Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

2003 Toyota CamryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 818 owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Camry. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (266) and engine and engine cooling (115). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–24mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2004
Owner complaints
818
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: side

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.

Air bagsReported Jul 13, 2004NHTSA 04V346000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

818 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2002 – Oct 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control266
  2. Engine and engine cooling115
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic92
  4. Air bags81
  5. Engine54
  6. Steering53
  7. Power train45
  8. Structure32
  9. Suspension31

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Camry model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996421
1997558
1998610
1999590
2000530
2001330
20021,039
2003818
2004799
2005721
2006435
20073,617
20081,178
20091,413
2010614
2011625
2012645
2013301
2014480
2015271
2016189
2017148
2018754
2019400
2020275
2021158
202265
202365
202452
Crashes reported
240
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
112
Deaths reported
5
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

266 reports171 crashes
“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly accelerate or lunge forward and had done so several times, both while idle, pressing the brakes, and while driving at various speeds. Suddenly accelerated downhill, and when approaching the inner section, the contact immediately turned the vehicle to avoid hitting another vehicle and ended up crashing into a nearby residence's garage, causing the vehicle to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The garage door was damaged, and the contact's vehicle's front-end was damaged. A police report was filed. The contact had stated they had experienced sleep issues and a fear of driving the vehicle since the incident. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been driven since. The contact spoke with a certified mechanic who informed them it was a known issue and of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control), which related to their experienced failure. The mechanic did not repair the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2026Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11736032

Engine and engine cooling

115 reports3 crashes5 fires
“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 *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2016Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed controlODI 10859919

Service brakes, hydraulic

92 reports25 crashes1 fire
“I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO STOP WHEN I REALIZED I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. FINALLY AFTER REALLY PUSHING HARD I GOT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND I HEARD THE GAS ACCELERATING. I ALMOST HIT A BACK END SIDE OF A CAR WITHOUT THE PEOPLE EVEN KNOWING WHAT HAPPEN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10438155
All 2003 Camry problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camry
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Camry
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
Camry Solara
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Camry Solara
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
Camry Solara Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Camry
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Camry
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Camry Solara
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
Camry Solara Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Camry
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Camry Solara Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Toyota Camry as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4971
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Camry questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Toyota Camry problems?

Owners filed 818 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (266), engine and engine cooling (115), service brakes, hydraulic (92). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Toyota Camry get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Toyota Camry at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026