mph to a sudden stop. The cars in front of me all jammed on there brakes and successfully stopped, but when I stepped on my brakes, I could feel the brake pedal compressing and doing something, but I was unable to barely even slow down from approx. 3 car lengths away. I hit the car in front of me and my car crumbled. My 2 complaints are that the brakes definitely have a malfunction along with the air bags not deploying. Luckily, I had my seat belt on. The road conditions were dry and weather was sunny and clear. After this accident and my car has been repaired, I will be trading my car in and never buy a Toyota again.

- Salem, NH, USA

problem #17

Sep 012004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,126 miles
I stepped on the brakes of my 2003 Toyota Camry to slow down in preparation of a lane change while I was traveling at highway speed (approx. 50mph) during rush hour on I-15 northbound, a major las vegas highway (4 lanes wide + shoulder and exit lane). To my surprise the ABS brakes kicked in and shuddered underfoot. I was not attempting a full stop and had not attempted to stop short. I removed my foot from the brakes (foot was not on any pedal) but the ABS remained engaged and there was a sense of both acceleration and deceleration simultaneously. I immediately tried again to engage the brakes when my steering wheel locked. I was completely shocked by this occurrence but remained calm while in disbelief my car began to skid uncontrollably around the extremely congested freeway. As my power steering was disabled I could barely avoid several collisions as I tried to firmly engage my brakes. I prayed to god to watch over me and held on to the steering wheel for dear life. My car was veering but not slowing as it should until finally my car struck another vehicle. The impact sent my car into a full 360 turn. Finally the car came to a stop with me facing oncoming traffic. My car sustained substantial damage but my airbag did not deploy. No safety warning lights came on in my car prior to the accident. I am extremely lucky that both the driver of the other car and I were able to walk out of our cars unassisted after the accident, though both of us had neck/shoulder/back strain later. Nevada highway patrol was on scene and took a report. I have requested a full safety investigation and am awaiting response from Toyota corporation.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #16

Jun 042003

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,200 miles

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

Within 3 weeks from purchase date the car accelerated when I attempted to brake. This happened twice. I took the car to the dealer who was unable to find anything wrong. They had the car for a month in that time corporation reps also tried to find the fault. They were unable to. I was told car was fine. I was terrified to drive it and would not take it. The dealer would asume no responsibility and said if I wanted a new car I would have to trade this model in towards the purchase of a new car. Because I was so afraid to drive it and would not take the car anyplace else to sell because I knew how dangerous it was (and so did the dealer and if they sold that dangerous car to another it was on their responsibility not mine) I accepted the conditions put forth by my dealer and traded my 3 week old Toyota in for a new toyotaand had to pay an additional $4000 because the 3 week old car with less than 1200 miles on it was now a used car.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #15

Jul 022004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 30 mph and applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. Resulting in extended stopping. Dealer inspected the vehicle several times, and indicated that vehicle operated as designed by the manufacturer.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #14

Jun 252004

Camry

  • miles
Vehicle failed to respond when consumer depressed the brake pedal. Vehicle experienced unwanted acceleration, resulting in vehicle crashing into bushes and cement embankment.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #13

Oct 142003

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 250 miles
Incident occurred during daytime, clear skies, dry road, with no debris. Vehicle was practically new, having less than 300 miles. At 1230 in afternoon, I was driving approx. 25-30 mph on a slight downgrade (in a 45 mph zone). Another vehicle suddenly pulled out in front of vehicle that was 5-6 car lengths directly ahead of me. The driver of the vehicle in front of me slammed on brakes to avoid hitting the interloper. I too stepped on brake pedal hard to avoid vehicle in front of me. Although I was applying significant pressure (1 leg press 400+lbs, and was applying approx 1/2 to 3/4 of that), but my vehicle slowed negligible - prompting an expletive version of "what the heck"!"!". after a couple of ineffective attempts to push down brake pedal I stomped it, with little or no effect. My vehicle ultimately came to a stop through impact with the vehicle in front of me (after traveling approx 150-200 feet). The other driver and vehicle, my passenger and I were unharmed, but my vehicle suffered significant front-end damage. I reported the brake problem to both my insurance company and the Toyota dealership (located 1/4 mile from the site of the incident) where the vehicle was purchased. The dealership was not inclined to investigate the problem, but I pressed the issue with Toyota and my insurer, until someone from the Toyota regional office in baltimore agreed to examine my vehicle. The "examination" occurred after the vehicle (front-end damage and all) had been sitting on the dealers lot for 3 weeks, and consisted of a couple of test stops in the parking lot and pulling wheels off the vehicle in the shop to inspect the brakes. This, of course, yielded no new information and Toyota effectively closed the complaint.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #12

Sep 062003

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
I slowly pulled into a parking space, stepped on the brake, and the car failed to stop and surged forward. The car hit the store wall, five feet from the parking stall. I reported this to my insurance company. The brakes were checked and I was told they were okay. When I took my car for it's first maintance at the Toyota dealer, I told the service person to check the brakes and why. The service technician informed me that the 2003 Camry's rpms go up if you have the air conditioner on and you simultaneously step on the brakes lightly. They did not replace any brake parts, instead they suggested that I press hard on the brakes if the air conditioner is on to avoid an other surging incident.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 262004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30 miles
I purchased a 2003 Toyota Camry on 7/14/03. When my son rode with me on 3/18/04 and 3/26/04, he heard a clicking noise that I was unable to hear. I took it to the dealer on 3/26/04. The car has about 4000 miles. The problem was first diagnosed as a bearing in a rod. They received permission from Toyota to pull out the engine and found another rod to be bad. They then determined the crankshaft was faulty. I have also read the comments on the brakes. Although I have never had the pedal go to the floor, the pedal does depress further than with other cars. These are anti-lock brakes.

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

problem #10

Mar 172004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles
While making a right turn at 5 mph, the vehicle hesitated, then it accelerated on its own. This caused the vehicle to hit the curb. The problem was with the antilock brakes.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #9

Oct 122003

Camry 4-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
The vehicle continued to accelerate upon depression of the brake pedal. This resulted in the consumer broad siding another vehicle. The dealer informed the consumer that the brakes would eventually adjust to the consumer as the computer sets itself.

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

problem #8

Feb 022004

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer stated the brakes locked when he attempted to stop at a toll booth. This caused a rear end collision upon impact, air bags did not deploy consumer sustained a bruised chest, and consumer's wife sustained 2 two broken ribs. Consumer stated that when he hit the vehicle in front it was as if the vehicle accelerated, and even though he had feet on the brakes, vehicle kept going. He states that he pushed the vehicle in front of him, immediately cut the ignition off, put on emergency brakes, and coasted to the side of the road. Vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder. He says that the only thing that saved he and his wife was the seat belts. Consumer stated he saw on tv that Toyota was recalling 2002-2003 Camry for excessive acceleration.

- Manchester, NY, USA

problem #7

Feb 172004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,200 miles
As I was driving up the driveway of my home/house and in the process of applying the brakes to my 2003 Toyota Camry the car surged forward impacting the from of my brick house and going into the master bedroom causing extensive damage to the house and to personal property inside the bedroom, also the car suffered great damage to the front up to and including complete brekage and collapse of the winshield for a total car damaged of close to $80.00 dollaras and over $5,000 damage to the house not including the damage done to the interior of the bedroom and its contents. Extimates of the cost of repairs still going on.

- Houston, TX, USA

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