2003 Toyota Camry Engine Problems
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2003 Toyota Camry, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 128,400 miles. The words owners use most often: “head bolts” (27% of reports).
- 52engine complaints
- 128,400median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Head bolts: mentioned in 14 of 52 complaints (27%)
- Intake manifold: mentioned in 6 of 52 complaints (12%)
- Temperature gauge: mentioned in 5 of 52 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 42 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 52 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
Toyota Camry engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Camry | 4 | 8% | — |
| 2023 Camry | 5 | 8% | 38,500 |
| 2022 Camry | 6 | 10% | 93,000 |
| 2021 Camry | 7 | 4% | 205,000 |
| 2020 Camry | 60 | 22% | 10,000 |
| 2019 Camry | 80 | 20% | 20,000 |
| 2018 Camry | 135 | 18% | 17,000 |
| 2017 Camry | 11 | 7% | 51,000 |
| 2016 Camry | 17 | 9% | 20,355 |
| 2015 Camry | 24 | 9% | 21,234 |
| 2014 Camry | 57 | 13% | 24,945 |
| 2013 Camry | 26 | 9% | 17,000 |
| 2012 Camry | 59 | 10% | 48,000 |
| 2011 Camry | 36 | 6% | 71,641 |
| 2010 Camry | 43 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2009 Camry | 208 | 16% | 96,000 |
| 2008 Camry | 131 | 14% | 89,719 |
| 2007 Camry | 377 | 13% | 102,897 |
| 2006 Camry | 10 | 3% | 94,847 |
| 2005 Camry | 21 | 3% | 95,994 |
| 2004 Camry | 26 | 4% | 104,000 |
| 2003 Camry | 52 | 7% | 128,400 |
| 2002 Camry | 58 | 6% | 117,450 |
| 2001 Camry | 13 | 5% | 80,250 |
| 2000 Camry | 8 | 2% | 95,000 |
| 1999 Camry | 5 | 1% | 210,000 |
| 1998 Camry | 3 | 1% | 174,500 |
| 1997 Camry | 6 | 1% | 100,000 |
| 1996 Camry | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1995 Camry | 1 | 0% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2003 Toyota Camry. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle onto her driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine bolts had sheared off. The contact stated that the bolts were replaced and…
Having purchased w 2003 Toyota Camry 2.4l, (with good paint, no rust, great interior, and new clear headlights) 3 days prior, the previous owner reported no current issues. The check engine light come on the 3 rd day as I drove away from the DMV having just titled it. AC was blowing cold, no other…
I was going 45 to 50 mph and my car shut off in middle of highway and we barely got out of highway before getting hit there is recall on same kind of car for throttle body and that's what's wrong with mine so it has too be that they missed my car
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Toyota Camrys have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 52 owner complaints about engine for the 2003 Toyota Camry (7% of the 781 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Toyota Camry engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 128,400 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2003 Toyota Camry?
The most frequent phrase is “head bolts”, in 14 of 52 complaints, followed by “intake manifold” (6).
Other 2003 Toyota Camry problems
See all 2003 Toyota Camry problems or engine problems across all Camry years.