2003 Toyota Camry: check engine light

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Acceleration · PA · crash

On XXX in [XXX], my well-maintained 2003 Toyota Camry LE (69,019 miles) experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA). After stopping with my foot on the brake, I shifted into reverse without touching the accelerator. The engine surged to full throttle, launching backward into a parked car (totaled) and then surging forward uncontrollably around my cul-de-sac while I slammed on the hard, ineffective brake pedal. No Check Engine light was on before or after, and two local mechanics found no stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). I filed Toyota Claim #XXX. On XXX, Toyota’s contractor, Engineering Analysis Associates (EAA), inspected the car and read the EDR at Peruzzi Toyota. On XXX, Toyota denied my claim, finding no mechanical defect and noting an aftermarket floor mat over the OEM mat. Toyota's denial ignores key facts: (1) The aftermarket mat has a heavy nibbed rubber backing, cannot slide, sits well clear of the pedals, and never trapped the accelerator. (2) As proven in Bookout v. Toyota, transient ETCS-i software freezes ("task death") hold the throttle open without setting fault codes and self-clear when turned off, while an open throttle depletes engine vacuum and starves the power brakes. (3) Toyota excluded 2002–2004 Camrys from its Brake Override System software updates. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 26, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · FL

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 dash lights were on and I couldn't feel any apparent issues driving, so I proceed to my place of employment, where a friend whom is an independent mechanic had the machine to read check engine codes. I never made it. Had driven approximately 25 miles and came to a full stop for a red light. Upon turning green and beginning to accelerate, my Camry's engine died and would not start. When the key was turned it made no noise at all. Towed to a mechanic shop, I was asked if it had overheated, it had not. Without investing further and me acquiring a diagnostics charge, he said one apparent issue was the fact that there was absolutely no coolant in the engine. Dumfounded I had ittowed home where another Mechanic friend (licensed) was going to see about reapiring it. One of the code//errors read, was that the was no combustion, the radiator was full, but there was no traces of coolant in the engine, when took of the engine mainfold right away he noticed 3 cool packs that were damaged, as well as what appeared to be a used head gasket poorly installed, and worse if all the timing chain had jumped and made a mad mesh nightmare to the engine...so previous owners obviously sold me their night mare, I now am stuck with either replacing the engine (not) or bring carless once again.✔️✔️ Note: Contacted the acclaimed christian, God fearing sellers, whom I paid $4000 and they kindly refunded me $1000, as they stated it was no fault of theirs ..

Filed Apr 18, 2015 · Engine · 126,800 miles · AZ

The "check engine" light came on while driving on the freeway. About 2 minutes later, a rattling sound could be heard under the hood. While changing lanes to exit the highway, the car would not accelerate and a loud pounding sound could be heard when trying to accelerate. Just after turning onto the side street from exiting the highway, the car died. All of this occurred within a 5 minute period. Upon opening the hood, there was smoke coming from the engine area of the vehicle and the reservoir for the radiator fluid was bone dry. The radiator had been flushed and refilled only 2 months earlier. The car was towed to my local mechanic. Upon their inspection, I was told the head gasket was blown. There had been no warning lights or indication that the vehicle was running hot previous to the "check engine" light coming on minutes before the head gasket blew. In august, 2012, a rushing fluid sound could be heard in the dash area. I had the car inspected and the water pump, thermostat, all hoses and a radiator flush were done to the vehicle. In february 2013, the power steering pump had to be replaced. The rushing fluid sound could still be heard often. If the radiator fluid reservoir was topped off, generally the sound would stop. The fluid sound began again in january 2015. That was the main reason for getting the radiator flushed. A new radiator cap was also installed at that time. I never heard the rushing fluid sound after that flush. The car is a total loss. I am forced to replace the vehicle. The cost of a used motor and all labor is almost $5,000. That's approximately what the car is worth. I understand that there have been hundreds of almost identical complaints listed on the internet. I believe that this is a defect in the vehicle and toyota should be responsible to correct it.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Engine · 180,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry le. The contact was traveling 45 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician determined that the bolt connected to the intake valves to the engine had become loose and allowed coolant to run on to the exhaust. As a result, exhaust fumes emitted into the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Engine · 88,259 miles · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine seized while the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that there was a leak in the radiator and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,259.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 15,200 miles · NJ

As we were driving on the highway the check engine light, lit up and the car started making odd noises when the acceleration pedal was pressed, we quickly pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. When we opened the front the engine and coolant were smoking. There was no indication before this that anything was wrong, apparently the oil had been leaking and the engine had overheated, even though the car gave no indication of this.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Engine · FL

2003 toyota camry. Consumer writes in regards to engine problems. *smd the consumer stated the engine seemed hard to start. It felt as though it was misfiring. The air condition stopped working, the vehicle overheated and started smoking profusely. When the consumer arrived home, she discovered there was no coolant in the radiator. She filled the radiator with coolant and managed to get the vehicle to her local mechanic. The mechanic found a bad air condition fan, no freon in the system, and the radiator was leaking. The consumer paid $1200.00 to fix the issues. However, after driving 10 miles, the AC stopped working, the engine overheated and smoke was emitting from the engine, again. Also, the check engine light illuminated two years prior, but despite having 3 different mechanics inspect the vehicle, the computer diagnostic system, indicated no problem. It was re-set 3 times, but eventually came back on every time.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Engine · 112,000 miles · GA

After ten years, my 2003 camry engine light came on, my husband was on route 20 with the oil shot out, started smoking he had to make an emergency stop, the 511 emergency saw the smoke from far away which made them follow the smoke. My husband could have been killed. All of the oil and antifreeze emptied out in a matter of minutes. Two tows at $189 a piece and a diagnostic from the auto repair at $112.

Filed Jun 10, 2012 · Engine · 85,500 miles · UT · 2 injuries

The vehicle engine was running very ruff after start then shortly after the engine light came on. The fault codes on the engine light was a number two and three cylinder misfire. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for analysis. The dealership stated the head gasket was leaking between the number two and three cylinders (no coolant was leaking outside the engine). The dealership attempted to remove the head, but the first bolt started to strip and the technicians stopped at that point. I was informed that the engine was not repairable and the replacement cost was $4,600 for a used 80,000 mile engine. I took the vehicle to a local shop and had the engine replaced with a 30,000 mile engine for $3,000. Complaints like this one (the head bolts striping out the aluminum engine block) are all over the internet. Toyota should be responsible for these design flaws. 1) the head gaskets should not be failing on vehicles with low millage. 2) the head bolts should be removable without damaging the engine.

Filed Jun 1, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 139,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. While parked, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician replaced two oxygen sensors. After the repair the check engine light illuminated intermittently and the contact noticed that the interior lights, radio and the mileage on the instrument panel continued to illuminate after the key was removed from the ignition. The contact replaced the battery but the failure continued. On another occasion while driving approximately 10 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. There were no further repairs performed to the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2012 · Engine · 64,767 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact stated that the vehicle rattled and vibrated as it accelerated. The contact'ss mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the intake manifold was failing. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The failure mileage was 64,767 and the current mileage was 65,025.

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

Defective throttle body after starting the car and putting the car in gear, the check engine light appears and the gas pedal has no effect on the engine. The car will idle along while in drive; however, pressing the gas pedal does nothing. The check engine error code points to the throttle body. My mechanic says that the throttle body is stuck in the "closed" position when this error happens. I've read about the numerous toyota camry owners who have all experienced problems with the throttle body on their vehicles at -- http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/toyota-camry/tm6gc5t4dhvfs52cs -- it seems that toyota dealerships all state that they have never heard of this problem occurring and continue to charge upwards of $1200 to replace an obviously defective throttle body with a new throttle body that still has the same defective design. Essentially, the dealership wants to swap out one defective throttle body for another defective throttle body. Similarly, toyota corporate in torrance, ca denies that the throttle body problem is caused by a product defect. Most likely this is due to the high cost of the part and expense to institute a recall of the throttle body. A cursory review of the online message boards concerning the throttle body failures for toyota camry owners shows that this component in particular is failing too often to be chalked up to bad luck or normal wear and tear. A consumer class action is appropriate for this sort of defect. I would assume that an expert witness could testify as to the defect and opine as to the statistical significance of the throttle body failing more than any other component in the toyota camry.