2003 Toyota Camry: brake failure

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · PA · crash

Sudden Unintended Acceleration: I had been out doing errands in the morning. I returned home, pulling up in front of my townhouse which is on a cul de sac. After gently coming to a stop, I planned to back up just a bit to park my car along the curb. (I did not have my foot on the accelerator, as the car normally goes gently backwards when you put it in reverse.) When I put it in R, the car accelerated backwards and crashed into a car that was parked along the curb about 15-20 ft behind me. I instinctively put the car in D to stop going uncontrollably backwards. The car shot forward; the brakes did not work. The car was out of control, making very loud revving sounds and loud screeching sounds from slamming on the brakes. Somehow, it did finally come to a stop by itself ¾ of the way around the cul de sac. Wanting to get out of the middle of the street, I instinctively turned the car back on and drove it slowly to my driveway. The car functioned normally. I could have badly injured or killed someone; in my cul de sac, there is often a lot of activity involving people of all ages, including children and babies. A police report exists. The car I hit was totaled. I had the car towed to my mechanic. He said the car didn’t throw any codes. He inspected it, but did not find anything wrong with it. The local Toyota dealership refuses to touch it because it’s been in an accident. I called Toyota (Plano TX) on 10/5: filed a claim with them on 10/7. A 3rd third-party inspector from Engineering Analysis Associates inspected the car and did a Bosch download from the black box on 10/14. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I don’t absolutely know which component or system failed or malfunctioned. I am wondering if it’s a "ghost" software glitch (see Bookout vs Toyota litigation). Something similar happened to my husband in April 2025 when he was parking in a parking lot. The car is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · MA

"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.

Filed Apr 10, 2014 · Brakes · 107,885 miles · MA

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.

Filed May 19, 2011 · Engine · 92,422 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact stated that smoke was emitted from under the vehicle as it stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop who diagnosed that the cylinder head bolts were pulled out, the head gasket exhibited an oil leak and after pressure testing the cooling system, the cylinders filled up with coolant. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered instructions on how to repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 92,422. Updated 06/17/11 *bf the consumer stated the instrument cluster lights illuminated and power steering, along with the brakes failed to work. Updated 11/23/11

Filed Feb 11, 2011 · Brakes · 87,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Acceleration · 29,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact was entering a parking space and accelerating slightly when the vehicle abnormally lurched forward and then accelerated. The contact attempted to abruptly apply the brakes and shifted into park yet the vehicle crashed into a concrete slab which stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and a diagnostic was performed. The dealer advised that a failure was not located within the vehicle to cause unintended acceleration but did advise that the brakes failed. The contact was awaiting repairs to the body damage. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2010 · Brakes · 44,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · PA · crash

I have a car toyota camry 2003 and had two car accidents (crash) in the past five years because of the brake failure.

Filed Feb 7, 2010 · Brakes · 22,450 miles · NY

2003 toyota camry anti lock brakes this situation has existed from the day I have bought this car. When the camry rumbles over a bumpy road and I step on the brake pedal applying constant pressure the brakes are non responsive. The brakes do not stop the car. The brakes only start to work once the car is no longer over bumpy road. I have spoken to many camry owners and they have indicated the same braking failure. Toyota indicates this is normal. How can toyota be allowed to not fix a failure of their braking system? When is the government going to address this problem? You have had brake failure complaints like this for years and have not done anything about this!

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 200 miles · CO

Abs braking system on 2003 toyota camry le. After reading the federal safety agency's february 4, 2010 release about your investigation into toyota prius' allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump, I finally felt vindicated, albeit I still have a problem. My 2003 toyota camry le has had the same type of braking problem since I purchased it april 2003 from the toyota dealership in delta, co. Whenever I was braking to turn a corner or slow down going straight ahead, if I hit a bump or pothole the brake pedal would shudder, the pedal decreases and I lose my brakes! I have to start pumping the brake pedal immediately to get the brakes to work. One time recently, my brake pedal went to the floor and I had to slow down with the help of my emergency brake which didn't really work that well. And I was going slowly at the time. I took the car back to the delta, colorado toyota dealership shortly after my purchasing the car, however, as you can imagine, they found no problem with the ABS braking system. Can you guys help me? I am not looking for revenge against toyota, my whole family save one person, drives toyotas. I just want brakes that work correctly. Thank you for any help you can provide me.

Filed Feb 2, 2010 · Acceleration · 52,500 miles · WI · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact stated that as she drove through a green light, the vehicle in front of her stopped short and when she applied the brakes, the vehicle failed to stop. She crashed into the vehicle in front of her since the accelerator pedal became stuck. There were no injuries. She also stated that brakes failed intermittently. She has not contacted the dealer or the manufacturer. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was 54,867. The failure mileage was approximately 52,500.

Filed Jul 26, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 30,500 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

Wife turned into our driveway which slopes down (10 - 20 degrees) as she has been doing for the last 20+ years with her foot on the brake. The pavement was dry. The brakes failed to stopped the car. She veered left to avoid going over a 20 foot embankment at the end of our driveway and crashed into a stone wall. Based on the angle of impact the car rolled over onto its roof. Air bags did not inflate. My wife remained suspended by the seat belt upside down until emergency forces arrived. She sustained multiple bruises and chest pains attributed to the seat belt. If she had gone over the embankment only god knows what the extent of her injuries would have been. New tires had been installed on the car (front wheels) during june 2008 at which time the front brakes were also checked for wear by an auto mechanic. The car was "totaled" as a result of the accident. Subsequently I checked the brake fluid in the car (after the accident); the brake cylinder was full. Further, the toyota camry is equipped with brake wear indicators. No indication (sound) of excess wear was given prior to the accident. My wife is adamant she had her foot on the brake pedal. I surmise two things could have happened: 1. The brakes failed completely and gravity acceleration down the driveway contributed to the car's speed and subsequent impact; or 2. The car surged due to a failure of the electronic throttle control (etc) in which application of the brakes was inadequate to stopped the car. Based on prior the federal safety agency complaints/actions (ref the federal safety agency action numbers pe04021; dp05002; and dp06003) and the similarity of circumstances, I believe the etc failed. I recommend the federal safety agency and toyota take action to remedy this unsafe situation.