2003 Toyota Camry: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Toyota Camry: 1 recall, 781 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #04V346000 · 2004 · 128,316 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the csa May not deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. This May result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the csas and replace the air bag assembly if necessary. The recall began on August 6, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 106 injuries and 5 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (259): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (131).
- Engine & cooling (112): the most common themes are noise or vibration (31), leaks (29), warning light on (17).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (91): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (35).
- Airbags (72): the most common themes are fails to deploy (27).
The 2003 Toyota Camry has 781 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 35 Camry model years for complaints (1.5× the average Camry year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (154 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 48,785 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (953 complaints, 4 recalls), 2004 (638 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Toyota Camry.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Toyota Camry problems?
Owners have filed 781 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (259), engine & cooling (112), brakes (hydraulic) (91).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Camry get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Toyota Camry repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.