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:
153 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
51 / 4
Average Mileage:
38,621 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.
A 2003 Toyota Camry, V-6, with all safety equipment experienced intermittent cruise control disengagement, actual turn-off, at highway speeds. Sometimes the brake pedal needed to be lifted with the left foot to restart/re-engage the cruise control. Later, while parallel parking, on applying the brake, the car surged ahead hitting the SUV parked ahead. Toyota dealer, and field technician drove vehicle and the only thing noticed was the cruise control went off when turning around in a driveway. The problem was sporadic on the highway when first observed. Toyota legally denied the claim after over 3 months time from reporting to their regional center. No injuries occurred. The master cylinder has been replaced and the front end repaired. The car appears to be operating satisfactorily. The consumer stated if the brake pedal is depressed slightly to disengage the cruise control, he still has to lift the pedal to engage it again. Updated 03/05/10
While parking, the engine started racing and crashed into a wall in a parking lot. Cause of problem has not been determined. While parking the vehicles engine suddenly began to race. The vehicle accelerated forward about 3 feet and crashed into the wall of the parking structure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the vehicle has not been inspected to find the cause of the accident.
2003 Toyota Camry 3.0L V6 (midyear 210hp motor) the vehicle did not accelerate the way it was designed. The Toyota representative stated it was normal. The consumer believed it was dangerous when the accelerator pedal was pressed, because sometimes the vehicle did not move immediately. When the pedal accelerator pedal was pushed further toward the floor, the vehicle bolted out into traffic with a rush of power. The Toyota representative stated that was how the car was engineered, and he could not do anything about it. The lead mechanic said the consumer needed to get used to it. It had been 5 months since the consumer purchased the vehicle.
The vehicle experienced brake problems and while driving, the consumer applied the brakes, but it felt as though he stepped on the accelerator. Consumer owns two 2003 Camry models (his and hers) and both vehicles have experienced the same condition.
While traveling the vehicle surged forward, suddenly accelerated and crashed into a fence. Consumer was maneuvering the vehicle in a parking spot and lifted her foot from the brake to allow the vehicle to drift forward a short distance. The vehicle accelerated and ran over a parking stop, a sidewalk curb and then ran into a wooden fence where it stopped. On prior occasions, the vehicle had similarly surged forward while stopped in traffic waiting at a traffic signal. In these instances, the consumer was able to control the vehicle by applying the brakes.
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
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2003 V6 Camry has engine surges/shuddering through all speeds. Is really noticeable AT38-40 mph. Diagnostics showed engine computer needed to be reprogramed - problem was more noticeable when driving in citty where speeds were more increased and decreased. Continued to take back to dealership.
The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when the gear was shifted from park to drive, and collided with seven other vehicle's. consumer tried to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes however the brakes failed and the engine continued to race. See also ODI 10025068
The consumer experienced sudden acceleration immediately after the purchase of a certified used vehicle. The consumer applied the brake but the vehicle didn't respond. The ignition had to be turned off in order to stop the vehicle. (model xle) mr scc the consumer stated another vehicle pulled in front of him, he braked and swerved to avoid a collision. As he braked an swerved to the right, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated. The vehicle continued to accelerate as he steered to the left and attempted to brake to correct the initial swerve to the right. He then steered back to the right, then left, then right, in an attempt to control the vehicle. All of that time, he was applying the brake. In trying to gain control of the vehicle, the consumer crossed three lanes of traffic before the vehicle finally slammed sideways into a concrete median. Updated 04/09/10.
I had backed out of parking space. When I put 2003 Toyota Camry in drive, it surged forward. I braked but the vehicle accelerated. I depressed brake fully, nonetheless the car accelerated uncontrollably and very quickly. Vehicle only stopped by violent collision with two parked vehicles and cement blocks. Only good fortune prevented deaths of any passers by. Witnesses observed my foot fully on the depressed brake pedal as the car was at rest after the accident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Leelanau, MI, USA