2003 Toyota Camry Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 3%of 782 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 3% of the 782 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10314032, filed 2010-02, 79,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10776634, filed 2015-09, 110,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10649044, filed 2014-10, 117,000 miles“I heard about the recall that Toyota had on or about tuesday 10/9/2012 on the pwms drivers side last month I starting having this problem and all of a sudden there is a recall , so I e-mail Toyota to let them know that my Toyota was having the same problem and wasn't it included the auto button starting sticking and the window sometimes sticks trying to go down, they stated that my car was no longer in warranty I didn't think a recall had anything to do with a warranty,my 2003 means the same to me as a person who has a 2007 that may not still have a warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10479972, filed 2012-10, 143 miles“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,888, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 165,064.”
NHTSA complaint #11676738, filed 2025-07, 165,064 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134140Jan 11, 2016Tech Tip: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink.
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 9 | 14% |
| 2022 | 9 | 14% |
| 2021 | 8 | 5% |
| 2020 | 68 | 25% |
| 2019 | 27 | 7% |
| 2018 | 68 | 9% |
| 2017 | 23 | 16% |
| 2016 | 21 | 11% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 55 | 12% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 62 | 11% |
| 2011 | 32 | 5% |
| 2010 | 25 | 4% |
| 2009 | 82 | 6% |
| 2008 | 48 | 5% |
| 2007 | 231 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 7% |
| 2005 | 33 | 5% |
| 2004 | 37 | 6% |
| 2003 | 20 | 3% |
| 2002 | 36 | 4% |
| 2001 | 20 | 7% |
| 2000 | 31 | 7% |
| 1999 | 41 | 8% |
| 1998 | 33 | 6% |
| 1997 | 40 | 7% |
| 1996 | 26 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 6% |
| 1994 | 23 | 8% |
| 1993 | 20 | 8% |
| 1992 | 26 | 5% |
| 1991 | 23 | 15% |
| 1990 | 9 | 7% |
| 1989 | 11 | 10% |
| 1988 | 13 | 20% |
| 1987 | 6 | 10% |
| 1985 | 3 | 23% |
| 1983 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Camry
259 complaintsBrakes
118 complaintsEngine cooling
112 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsEngine
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsFuel system
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Camry
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology