2002 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 144 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 30 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
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
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 21, 2006
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
Campaign 06E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Dec 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT REMAINED STUCK IN THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS NOR DID THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,217. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/09/11
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2010, crash
ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA CE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO MY GARAGE WALL CAUSING THE CAR TO BE TOTALED (LOSS OF OVER 7,000) PER FARMERS INSURANCE. [XXX] AT THAT TIME WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES WITH TOYOTA'S - THE FLOOR MAT SITUATION WAS JUST COMING OUT. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA ON 10/2/09 INCIDENT [XXX]AND THEY HAD SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THE 2002 COROLLA'S. I DID REPURCHASED A NEW 2010 AND NOW WITH ALL THE ISSUES I FEEL UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR BUT AM LEFT LIKE MANY OTHERS STUCK WITH IT. TOYOTA HAD A GOOD REPUTATION AND I WISH THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED. JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW SO THIS WILL SOMEHOW HELP IN THE ONGOING SEARCH FOR AN ANSWER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010
2002 TOYOTA COROLLA LE ACCELERATION PEDAL: --OCCASIONALLY, BUT RARELY, APPEARS TO STICK MOMENTARILY (A SENSATION LIKE A SPRING THAT HAS TEMPORARILY STUCK AND THEN SPRUNG LOOSE). I TOOK IT INTO MY TOYOTA DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD DETECT. THEREFORE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE MYSTERY. THE STICKING/SPRINGING SENSATION STILL OCCASIONALLY OCCURS BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL. --IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER STARTING UP. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH OTHER TOYOTAS. THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, LISTED BELOW (MAR 5, 2002), IS APPROXIMATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED OCT. 2001. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE UNDER 5 MPH WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS HAD INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO A SNOW BANK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 07/27/10
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2010
WE HAVE A 2002 MODEL TOYOTA COROLLA LE. IN THREE INSTANCES THE CAR SPED UP. THE CAR ALSO LEAPS FORWARD ONCE IN A WHILE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE 50MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE LATE TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FISH TAIL AND CRASH INTO A MAIL BOX POST. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010, crash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA COROLLA NORMALLY WHEN SHE SUDDENLY FOUND THAT SHE COULD NOT REDUCE SPEED AND TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE CAR WENT FAR OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A POST. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR INVOLVED; IT WAS DAY TIME; THERE WERE NO EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT AFFECTED THE ROAD CONDITION, SUCH AS SNOW OR RAIN. MY WIFE WAS (AND IS) IN GOOD HEALTH, SHE WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS (NOR DOES SHE DRINK ALCOHOL OR USE DRUGS); SHE HAS A FLAWLESS DRIVING RECORD, AND SHE HAS NEVER RECEIVED TICKETS OR GOTTEN INTO ANY OTHER ACCIDENTS SINCE SHE HAS GOTTEN HER DRIVERS LICENSE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2005, crash
WAS PARKING CAR IN GARAGE AND CAR SURGED OVER PARKING BARRIER BEFORE I COULD APPLY BRAKES.WHEN FOOT FINALLY PRESSED ON BRAKE ENGINE RACED, AND I REGAINED CONTROL BY SHLIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DISTANCE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 10, 2003, crash
WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS AND OTHER BRAKE PARTS.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2003
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION GAS PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 100 MPH. CONSUMER PUSHED CLUTCH TO STOP VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS STILL IDLING HIGH AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ACCELERATOR JAMMED OPEN AND TURNING OFF. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN ENGINE TO NORMAL IDLING. *YH