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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:
31 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
28 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,888 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #51

Nov 122021

Camry

  • miles

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

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.

- Caguas, PR, USA

problem #50

Aug 282021

Camry

  • miles
Front passenger side collision at 30+ mph, NO airbags deployed

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #49

Apr 292020

Camry

  • 167,000 miles
Front passenger air bag deployed in park mode like loud boom and cracked the windshield did not even move the car. Couple metal pieces hit

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #48

Feb 172020

Camry

  • 139,000 miles

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

Almost at end of exit ramp from I264 to bardstown rd near gardiner lane intersection. Had green light. My vehicle was going approx 25 mph with no car in front of me to exit onto bardstown rd (hwy 31?). only myself, driver. I was in left hand lane to exit to westbd (?) bardstown rd. Toward downtown and a smaller car whipped right in front of me from right hand kane (two exit lanes going in same direction. Perhaps, this car wanted to cross over three lanes on bardstown rd to get to fat left turn lane at gardiner ln. This light is often backed-up. Even though I applied my brakes, they were not stopping my car in time and I hopped curb to left to smsll triangular median. Airbags deployed. I could not make wise decisions without seeing and I was hit by airbags, bruised in face, etc. I was wearing my seatbelt. I viewed that there was no traffic coming toward me as I was now perpendicular to traffic into teo lanes of bardstown rd. I could have turned right and avoided hitting any othrr vehivle if it were not for airbags blocking my view. I had not hit any object or vehicle at this point. I kept applying pressure to my brakes on which I had spent thousands in repair. The brakes still did not stop me. I never saw why I stopped. Airbag blocked view. The car I was driving finally hit something (later found out) another car in turn lane to get onto I 264 it finally stopped. My hearing aid in my right ear was ejected when airbag deployed. I found it later on passenger mat in rear. The airbags had to be defective to deploy from jumping one small curb. No airbag I am able to turn right whether brakes work or not. No accident.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #47

Jul 082019

Camry

  • 300,000 miles
Car crashed into a guard rail and the driver side airbag did not deploy. Driver suffered whip lash and concussion.

- Sinking Spring, PA, USA

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problem #46

Oct 062017

Camry

  • miles
The dash is cracking at the airbag which I see is a regular problem. I am concerned about the safety of my passengers. This should not be a normal thing and should be repaired from Toyota,

- Prospect Heights, IL, USA

problem #45

Jul 202018

Camry

  • 168,769 miles

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

My car went into a deep ditch and the driver of my car incurred a terrible concussion while banging her head on the steering wheel upon impact. Her seat belt was on. I want to know why the airbag did not deploy.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

problem #44

Sep 132014

Camry

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact observed that the front passenger air bag started to fail and was exposed at the dashboard without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the vehicle. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #43

Jun 162006

Camry

  • miles
Takata inflators: Every time I fix my vehicle individuals cause hate crimes damaging my vehicle as I go to sleep or when I am not viewing my vehicle they must know exactly when I go to sleep because I cant catch them even though I think I know who it is I can not prove it so this is why I am complaining I remember checking my tires in the night noticing nothing wrong with them then checked in the mourning and noticed nails nailed in the tires then I noticed dried turtle wax all over the body of the car messing up the paint wheel alignment out of line right door power window malfunction trunk open power switch broken power sun roof sliding window broken vehicle was stationary this happened on different date in combination to the damage between 06/16/06 to 04/21/17.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #42

Oct 152014

Camry

  • miles
Can't take my kids anywhere because it not safe can't gave friend ride.cause it un safe this car is un safe please can fit my car when I got car did no it had problems with bags..my right side dash has line across it bust open. C

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #41

Sep 302016

Camry

  • miles

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

The contact owned a 2003 Toyota Camry. While idling, the vehicle accelerated rapidly in reverse on its own without warning. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle and a picnic table. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

problem #40

May 012016

Camry

  • 150,000 miles
Takata recall.

- Birdsboro, PA, USA

problem #39

Sep 182015

Camry

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to her back and neck and the passenger sustained injuries to his back and legs which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #38

Aug 262015

Camry 4-cyl

  • 181,000 miles
There was a head-on crash into a stopped vehicle. Speed about 45 mph. Airbag did not deploy. Car was totaled, driver suffered broken sternum...updated 10/02/15

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

problem #37

Aug 202014

Camry

  • 90,000 miles
I noticed about a year ago that the seam on the front passenger airbag was separating from the dash board. There is yellow beginning to show on the top part of the seam. It is getting larger and separating more over time. I am afraid that the airbag might deploy injuring anyone sitting in the front passenger seat and possibly causing the driver to crash. I live in a hot desert climate of central California.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #36

May 302015

Camry

  • miles
Filing a complaint on behalf of my father-in-law. He has a very low mileage 2003 Toyota Camry which has been well maintained. There is a large gap which has formed at the top of the air bag cover lining and dashboard. Like many others who have complained about the same issue, he is afraid of the air bag deploying.

- West Harrison, NY, USA

problem #35

May 192015

Camry

  • miles
No accident yet...but my passenger airbag seam is splitting. I am concerned for the safety of my family.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #34

Sep 222014

Camry 4-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
This Camry was purchased, new, by my mom and step dad is [xxx], or in 2003. They resided in florence, Oregon, a beach town for the next 7 years. I moved my mom to reno, nv when she developed alzheimer's. although Nevada is a low humidity state, the fact that this car resided on the coast in florence, or where humidity is high, rain constant I feel this car should have the repair to the front airbag. I am my mom's caretaker in my home and now with hospice's help. I also have an adult son on ssdi who needs my assistance. I worry that if something happens to me, due to the airbags in this 2003 Camry, that my mom, son and family would be greatly affected, not to mention possible injury/death to me or passenger. Please consider this car to be included in the recall to repair/replace the takata airbag. I have contacted the local Toyota dealership as well. Thank you, please offer me peace of mind and have this airbag replaced/repaired. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #33

Jan 022015

Camry 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
This car has an airbag starting to come of out of it containment. It is the airbag on the passenger side. We have taken this car to the dealer but they claim there is no recall. I think there should be. This is a hazardous situation. It began at about 50K but now is getting worse and the mileage is over 74K. It was taken to the closest dealer when the mileage was about 63K. It gets worse every day.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #32

Oct 012010

Camry 4-cyl

  • miles
The airbag in front passenger side of my Toyota Camry 2003 appears as though it may burst open at any time. There is a portion of what appears to be part of the airbag hanging out on the dashboard. Each year it gets worst. I live in a warm weather state, and wonder if that has anything to do with the bulging airbag. Please let me know if there is a procedure to take to get this fixed. I have my grandkids riding with me all the time now that they live closer to me, and I am afraid for their safety.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

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