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2003 Toyota Camry Stories
2003 Toyota Camry
10 Stories
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Overall Score (10 stories)
  • Body, Interior & Misc.
  • Engine
  • Brakes
  • Exhaust & Emissions
  • Drive Train
  • Heating & Air Conditioning
  • Electrical & Lights
  • Suspension & Steering
2003 Toyota Camry Owner Stories (10 stories)
  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    joebob, Marysville, CA, November 22, 2010 11:48
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     Rookie
    I bought this car in 2004 with 12,500 miles on it. Mechanically, the engine and transmission have run flawlessly except for a blown head gasket. Brakes and tires seem to wear out very quickly, and alignment needs to be corrected often. Front end shimies when brakes are about 20K miles old, which I think is rotor warp, but don't know for sure. Oddly, in hot weather, the auto-door lock feature will lock doors, but not unlock them. When in cooler weather, it works fine. Back-lit knobs on dash have gone dark. All in all, the car is pretty good, but will try a Ford next time.
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    carolyn lyew, Springfield, MA, November 22, 2010 11:48
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     Rookie
    I bought the car new. I like how smoothly it rides but I have had a few problems . The door locks won't open when the switch is pushed. They will lock with the switch though. The steering wheel will make a squeaking noise at various times especially in the winter. Spent lots on maintenance (70,000 miles on the car).
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    Visitor, Mundelein, IL, November 22, 2010 11:48
    I bought it new and now has around 95000 miles. It runs flawless. I only had to change the thermostat over the years. Now I will have to change left passenger side lock actuator. Other than that no maintenance cost involved other than regular oil, tire and brake pad change. I enjoy driving it everyday. I changed the thermostat costing $10-$20. I will also change the lock actuator that will cost around $130.
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    JMAC044, Overland Park, KS, July 22, 2010 01:59
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     Enthusiast
    We bought this car new for my wife back in 2003. It has performed flawlessly with the possible exception of something that has just occurred. Her brake light will come on periodically. I had just a small amount of brake fluid and it goes off. There are no signs of leaks, but the brake light continues to come on. Our service advisor says that although our brake pads are still fine, more fluid is used in the stopping process and that's why the light comes on. Makes sense for one time. But it comes on about every week to 10 days. Any thoughts?
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    Visitor, Hoschton, GA, May 11, 2010 03:43
    Have had the car since new and currently have 160000. Have never had any major problems with it and still runs just as good as when it was new.
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    Visitor, Piqua, OH, April 19, 2010 15:37
    I have just recently purchases this vehicle for a toyota dealer in Ohio. Ever since i first heard it, it sounds like a vaccum leak coming from the back of the motor. I have taken it to 3 different Toyota Dealers and had Sears Auto Centers look at it and no one knows what it is. Other than that, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this car. The best ive ever owned
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    Z-man 2010, Littleton, CO, February 07, 2010 10:36
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     Enthusiast
    Reliable automobile. Not part of the gas pedal recall, which is nice. Good vehicle for Colorado winter driving with the traction control, steering assist and abs, but it's still not an awd vehicle. Gas mileage, about 23 overall with highway, city and lot of stop and go on I-25. Complaints. I think the sheet metal has to be the thinnest out there. Dents very easily. Also not a status car so you won't be getting a lot of speeding tickets because it looks like a car older conservative folks would drive. Not crazy about the climate control system which always reset back to auto after you turn off the car. I'm not always going to want to be at 73 degrees. What I like about the car are nice features with XLE, V-6 version. Love the heated seats, steering assist, traction control and the cool radio feature that tells you who is playing what song on the radio. Reliable, only routine maintenance so ownership cost is really good.
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    wolfrman, Bronx, NY, March 18, 2009 18:17
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     Enthusiast
    I have had many cars. The 2003 Toyota Camry is my first toyota and I love this car and no other car will replace it.
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    orcasong, Walnut Creek, CA, February 22, 2009 14:44
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     Enthusiast
    The biggest problem that I have had with this car in the 5+ years I have owned it is with the door and truck locks. I have had to replace both driver side door lock actuators and repair the trunk lock, costing about $400 each time. The brakes "float" and always have, even on replacement. But they function fine. Otherwise, a very good and reliable car.
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  • 2003 Toyota Camry
    dzshopping, Aurora, IL, November 11, 2008 11:17
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     Enthusiast
    Have this car for 5 years already. Never have a problem.
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