2003 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

DRIVER/OWNER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN GARAGE. PLACED VEH. IN REVERSE AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING DRIVER TO ZOOM ACROSS STREET AND CRASH INTO A TREE, SUSTAINING SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES, PARTIAL PARALYSIS, HEMATOMA, FRACTURED VERTEBRAE IN UPPER THORACIC AREA, SPINE DAMAGE, RECTUM/COLON DAMAGE AND INJURIES, REQUIRING DRIVER TO WEAR DIAPERS AND BE FED THROUGH FEEDING TUBE. PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHIPPED TOOTH, WHIPLASH, AND OTHER INJURIES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN SHE HEARD A VERY PECULIAR NOISE. SHE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE UNLESS SHE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

I HAD TO DO A HEAD GASKET REPAIR AND REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING THREADS FOR THE BOLTS ON THE HEAD GASKET. WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK THE HEAD OFF HE REALIZED THE 3 BACK BOLTS WERE LOOSE. WHEN HE TRIED TO REPLACE THE HEAD, THE 3 BACK BOLTS WOULD NOT TORQUE TO PROPER PRESSURE. REALIZING THAT THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED IT WAS DISCUSSED ABOUT REPLACING THE ENGINE OR HAVING THE HOLES DRILLED OUT AND FIXED WITH TIMESERTS. I WENT WITH THE TIMESERTS REALIZING THAT IF I REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH THE SAME TYPE I'D BE FACING THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. I BELIEVE THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT HAVE OVERHEATED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THE 3 BACK BOLTS WERE NOT ALREADY LOOSE. THE MACHINE SHOP OPERATOR STATED THIS WAS HIS 59TH TOYOTA THIS YEAR HE HAD TO DO THE TIME-SERTS ON THE ENGINE. I HAD ALL 10 OF THE HOLES RE DONE AT A COSTLY PRICE TO MAKE SURE THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN TO THE OTHER BOLTS. *TR

10/06/09 ACCIDENT--UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR AND REAR GARAGE WALL. BECAUSE CAR HAS NOT APPEARED ON RECALL LISTS MY INSURANCE CO. ADVISES I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT AND WILL FACE INCREASED PREMIUM. I FEEL THIS UNFAIR AND UNJUST. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I WAS ADVISED TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT WITH YOU BY TV CONSUMER ADVOCATE "7 ON YOUR SIDE". THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I STARTED IT TO PUT IN GARAGE--THEREFORE, I CANNOT PUT PROPER SPEED IN AREA SUBSEQUENT TO THIS SECTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. HE SWERVED INTO ANOTHER LANE, BUT QUICKLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,714. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE ACCELERATION WHEN INITIALLY PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO, ON OCCASION, THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ENGAGE AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AN OPERATOR ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS TO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER LAST YEAR BUT THEY SAID IT INVOLVED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SEEMS THAT THE TOYOTA REPAIR PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALREADY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HER RISK FOR A VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000. UPDATED 11/3/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN WHEN THE FLOOR MAT WAS ATTACHED, IT ALWAYS BECAME DETACHED MANEUVERING ITSELF UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FLOOR MAT HAS NEVER STAYED IN PLACE SINCE THE CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/05/09. *JB

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT THE MALL AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS DRIVING 100MPH. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE CAR MATS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE MY MATS WERE IN PLACE AFTER THE CRASH. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE TREE.*TR

MY TOYOTA SOLARA LSE, 2003, WITH 125,000 MILES HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND BROKEN MOUNT AND STRUTS PROBLEMS. 1. MY REAR MOUNT AND STRUTS BROKE AND I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTO MECHANIC IT MAY CAUSE A SERIOUSE ACCIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED. AS SOON AS I REPAIRED THE PROBLEM IN THE REAR, IMMEDIATLY THE FOLLOWING DAY FRONT MOUNT AND STRUTS BROKE. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. 2. MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT MONTHLY AND I CANNOT TELL MY LIGHTS ARE NOT ON BECAUSE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE OUT AND SOME WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AND AUTOMECHANICS CAN'T GET THEM OFF (ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT LINKED TO ANY ACTUAL PROBLEMS); 3. MY DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AS WELL. I LIVE IN CHICAGO AND CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOWN IN THE WINTER MONTHS. *CN

I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN THE FALL OF 2002. ONE WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE TACHOMETER READING NEARLY 9,000 RPM'S. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE IGNITION. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED MY DEALER (FITZGERALD TOYOTA, CHAMBERSBURG, PA.) AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT AND IT WAS SUGGESTED I HAD STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR VS. THE BRAKE. I DIDN'T ARGUE THE POINT AND THE CAR PERFORMED FINE UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THREE DAYS. I SPOKE WITH FITZGERALD TOYOTA YESTERDAY (JAY NEWCOMER) TO ASCERTAIN IF ANYONE ELSE HAD REPORTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD "FITZGERALD HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS MORNING I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM WAS FAIRLY COMMON WITH TOYOTA'S OF THAT YEAR PLUS OTHER YEAR'S MODELS. IS THE NHTSA AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA'S AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION? *TR

ON AUGUST 20, 2009, STARTED MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WITH GEAR SHIFT IN "PARK", CAR ENGINE RACED AS IF ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. ENGINE WAS SCREAMING, I WAS AFRAID TO SHIFT IT INTO "DRIVE". SHUT OFF CAR AND RE-STARTED, CAR IDLED FINE AT NORMAL SPEED. PROCEEDED TO DRIVE CAR WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AM SURE THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT THE TIME.THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE IN 74,000 MILES AND 7 YEARS OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP. *TR

I PULLED INTO MY BROTHER'S DRIVEWAY AND WAS GETTING READY TO PARK WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AS IF I HAD THE GAS TO THE FLOOR(WHICH I DIDN'T). I CRASHED INTO MY BROTHER'S TRUCK KNOCKING IT INTO HIS HOUSE, STILL COULDN'T STOP THE CAR, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CLIMB HIS TRUCK. IT THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AND SIDE SWIPED HIS OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED, I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AND TRYING TO GO. I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED WHERE I COULD TURN IT OFF WITH THE KEY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS NEARLY $14,000.00 PLUS THE DAMAGE TO MY BROTHER'S PROPERTY. *TR

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE 4 CYL. WITH LESS THAN 100K OVERHEATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME OF A COOLANT LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. DEALER HAS VEHICLE, REPORTS IT IS NOT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS LEAKING BUT 3 REAR STEEL BOLTS THAT GO INTO ALUMINUM ARE STRIPPED. TOYOTA IS "UNWILLING TO PARTICIPATE" IN THE REPAIR WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $6900.00 WHICH INCLUDES PURCHASING A NEW BLOCK. THIS SAME ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE TOYOTA FORUMS, USUALLY THIS ISSUE APPEARS AS A PROBABLE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS IS NOT THE CASE IN MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT BUT IS DOING NOTHING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE AND AS MORE VEHICLES ATTAIN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE, MORE REPORTS ARE BEING MADE OF THIS FAULT. THIS TYPE OF REPAIR SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER WHEN THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THIS MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL. PERHAPS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS IN ORDER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE GEAR, SLIGHTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPM'S RAPIDLY INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING AND CONTINUED TO INCREASE UNTIL THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, 4 CYL., AUTOMATIC, APPROX 60,000 MILES. PROBLEM: UNCOMMANDED FULL ACCELERATION. DRIVING CONDITIONS: CLEAR WEATHER, DAYTIME, DRY SURFACE HIGHWAY, CRUISE CONTROL - OFF, TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTED - DRIVE. CONSEQUENCE: MAJOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTIVE ACTION: THROTTLE / SENSOR CHECKED FOR FAILURE AT SHOP - NO DEFECT NOTED - COULD NOT DUPLICATE FAILURE. REPLACEMENT THROTTLE $1100 WITH LABOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A STATIONARY WOODEN POWER POLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NUMEROUS INJURIES SUCH AS 10 BROKEN RIBS, NUMEROUS BACK INJURIES, INJURED SPLEEN, AN INJURY AND CUT TO LEFT BICEP. THE DRIVER ALSO SUSTAINED NUMEROUS BRUISES AND BROKEN BONES IN HER RIGHT HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME UNEXPLAINABLE ACCELERATION BEING AIRED ON TELEVISION NEWSCASTS ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AS I WAS DRIVING IN FRONT OF A POPULAR SHOPPING AREA MY CAR ACCELERATED AT AN ALARMING SPEED. IT FELT LIKE A JET. I QUICKLY ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON MY FOOT BRAKE AND EVEN TRIED THE HAND BRAKE. THE CAR CEASED TO STOP. THE CAR CROSSED A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND DANGEROUSLY ENTERED A BUSY PARKING LOT AT A POPULAR MALL. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO DODGE PEDESTRIANS, MOVING AND PARKED CARS UNTIL I TURNED SUDDENLY AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN THAT DIVIDED THE PARKING ROWS IN THE PARKING LOT. ON-LOOKERS CAME TO CHECK ON ME AND SPOKE OF HOW THE BACK TIRES WERE SMOKING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS GOING SO FAST. SHAKEN UP, MY PASSENGER AND I CALLED FAMILY MEMBERS WHO RUSHED TO THE SCENE AND PROCEEDED TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN. THE FRONT WHEEL AXLE WAS BENT, AND THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE CRASH. THANKFULLY, NEITHER MY PASSENGER NOR I WERE INJURED, BUT VERY SHAKEN UP. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY SERVICE CENTER, THEY WERE ABLE TO SURMISE THAT THE CAR WAS A BIT MANGLED AND REQUIRED PARTS NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HILO, HAWAII. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE CAR EXCEEDED $3,000. I CONTACTED MY CAR INSURANCE CARRIER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. NEARLY ONE MONTH LATER, THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED THEM TO PLEASE EXAMINE THE CAR AND EVALUATE WHETHER IT WAS SAFE FOR DRIVING. THE MICRO CHIP DID NOT INDICATE ANYTHING ABNORMAL ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE AGENT. *TR

2003 CAMRY, 4 CYLINDER, 2.4L ENGINE, XLE MODEL. FLUTTERING NOISE UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM THE ENGINE AREA. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $760.00. ENGINE HAD 86,000 MILES. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS FAILURE WHICH SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED WITH A CAR OF THIS SUPPOSED QUALITY. I RATE THIS CAR A 2 OUT OF 5. *TR

03 CAMRY 4 CYL. 2.4L. ONLY 32000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING, COOLANT LEAKING FROM A HOSE ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. ENGINE BECAME OVERHEATED. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. HAD TO STOP THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES ON THE WAY TO WORK. THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. IT COSTS MORE THAN $1200 TO REPLACE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY INVOLVED IN AN 8 CAR ACCIDENT ON 6/20/09. CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP CAR.*TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALTHOUGH THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR, NONE OF THE SIX (6) AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, THERE IS NOW A GAP ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AREA FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS EHA VALVE STEMS, MODEL TR0413 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE LOST COMPLETE TIRE PRESSURE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEMS FRACTURED. THE TIRE AND VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VALVE STEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 7/1/09 *CN UPDATED 07/07/09.*JB

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 XLE - SKIDS OR SPINS OCCASIONALLY AND ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER (NOT JUST ICY OR SNOW CONDITIONS). MAY 2009 MY CURRENT 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY TOOK A 360 DEGREE TURN (I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE) IN A 60 TO 70 DEGREE TURN AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS RAINING ALL DAY ON THAT DAY. ON THAT DAY THE CARE HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND CAUSED FRONT AND REAR BUMPER AND SIDE DAMAGES. ALSO IN OTHER SITUATIONS THE CAR SKIDDED IN WET CONDITION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A HARD STOP OR TAKING A TURN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MOST OF THE TOYOTA MODELS. I HAD A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA AND A 1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. ALL THE 3 VEHICLES HAD SAME SPINNING OR SKIDDING ISSUE IN WET CONDITION ON RAIN. ALSO, I LEARNT THAT ONE OF OUR FRIENDS TOYOTA AVALON SPUN RECENTLY IN WET CONDITION AS WELL. *TR

HEARD GURGLING IN THE DASHBOARD AND SOON AFTER THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. TOOK IT IN TO THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND WHEN THEY STARTED REMOVING THE HEAD BOLTS, THEY DISCOVERED THE BOLTS HAD PULLED THROUGH THE ALUMINUM BLOCK WHICH CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. *TR

VEHICLE IS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE - 1ST INCIDENT OCCURRED 10-27-06 - OIL LIGHT CAME ON, STOPPED AT FULL SERVICE STATION, LESS THAN 1/2 QT LOW, CRANKED CAR & LIGHT WAS OFF, WENT APPROX 25 MILES, PULLED UP TO STOP SIGN, CAR DIED, WOULDN'T CRANK, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN QUICK TEST & GOT CODE P0340, FOUND INTAKE CAM BROKEN, ENGINE DIRTY, PICKUP STOPPED UP,INTAKE& EXHAUST CAM STUCK IN CYLINDER HEAD, GAVE ESTIMATE FOR USED ENGINE, CAR HAD 56,738 MILES & WAS UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, THEY SAID DUE TO OIL SLUDGE, BLAMED ON NOT CHANGING OIL, HAD ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS, ACCUSED MY MECHANIC OF FALSIFYING DOCS BUT FINALLY AGREED TO REPAIR. THEY DID NOT REPLACE ENGINE, THEY REPLACED CYLINDER HEADS, CAMS, VALVES, TIMING CHAIN & GUIDES, OIL PICKUP, CLEANED ENGINE & REASSEMBLED. 2ND INCIDENT - MID MAY 2009 - DRIVING, NO LIGHTS CAME ON, CAR STARTED LOSING POWER & SMOKING BAD, PULLED OVER, OIL WAS SPLATTERED CAUSING SMOKING, WAS NOT RUNNING HOT, STILL HAD SOME OIL EVEN AFTER SPLATTERING, TOWED TO MECHANIC, HE SAID DUE TO SLUDGE, DAMAGE INCLUDED 3 HOLES IN BLOCK, 1 HOLE IN OIL PAN, #4 CONNECTING ROD DAMAGED BAD, #4 PISTON SHATTERED, #4 CYLINDER HEAD DAMAGED, ENGINE A TOTAL LOSS, STILL HAVE OLD ENGINE, CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. TOYOTA GAVE ME A CASE #, THEN ON 06-24-09 TOYOTA DENIED ANY KIND OF REPAIR STATING THE 2003'S WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT & CAR WAS TOO FAR OUTSIDE WARRANTY. CAR HAS APPROX 96,000 MILES. TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW ENGINES AFTER 2001, BUT APPARENTLY THE NEW ENGINES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ONES IN THE LAWSUIT. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, TOO MANY TOYOTA OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWING TIMELY OIL CHANGES. I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR PERSONS IN INCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED. *TR

IT BEGAN WITH THE RUSHING SOUND OF FLUID (COOLANT) SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. WHEN I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE I WAS SMELLING COOLANT AND NOTICED SOME SMOKE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 12 MONTHS THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED, I FULLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN MAY 2008...CLEARLY A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE DESIGN. *TR

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DISCUSSION THREAD --------------------------------------------------------------- RESPONSE (KWIL) - 01/26/2010 04:26 PM WE APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR CONCERN WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR 2003 CAMRY, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO LET US KNOW. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. NONE OF THESE STUDIES HAS FOUND THAT AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS THE CAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, ADOPTED IN SOME FORM BY NEARLY ALL AUTOMAKERS, HAS SEVERAL FAIL-SAFE FEATURES AND ENHANCES SAFETY BY MAKING POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL AND ADAPTIVE LASER CRUISE CONTROL. TOYOTA VALUES THE SAFETY OF OUR OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC. IT IS OUR UTMOST CONCERN AND TOYOTA HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ADDRESS ANY DEFECT TRENDS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR EMAIL AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS UNDER FILE. IF WE CAN BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK, HTTP://WWW.TOYOTA.COM/HELP/CONTACTUS.HTML,TO CONTACT US. CUSTOMER - 01/22/2010 06:21 AM I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT MY VEHICLE - SINCE AN EXPERIENCE I HAD IN MAY OF 2009 IN NICHOLS, SC. I WAS DEPARTING MY SISTER'S FARM - HAD MY CAR IN REVERSE - WHEN IT ACCERALATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE HAD A VERY LOUD WHINE AND IN A MATTER OF SECONDS WENT FROM 0 TO 60 MPH (MY GUESS)IT WENT IN REVERSE ' ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION WITH HORSES AND BARN. I APPLIED BRAKES AND SHIFTED GEARS ' ALL IN VAIN. ONLY WHEN I TURNED THE KEY OFF ' DID THE CAR STOP. MY CAR RECEIVED SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS EXAMINED BY HARRELSON TOYOTA, ROCK HILL, SC. ' NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. *TR

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS ONE IN DRIVEWAY AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) HELLO, I KNOW THE LAST THING YOU PEOPLE NEED IS YET ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT TOYOTA, BUT I HAD AN INCIDENT LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2003 CAMRY. I NEVER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA OR TOYOTA, BECAUSE AFTER THE INCIDENT WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, THEY TRIED TO BELITTLE ME WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT RUNNING A DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR'S BEHAVIOR. I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS I COULDN'T GO UP AGAINST, SO I LET IT GO. I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING THE CAR AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. NOBODY WAS HURT, THANKFULLY. WE GOT THE CAR FIXED, BUT SINCE THEN NOBODY WANTS TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT'S BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE, DRIVEN ABOUT 3X IN THE ENTIRE LAST YEAR. I AM 38 YEARS OLD, GREAT DRIVING RECORD, AND AM TOTALLY POSITIVE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE (AS WE WERE SLOWING TO A STOP). I HAVE READ OTHER INCIDENTS THAT ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MINE. ANYWAYS, THAT'S IT. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION IF NECESSARY. [XXX] *TR

2002 ALTIMA 2.5S CATALYTIC CONVERTER BACKFIRED INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND OTHER PROBLEMS REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO NEED REPLACEMENT IN MY CAR AT 107,000 MILES THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT BUT A FAILURE ON THE CAR AND NISSAN REFUSAL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT FINANCIALLY WARRANTY GONE. *TR

THE ELECTRIC DOOR SWITCH, DRIVERS SIDE, DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN OR LOCK. EITHER BY INSIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH OR WIRELESS/REMOTE CONTROL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS, ON AND OFF. OTHER DOORS OPEN & UNLOCK WITH INSIDE SWITCH AND WIRELESS/REMOTE CONTROL. BUT NOT ALWAYS THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS HAPPENS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. MOST TIMES IT CORRECTED, AFTER I TURNED THE LOCKING BUTTON MANUALLY IN, INSTEAD OF HITTING THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH. BUT MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY, I HAVE TO LOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY, BY PUSHING IN THE LOCK BUTTON. OR HAVING TO USE THE KEY, TO GET INSIDE THE CAR. THE CAR IS A 2003 CAMRY LE, WITH 29,500 MILES ON IT. DON'T DRIVE IT THAT MUCH. THE ELECTRONIC ACTUATOR SWITCH, SOLENOID SWITCH, OR PERHAPS THE MASTER LOCK SWITCH IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. A CAMRY SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS KIND OF A PROBLEM, WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT!!! ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PARTS TO REPLACE THEM WITH ARE SO EXPENSIVE! NOT COUNTING THE DIAGNOSIS LABOR FEE, THAN THE ACTUAL LABOR FEE TO REPAIR!!! *TR

A SERPENTINE BELT PULLEY DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE DISABLING THE POWER STEERING MAKING TURNS DIFFICULT. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT AT HIGH SPEED WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAL PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE GEAR WAS PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING THE CRASH. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000. UPDATED 02/26/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE 4-CYL WITH 79,000 MILES. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, CAR STARTED REVVING. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO PARK, IT REVVED OUT OF CONTROL, JUMPED A CURB AND SIDEWALK, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR. BRUISED AND SHAKEN BUT NO LASTING INJURIES FOR ME OR PASSENGER. TOYOTA CLAIMED THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CLOSED MY INQUIRY. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN AUGUST, 2003. TWO YEARS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. DEALER REPLACED THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. AFTER 3 AND HALF YEARS, THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AGAIN. I CAN NOT BELIEVE TOYOTA BUILT THIS KIND OF QUALITY VEHICLE. IT TOTALLY RUINED THEIR REPUTATION. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE TOYOTA'S VEHICLE ANY MORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE SAME METHOD. HE WAS IN PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. UPDATED 2/26/10 *CN THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS/ UPDATED 05/17/10.*JB

MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 BECAME NOISY A FEW WEEKS AGO. YESTERDAY, I SENT THE CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD SHOULD TO BE REPLACED. I SPEND ~$600 TO REPLACED THE MANIFOLD. NOW THE NOISE IS GONE. AFTER I SEARCH INTERNET, SAME PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED IN LOTS OF TOYOTA CAMRY 2003. THUS, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM IS A DEFICIENCY FROM MANUFACTURE. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR

VEHICLE ENGINE OIL SLUDGE AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP COMING OFF BRIDGE OVERPASS ON BUSY STREET. THOUGH THE ENGINE IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, CLAIM WAS DENIED. *TR

A CRACK IS DEVELOPED IN 'OIL SUB PAN' AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BODY ON MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2003, WHICH HAVE ONLY 51000 MILES ON IT. AN INDEPENDENT AUTO TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT A CRACK IN THE OIL PAN IS UNUSUAL AND IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THERE AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE. A MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN METAIRIE TOLD ME THE SAME THING ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT SUCH A CRACK IS HARD TO DETECT. I AM LUCKY THAT THIS FAULT WAS DETECTED EARLY AND FIXED BEFORE A FATAL BREAKDOWN COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM AT TOYOTA DEALER'S SHIP AND IT COST $3100, WHEN I RAISED THIS ISSUE THEY AGREED TO SPLIT COST FIFTY FIFTY AND STILL IT COST $1532 AND THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR ME SEEING AS HOW NONE OF THIS WAS MY FAULT. THE OLD PART IS STILL WITH TOYOTA DEALER SHIP THEY DIDN'T HAND OVER TO ME. I REGULARLY CHANGE OIL AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THEY FAILED TO NOTICE THIS FAULT EARLIER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE HAD IT. SHE ALMOST RAN THREW HER WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. SHE NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE BUT THOUGHT THAT FILING A COMPLAINT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 70,000.

IN JANUARY 2008, MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY V6, WITH 35000 MILES ON IT, DEVELOPED A SQUEAK IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED DURING PARKING OR DURING ANY 90 DEGREE TURN. THE TOYOTA DEALER GREASED THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE SQUEAK WENT AWAY. IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPACK THE STEERING COLUMN INSTEAD OF GREASING IT AT A COST OF $225.00, OR REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $700.00. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PARTICULAR MODEL FOR THAT PROBLEM, AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID NO. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE OR CONCERN ARISING FROM THIS PROBLEM, AND IS IT COMMON AMONG THAT MAKE AND MODEL TOYOTAS. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I TOOK IT INTO A TOYOTA DEALER WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, BUT THEY DID NOTHING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN; HOWEVER, IT ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE FORCED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SOME SMALL TREES WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER MIRROR, PARKING LENS, AND THE WASHER FLUID CONTAINER. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, RESTARTED IT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING AND CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,587. UPDATED 03/04/10. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT CLIPS WOULD NOT SECURE THE FLOOR MAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLIPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50000. UPDATED 4/26/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. HE STATED THE FLOOR MAT SLID FORWARD AND BLOCKED THE ACCELERATOR. UPDATE 06/15/10.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FAULTY THERMOSTAT OR THE HEADERS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,668.

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AUTOMATIC TRANS. PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE. SURGED CUT WHEELS TO AVOID HITTING HOUSE NEXT DOOR, BRICK 50 FT FROM GARAGE. AVOIDED A DIRECT COLLISION. BUT CLIPPED SOME BRICKS AT CORNER. ANOTHER 75FT INTO A SMALL CREEK OPPOSITE BANK STOPPED CAR. BRAKING WAS TO NO AVAIL. INJURY MINOR - PINCHED NERVE IN LEFT SHOULDER. COUNTED 75+ REPORTS FOR SAME MODEL YEAR INVOLVING SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION ON YOUR SITE. YOUR INVESTIGATION IN '03 OR '04 FOUND NOTHING SUGGESTING UNFAMILIARITY W/VEHICLE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. A GOODLY NUMBER OF THE REPORTS ARE FOR RECENT YEARS TAKING UNFAMILIARITY OUT OF THE PLAY. WHAT ARE YOU DOING CURRENTLY RESPECTING CAMRY ACCELERATION ISSUES?....REGARDS, HARVEY MILLER *TR

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ACCELERATION SURGE OF 2003 CAMRY WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. REPORTS OF ACCELERATION SURGES ON YOUR SITE EXCEED 140 FOR THE 2003 CAMRY VERSUS (AS BEST I COULD IDENTIFY) 29 FOR THE MALIBU, 26 FOR THE ACCORD AND 12 FOR THE TAURUS, ALL 2003 MODELS. IN LIGHT OF RECENT TOYOTA FINDINGS ARE YOU GOING TO REOPEN INVESTIGATIONS OF THE 2003 CAMRY?...*TR

THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT HEAD ON INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER CAR. I WAS GOING APPROX. 35 TO40 MILES PER HOUR AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE,DRIVER AND PASSENGER. IN TURN, MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I DO HAVE SEVERAL PICS. *TR

I NOTICED A SLIGHT SWELLING IN THE AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SEAM. I LOOKED DOWN INTO THE CREVICE AND SAW A SLIGHT SEPARATION. I DIDN'T PAY IT NO MIND AT THE TIME. TODAY, THE SEAM SPLIT HAS GROWN TO THREE INCHES. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY AND INJURE A PASSENGER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE DROVE THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER STOPPED SHORT AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER SINCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SHE ALSO STATED THAT BRAKES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,867. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,500.