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, Apr 25, 2001
AFTER DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I CAME INTO TOWN GOING 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE A "JET ENGINE TAKING OFF" ALL THE LIGHTS WENT ON THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND DIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED AN "UNMOVEABLE OBJECT HAD BEEN HIT CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW UP. THIS WAS CLEARLY A HOLE CREATED BY SOMETHING INSIDE CRASHING THROUGH THE OIL PAN.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2001
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER CHECKED, BUT FOUND NOTHING. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2001 DEALER DIS COVERED THAT FUEL HOSES HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AT FACTORY. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE CUT OFF, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Feb 27, 2001
I VISITED SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS BECAUSE I AM HELPING A FRIEND IN BYING A NEW COROLLA. DESPITE I ADVISE HER TO INCLUDE THE SAFETY FETAURES: SIDE AIRBAGS AND ABS NO DEALEAR MAKE THEM AVAILABLE IF NOT INCREASING THE LEASE BY 50% (WHILE THE INCREASE IN VALUE IS ABOUT 10%) AND ASKING TO WAIT 3 MONTHS. MAKING SO PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE THEM. SOME DEALERS REACHED THE POINT TO SAY THAT THOSE ITEMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON THE COROLLA. SUCH A BEHAVIOUR IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE SUPPOSED TO PROMOTE THE SENSIBILITY TOWARD SAFETY NOT TO BOYCOTT IT.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2001
WITHIN ONE WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOG DOWN WHEN MAKING A TURN FROM A DEAD STOP. A DAY LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THE REPLY WAS THAT; "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, WHEN WE FIND OUT WE'LL LET YOU KNOW...UNTIL THEN, BE CAREFUL" THAT WAS OVER A MONTH AGO AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM. I CALLED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN TAKING OFF AND HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE GENERAL ATTITUDE IS NONCHALANT AND NOBODY HAS MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING. FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP. ALL THE 2001 HIGHLANDERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2001
THE "CRUISE" LIGHT APPEARS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED ON, BUT NOT ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, AND CONTROLING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CLEAR TO THE DRIVER WHEN THE CONTROL IS ACTIVE, CONTROLING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. PERHAPS THE "CRUISE" LIGHT SHOULD ONLY BE ON WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE. OR, AN ADDITIONAL LIGHT TO TELL THE DRIVER THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE. *AK
Tires, Dec 22, 2000
TIRE IS LOW-PROFILE DESIGN STANDARD ON PRIUS. EXPLOSIVE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON DRY ROADWAY WITHOUT DEBRIS. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78 DEGREES. THANK GOODNESS THAT THE TIRE WAS ON THE REAR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO INITIATE A CONTROLLED STOP FROM THE NUMBER ONE LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER-PANEL, THE ALLOY RIM AND OF COURSE THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE CUSTOMER CARE WAS CONTACTED AT 800-847-3272 AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A CLAIM PACKAGE WITHIN 5 DAYS. THERE IS NO REFERENCE NUMBER ASSIGNED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS. SERIAL NUMBER FOR ALL 4 TIRES IS: CHA3700. IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS LOT OF TIRES IS ON ALL OF THE PRIUS VEHICLES SITTING AT THE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA STORAGE FACILITY. THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: EL9P TIRESIZE: P17565 R14)
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2000
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH APPLIED ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PASS, AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY TAKE OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SWITCH OFF VEHICLE, AND COACH ONTO THE SIDE OF ROAD. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 27, 2000
VERY EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS 5 TIMES IN 16000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE PROPORTIONING VALVE WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Air bags, Oct 19, 2000, crash
WHILE DRIVING 45 - 50 MPH, A FLATBED TRAILER WAS SIDEWAY IN THE DARK ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF HIGHWAY. VEHICLE DID NOT SEE THE FLATBED TRUCK AND HIT IT.WENT UNDER THE TRUCK WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, CRUSHED THE RADIATOR, WINDSHIELD, ETC. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANST IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Child seat, Sep 27, 2000
I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM INSTALLING AND PROPERLY SECURING CAR SEATS IN AUTOMOBILES. HOWEVER, SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE DEALERSHIP, MYSELF NOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO GET A CAR SEAT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS OF BOTH THE CAR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE. ANY OF THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT SECURE A CAR SEAT. WE EVEN BOUGHT A NEW CAR SEAT TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE SEAT BELT IS AS TIGHT AS IT COULD POSSIBLY EVER BE, YOU CAN STILL LIFT THE CAR SEAT OFF OF THE SEAT BY ABOUT 12 INCHES AND THE CAR SEAT DOES NOT FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS EVEN HOOKED INTO THE SEAT BELT. I STOPPED BY THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE AUTOMOBILE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE CAR SEAT SECURED EITHER. IF THE CAR SEAT CAN'T BE SECURED PROPERLY, HOW IS IT THAT A PERSON IS SAFE WITH THE SEAT BELT? IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW COROLLA'S? MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE CAR SEATS IN HER VEHICLE CAN'T BE BUDGED! IS THIS A DEFECT WITH MY CAR ONLY? I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY FAMILY IS SAFE IN THIS CAR AND THAT THE SAFETY RESTRAINTS ARE WORKING CORRECTLY? PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY AND MY OWN SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2000
WHEN THE HIGH-BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED, THEY SHINE A BEAM OF LIGHT VERTICALLY FROM BOTH LENSES. THE BEAMS FORMSAN "X" THAT CROSSES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS FIELD OF VISION- IT IS SO PRONOUNCED THAT IT LIGHTS UP TREES ABOVE THE CAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA SERVICE AND ASKED IF IT WAS A LENS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE- THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS BEFORE BUT HAVE NO PLANS TO REDESIGN HEADLIGHT LENSES. THIS SITUATION IS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, AND AFFECTS VISABILITY - ESPECIALLY IN RAIN OR HAZE WHEN LIGHT BEAM BOUNCES OFF AND OBSCURES FORWARD VISION.