Skip to content
Toyota Camry SolaraModel year report

2003 Toyota Camry Solara Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (4) and electrical system (3). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 35% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,000 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 93 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I was involved in a traffic accident in which the front of my 2003 Toyota solara hit a car that was parked in front of me. Road conditions were snowy and icy. Because of this, rear-ending the car in front of me was unavoidable. I was unpleasantly surprised that my airbags did not deploy upon impact. When I bought the car I never thought I would have an accident; however I was assured by the salesman that the car was safe, and airbag deployment was part of the outstanding customer protection Toyota offers. …”

NHTSA complaint #10219025, filed 2008-02, 68,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10749842, filed 2015-08, 72,000 miles

Electrical system: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10307104, filed 2010-02, 95,000 miles

Brakes: “In july of 2007 or 2008 while attempting to park my 2003 Toyota solara in a kohl's lot the car suddenly accelerated while I had my foot on the brake. The acceleration was strong enough to cause my head to be thrown back but I didn't have time to check the odometer for the registered speed. I was pulling into a parking stall with one car directly in front of me and a car on either side of me. I stomped on the brake as hard as I could and was able to stop within an inch or two from the car in front of me. This was probably the scariest thing that has ever happened to me in an automobile. …”

NHTSA complaint #10316935, filed 2010-03

Mileage when problems were reported

35% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 46,000 and 90,000 miles.

6%0–100%10–2529%25–5029%50–7518%75–10018%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2004200720095201220142017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Toyota Camry Solara version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Camry Solara FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic212924$2,800
Camry Solara FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual213024$2,800
Camry Solara FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172520$3,350
Camry Solara Convertible FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202823$2,900
Camry Solara Convertible FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 93 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 93 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Camry Solara

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20088340,0002—25Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
200712656,8872—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200611647,0002—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20059246,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200416153,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032468,0000—23—Stable
20026070,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20015382,5570—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006655,0001—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19998495,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Toyota Camry Solara model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 4.

Has the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara (Camry Solara Convertible, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Toyota Camry Solara reported?

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,000 miles and the middle half falls between 46,000 and 90,000 miles; 35% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.