123 of the 946 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Camry are about the braking system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 22,725 miles.
123
Complaints
31
Crashes
1
Fires
10
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT IS STUCK IN FORWARD. EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. ENGINE REQUIRES 1 GALLON OF OIL EVERY 2 THOUSAND MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11415494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ALMOST AT END OF EXIT RAMP FROM I264 TO BARDSTOWN RD NEAR GARDINER LANE INTERSECTION. HAD GREEN LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROX 25 MPH WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO EXIT ONTO BARDSTOWN RD (HWY 31?). ONLY MYSELF, DRIVER. I WAS IN LEFT HAND LANE TO EXIT TO WESTBD (?) BARDSTOWN RD. TOWARD DOWNTOWN AND A SMALLER CAR WHIPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME FROM RIGHT HAND KANE (TWO EXIT LANES GOING IN SAME DIRECTION. PERHAPS, THIS CAR WANTED TO CROSS OVER THREE LANES ON BARDSTOWN RD TO GET TO FAT LEFT TURN LANE AT GARDINER LN. THIS LIGHT IS OFTEN BACKED-UP. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY WERE NOT STOPPING MY CAR IN TIME AND I HOPPED CURB TO LEFT TO SMSLL TRIANGULAR MEDIAN. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I COULD NOT MAKE WISE DECISIONS WITHOUT SEEING AND I WAS HIT BY AIRBAGS, BRUISED IN FACE, ETC. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I VIEWED THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARD ME AS I WAS NOW PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC INTO TEO LANES OF BARDSTOWN RD. I COULD HAVE TURNED RIGHT AND AVOIDED HITTING ANY OTHRR VEHIVLE IF IT WERE NOT FOR AIRBAGS BLOCKING MY VIEW. I HAD NOT HIT ANY OBJECT OR VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. I KEPT APPLYING PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES ON WHICH I HAD SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIR. THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT STOP ME. I NEVER SAW WHY I STOPPED. AIRBAG BLOCKED VIEW. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING FINALLY HIT SOMETHING (LATER FOUND OUT) ANOTHER CAR IN TURN LANE TO GET ONTO I 264 IT FINALLY STOPPED. MY HEARING AID IN MY RIGHT EAR WAS EJECTED WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I FOUND IT LATER ON PASSENGER MAT IN REAR. THE AIRBAGS HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE TO DEPLOY FROM JUMPING ONE SMALL CURB. NO AIRBAG I AM ABLE TO TURN RIGHT WHETHER BRAKES WORK OR NOT. NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11310623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
COMING TO RED LIGHT CAR WOULD NOT STOP I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES ASB CAME IN THEN THE CAR WENT INTO HIGH RPMS,AND STOPPED SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD BLOW UP?.. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, FROM MY EXPERIENCE TO SLOW RPMS YOU PRESS GAS PETAL HARD UNTIL THE RPMS SLOW, I DO NOT HAVE FLOOR MAPS, NEVER HAD THEM...
NHTSA complaint #11182465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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. I DO NOT KNOW WHY I HAD THIS LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME IN 2010, WHEN I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION,AND MY CAR HIT A TREE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND WILLL NOT DO SO BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11053915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS COMING TO A STOP PRESSING THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELLARATE UP TO 70 TO 100 SPEED AND KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES THE MORE I PRESS THE FASTER IT WENT I HAD TO RUN LIGHTS TO AVOID HITTING CARS FINALLY IT DECIDED TO STOP WHEN I SWIRL INTO A WALGREENS IT DID THIS 4 TIMES THAT DAYTHANK GOD I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR THAT IS SCARY IT ACELLLARATE FAST AND WONT STOP ....
NHTSA complaint #10948582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE OWNED MY 2003 CAMRY SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. DURING ALL THAT TIME, I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHENEVER I BRAKE AS THE CAR TRAVELS OVER SMALL BUMPS, CRACKS OR OTHER IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD (ESPECIALLY IF I BRAKE HARD), THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN AND APPEARS TO PUMP THE BRAKES (THOUGH IT DOES NOT ACTUALLY STOP THE CAR) AND DOES NOT SHUT DOWN UNTIL I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THEREBY PREVENTING A PROPER STOP AND SIGNIFICANTLY LENGTHENING THE STOP. NOTE THAT THIS OCCURS ON DRY ROADS. THIS ALSO SEEMS TO OCCUR IF THERE IS A NEED TO STOP HARD JUST AS I AM ACCELERATING, SUCH AS AN UNEXPECTED SHORT STOP BY THE CAR IN FRONT. IT HAS NOT LED TO ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS (THOUGH A COUPLE OF LIGHT REAR-ENDS), WHICH I CREDIT TO MY BEING ABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM, UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN THE PROBLEM CAUSED A MORE SERIOUS REAR-END COLLISION. ALL THE OTHER CARS IN FOUR CAR CHAIN MANAGED TO STOP SHORT, NOT MY CAMRY EVEN AS I MAINTAINED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AS IT SEEMED TO BARELY SLOW DOWN, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE CAR IS PROBABLY BETTER OFF WITHOUT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ALTOGETHER THAN WITH THIS DEFECTIVELY DEPLOYING SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T REALLY EVEN SEEM TO STOP THE CAR, BUT JUST LIGHTLY PUMPS THE BRAKES, PREVENTING PROPER BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10926207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
"TAKATA RECALL" - I AM EXPERIENCING A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT & RIGHT, THE WHOLE DASH BOARD SHAKES WHEN THE AC OR HEAT IS ON, BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR & MAKING SOUNDS, AND WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT WILL MOVE FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10809228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT AFTER SWITCHING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWITCHED IN THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,705.
NHTSA complaint #10809104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TODAY I PULLED OVER TO DROP OFF CHILD AT SCHOOL, WAS ALREADY TO PARK AND CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY FOOT WAS CLEARLY ON BRAKE AS I WAS ALREADY GOING NO MORE THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR TO PARK. IT WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR. THAT FEELING OF THE CAR THRUSTING FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE WAS SOMETHING I NEVER FELT BEFORE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND CHECKED THE RECALL LIST THE CAR IS NOT LISTED. I AM SENDING IT TOMORROW TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICE. THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD, MY BODY IS COMPLETELY TENSE EVEN 5 HOURS LATER. THE THRUST WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR, THANK GOD FOR THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT I HIT OR ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. ALL I COULD DO OUT OF PANIC WAS PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT I THINK IT STOPPED BECAUSE I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10776634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING IN MANO ROAD N E BEEN I SANTI TO USE THE BRAKE TO MAKE A CHANCE LINE BEVANDE I ATTIVE TO MY APPARTAMENTO I ROUND TENERE SAS NO BRAKE IN SECONDA AT THATCHER TIME I DEPENDANCE ON UDINE HANBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR N THAI CHALLENGER ERICE WITH IN 15 MINUTES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10649580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ON OCTOBER 21 I WAS RETURN TO MY HOME MY SPEED WAS 40 ON A MAIN STREET AND WHEN I START TO SLOW MY SPEED USING THE BRAKE I SHOCKED THERE WAS NO BRAKE N I TRIED THEN I USED THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR .ALL THAT HAPPENED IN SECONDS .... AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO TO THE NEAREST MECHANICS THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED .... THE 2 THINGS WERE WITHIN 15 MINUTES ... I STILL TERRIFIED WHAT I WILL DO IF THAT HAPPENED AND I USUALLY PICK MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WITH ME ... THE MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR N HE DID NOT FIND ANY SERIES THING.... SO WHAT IS GOING ON???
NHTSA complaint #10649652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL ALSO ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS TO BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,885.
NHTSA complaint #10578952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT HAD SLIGHT RAIN DURING. EARLY MORNING, I WAS DRIVING IT KEEPING IT IN MIND THAT IT HAS SOME PROBLEM.... DRIVING AT 35-40 M/HR. THE CAR BEFORE ME STOPS ON THE STOP SIGN AND TRY TO STOP FOLLOWING 3 SECONDS RULE, HIT THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY BUT HEARD GRINDING SOUND AND DIDN'T STOP AND NEED TO GO TO ANOTHER INCOMING LANE ON THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAD THE SIMILAR PROBLEM..... ONE IN 2010 ONE IN 2011. I WENT TO JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY MO AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT WAS THEIR CLOSING TIME.... MET WITH ONE OF THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER .... EXPLAINED BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE OF ABS. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD HONDA 2002 AND NEVER HAVE TO SCARE ABOUT THESE TYPE OF INCIDENTS BUT WHY IT IS HAPPENING WITH TOYOTA. HE INSISTED THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE . LATER DURING REGULAR OIL CHANGE I ASKED TO CHECK BRAKES AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY FAULT THERE. I TOLD THEM THE INCIDENT THEY DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.... THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ONE DAY WAS DRIVING WITH FEAR ON INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANE. AFTER THAT I RARELY TAKE THE CAR FOR INTERSTATE DRIVING. IF DO I ALWAYS SCARE AND START USING BRAKES BEFORE 1/4TH OF THE MILE. AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE TO GET HELP FROM TOYOTA COMPANY WHY IT IS HAPPENING AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO SUE THEM LATER WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENED. IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMER, TAKE MY CAR AND FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10490155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,740 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,754.
NHTSA complaint #10469716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10438155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, CAUSING HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN THREE VEHICLE CRASHES CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF TWO VEHICLES AND THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURING ENGINEER EXAMINED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER BUT THERE WAS NO RECORDED BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,600.
NHTSA complaint #10381602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I GOT IN THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE IT FROM THE GARAGE TO MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR SURGED AND SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL. THE ACCELERATOR 'LOCKED' AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK. THE CAR CRASHED IN MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD AGAINST HIS TREE.
NHTSA complaint #10349005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 96 AND 03 TOYOTA CAMRY AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE HIT THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP. SHE CONTINUED HITTING THE BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT A BEAM UNDER A BRIDGE. I AM GLAD SHE DIDN'T GET HURT BUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I HAVE HAD DIFFERENT CAR MECHANICS TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS AN ANSWER ON WHAT I CAN DO.
NHTSA complaint #10345150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FOR OVER FOUR YEARS I HAVE BEEN ASKING TOYOTA DEALER TO LOOK AT THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 CAMRY. THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES OVER HALF WAY BEFORE IT GRABS. I HAD TO STOP FAST TWO MONTHS AGO AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR AND I SKIDDED TO THE SIDE BEFORE THE BRAKES GRABBED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE FINE, THEY SAID THAT THE PEDAL WAS WORKING JUST FINE AND THEY COULD NOT ADJUST THE PEDAL FREE PLAY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THEY WON'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKES OR PEDAL ON A 2003 CAMRY.
NHTSA complaint #10332587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES ON ICE, MY ABS SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATES AND SLOWS MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY DOWN. WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES ON DRY ROADS, (COMING UP ON A RED LIGHT FOR INSTANCE), AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY RELEASE. AFTER A 1-2 SECOND DELAY, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES. THOSE TWO SECONDS HAVE NEARLY CAUSED NUMEROUS CRASHES OVER THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10330533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW IT HAS HAD STRANGE SOUNDS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL SOUNDS RELATED TO THE WEATHER [IT IS COLD OUT OR IT IS HOT OUTSIDE]. THE SOUND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IT HAD THE WRONG FLUID. THE FLUID WAS THE PRODUCT THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CHANGING THE FLUID AND HAVING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE- THE SOUNDS (LOUD SQUEAKING) PERSISTED. I TOOK THE CAR RECENTLY TO A DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY "GREASED" THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH ELIMINATED THE SQUEAKING, BUT NOW CLUNKING CAN BE HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CAUTIONED ME TO "KEEP MY EYE ON THIS" BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. THIS TOYOTA ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED. I FIND IT SUSPICIOUS THAT NO MENTION OF A BAD STEERING COLUMN WAS MADE WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I AM FRIGHTENED TO USE IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR. THE BRAKE PROBLEMS DATE BACK TO THE DAY I DROVE THE CAR HOME (NEW) FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE FOR THE STEERING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10325462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMERS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS, WATER LEAKS IN THE TRUNK AND GAS RESERVOIR, DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY RELEASING AIR INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TS SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST ON COLD STARTS. THE ENGINE VALVE STEM SEALS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE STRUT SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED DUE THEM BEING WORN. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING.*JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 04/223/10.
NHTSA complaint #10316533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON INTERSTATE I-40. I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ALONG A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHEN IT SUDDENLY SPEED UP, BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND CRASH INTO THE WALL. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUMPING ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS FINALLY STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DEEP IN THE SAND ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO ITS SEVERE DAMAGES.
NHTSA complaint #10321499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY WIFE'S WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE TO STORE WHEN COMING TO CASUAL STOP HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD LOST ALL BRAKING POWER WHILE MERGING ONTO EXIT. MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES UNTIL AFTER 8-10 PUMPS OF BRAKE PEDAL CAR FINALLY REGAINED BRAKING POWER. SHE WAS TELLING ME SHE WAS ALMOST PREPARED TO RUN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH TO AVOID REAR-ENDING CARS IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS SCARED AND UPSET AND SAID SHE WON'T PUT OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR 7 YEARS OLD SON IN THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKES PROBLEM SINCE NEW. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THE TELL US THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN FIND WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES SINCE NEW,BUT THIS EVENT BEING THE WORST. I AM CALLING DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. MY WIFE DOES NOT WANT THE CAR AND STRONGLY BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WON'T BE FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A ENGINEERING PROBLEM NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. I AM SURE OF ALL THE TIMES WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I AM SURE THAT WHEN I TAKE IT THERE TOMORROW NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL TURN THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM INTO A PROFIT MAKER. THE CAR IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH 44,000 MILE AND NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PADS AT 40,000. MY WIFE AND I READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON BRAKING PROBLEMS AND ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE EXPERIENCE ON OUR TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. I WAS NOT IN THE CAR SO I'M NOT SURE IT WAS BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. MY OPINION IS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN CAR WAS NEW I HAD A PANIC STOP ON HIGHWAY ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 30 MPH FROM 65MPH. IF THIS CAR HAS ABS HOW CAN YOU SKID THE REAR TIRES AT ANYTIME. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIND NOTHING WRONG EVERY TIME . TOMORROW AT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE INTERESTING, MY WIFE WANTS ME TO TRADE IT IN AND SWEARS SHE WON'T DRIVE IT EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10320826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
COMPLAINT HAVING DRIVEN A TOYOTA AND HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT'S IN THE NEWS TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10319469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
NHTSA complaint #10317355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TWICE LAST YEAR THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR IT JUST KEPT GOING. THE FIRST TIME I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR BY USING THE BRAKES AND IT FINALLY STOPPED AFTER IT WENT DOWN THE STREET A WAYS AND OVER A CURB. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND I HAD JUST STARTED UP THE CAR PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE SECOND TIME I HAD ENTERED A PARKING GARAGE, STOPPED TO TAKE A TICKET FROM A MACHINE AND WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS IT TOOK OFF. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF DANGER. IT FINALLY HIT A CEMENT BLOCK, BOUNCING BACK GOING FORWARD AGAIN BEFORE IT STOPPED. BOTH TIMES I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE SECOND TIME IN DECEMBER 2009 THEY TOLD ME OF THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CARPET, WHICH THEY SAID WAS OK ON MY CAR AND TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE WHEELS WOULD STOP TURNING. THEY ALSO SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON A RECALL BUT THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT BE A PART OF IT AS THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST UNTIL 2005 ON CAMRYS.
NHTSA complaint #10316960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE ACCELERATION WHEN INITIALLY PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO, ON OCCASION, THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ENGAGE AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AN OPERATOR ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS TO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER LAST YEAR BUT THEY SAID IT INVOLVED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SEEMS THAT THE TOYOTA REPAIR PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #10315352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE DRIVER STATED THAT WHEN SHE DROVE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OVER A BUMP OR DOWN A HILL SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DRIVER STATED THAT IT FELT AS IF HER WHEELS WERE BOUNCING. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10315674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.