The Lemon Index2003 Toyota Camry.
The 2003 Toyota Camry is about average by owner complaints: 305 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 89, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 1 recall, and it gets 19 to 24 mpg combined. The best Toyota Camry year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 806 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Camry year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 95K miles on the car (592 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 12K–70K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 41K–111K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 1K–51K miles
Recalls 1
- airbags 2004
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 157 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some vehicles may make a water leak at the front floor area
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine surging2006–2007
- ClosedVehicle speed control2005–2006
- ClosedThrottle control system2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer complained about unexpected acceleration problem. Consumer was driving and pulled into a parking space, and vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, knocking down a parking sign.
2003 Toyota Camry owner · NHTSA complaint 10063340
More owner reports
While pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit the cement block in the parking space.
NHTSA complaint 10083953
The vehicle continued to accelerate upon depression of the brake pedal. This resulted in the consumer broad siding another vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10063532
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Toyota Camry reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Camry year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2003 Toyota Camry problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (36%), brakes (21%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Camry get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Camry problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,000 and 95,800 miles. The middle report was at 49,800 miles, from 592 complaints.
Does the 2003 Toyota Camry have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Toyota Camry cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Toyota Camry have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Camry year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2017 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works