Seven problems related to blown head gasket have been reported for the 2003 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Toyota Camry based on all problems reported for the 2003 Camry.
Engine overheated and head gasket blown due to head bolt threads being stripped. This is a safety issue since the vehicle cannot be driven when this happens and there is a good chance of being stuck on a dangerous road or left to walk alone in a dangerous situation. Toyota should repair this.
I must saddly add my name to the list of deeply disappointed Toyota owners with the head gasket/ stripped bolts problem. My 2003 Camry has 105k miles and has been well maintained when the head gasket blew last week during normal usage. I have done enough research now to realize that the car was poorly engineered and the stripped bolts are pervasive with this make, model and year of car. I now require a new engine, which is a cost prohibitive repair. I was driving on the freeway and happened to be looking at the dashboard and when the temperature gauge went from normal to the the hottest possible. I immediately pulled over, let the engine cool, added oil and then waited a bit longer to ensure it had cooled sufficiently. I restarted the car, put in in drive and went about 20 ft before the temperature shot back up again. I parked it immediately, called a tow truck and had it towed to a mechanic. The repair requires replacing the engine and will cost is equivalent to the car's value. I have been told by two mechanics that replacement rebuilt engines are hard to find because this issue is so common with this car. And, that the because the replacement will have the same engineering flaw it is bound to happen again. Both mechanics, along with many owners who have contributed to the forums and blogs I have read have told me the car is useless now so I plan to donate it to charity tomorrow.
2003 Camry with 120,000 mi. Check engine light came on and overnight found lots of antifreeze on garage floor. Brought to mechanic. Headgasket blown. Went to replace headgasket only to find that engine bolts were loose and had stripped thread from the aluminum block. Only choice is to replace engine - $3,800 for a used engine with 50,000 mi. Toyota has not responded. Have heard this has become a common problem. Very disappointed with Toyota.
My Toyota Camry 2003 head gasket is blown. My auto mechanic informed me that Toyota bolted the heads in a faulty way and the leak can only be fixed temporarily.
Heard gurgling in the dashboard and soon after the engine overheated. Took it in to the automotive repair shop where they discovered a blown head gasket and when they started removing the head bolts, they discovered the bolts had pulled through the aluminum block which caused the head gasket to blow.
It began with the rushing sound of fluid (coolant) somewhere in the dash. When I took it in because I was smelling coolant and noticed some smoke, it was determined that the head gasket blew. This is the second time in 12 months that this has occurred, I fully repaired the vehicle for the identical problem in may 2008. . . Clearly a defect somewhere in the design.
It began with the rushing sound of fluid (coolant) somewhere in the dash. Shortly thereafter the engine overheated and it was determined that the head gasket blew. The dealer said the bolts in the engine were stripped out and they replaced the short block. It was replaced and within a year this is occurring again.