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.
The problem started with check engine light and computer indicating #1 ignition coil. I had the car to an ASE mechanic 5 times and the ignition coil replaced 3 times and still the check engine light came on, car would not accelerate with gas pedal and very was a lot of vibration to the engine. Had it towed to dealership and was informed that it needed a new engine block. I did independent research with a well known engine company in Jasper, GA and they told me that Toyota was well aware of the manufacturing problem with the bolts holding the engine block becoming defective and chose to ignore it since it, of course, involved a very expensive repair. Since the retail value of the car is about $8,000 running, I am having the car towed to my home and at some point I guess it will be donated to charity since I don't trust having the engine block replaced at such a high cost of at least $6,500.00. I will NEVER buy another Toyota. This problem has devastated me and left me with no transportation and I am retired living on Social Security with $$ to buy new car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The problem started with check engine light and computer indicating #1 ignition coil. I had the car to an ASE mechanic 5 times and the ignition coil replaced 3 times and still the check engine light came on, car would not accelerate with gas pedal and very was a lot of vibration to the engine. Had it towed to dealership and was informed that it needed a new engine block. I did independent research with a well known engine company in Jasper, GA and they told me that Toyota was well aware of the manufacturing problem with the bolts holding the engine block becoming defective and chose to ignore it since it, of course, involved a very expensive repair. Since the retail value of the car is about $8,000 running, I am having the car towed to my home and at some point I guess it will be donated to charity since I don't trust having the engine block replaced at such a high cost of at least $6,500.00. I will NEVER buy another Toyota. This problem has devastated me and left me with no transportation and I am retired living on Social Security with $$ to buy new car.
- avaatl, Tarpon Springs, FL Florida, US