2003 Toyota Camry Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 112about this part
- Share
- 14%of 782 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 112 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 14% of the 782 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10268570, filed 2009-05, 130,000 miles“The intake manifold was making alot of noise. Apparently Toyota was aware of the problem because they replace it for free on low mileage vehicles (within the 3 yr, 36k mile factory warranty) or on higher mileage cars up to 70k miles. My vehicle has 114k miles so it was not covered. I will be issuing a complaint with Toyota as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10259286, filed 2009-02, 114,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #10859919, filed 2016-04, 35,000 miles“Engine oil light came on with no warning. Went to Toyota dealer immediately and said I had sludge build up and needed a new engine block - quote $6200. This happened 2 days before xmas. I was stunned and asked to speak to management. Toyota denied any sludge problems and failed to mention that a class action settlement was made for models up to 2002 for this problem. I have a 2003 with the same engine specs.”
NHTSA complaint #10296977, filed 2009-12, 85,089 miles“Toyota Camry 2003 4 cylinder. Rattling noise from the intake manifold. My mechanic said that this noise occurs due to plastic material of which the intake manifold was made of. My mechanic has seen this problem with other 2003 Toyota Camry and is very common.”
NHTSA complaint #10310107, filed 2010-02, 147,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10131821Apr 18, 2014Some 2002 ? 2004 model year non-PZEV Camry vehicles with the 2AZ-FE engine may exhibit the following condition: A rattle noise from the engine area, most noticeable at idle or on…
- 10061567Apr 23, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10037592Mar 2, 2011Toyota: there may be damaged cylinder head bolts threads.
- 10034197Feb 10, 2010Toyota: engine conrol. Some vehicles may exhibit a mil on condition with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0500-vehicle speed sensor a. The engine control module/ecm (sae term…
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10060722Apr 15, 2008Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10021542Apr 6, 20072az-fe engine block.
- 10020014Apr 11, 2006M.I.l. On dtc p0440, p0441, p0442, p0446, and/or p0456 - fuel filler tube improvement.
- 10011863Dec 21, 2004Malfunction indicator lamp on diagnostic trouble code p0604, p0606 and/or p0607.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 2% |
| 2009 | 46 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 1% |
| 2007 | 152 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 35 | 5% |
| 2004 | 30 | 5% |
| 2003 | 112 | 14% |
| 2002 | 107 | 11% |
| 2001 | 47 | 17% |
| 2000 | 54 | 12% |
| 1999 | 110 | 22% |
| 1998 | 92 | 15% |
| 1997 | 96 | 17% |
| 1996 | 76 | 18% |
| 1995 | 34 | 11% |
| 1994 | 41 | 14% |
| 1993 | 40 | 15% |
| 1992 | 32 | 6% |
| 1991 | 10 | 7% |
| 1990 | 14 | 10% |
| 1989 | 7 | 6% |
| 1988 | 9 | 14% |
| 1987 | 6 | 10% |
| 1986 | 4 | 13% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Camry
259 complaintsBrakes
118 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 complaintsElectrical system
20 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 27, 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