2001 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 138 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 33 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 58 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SuspensionFeb 11, 2010
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Campaign 10E002000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
138 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 16, 2004
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP ON 8/31/04. COULD NOT DRIVE. TOOK IT TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED AS CHARCOAL CANISTER PROBLEM. PAID ABOUT $460 (PARTS AND LABOR) TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *NM
Air bags, Aug 1, 2004, crash
1. V1(OTHER PARTY) WAS EASTBOUND ON U.S. HWY 80 TURNING NORTH INTO WALMART PARKING LOT. V2 (MYSELF) WAS WESTBOUND ON U.S. HWY 80 GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF U.S. 80 AND BELVEDERE DR.,V2 (MYSELF) THEN COLIDED WITH WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF V1(OTHER PARTY) WHO FAILED TO YIELD A RIGHT OF WAY.V1 AND V2 CAME TO FINAL REST APPROXIMATLY 3 FT NORTH OF INITIAL IMPACT.MY ESTIMATED SPEED BEFORE IMPACT WAS 45 MPH AND HAD ONLY SECONDS TO HIT THE BRAKES. MY CAR SUFFERED SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE . 2. THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY LEADING TO UNECESSARY INJURY TO THE DRIVER(MYSELF) AND SEVERE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER(MY MOTHER). 3. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE . *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2004
I AM WRITING REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. I RECENTLY HAD MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I NEED TO REPLACE AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE IN MY CAR, A CHARCOAL CANISTER DUE TO IT BEING CLOGGED OR MAYBE A VACUUM LEAK. *AK I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM BECAUSE ON THE DAY THAT I HAD MY CAR FOR AN ESTIMATE, I MET ANOTHER PERSON AT THE TOYOTA SERVICE STATION WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND WHO ALSO HAD A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. HOWEVER, FORTUNATELY FOR HER SHE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART IS 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS AT THE 42,000 MARK ON MILEAGE AND SO I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY CLOGGED CHARCOAL CANISTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE 1998-2002 MODEL OF A TOYOTA COROLLA. A FRIEND OF MINE DID CONTACT THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND FILED A REPORT REGARDING THE FAILURE ON THIS PART AND HOPE THAT OTHERS WOULD DO THE SAME. DO I AM DOING TI AS WELL. OVERALL, I ALSO FEEL THAT AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN JUST TWO YEARS. MY FAMILY HAS OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODELS OF TOYOTA AUTOMOBILES OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE SUCH A DEVICE. THE TOYOTA COROLLA MODEL, BEING A MODEST CAR, SHOULD NOT REQUIRE TO REPLACE A $300 PART EVERY TWO YEARS THAT IS NEEDED TO KEEP OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN. I READ SOMEHWRE THAT WARRANTY ON EMISIIONS ARE 80,000 IS THIS CORRECT?
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2004
WE BOUGHT A NEW TOYOTA COROLLA IN SEPT 2001 AND IT HAS APPROX 32000 MILES TILL NOW. IT WAS ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE TOYOTA DEALER. I GOT MY 30000 MILES SERVICING DONE IN SEPT 2003 AND SINCE THEN WE WERE NOT USING THE CAR MUCH. IN APRIL 2004 SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD WAS SHOWING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I THOUGHT IT WAS 7 MONTHS THAT I GOT SERVICED(ALTHOUGH I TRAVELLED LESS THEN 2000MILES DURING THIS PERIOD) AND IT NEEDS SIMPLE OIL CHANGE AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VSV HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH I MISSED THE 36 MONTHS WARRANTY MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER 36000 MILES. THE DEALER DIDNT CONSIDER MY REQUEST FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT AND WAS ASKING ME TO PAY APPROX. 700 $ FOR PARTS AND LABOR. BUT WHEN I CALLED COUPLE OF OTHER DEALERS THEY TOLD IT IS VERY UNCOMMON TO HAVE CHARCOAL CANISTER REPLACED SO SOON. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE 800-331-4331, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE PART BUT STILL THE DEALER IS CHARGING ME 200 $ FOR LABOR. I FEEL TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CANISTER AND IS DELIBERATELY IGNORING INSTEAD OF RECALL OR FREE PARTS AND LABOR. I FOUND A SIMILIAR KIND OF ISSUES RAISED BY OTHER COROLLA OWNERS ON THE NET. PLEASE DO THE NECESSARY INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER.*AK
Steering, Mar 20, 2004
THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL IS DETERIORATING. I ONLY CLEAN THE INTERIOR WITH WINDEX. NOTHING ELSE IS "BREAKING DOWN" BUT THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED MY EMAIL TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THE TOYOTA DEALER JUST SAID IT WASN'T COVERED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2004
2001 TOYOTA COROLLA - REGARDING SUDDEN SURGE. I HAVE NOTICED ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT MY COROLLA WILL SURGE FORWARD(FROM A STOP). I JUST EQUATED IT WITH THE DEFROSTER TURNING ON(AC PUMP). MAYBE THERE IS MORE TO IT?
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE, THE ENGINE WAS NOT LUBRICATED ENOUGH TO KEEP THE SEALS INTACT. NOW OIL IS GETTING INTO THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSING MISFIRE. DIAGNOSTICS RESULTED IN A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT (ENGINE COST NOT INCLUDING LABOR) $5,000.00. TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THIS, THE RENTAL CAR NEEDED IN THE INTERIM, AND EXTEND THE WARRANTEE TO 120,000 MI COVERING SIMILAR REPEATED PROBLEMS, AS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
IGNITION FUSE IS ALL THEY CAN GUESS. I WIGGLE THE FUSE WHEN THE CAR WON'T FIRE AND IT WORKS EVERY TIME. SINCE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY ARE AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO HELP ON A NEW CAR. RIGHT?!
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 11, 2004
FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AT 25600 AND 42200 MILES. REAR PADS DO NOT SEEM TO BE WEARING AT ALL, INDICATING PROPORTION VALVE PROBLEM OR POOR DESIGN. TOYOTA DEALER JUST SHRUGS SHOULDERS.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2003
VEHICLE GRADUALLY BECAME LESS RESPONSIVE TO DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR OVER A PERIOD OF A COUPLE MONTHS AND HAS NOW DIED SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE AT FIRST TO THE USUAL DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY DID NOT TRY VERY HARD TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT'S CURRENTLY, AND HAS BEEN FOR 2 MONTHS NOW, AT A SHOP BUT STILL CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE IN MY OPINION TO DRIVE IN THE CITY BECAUSE OF STOP AND GO CONDITIONS AND HIGHWAY ON-RAMP NECESSITIES. *LA
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2003, fire
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE BLACK SMOKE HAD BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE QUICKLY CONSUMED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD BEEN INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT. *AK *SCC *JB
Power train, Aug 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 55/65 MPH THE DRIVER WAS SUDDENLY UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. IT WA SDETERMINED THAT THE STANDARD CLUTCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2003
IGNITION FUSE ISSUES. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED AND TRIED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM WITH STARTING VEHICLE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2003
ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. DEALER REPLACED THE ENVIRONMENT MODULE, AND PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. *AK
Steering, Jun 26, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WANDERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ESPECIALLY ON WINDY DAYS. *NLM. *AK STEERING RACK WAS FASTENED TO LIGHT METAL INSTEAD OF THE FRAME OR SUBFRAME, CONSEQUENTLY WHEN THE CAR FLEXED DUE TO ROAD IRREGULARITIES OR SLOPE, TRUCKS PASSING OR CROSS WINDS A STEERING CORRECTION HAD TO BE MADE BY THE DRIVER. *TT. THE CONSUMER ALSO A 1998 COROLLA WHICH EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Steering, Jun 9, 2003
STEERING SYSTEM HAS A FAILURE THAT CAUSES VEHICLE TO CONTINUOUSLY PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Structure, Jun 7, 2003
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES: IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE (THE SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE THROUGH THE PLASTIC), AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN MAY OF 2003, THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE (THE PLASTIC MOLDING AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE), THIS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. BOTH DOOR HANDLES BROKE DURING NORMAL USAGE OF OPENING THE DOOR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Jun 2, 2003
ON MY 01 TOYOTA COROLLA "S" SERIES. WHEN AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON AND OUTSIDE VERY HOT ENGINE STALLED,ENGNE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP, FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RANDOM MISFIRE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS.WOULD COST $1000 TO FIX. COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THAT TRUELY WAS THE PROBLEM.THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PRBLEM,BU IT CONTINUED TO REOCCUR.DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE.VEHICLE WAS THREE YEARS OLD AND HAD MAINTAINED SERVICE. COROLLA BULLETIN INDICATED THAT THAT IN 2000 HAD TO REPLACE INJECTORS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *AK
Power train, May 5, 2003
WHEN VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE IN THE PARK GEAR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES SEVERELY.
Air bags, Apr 29, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A BARRICADE WALL YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO IN A SIMILAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM
Air bags, Jan 31, 2003, crash
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER REQUEST A REFUND FROM THE DEALER. SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 3, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL MISFIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE CHECKED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED SEVERAL ENGINE PARTS. THE PROBLEM REACCURED, NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. TS
Tires, Nov 12, 2002
THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN GOING 60 MPH. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION OF THIS DEFECT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS CHOPPED AND THE OTHERS HAD TREAD WHICH WAS WORN. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED. (P175 65 R14 AMERI* G4S 81S BSW) *JG *JB
Vehicle speed control, Oct 30, 2002
I HAD BEEN DRIVING NORTH ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. IT WAS A CLEAR NIGHT AND THE ROADS WERE DRY. AS I APPROACHED THE TOLL BOTH I TRIED TO TURN MY CRUISE CONTROL OFF, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I THEN TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM OFF AND THE CAR WAS STILL NOT RESPONDING. I HIT THE BRAKES AND WAS STILL UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO RESPOND. AT THAT POINT I WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE TOLL BOTH TO TRY TO SWITCH LANES AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND HIT THE CAR IN THE TOLL PLAZA IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE IMPACT, THE CAR EVENTUALLY COASTED TO A STOP. UNTIL THIS HAPPENED, I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED SINCE THE ACCIDENT, IN FACT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED UNTIL NOW. THERE WERE SOME INJURIES IN THIS CASE. I HAVE A SHOULDER INJURY, WHICH I AM STILL TRING TO GET RESOLVED. I WANT THE INCIDENT TO BE REPORTED DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF BEING UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. AN ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MAINE STATE POLICE BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES ACCIDENT SECTION. DT