2003 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS DISPLAYING A READING THAT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTERNAL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BOLT STRIPS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A TURN AND SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE THE CONTACT TO BRING IT IN .THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AND ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ABRUPTLY APPLY THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO PARK YET THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE SLAB WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT A FAILURE WAS NOT LOCATED WITHIN THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BUT DID ADVISE THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE BODY DAMAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UNTIL MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY BE CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE PLATE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,900. UPDATED 12/30/10. *LJ UPDATED 04/06/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAINST THE CURB. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,768.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING 2 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY, RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER SEVERAL CURBS AND CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPING. THE REAR BUMPER, TIRES AND RIMS WERE DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WERE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,400.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY TRAVELED OVER A CURB AND CONTINUED ONTO THE LAWN, THEN CRASHED INTO A WOODEN FENCE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING UPON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER PERTAINING TO THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,420.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

ONLY OWNER OF 2003 CAMRY, AFTER PULLING INTO COVERED PARKING DECK INTO NORMAL PARKING SPACE WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ON AN INCLINE (RAMP GOING UP TO NEXT LEVEL) I FELT SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO BRAKE IN TIME, BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR JUMPED OVER THE CONCRETE STOPPER IN THE SPOT AND MADE IMPACT WITH THE CONCRETE LEDGE AHEAD. DAMAGE TO FRONT FENDER, HOOD AND LEFT FRONT QUARTER. NO PHYSICAL INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. CONTACTED PERSONAL INSURANCE AND FILED CASE WITH TOYOTA. TOYOTA WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND RESPOND WITHIN 30 BUSINESS DAYS. MEANWHILE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY $1000 DEDUCTIBLE AND LEFT DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN. *TR

AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR FIVE YEARS IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE EITHER AT A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN THE DRIVE SELECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT WARNING AS THE ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO RUN AT FULL THROTTLE HOLDING THE BRAKES DOWN FIRMLY WOULD NOT STOP THIS CONDITION AND ONLY WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR TURNED OFF THE IGNITION WOULD I BE ABLE TO RETURN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TO ME. HAVING OWNED THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003 UNTIL NOW THIS CONDITION HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY AND WEEKS OR MONTHS WILL PASS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. IT IS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING, DIAGNOSES AND INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE HAS NOT SHOWN ANY PROBLEM OR ISSUES ELECTRONICALLY OR MECHANICALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT A DEAD STOP ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND EVEN PULLING FROM A PARKING SPACE.

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA, CAMRY WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED (AT MY EXPENSE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT). I LIVE IN OREGON WHERE WE HAVE SEASONS SO IT ONLY GETS HOT A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND I USE A SUN VISOR DURING THE SUMMER FOR PROTECTION. IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR WHERE THE AIRBAG IS IN THE DASH, THE RECTANGULAR INDENTATION (LIKE A SEAM) AROUND THE AIRBAG HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE TOP EXPOSING YELLOW FOAM AND HAS ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGERS OR EVEN MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY. MY FATHER IS TERMINALLY ILL WITH CANCER AND ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 115 POUNDS AND I HAVE TO DRIVE HIM TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS REGULARLY. I WAS SO CONCERNED WHEN I FIRST NOTICED WHAT I CALL A "DESIGN FLAW" THAT I MADE HIM RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. HOWEVER, SINCE HE IS SO THIN, HE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE BACK AND WANTED TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT AGAIN WHICH I ALLOWED HIM TO DO AFTER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MEDFORD (LITHIA MOTORS, INC) GUARANTEED ME "100%" THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS PURELY COSMETIC. I HAVE PROVIDED PROOF OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO LITHIA AND HAVE SPOKEN TO TOYOTA CORPORATE A FEW TIMES. THEY STILL INSIST IT IS ONLY COSMETIC AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENTIRE DASH AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. I MAINTAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF THEY CAN AFFORD TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY ON SAFETY (PER THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS) AND ARE SPENDING EVEN MORE ON PR, THEY CAN DO A "GOOD WILL" REPAIR FOR A LOYAL CUSTOMER. TO THEIR CREDIT, I SHOULD ADD THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 50% TO REPAIR THE DASH, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE "UNREPAIRABLE" BY THEIR UPHOLSTERY PERSON. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM FOR MONTHS NOW. I AM A VERY PRINCIPLE BASED PERSON AND BELIEVE THIS IS WRONG CONSIDERING THE AGE, MILEAGE, ETC AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT THEIR EXPENSE ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. DOES CUSTOMER SERVICE STILL EXIST?? *TR

I GOT IN THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE IT FROM THE GARAGE TO MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR SURGED AND SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL. THE ACCELERATOR 'LOCKED' AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK. THE CAR CRASHED IN MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD AGAINST HIS TREE. *TR

SEAL AROUND FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAG SEPARATING FROM DASHBOARD CAUSING DANGER OF SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

I HAVE A 96 AND 03 TOYOTA CAMRY AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE HIT THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP. SHE CONTINUED HITTING THE BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT A BEAM UNDER A BRIDGE. I AM GLAD SHE DIDN'T GET HURT BUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I HAVE HAD DIFFERENT CAR MECHANICS TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS AN ANSWER ON WHAT I CAN DO. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AT 65,000 MILES I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE ON MORNING STARTUP. RESEARCH LED ME TO THE ENGINE HEAD NOT BEING SECURED BECAUSE OF THE STRIPPED BOLT PROBLEM. I STARTED USING A DIP STICK TO MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF COOLANT IN MY OVERFLOW BOTTLE BEFORE MORNING STARTUP. I PHYSICALLY MARK THE DIP STICK. THE COOLANT LOSS IS MINIMAL SO FAR. I NOW HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE QUESTION IS: DO I DARE TAKE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY? APPARENTLY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO BE MADE FOR A LAW OFFICE TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT. *JB

ON JUNE 20 SHORTLY BEFORE 6:00 PM I BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE OF OUR CONDO BUILDING, AND I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ABOUT 10 MLS/HOUR TOWARD A STREET CCA 50 YARDS AWAY. BEFORE ENTERING THE STREET THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED, HOWEVER, WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR ON ITS OWN ACCELERATED. IMMEDIATELY I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR SPEEDED INTO A GRASSY AREA, AND FROM THERE TO OUR OVERFLOW PARKING LOT, AND FROM THERE TO A SECOND PARKING LOT. THE TIRES BURNED THE GRASS DUE TO THE APPLIED BRAKES. PICTURE OF THE BURNED GRASS CAN BE SUPPLIED IF REQUESTED. THE UNSTOPPABLE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 170 YARDS. DUE TO THE FORCE BY WHICH THE CAR HIT FOUR CURVES, THE FRONT TIRES WERE FLATTENED AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE FRONT END COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. MY WIFE AND MYSELF WERE WEARING THE SAFETY BELTS, WHICH PREVENTED TO BE THROWN INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD..MY WIFE WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME, THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. IN ADDITION THE FORCE CAUSED BOTH OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. MINIMIZING THE HUMAN DAMAGE. THE AIRBAGS CAUSED A SECOND DEGREE BURN ON MY LEFT ARM AS DETERMINED IN THE ER. THE AIRBAG ALSO HIT THE FRONT OF MY FACE. AND SLIGHTLY BURNED THE FINGER ON HER LEFT HAND. NEEDLESS TO STAY THAT WE WERE EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND FRIGHTENED. UPON EXITING THE CAR I CALLED 911 AND REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED. AN UNKNOWN NEIGHBOR CALLED AN AMBULANCE, WHICH CAME VERY SOON WITH A LARGE FIRE TRUCK. WE WERE TAKEN TO THE ER OF A LOCAL HOSPITAL. WE SPENT AT 4-5 HOURS IN THE ER OF THE HOSPITAL WHERE WE WERE X-RAYED. EVEN AS OF THE DATE OF THIS REPORT, SOME 2 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH MY WIFE AND I REMAIN EXTREMELY SHAKEN BY THIS TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. MY WIFE'S SPINAL PROBLEMS WERE ENHANCED BY THE CRASH, AND HER CONDITION IS BEING MONITORED BY SPECIALISTS. THE CAR WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST.. I SUSPECT THE ORIGINAL MICRO CHIP TO CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION OF THE GAS FLOW. *TR

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN VAN HOLLEN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE HIS CONCERNS ABOUT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF HIS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS SOON HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND MADE A TURN IN FRONT OF HIS BUILDING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED OUT OF CONTROL ONTO A GRASSY AREA, HIT THREE CURBS AND AS A RESULT, THE FRONT TIRES WENT FLAT AND THE WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY BENT. THE VEHICLE FINALLY JUMPED THE SIDE OF THE CURB OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE FRONT END CRASHED TO THE GROUND. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HIS RIGHT ARM, AND HIS WIFE'S LEFT HAND AND FINGERS WERE BRUISED. *JB UPDATED 08/24/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY WOODEN FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL GURGLING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BOLTS FAILED. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND MANIFOLD AND THE CONTACT HAD TO EVENTUALLY REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,914 UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN UPDATED 06/06/11. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT WAS CITED BY THE POLICE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CRASH WAS BEING HANDLED THROUGH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE IN A PARKING SPACE, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN THE REVERSE POSITION WITH AN EXCESSIVE INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES IN WHICH THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS INSIDE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FRONT END PASSENGER SIDE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGES; AND THE TWO PARKED VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND REPAIRED A COLLISION CENTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $3000. A TOYOTA ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR LINK OR ANY OTHER COMPONENTS FOR THAT MATTER. UPDATED 10/21/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A CRACK, EXPOSING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE THAT I BOUGHT USED IN MAY 2007. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I TOOK MY CAR BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE STEERING WOULD MAKE SOME KIND OF NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE'S A PLASTIC PART IN THE STEERING THAT GETS DRY AND IT HAS TO BE LUBRICATED EVERY NOW AND THEN. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, APRIL 2011 I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT MY RACK AND PINION IS SOOO BAD AND HE'S ONLY SEEN THIS PROBLEM ONE OTHER TIME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T OLD ENOUGH FOR THIS PROBLEM TO AFFECT THE STEERING THIS BADLY. IT COST ME $553! I DO HAVE THE STEERING PART IN MY TRUNK IN CASE THERE IS A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO OR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT ADDED WATER TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO MALFUNCTION. THROUGH FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DAMAGED BOLTS THAT WERE CONNECTED BETWEEN THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $4,000 MINUS THE COST OF LABOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,503. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME TO BE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 85,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/22/10 *BF UPDATED 11/23/10*JB

WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES ON ICE, MY ABS SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATES AND SLOWS MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DOWN. WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES ON DRY ROADS, (COMING UP ON A RED LIGHT FOR INSTANCE), AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY RELEASE. AFTER A 1-2 SECOND DELAY, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES. THOSE TWO SECONDS HAVE NEARLY CAUSED NUMEROUS CRASHES OVER THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN TWO WEEKS, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BOTH REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WHENEVER HE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS THE CONTACT HEARD A VIBRATING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE GARAGE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT IF HE WANTED THEM TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, HE MUST HAVE THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,050. UPDATED 12/03/10. *LJ

FOR OVER FOUR YEARS I HAVE BEEN ASKING TOYOTA DEALER TO LOOK AT THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 CAMRY. THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES OVER HALF WAY BEFORE IT GRABS. I HAD TO STOP FAST TWO MONTHS AGO AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR AND I SKIDDED TO THE SIDE BEFORE THE BRAKES GRABBED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE FINE, THEY SAID THAT THE PEDAL WAS WORKING JUST FINE AND THEY COULD NOT ADJUST THE PEDAL FREE PLAY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THEY WON'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKES OR PEDAL ON A 2003 CAMRY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN, IT ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAK, IT FAILED TO STOP AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT SLAMMED ON A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. I SUFFERED INJURIES ALONG WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR

OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY/ SOLARA ACCELERATED WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. THE REGULAR BRAKES ALSO FAILED AS WELL AS THE AIRBAGS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

CONSUMERS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS, WATER LEAKS IN THE TRUNK AND GAS RESERVOIR, DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY RELEASING AIR INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TS SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST ON COLD STARTS. THE ENGINE VALVE STEM SEALS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE STRUT SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED DUE THEM BEING WORN. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING.*JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 04/223/10.*JB

DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS AND THE GAS PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR WILL IDLE ALONG WHILE IN DRIVE; HOWEVER, PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THE CHECK ENGINE ERROR CODE POINTS TO THE THROTTLE BODY. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS STUCK IN THE "CLOSED" POSITION WHEN THIS ERROR HAPPENS. I'VE READ ABOUT THE NUMEROUS TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS WHO HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ON THEIR VEHICLES AT -- HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/TM6GC5T4DHVFS52CS -- IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ALL STATE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING AND CONTINUE TO CHARGE UPWARDS OF $1200 TO REPLACE AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY WITH A NEW THROTTLE BODY THAT STILL HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE DESIGN. ESSENTIALLY, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO SWAP OUT ONE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY FOR ANOTHER DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. SIMILARLY, TOYOTA CORPORATE IN TORRANCE, CA DENIES THAT THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A PRODUCT DEFECT. MOST LIKELY THIS IS DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THE PART AND EXPENSE TO INSTITUTE A RECALL OF THE THROTTLE BODY. A CURSORY REVIEW OF THE ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURES FOR TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS SHOWS THAT THIS COMPONENT IN PARTICULAR IS FAILING TOO OFTEN TO BE CHALKED UP TO BAD LUCK OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. A CONSUMER CLASS ACTION IS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS SORT OF DEFECT. I WOULD ASSUME THAT AN EXPERT WITNESS COULD TESTIFY AS TO THE DEFECT AND OPINE AS TO THE STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING MORE THAN ANY OTHER COMPONENT IN THE TOYOTA CAMRY. *TR

WE HAD ATTACHED A REAR-FACING INFANT CAR SEAT IN THE PROPER POSITION. WE GOT THIS INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL POLICE BACK WHEN IT WAS FIRST ATTACHED. IT WAS WORKING FINE FOR 8 MONTHS. LAST WEEK, WHEN MY WIFE BRAKED THE CAR, THE BASE OF THE CAR SEAT DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE LATCHING RESTRAINT THAT KEPT IT IN POSITION. THE BASE CAME CRASHING TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT. LUCKILY, OUR BABY WAS NOT IN THE CAR SEAT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT EITHER IN THE LATCHING RESTRAINT IN THE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY OR A DEFECT IN THE CAR SEAT ITSELF. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2003, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=CAMRY). *TR

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WAS RUNNING, SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, BUT IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. CAR "TOOK OFF" IN REVERSE, AND ONLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN DRIVER JUMPED INTO CAR, PUSHED HARD ON FOOT BRAKE, TURNED OFF IGNITION, AND CAR DOOR SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. COOLANT LEAKING, PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, SAY MANY OTHER PEOPLE STATING HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET UNDER VEHICLE REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT 100,000 MILES. VERY UPSET. SAME DESCRIPTION AS EVERY ONE ELSE, GURGLING NOISE, COOLANT BEING QUICKLY REMOVED, MECHANIC CHASING THE PROBLEM TO THE ENGINE, ENGINE REPLACED. CALLED TOYOTA, JOKE OF A REACTION, NO APOLOGY OR ANY OFFER OF COMPENSATION. *TR

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE MY 2003 CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE SAME DRIVEWAY. SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IS CORRECTED BY TAPPING THE BRAKE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

MY WIFE'S WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE TO STORE WHEN COMING TO CASUAL STOP HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD LOST ALL BRAKING POWER WHILE MERGING ONTO EXIT. MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES UNTIL AFTER 8-10 PUMPS OF BRAKE PEDAL CAR FINALLY REGAINED BRAKING POWER. SHE WAS TELLING ME SHE WAS ALMOST PREPARED TO RUN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH TO AVOID REAR-ENDING CARS IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS SCARED AND UPSET AND SAID SHE WON'T PUT OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR 7 YEARS OLD SON IN THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKES PROBLEM SINCE NEW. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THE TELL US THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN FIND WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES SINCE NEW,BUT THIS EVENT BEING THE WORST. I AM CALLING DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. MY WIFE DOES NOT WANT THE CAR AND STRONGLY BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WON'T BE FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A ENGINEERING PROBLEM NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. I AM SURE OF ALL THE TIMES WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I AM SURE THAT WHEN I TAKE IT THERE TOMORROW NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL TURN THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM INTO A PROFIT MAKER. THE CAR IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH 44,000 MILE AND NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PADS AT 40,000. MY WIFE AND I READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON BRAKING PROBLEMS AND ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE EXPERIENCE ON OUR TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. I WAS NOT IN THE CAR SO I'M NOT SURE IT WAS BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. MY OPINION IS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN CAR WAS NEW I HAD A PANIC STOP ON HIGHWAY ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 30 MPH FROM 65MPH. IF THIS CAR HAS ABS HOW CAN YOU SKID THE REAR TIRES AT ANYTIME. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIND NOTHING WRONG EVERY TIME . TOMORROW AT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE INTERESTING, MY WIFE WANTS ME TO TRADE IT IN AND SWEARS SHE WON'T DRIVE IT EVER AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND EXITING IT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE OCCUPANT SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL OVER A CURB WHICH FLATTENED BOTH REAR TIRES. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE PAWL MECHANISM AND TIRES REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS LEFT RUNNING; THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PARK POSITION; BUT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN UPHILL SLANT,DOWNHILL BEING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LEVER DID MOVE INTO REVERSE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PAWL MECHANISM FAILED. UPDATED 05/12/10 UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON INTERSTATE I-40. I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ALONG A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHEN IT SUDDENLY SPEED UP, BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND CRASH INTO THE WALL. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUMPING ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS FINALLY STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DEEP IN THE SAND ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO ITS SEVERE DAMAGES.

ATTEMPTED TO PARK AUTO IN USPS LOT IN FAIRFIELD. PA; APPLIED BRAKE , AUTO ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER CEMENT STOP, I WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BEFORE CRASHING INTO POST OFFICE WITH AUTO RESTING ON CEMENT STOP. REVERSED BACK OVER CEMENT STOP AND PARKED AUTO. LEFT POST OFFICE AND PUT AUTO IN REVERSE, BACKED UP, TURNED AUTO TO STRAIGHTEN AND ENGINE ACCELERATED. I PUT AUTO INTO PARK AND APPLIED BRAKE TO STOP AUTO. HAD AUTO TOWED IN TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT NOW SITS TO BE DIAGNOSED TODAY. *DT

SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW IT HAS HAD STRANGE SOUNDS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL SOUNDS RELATED TO THE WEATHER [IT IS COLD OUT OR IT IS HOT OUTSIDE]. THE SOUND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IT HAD THE WRONG FLUID. THE FLUID WAS THE PRODUCT THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CHANGING THE FLUID AND HAVING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE- THE SOUNDS (LOUD SQUEAKING) PERSISTED. I TOOK THE CAR RECENTLY TO A DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY "GREASED" THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH ELIMINATED THE SQUEAKING, BUT NOW CLUNKING CAN BE HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CAUTIONED ME TO "KEEP MY EYE ON THIS" BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. THIS TOYOTA ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED. I FIND IT SUSPICIOUS THAT NO MENTION OF A BAD STEERING COLUMN WAS MADE WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I AM FRIGHTENED TO USE IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR. THE BRAKE PROBLEMS DATE BACK TO THE DAY I DROVE THE CAR HOME (NEW) FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE FOR THE STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AT SPEEDS OF UNDER 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN IN A CIRCULAR MOTION AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD REVVING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL FINALLY CRASHING INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THERE WAS A TIRE BLOWOUT, EXACT LOCATION UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

IN MARCH 2010 I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S TOYOTA THAT I BELIEVE I EITHER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO FIX OR HAVE TOYOTA SHARE IN THE COST. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA TO REGISTER THE COMPLAINT THEY SAID COULDN'T HELP ME, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. MY WIFE'S CAMRY (2003 WITH JUST UNDER 100,000 MILES) DEVELOPED A LEAK IN ITS HEAD GASKET, SO I TOOK IT INTO OUR LOCAL GARAGE. THEY LOOKED AT IT (PRESSURE TEST) CONFIRMED IT WAS LEAKING AND WENT ON LINE (IDENTIFIX.COM) TO SEE WHAT EXPERIENCES OTHER MECHANICS HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED FIXES. THE RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS BEING REPORTED FREQUENTLY AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT ALSO RESULTED IN A MORE SEVERE PROBLEM OF STRIPPING THE ENGINE BOLTS OUT OF THE BLOCK, REQUIRING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC SAID I WOULD BE BEST OFF TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE IF IT WAS MORE THAN JUST THE HEAD GASKET, I MAY BE ABLE TO WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THEM. IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET SHOULDN'T CAUSE THE STRIPPING OF THE ENGINE BOLTS. WE TOOK IT INTO OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INVESTIGATED - TOOK THE HEAD OFF - AND FOUND THAT IT WAS WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD FEARED, THREE ENGINE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. COST FOR A NEW ENGINE BLOCK, HEAD, LABOR, ETC. $7,500. I TOLD THEM WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND ONLINE - THIS WAS HAPPENING A LOT TO THIS TYPE ENGINE (2003 - 6) - AND MY BELIEF THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT TOYOTA COULD DO TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OR WAS THERE A RECALL, ETC. THE SERVICE REP SAID NO... NO HELP FROM TOYOTA. I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK AND CAN YOU SEND YOU COPIES, INCLUDING THE IDENTIFIX REPORT. CONSIDERING ALL THE PRESSURE PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT, AND LAWYERS HAD TO EXERT ON TOYOTA TO GET THEM TO ADMIT AND ADDRESS THE RECENT ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD CHECK OR ADD MY CASE TO A DATABASE TO SEE IF SOME LEGAL ACTION IS WARRANTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISES WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE DRIVER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 32,000.