2003 Toyota Camry Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 7%of 782 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,726miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Toyota Camry, 7% of the 782 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,726 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The steering on my 2003 Camry shakes during high speed. At times, there is a whistling noise coming from the driver front side. I thought it was related to low air pressure or unbalanced tires, but that's not the issues. Secondly, the paint on my car is peeling off, mostly the clear coating layer. I can not verify if there is a recall on this issue or not. Someone had informed me there was a recall. I am unable to locate any documented information.”
NHTSA complaint #10836686, filed 2016-02, 58,000 miles“When I turned the steering wheel left, the wheel turned sharply right instead and I lost control of the wheel. I could not turn it back. The car crossed from the left side of the freeway to past the right side (about 4 lanes), hit a railing, and flipped over.”
NHTSA complaint #10573736, filed 2014-03, 39,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10264050, filed 2009-04, 52,000 miles“On december 7,2017, I was in a parking lot in florida. As I started going into a parking space, the car began to surge. I had a loss of steering and braking.I almost hit the car next to me. Luckily that did not happen. I kept pressing down on the brake, but it took time for the steeering wheel to respond to me. I shut off the car because it seemed like the car had a mind of its own. I had 2 witnesses in the car.who saw that my car was in drive, and that my foot was on the brake pedal. The passenger checked the floor mat, and it was lying completely flat. …”
NHTSA complaint #11053915, filed 2017-12, 103,000 miles“I bought my Toyota Camry 2003 le brand new from koons Toyota dealership in tysons corner, virginia back in 2003. Few months after the purchase I noticed car always pulling to the left. I went back to dealer but they claim it was just road pulling and that it was normal. I accepted that as an answer from certified Toyota dealer and went on with my life. This was my second car so I was not driving it much at the time but I had replaced tires twice and had done alignment several times in less then two years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10450835, filed 2012-03, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019873Feb 16, 2006Steering intermediate shaft noise.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 10% |
| 2022 | 4 | 6% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 3% |
| 2018 | 61 | 8% |
| 2017 | 14 | 9% |
| 2016 | 25 | 14% |
| 2015 | 105 | 39% |
| 2014 | 22 | 5% |
| 2013 | 26 | 9% |
| 2012 | 58 | 10% |
| 2011 | 31 | 5% |
| 2010 | 25 | 4% |
| 2009 | 47 | 4% |
| 2008 | 32 | 3% |
| 2007 | 80 | 3% |
| 2006 | 28 | 9% |
| 2005 | 71 | 10% |
| 2004 | 80 | 13% |
| 2003 | 53 | 7% |
| 2002 | 43 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 5% |
| 2000 | 13 | 3% |
| 1999 | 24 | 5% |
| 1998 | 33 | 6% |
| 1997 | 30 | 5% |
| 1996 | 37 | 9% |
| 1995 | 22 | 7% |
| 1994 | 33 | 12% |
| 1993 | 12 | 5% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Camry
259 complaintsBrakes
118 complaintsEngine cooling
112 complaintsAir bags
73 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 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