2003 Toyota Camry Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 7%of 782 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,400miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 7% of the 782 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,400 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I too have been noticing a surge when I back up and turn the vehicle and step on the gas to drive out. I have avoided crashes with cars near by, I have found that I have to keep the speed on low and out of drive to avoid hitting a car near my parked car. I am not sure of the mileage above as I am just backing out of a parking space and turning my car to drive, I make sure it is on low.”
NHTSA complaint #10723244, filed 2015-06, 62,000 miles“I pulled into a parking space, stopped, and was in the process of pulling up the emergency brake, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The car bolted going over the parking curb and continuing on into a building, all with no momentum as the car was stopped. One witness said it was a very loud revving sound. Two others said it sounded like a truck. The person who was behind me said my brake lights were on.”
NHTSA complaint #10587442, filed 2014-05, 49,500 miles“After ten years, my 2003 Camry engine light came on, my husband was on route 20 with the oil shot out, started smoking he had to make an emergency stop, the 511 emergency saw the smoke from far away which made them follow the smoke. My husband could have been killed. All of the oil and antifreeze emptied out in a matter of minutes. Two tows at $189 a piece and a diagnostic from the auto repair at $112.”
NHTSA complaint #10532451, filed 2013-07, 112,000 miles“As we were driving on the highway the check engine light, lit up and the car started making odd noises when the acceleration pedal was pressed, we quickly pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. When we opened the front the engine and coolant were smoking. There was no indication before this that anything was wrong, apparently the oil had been leaking and the engine had overheated, even though the car gave no indication of this.”
NHTSA complaint #10627000, filed 2014-08, 15,200 miles“I was slowing down to make a signaled left turn into a paking space at cvs pharmacy. As I braked and turned, the car lurched forward hitting a stacked stone pillar and came to a crashed stop. The air bag did not deploy and I had a scrape on my scalp from the sun visor.”
NHTSA complaint #10504432, filed 2013-03, 114,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10149217Sep 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…
- 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…
- 10134128Jan 15, 2015TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10096036Jan 15, 2015"tsb: flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix…
- 10132812May 1, 2014Tech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to…
- 10060841Jan 29, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 8% |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% |
| 2022 | 6 | 10% |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 60 | 22% |
| 2019 | 81 | 20% |
| 2018 | 137 | 18% |
| 2017 | 11 | 7% |
| 2016 | 17 | 9% |
| 2015 | 24 | 9% |
| 2014 | 57 | 13% |
| 2013 | 26 | 9% |
| 2012 | 59 | 10% |
| 2011 | 36 | 6% |
| 2010 | 43 | 7% |
| 2009 | 208 | 16% |
| 2008 | 131 | 14% |
| 2007 | 377 | 13% |
| 2006 | 10 | 3% |
| 2005 | 21 | 3% |
| 2004 | 26 | 4% |
| 2003 | 52 | 7% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 13 | 5% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Camry
259 complaintsBrakes
118 complaintsEngine cooling
112 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsSteering
53 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