2003 Toyota Camry XLE from North America - Comments

Engine cuts off abruptly without warning.

12 Dec. 2006

We purchased a brand new 2003 Camry XLE on December 31, 2002. Problems began in the winter of 2005 and have not stopped. It began with smoke pouring out the exhaust upon starting, and would continue for a while after the car has been running. Then in June 2006 it would just shut down without warning, without any lights coming on, just abruptly cut off. In July it would not start up, and the oil, engine, and vsc lights would come on. In September the oil light would come on from time to time, and we would change the oil and the problem would recur. Then on December 4, it just shut down in traffic on a busy road in New York and never restarted. There were 3 people in the car besides myself, and all I can say is that God protected us and prevented a truck from slamming into us from behind. We had to tow it away and it is now parked up on a street near our house. The Toyota dealership we purchased the car from has repeatedly removed themselves from any responsibility for repairs, and has claimed that there are no recalls on 2003 Camry engines. We were told that a new engine and repairs would cost upwards of $5000. Do we have a case against Toyota? Does anyone have any information that would be of help to us in this situation??

In order for Toyota to pay for anyting you will have to show them that you have taken great care of your car.

That is freaky. In 1985 I was on the New York Thruway with my parents' 1983 Camry (first year made) going 65 mph with (luckily) little traffic around. All of a sudden all the electricals went out including the power steering, so I had essentially zero control over the car. Luckily I was able to guide to the the side of the road next to a call booth (no cell phones back then for me).

But, like you, if I had been in any type of traffic I would have been killed.

I would have assumed nearly 20 years later they would have ironed out such a problem.