Problems with 2003 Toyota Camry ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

To whom it may concern: my 2003 toyota camry makes a rattle noise from the engine area and it's most noticeable during idle or light acceleration. my car has only 35,000 miles inspite of it being 13 years old. clearly, toyota acknowledge that it had a problem with the manifold but since my car is more than 6 years old , toyota would not cover it but my car has only 35,000 miles and this problem did not show up until now. hopefully, your office can help me with this matter. thank you so much *tr

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. *jb

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. the contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fluid from the engine. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the bolts were stripped and as a result, the engine needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 102,000.

The engine head bolts are stripped out in the block causing the head gasket to blow and causing a coolant leak. in talking with my repair person and searching the internet this is a common problem for the 4 cyl 2.4 l engine. toyota issued a new part number for the block (tsb ref #eg015-07) so they know there is a problem but will not do a recall. the only fix is a new engine which is about $8000.00. *tr

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.

Early head gasket failure. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. the contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the engine over heat warning light illuminated. the vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to the dealer. after diagnosis, the dealer advised the contact that the engine head bolts failed and the engine would need replacing. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure and the current mileages were approximately 120,000.

Engine emits white smoke during cold start up. was told the engine head bolts are stripped due to manufacturing design which may lead to engine overheating and failure. engine will need to be replaced. *tr

2003 toyota camry le engine driving from snell ville ga to south carolina toyota camry oil light came on then car cutoff first time ever. failure due to timing chain broke in engine causing damage to engine; needs another engine rebuilt or new one etc. available but cannot afford one. *kb

I purchased a 2003 toyota camry xle brand new. recently i had the car in for service only to learn that coolant was leaking into the #2 cylinder. after further examination the mechanic informed me that the bolts going into the aluminum engine block were stripped. researching this problem on the internet i found that there are numerous camrys of the same year that are having the exact same problem. the cost to repair this issue is prohibitive and the car is worthless after only 8 years of use. this is an apparent manufacture defect that toyota refuses to remedy. driving the car as is would be a safety hazard and we are stuck with a car of no value to us.

I have a 2003 toyota camry 4cyl car with 52,000 miles, that has a coolant leak from the back of the engine next to the intake manifold. on further inspection and research, it was revealed that the leak is coming from the head gasket area, due to stripped out block/headbolt, as a clear sign of manufacturer defect indicated and substantiated by the amount of similar cases found on internet forums such as: http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/camry/148454-camry-with-stripped-head-bolts-2/. i called toyota headquarters to report this problem, seeking help with this $6,000 issue and was told "nothing we will do". it seems car makers will not do the right thing unless they are forced to and this is why i am trying to do my part to jolt a vehicle recall for this design failure, by a company claiming to put costumers first, but instead snubs so many of us the first chance they get. consumers need help with this issue with toyota; please help us. the best fix so far reported is purchasing another toyota 4cyl motor with the same flawed engineering and toyota wants no part of being responsible for their short coming. i've own a few toyota's, this is absolutely the most disappointing ...

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

While driving on the freeway in a construction area with very few shoulders the car steering suddenly became very difficult and the battery warning indicator came on. my wife was able to pull over to a short shoulder area and called the auto club for a tow. the tow truck arrived with the highway patrol. she had to wait in a very dangerous location with many high speed heavy trucks passing a few inches away. our mechanic said that the belt tensioner failed causing the belt to fail then the power steering and engine cooling to fail. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. the contact stated that antifreeze was leaking out of the rear of the engine. the vehicle was taken to dealer who stated that the head bolts stripped and as a result, the engine had to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted by the dealer who did not offer any assistance. the vin was unavailable. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 149,000.