2003 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

TAKATA RECALL.

I MUST SADDLY ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE HEAD GASKET/ STRIPPED BOLTS PROBLEM. MY 2003 CAMRY HAS 105K MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW LAST WEEK DURING NORMAL USAGE. I HAVE DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH NOW TO REALIZE THAT THE CAR WAS POORLY ENGINEERED AND THE STRIPPED BOLTS ARE PERVASIVE WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR. I NOW REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE, WHICH IS A COST PROHIBITIVE REPAIR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HAPPENED TO BE LOOKING AT THE DASHBOARD AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT FROM NORMAL TO THE THE HOTTEST POSSIBLE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, LET THE ENGINE COOL, ADDED OIL AND THEN WAITED A BIT LONGER TO ENSURE IT HAD COOLED SUFFICIENTLY. I RESTARTED THE CAR, PUT IN IN DRIVE AND WENT ABOUT 20 FT BEFORE THE TEMPERATURE SHOT BACK UP AGAIN. I PARKED IT IMMEDIATELY, CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE REPAIR REQUIRES REPLACING THE ENGINE AND WILL COST IS EQUIVALENT TO THE CAR'S VALUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT REPLACEMENT REBUILT ENGINES ARE HARD TO FIND BECAUSE THIS ISSUE IS SO COMMON WITH THIS CAR. AND, THAT THE BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE THE SAME ENGINEERING FLAW IT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN AGAIN. BOTH MECHANICS, ALONG WITH MANY OWNERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FORUMS AND BLOGS I HAVE READ HAVE TOLD ME THE CAR IS USELESS NOW SO I PLAN TO DONATE IT TO CHARITY TOMORROW.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY MAKES A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE DURING IDLE OR LIGHT ACCELERATION. MY CAR HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES INSPITE OF IT BEING 13 YEARS OLD. CLEARLY, TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD BUT SINCE MY CAR IS MORE THAN 6 YEARS OLD , TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER IT BUT MY CAR HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL NOW. HOPEFULLY, YOUR OFFICE CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF COOLANT WAS PRESENT, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY INCREASED TO HIGH, AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN DUE TO FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET BOLTS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

I FELT A CLICK UNDER HOOD AROUND AREA OF DRIVER SIDE AS I BACKED OUT OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT THE BANK. I DROVE FORWARD ACROSS THE STREET INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT, TURNED MY WHEEL RIGHT TO PULL INTO PARKING PLACE AND THE ACCELERATOR INCREASED SENDING ME UP A CURB INTO A BRICK WALL. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, I HAD TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK TO TURN OFF BEFORE ACCELERATION STOPPED. MY ENTIRE FRONT END WAS SMASHED(HAVE PHOTOS OF CAR AND TIRE MARKS ON CEMENT). I STARTED CAR BACK UP AND IT REVERSED FINE. NO MATS UNDER PEDAL AND NO SLIPPING FOOT TO GAS PEDAL. CAR HAS 60,000 MILES AND WAS IMPECCABLE.

TODAY I PULLED OVER TO DROP OFF CHILD AT SCHOOL, WAS ALREADY TO PARK AND CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY FOOT WAS CLEARLY ON BRAKE AS I WAS ALREADY GOING NO MORE THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR TO PARK. IT WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR. THAT FEELING OF THE CAR THRUSTING FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE WAS SOMETHING I NEVER FELT BEFORE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND CHECKED THE RECALL LIST THE CAR IS NOT LISTED. I AM SENDING IT TOMORROW TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICE. THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD, MY BODY IS COMPLETELY TENSE EVEN 5 HOURS LATER. THE THRUST WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR, THANK GOD FOR THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT I HIT OR ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. ALL I COULD DO OUT OF PANIC WAS PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT I THINK IT STOPPED BECAUSE I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.

TL* 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.

I WAS NEARLY FINISHED PARKING MY CAR WHEN THE CAR SPED UP, WENT OVER A CONCRETE CURB STOP, HIT AND KNOCKED OVER A SIGN POST. I RECALL THE ENGINE REVVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE 12 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS SCARY.

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*BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT AFTER SWITCHING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWITCHED IN THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,705.

"TAKATA RECALL" - I AM EXPERIENCING A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT & RIGHT, THE WHOLE DASH BOARD SHAKES WHEN THE AC OR HEAT IS ON, BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR & MAKING SOUNDS, AND WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT WILL MOVE FORWARD.

I TOO HAVE BEEN NOTICING A SURGE WHEN I BACK UP AND TURN THE VEHICLE AND STEP ON THE GAS TO DRIVE OUT. I HAVE AVOIDED CRASHES WITH CARS NEAR BY, I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE SPEED ON LOW AND OUT OF DRIVE TO AVOID HITTING A CAR NEAR MY PARKED CAR. I AM NOT SURE OF THE MILEAGE ABOVE AS I AM JUST BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND TURNING MY CAR TO DRIVE, I MAKE SURE IT IS ON LOW.

OPENED THE SUN ROOF WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, A LOUD HORRIFIC NOISE OCCURRED ABOVE MY HEAD UNEXPECTANTLY, IT CAUSE ME TO SWERVE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AS I INITIALLY THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT MY CAR, AND NO THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD DECIDED TO FAIL. THE SUN ROOF BROKE OFF IN PART, LEAVING THE RIGHT SIDE DIPPED INTO THE FRAME RAIL. WHEN I TRIED TO JUST CLOSE IT TO GET BACK ON TRACK, THEN YOU COULD HEAR THE MOTOR OR MECHANICS OF THE SUNROOF CHURNING. THE SUNROOF WAS ABLE TO BE CLOSED COMPLETE ENOUGH NOT TO GET RAINED ON BUT THAT IS ALL. HAVING SPOKE TO A FEW DEALERSHIPS/SHOPS OVER THE PHONE. I AM BEING QUOTED ANYWHERE FROM 2000.00 TO 4000.00 TO FIX --- THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MECHANICS OF THE SUN ROOF. I SELDOM OPEN MY ROOF HERE IN RAINY SEATTLE. NOW, IT'S GUARANTEED NOT TO OPEN EVER AGAIN, AS I WILL OPT TO HAVE THE SUN ROOF SEALED AND DISCONNECT THE MECHANICS TO OPEN IT. ALL THIS ON TOP OF AIR BAG ISSUE. THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER FRONT RIGHT SIDE IS SEPARATING FROM THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE, I CALLED BURIEN TOYOTA IN THE SEATTLE AREA, THE RECEPTIONIST FOR SERVICE LOOKED UP MY VIN AND TOLD ME MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST OF AFFECTED AIRBAGS. I ASSURED HER WHETHER OR NOT MY VIN IS ON THE LIST --- THERE IS AN AIRBAG ISSUE WITH THE UNIT. MY GOODNESS MUST ANOTHER PERSON DIE BEHIND THESE FAULTY AIRBAGS.

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.

NO ACCIDENT YET...BUT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAM IS SPLITTING. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY.

WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED SHOT ACROSS THE STREET HITTING THE CURB BLOWING THE TIRES AND HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE AND TORE UP THE NEIGHBORS LAWN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP DUE TO THE LACK OF TRACTION. MY WIFE WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. WE HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT. I LOOKED AND THE MAT HAD NOT MOVED IN ANY WAY TO IMPEDE THE FOOT PEDAL. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND LET THEM EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND THE REPLY SAID IT WAS DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET FLOOR MAT. THEY DID NOT REVEAL WHAT THE COMPUTER DATA RECORDED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT COULD OF BEEN ANYTHING ELSE.

THE 2003 CAMRAY TOYOTA HAS A DEFECTIVE PART AT 51,000 HAVE HAD TO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING BUT THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS DEFECTIVE HAS THIS BEEN A COMPLAINT BY OTHER OWNERS AT THIS MILLAGE? I IS BEEN REPLACED AT MY COST TODAY 14 MAY 2015 BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS AND AT THAT MILEAGE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IS THIS A DEFECT. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW.

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THERE WAS NO EFFECT. IN ORDER TO AVOID TRAFFIC I HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A STONE WALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER, A RATTLING SOUND COULD BE HEARD UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE CHANGING LANES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND A LOUD POUNDING SOUND COULD BE HEARD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. JUST AFTER TURNING ONTO THE SIDE STREET FROM EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR DIED. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WITHIN A 5 MINUTE PERIOD. UPON OPENING THE HOOD, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RESERVOIR FOR THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS BONE DRY. THE RADIATOR HAD BEEN FLUSHED AND REFILLED ONLY 2 MONTHS EARLIER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. UPON THEIR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT PREVIOUS TO THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON MINUTES BEFORE THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. IN AUGUST, 2012, A RUSHING FLUID SOUND COULD BE HEARD IN THE DASH AREA. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, ALL HOSES AND A RADIATOR FLUSH WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. IN FEBRUARY 2013, THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RUSHING FLUID SOUND COULD STILL BE HEARD OFTEN. IF THE RADIATOR FLUID RESERVOIR WAS TOPPED OFF, GENERALLY THE SOUND WOULD STOP. THE FLUID SOUND BEGAN AGAIN IN JANUARY 2015. THAT WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR GETTING THE RADIATOR FLUSHED. A NEW RADIATOR CAP WAS ALSO INSTALLED AT THAT TIME. I NEVER HEARD THE RUSHING FLUID SOUND AFTER THAT FLUSH. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM FORCED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE COST OF A USED MOTOR AND ALL LABOR IS ALMOST $5,000. THAT'S APPROXIMATELY WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF ALMOST IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT IT. *TR

THE STEERING ON MY 2003 CAMRY SHAKES DURING HIGH SPEED. AT TIMES, THERE IS A WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE. I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO LOW AIR PRESSURE OR UNBALANCED TIRES, BUT THAT'S NOT THE ISSUES. SECONDLY, THE PAINT ON MY CAR IS PEELING OFF, MOSTLY THE CLEAR COATING LAYER. I CAN NOT VERIFY IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE OR NOT. SOMEONE HAD INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL. I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY DOCUMENTED INFORMATION.

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL DRY CLEANERS. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED RAPIDLY FORWARD GOING OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR

CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO GET GAS 1/2 MILE DOWN ROAD. WHEN RETURNED FROM GAS STATION WE PULLED ONTO PROPERTY , TURNED OFF CAR AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. TOTAL LOSS FOR CAR. *TR

BAD OIL LEAKS. MECHANICS COULDN'T FIND WHERE LEAKS WERE COMING FROM. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE HEAD BOLTS ARE MOST LIKELY STRIPPED. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND FUMES WERE COMING INTO THE CAR. IF THIS VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM , WHY WASN'T IT RECALLED TO BE FIXED. I CAN'T GET ANYONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA JUST WANTS TO SELL ME A USED ENGINE FOR THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN AGAIN ACCORDING TO OTHERS OWNERS WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,259.

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE VALVES TO THE ENGINE HAD BECOME LOOSE AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO RUN ON TO THE EXHAUST. AS A RESULT, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

ON OCTOBER 21 I WAS RETURN TO MY HOME MY SPEED WAS 40 ON A MAIN STREET AND WHEN I START TO SLOW MY SPEED USING THE BRAKE I SHOCKED THERE WAS NO BRAKE N I TRIED THEN I USED THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR .ALL THAT HAPPENED IN SECONDS .... AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO TO THE NEAREST MECHANICS THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED .... THE 2 THINGS WERE WITHIN 15 MINUTES ... I STILL TERRIFIED WHAT I WILL DO IF THAT HAPPENED AND I USUALLY PICK MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WITH ME ... THE MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR N HE DID NOT FIND ANY SERIES THING.... SO WHAT IS GOING ON??? *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN MANO ROAD N E BEEN I SANTI TO USE THE BRAKE TO MAKE A CHANCE LINE BEVANDE I ATTIVE TO MY APPARTAMENTO I ROUND TENERE SAS NO BRAKE IN SECONDA AT THATCHER TIME I DEPENDANCE ON UDINE HANBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR N THAI CHALLENGER ERICE WITH IN 15 MINUTES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED AND REVVED TO VERY HIGH RPM'S. I MANAGED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND FINALLY SHIFT THE CONTROLS TO NEUTRAL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO NORMAL RPM'S AND I TURNED OFF THE KEY. TOYOTA FIRST CLAIMED "DRIVER ERROR", THEN ENTRAPMENT OF THE GAS PETAL BY A FLOOR MAT, THEN "DRIVER ERROR" AGAIN, ALLEGING I HAD "BRAKED INCORRECTLY AND MUST HAVE HIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE"!! I WAS SIMPLY LOW-SPEED DRIVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS, WHEN THEIR CAR RACED SUDDENLY ON ITS OWN ACCORD. I HAD NOT HIT THE BRAKES UNTIL I HAD TO EMERGENCY-STOP A RUNAWAY CAR! DEALER SAYS THEY "CHECKED THE COMPUTER" AND THERE ARE "NO ISSUES" TO RESOLVE! THIS IS A BLATANT, LETHAL DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT! *TR

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING!!! WENT TO REPLACE THE GASKET AND THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND HAD TO HAVE TO HAVE A HEAD BOLT REPAIR KIT PUT IN ALONG WITH THE GASKET KIT WHICH WITH LABOR COST ME OVER 4,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS! THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM BLOCK THAT OVER HEATED BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAK WHICH IN THAT OVERHEATED THE BLOCK/BOLTS AND CAUSED THEM TO STRIP THE THREAD FROM THE BLOCK BOLT, IN THAT HAD TO GET A REPAIR KIT DRILL THE HOLE OUT INSERT A STEAL COIL TO HOLD THE STEAL BOLT IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK!!! POINT BEING I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS FACTORY ERROR OF AN ALUMINUM HEAD THAT EITHER SHOULD HAVE HAD STEAL INSERTS OR A STEAL BLOCK TO BEGIN WITH FOR ABOUT 4,000 WHICH IS CLOSE TO WHAT THE CAR WOULD COST IF I BOUGHT IT AT THIS TIME WITH THE MILES CURRENTLY ON IT!!! A WASTE OF MY MONEY WHEN THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM TOYOTA IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! I HONESTLY CAN SAY THAT THIS IS MY 3RD CAMRY I HAVE OWNED AND I HAVE ALWAYS SWORE BY THE TOYOTA CAMRY BUT AFTER MY RESEARCH AND MY MONEY AND MY HEADACHE I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN HOW THERE NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE ON THIS ONE AND US AS TOYOTA OWNERS LOVE AND VALUE THE TOYOTA NAME COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT ITS VERY UPSETTING I'VE DROVE THE CAMRY SINCE 2004 AND BEEN SO PROUD OF THE NAME AND PASSED ALONG THE GOOD QUALITY OF THE CAMRY NAME ON AND ON THEN I COME ACROSS THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AND TOYOTA WON'T STEP UP TO THE PLATE ON IT REALLY TARNISHES THE NAME FOR ME!!!! *TR

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

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK AS THEY SHOULD. HAVE ADJUSTED THEM, INSTALLED NEW BULBS AS WELL AS INSTALLED THE BRIGHTEST BULBS AVAILABLE WITH NO SUCCESS AT GETTING THEM TO ILLUMINATE THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT AS THEY SHOULD. I HAVE ALSO POLISHED THE LENSES TO VERIFY IF THAT WAS THE ISSUE AS WELL, BUT WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY ARE VERY LOW INTENSITY AND NOT SAFE AT ALL THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THE REPAIR MANAGER SAID HIS VENZA HAS THE SAME ISSUE. I MUST USE THE BRIGHT BEAMS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. ON ANOTHER NOTE, I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE UNTIL RECENTLY, OR I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS A LOT SOONER. *TR

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). *TR

FLOODING OF FLOOR BOARDS. RUGS, AND THE WELLS UNDER RUGS LIKE A POOL FILLING UP WITH WATER ABOUT THREE INCHES DEEP, AFFECTING FRONT DRIVERS AREA AND THE REST OF THE CAR FLOOR BOARDS FRONT AND BACK. MECHANIC ADVISES DUE TO OPENING OF BODY SEAMS IN THREE PLACES. COST TO REPAIR, AND REPLACEMENT OF RUGS THAT WERE UNABLE TO BE DRIED $2,000. NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AUTO IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE OTHERWISE AND MAINTAINED SCRUPULOUSLY. OWNED BY LITTLE OLD LADY. *TR

TL* 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.

THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014, AT ABOUT 1:00 PM, I WAS LEAVING THE CHURCH PARKING LOT AFTER THE SERVICE AT SAN MARTIN DE PORRES CATHOLIC CHURCH. I WAS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH MY FRIEND (NAME PROVIDED ON REQUEST). I DROVE FROM THE LOWER LEVEL PARKING TO THE UPPER LEVEL PARKING LOT WHERE THE EXIT IS LOCATED. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. WE WERE COASTING TOWARD THE EXIT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR REVVED UP REALLY LOUD AND ACCELERATED/SPED THROUGH A SHORT STREET THAT FEEDS THE PARKING LOT. A WITNESS TOLD ME HE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR CONTINUED ON AT A HIGH SPEED ON THE DIRT PARKING LOT ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE CHURCH. IT WAS BURROWING THROUGH THE DIRT AND SPEWING OUT DIRT LIKE WE WERE IN A TORNADO. I STEERED THE CAR ALONG THE CHURCH FENCE TO PREVENT IT FROM GOING INTO THE STREET. AFTER A WHILE IT CRASHED INTO THE CHURCH'S FENCE AND SLOWED FOR A FEW SECONDS. (A WITNESS REPORTED HE RAN AFTER THE CAR TO GET THE LICENSE PLATE.) THEN THE CAR REVVED UP AGAIN AND SPUN TO THE LEFT AND PROCEEDED FORWARD A SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN PLOWED INTO THE BLOCK WALL GOING DOWN TO THE LOWER PARKING LOT. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR GOT STUCK ON THE BLOCK WALL AND DIED OUT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE CRASH. SOMEONE HAD CALLED 911 AND THE AMBULANCE, PARAMEDICS, AND POLICE ARRIVED. THEY ADVISED US TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR CARE. WE DID GO TO THE ER AND WERE EVALUATED. MY FRIEND HAD MUSCLE SORENESS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I CONTINUE TO HAVE MUSCLE SORENESS, AND MY WRIST AND RIGHT ELBOW WERE BRUISED AND HURT. I WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK AND KILLED IN THE PARKING LOT IF I HAD LEFT RIGHT AFTER THE SERVICE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CONSIDERED MY CAR A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS DUE TO A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LIT UP AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING ODD NOISES WHEN THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS PRESSED, WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN WE OPENED THE FRONT THE ENGINE AND COOLANT WERE SMOKING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE THIS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG, APPARENTLY THE OIL HAD BEEN LEAKING AND THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR GAVE NO INDICATION OF THIS. *TR

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.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABLE TO SIMPLY RE-START THE CAR WITH EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR (OR ANYTHING ELSE). THE PROBLEM WAS ERRATIC SO IT NEVER OCCURRED WITH THE MECHANICS. NOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS OCCASIONALLY WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OR BRIGHTS OF THE CAR ON. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (10/11/14) WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF (AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS: GPS, AC, RADIO, ETC). EVEN THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THEN, IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS, EVERYTHING TURNED ON AGAIN. THE CAR'S ENGINE DID NOT EVEN NEED TO BE RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR 20+ MILES. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST, HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT TRIGGERED IN THE PAST BY TURNING THE LIGHTS ON. THERE WAS NO APPARENT TRIGGER AT ALL. THE PROBLEM IS ERRATIC AND DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. *TR

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS,VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN SWITCHED IN REVERSE AND OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE, AND HE DETERMINED THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE SELLING DEALER, THEY INFORMED HER THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE ONLY WEAK. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF.

I HAVE A 2003 CAMRY LE, AND I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS SHOWING GAPS AROUND THE CAVITY ON THE DASHBOARD. I USE THE CAR FOR DAILY TRANSPORTATION FOR PERSONAL USE, AND I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT EXPLODE FROM THE HIGH HEAT. I RESIDE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE TO SOLVE THIS MATTER? I HEARD AND READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR TOYOTA VEHICLE OF THAT YEAR BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG PROBLEM IN FLORIDA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPECIFIED IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN

PLEASE ADD ME TO OTHER CAMRY OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT STEERING NOISE, EITHER AT REST OR DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, STEERING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT: CLICKING SOUND HAPPENS AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THE NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. NOW I HAVE LOST THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. SO, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING SOME KIND OF SWITCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING COLUMN! I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES WHICH ARE ALL FINE! READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND REALIZING THAT TOYOTA IS NOT OWNING TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE OWNERS HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED. IT DEFINITELY IS A DESIGN PROBLEM! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BULGE ON THE DASHBOARD WHERE THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAM HAD SEPARATED AND THERE WAS A COLORED SUBSTANCE AROUND THE SEPARATION AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD PADS ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED AND PREVENTED THE SEAT BELT FROM PROPERLY SECURING THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 345,754. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 345,800. RK

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, STOPPED, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR BOLTED GOING OVER THE PARKING CURB AND CONTINUING ON INTO A BUILDING, ALL WITH NO MOMENTUM AS THE CAR WAS STOPPED. ONE WITNESS SAID IT WAS A VERY LOUD REVVING SOUND. TWO OTHERS SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A TRUCK. THE PERSON WHO WAS BEHIND ME SAID MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR