FaultScore

2003 Toyota Camry window and wiper problems

22 of the 946 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Camry are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 21,857 miles.

B

22

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Window Devices AND Controls 6 27.3%
Windshield 4 18.2%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 4 18.2%
Visibility 2 9.1%
Visibility/Wiper 2 9.1%
Glass, Side/Rear 1 4.5%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 1 4.5%
Fan/Motor 1 4.5%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 1 4.5%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Toyota Camry year

1992 23 1.6%
1993 22 1.5%
1994 17 1.2%
1996 27 1.8%
1998 10 0.7%
1999 31 2.1%
2000 15 1.0%
2002 20 1.4%
2003 22 1.5%
2004 12 0.8%
2005 11 0.8%
2007 541 37.1%
2008 290 19.9%
2009 126 8.6%
2010 73 5.0%
2011 122 8.4%
2012 20 1.4%
2013 10 0.7%
2014 17 1.2%
2018 27 1.8%
2019 10 0.7%
2020 14 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

LOS Angeles, CA Crash

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TAKATA INFLATORS: EVERY TIME I FIX MY VEHICLE INDIVIDUALS CAUSE HATE CRIMES DAMAGING MY VEHICLE AS I GO TO SLEEP OR WHEN I AM NOT VIEWING MY VEHICLE THEY MUST KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I CANT CATCH THEM EVEN THOUGH I THINK I KNOW WHO IT IS I CAN NOT PROVE IT SO THIS IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING I REMEMBER CHECKING MY TIRES IN THE NIGHT NOTICING NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM THEN CHECKED IN THE MOURNING AND NOTICED NAILS NAILED IN THE TIRES THEN I NOTICED DRIED TURTLE WAX ALL OVER THE BODY OF THE CAR MESSING UP THE PAINT WHEEL ALIGNMENT OUT OF LINE RIGHT DOOR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION TRUNK OPEN POWER SWITCH BROKEN POWER SUN ROOF SLIDING WINDOW BROKEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THIS HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATE IN COMBINATION TO THE DAMAGE BETWEEN 06/16/06 TO 04/21/17.

NHTSA complaint #10979713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 183,000 miles Seattle, WA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

OPENED THE SUN ROOF WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, A LOUD HORRIFIC NOISE OCCURRED ABOVE MY HEAD UNEXPECTANTLY, IT CAUSE ME TO SWERVE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AS I INITIALLY THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT MY CAR, AND NO THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD DECIDED TO FAIL. THE SUN ROOF BROKE OFF IN PART, LEAVING THE RIGHT SIDE DIPPED INTO THE FRAME RAIL. WHEN I TRIED TO JUST CLOSE IT TO GET BACK ON TRACK, THEN YOU COULD HEAR THE MOTOR OR MECHANICS OF THE SUNROOF CHURNING. THE SUNROOF WAS ABLE TO BE CLOSED COMPLETE ENOUGH NOT TO GET RAINED ON BUT THAT IS ALL. HAVING SPOKE TO A FEW DEALERSHIPS/SHOPS OVER THE PHONE. I AM BEING QUOTED ANYWHERE FROM 2000.00 TO 4000.00 TO FIX --- THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MECHANICS OF THE SUN ROOF. I SELDOM OPEN MY ROOF HERE IN RAINY SEATTLE. NOW, IT'S GUARANTEED NOT TO OPEN EVER AGAIN, AS I WILL OPT TO HAVE THE SUN ROOF SEALED AND DISCONNECT THE MECHANICS TO OPEN IT. ALL THIS ON TOP OF AIR BAG ISSUE. THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER FRONT RIGHT SIDE IS SEPARATING FROM THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE, I CALLED BURIEN TOYOTA IN THE SEATTLE AREA, THE RECEPTIONIST FOR SERVICE LOOKED UP MY VIN AND TOLD ME MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST OF AFFECTED AIRBAGS. I ASSURED HER WHETHER OR NOT MY VIN IS ON THE LIST --- THERE IS AN AIRBAG ISSUE WITH THE UNIT. MY GOODNESS MUST ANOTHER PERSON DIE BEHIND THESE FAULTY AIRBAGS.

NHTSA complaint #10724805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burbank, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCESSORY OUTLET(CIGARETTE LIGHTER) AND REAR WINDOWS NOT WORKING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HER, SHE WAS INFORMED THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER HAD A SHORT AND HAD BEEN FIXED. SHE WAS ALSO TOLD THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR WAS BURNED OUT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS WERE WORKING. THE CONSUMER DECLINED THE REPAIRS FOR THE WINDOW. HOWEVER, THE NEXT WEEK, THE PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. A FEW WEEKS LATER, SHE RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL, IN WHICH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A FAULTY WINDOW CONTROL BUTTON ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, BUT FOR THE 2006 MODELS. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE DAY IT RAINED, AND AFTER IT STOPPED, THE WINDOWS STARTED TO WORK AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10483065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Farmington Hills, MI

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF/MOON ROOF GETTING JAMMED AND NOT CLOSING PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10464603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Farmington Hills, MI

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I HAVE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE.. I GOT INTO MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FIRST ONE IS THE SUN ROOF/MOON ROOF GETTING JAMMED AND NOT CLOSING PROPERLY RESULTING IN WATER LEAK AND AS WELL AS HIGH CABIN NOISE. DEALER TOLD IT WILL COST 2000 + TO FIX THE SUNROOM/MOON ROOF AS THIS NEED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETE. ALSO WHILE DOING THE 110000 SERVICE DEALER SAID THE FRONT AND RARE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST 2000 + USD. I AM REQUESTING TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS AND GET THIS FIXED FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10464604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seminole WAY, WA

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED AND BLOCKED THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA complaint #10450662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,714 miles Pomona, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. HE SWERVED INTO ANOTHER LANE, BUT QUICKLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,714. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10286310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Little Rock, AR

VISIBILITY

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE; SUN VISOR AND CUP HOLDER BROKE, REAR CAR STEREO SPEAKERS HAVE BECOME SO BRITTLE, THEY CRACK AT THE TOUCH. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE QUALITY OF EVERYTHING IS SO BAD AND THE CONSUMER SUFFERS AS A RESULT OF IT. A TOYOTA DEALER GAVE ME A PRICE OVER $900 FOR ALL REPAIRS, BUT OVER $400 FOR THE SPEAKER COVERS, THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE BACK PANEL. I WENT TO AN AUTO ACCESSORY SHOP, HE CAN BUY THE COVERS FROM A TOYOTA DEALER FOR $40, PUT THEM ON FOR $65, TOTAL $105. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PRIOR TO THIS, THE UPHOLSTERY IN THE ROOF OF MY CAR CAME APART AT THE REAR WINDOW. TOYOTA REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY NEVER EXPLAINED TO ME WHY I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES BEFORE I HAD 10, 000 MILES ON THEM, I THINK THEY WERE JUST BAD TIRES. IF ANY OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEWER CARS. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA, BUT I NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS WHEN THEY BELIEVED IN QUALITY.

NHTSA complaint #10237245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,926 miles Stoney Point, NY

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. AFTER A WHILE, BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 01/11/06.

NHTSA complaint #10144952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,400 miles Thornton, CO

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

GLASS IN SUNROOF UNEXPLAINABLY "EXPLODED" WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10141683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,800 miles Mansfield, MA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

WINDOW MOTOR BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. MECHANIC SAYS NO WAY SHOULD A MOTOR BREAK ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. INTERNET BLOGS FULL OF STORIES OF WINDOW MOTORS BREAKING ON TOYOTA VEHICLES. REPLACEMENT COST IS $700 WHICH IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA complaint #10127875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canal Winchester, OH Crash 1 injured

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK AND TOTALED. NONE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *NM THE HEADREST WAS SHAPED INCORRECTLY FOR A SHORT PERSON AND THE WINDSHIELDS REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES WERE DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING ON BRIGHTLY SUNLIT DAYS.

NHTSA complaint #10101430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900 miles Rockaway, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THERE IS A CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER ONE YEAR AGO AND THEY STATED THEY HAD NO RECORD. *JB. NOISE WAS CAUSED BY OOSE MOLDING, WHICH IS COSMETIC AND NOT SAFETY RELATED.

NHTSA complaint #10101487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Littleton, CO

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

REARVIEW MIRROR INADEQUATE SERIOUS BLIND SPOTS. WORSE THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN IN 40 YEARS! 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY-ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10086405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles West NEW York, NJ

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE OWNER INDICATED THAT THE DEFROSTER IN THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. WHEN THE OWNER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10074407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Indio, CA

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10074031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 750 miles Kansas City, MO

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE CD CHANGER INITIALLY HAD ISSUES WITH PLAYING CDR (CDS MADE ON A COMPUTER AT HOME). IT WOULD SKIP ALL OF THE TIME. IT ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH REGULAR CDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FAST-FORWARD OR REVERSE TO A SPECIFIC AREA OF A SONG TRACK. IT TOOK A VISIT AND A COUPLE TELEPHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THEM TO AGREE TO REPLACE THE CD CHANGER. EVER SINCE THIS WAS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. HOWEVER, IN THE CAMRY THAT I HAD AS A LOANER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ON 7/28/03, THAT VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ITS CD CHANGER AND I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT. THE MOON ROOF HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2003. BASICALLY, IT HAS BEEN LEAKING AND A WATER NOISE IS HEARD WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL AND THE RADIO NEEDS TO BE TURNED UP TO DROWN THE SOUND OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN WAS ON 7/28/2003. AT THAT POINT OF TIME, THE MOON ROOF WAS NOT EVEN CLOSING COMPLETELY. TOYOTA FLEW A FIELD TECHNICIAN FROM CALIFORNIA TO KANSAS CITY FOR THE REPAIR. HE CLAIMS THAT THE REASON FOR THE MOON ROOF NOT CLOSING WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED WHEN THE HEATED LEATHER SEATS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT CAUSED THE TIMING FOR THE ROOF TO BECOME CORRUPTED. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER SAW THIS PROBLEM EVER WITH ANY 2002-2003 MODEL CAMRY AND THAT IS WHY A FIELD TECH WAS SENT OUT. AFTER HE FIXED THE SUNROOF, I WAS ASSURED BY CHARLES EPP, TOYOTA'S REGIONAL MANAGER, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS FULLY REPAIRED AND HE PERSONALLY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS TESTED FOR WATER ISSUES TOO AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS CORRECTED BY RESETTING THE TIMING. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE MOON ROOF IS STILL LEAKING AND HAVING WATER NOISES DURING HIGHWAY OPERATIONS DURING RAINSTORMS. RECENTLY, I HAD AN ARBITRATION HEARING AT JAY WOLFE TOYOTA WITH AN ARBITRATOR FROM NCDS.

NHTSA complaint #10071026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,300 miles Fishers, IN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD HAS ONE TINY MARK THAT I WOULD DESCRIBE EXACTLY THE WAY THE FIRST COMPLAINANT DESCRIBED IT, LIKE A TINY NAIL MARK. THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING BY THIS MARK. PERIODICALLY, I WOULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE LIKE A ROCK HAD HIT MY WINDSHIELD BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DISCERN WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS A MYSTERY BECAUSE THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT I HEARD THE NOISE, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES AROUND ME THAT COULD HAVE THROWN A ROCK. AFTER HEARING THIS NOISE A FEW TIMES, A CRACK STARTED APPEARING AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM EXAMINE IT AND THEY CLAIM IT WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WHEN IT HAPPENED I HAD MY STEREO ON AND DID NOT KNOW IT HAPPENED. BUT THE STARTLING SOUND THAT A ROCK DOES MAKE WHEN IT HITS THE WINDSHIELD WITH THAT MUCH FORCE IS HARD TO MISS.

NHTSA complaint #10060561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,800 miles Fort Riley, KS

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN JAN. 2003 SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS, BUT THE ONE THAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS TINY POCK MARKS ALL OVER MY FRONT WINDSHILED. IT LOOKS AS IF SOMEONE TOOK A NAIL AND TAPPED LITTLE TINY NICKS ON THE GLASS. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS HAPPENED, SEEING AS I DO NOT TAILGATE ANY VEHICLE ESPECIALLY TRUCKERS. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT THEY THINK THIS IS MY FAULT SOME HOW.

NHTSA complaint #10039595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rogers, AR

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

WHILE TRAVELING, THE CONSUMER FELT HOT AIR BLOWING FROM THE AIR VENTS WHILE THE UNIT WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TRAVEL WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AT ALL TIMES. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *CB

NHTSA complaint #10022839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Freedom, PA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

MY 2003 TOYOTA XL CAMRY HAS A CONTROL THAT CLOSES THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. WHEN ACTIVATED YOU CAN RELEASE THE BUTTON AND THE WINDOW CONTINUES TO CLOSE. THERE IS NO SAFETY STOP WHICH STOPS THE ACTION WHEN THE BUTTON IS RELEASED. THIS CAN BE A FATAL EXPOSURE TO A CHILD OR ADULT CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF THE WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #10010301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles NEW Freedom, PA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE POWER WINDOWS WENT UP BY THEMSELVES, WITHOUT THE BUTTON BEING PRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10008747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Toyota Camry problems

← Full 2003 Toyota Camry report