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
144 reports, newest first.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 7, 2002, fire
ON 04/29/02 CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD COME LOOSE. ON 29-JUL-2002 WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF FUEL LEAKING.*AK
Exterior lighting, Jul 11, 2002
HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, ONE BEAM GOES UP IN THE AIR AT 70-80 DEGREES, THE OTHER GOES STRAIGHT AHEAD.*AK
Air bags, Jul 10, 2002, crash
THIRTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SUSTAINED SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURYAFTER HEADON COLLISION. HER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, TOP OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS COMPLETLY BLOWN APART FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. ALLOWING HER HEAD TO STRIKE DASH. WE BOTH HAD SEATBELTS ON. I SUSTAINED BRUISING OF HIPS & RT. RIB. SHE WAS IN COMA AND JUST NOW BEGINNING TO MOVE LEFT SIDE. SHE STILL CANNOT SIT UP,STAND, WALK, TALK COHERANTLY, EAT OR DO ANYTHING FOR HER SELF. SHE IS STILL IN HOSPITAL AS OF THIS DAY 7-10-02.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 21, 2002
THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG SULFUR SMELL, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLES GAS MILEAGE IS DETERIORATING. *YH
Suspension, Jun 12, 2002
CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, TOOK IN CAR TODAY AND TOLD THEM TO ADJUST ALIGNMENT AND HAVE OIL CHANGED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED BACK AND SAID THEIR WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL AND THE CAR HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT. IF IT HAD A RECALL NO NOTICE WAS SENT OUT THIS IS WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT. CONSUMERS ARE SOPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED IF THERE IS A RECALL NOT FIND OUT AFTER THEY DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS AND FIND OUT WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES.*AK
Wheels, May 13, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
Air bags, Apr 2, 2002, crash
THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT AND THE CONSUMER SUFFERED AN INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *YH
Air bags, Mar 28, 2002, crash
ON 2/11/2002; 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA SPORT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. DRIVER HAD MINOR INJURIES; DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. TOTAL SPEED OF BOTH VEHICLES WERE APPOXIMATELY 40-50 MPH. DALY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED TO ACCIDENT SCENE. POLICE REPORT #02-1479.. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 21, 2002
PURCHASED CAR ON 9-4-2001, NO SMELL AT ALL. FUEL PUMP GOES BAD AND IS REPLACED AFTER 20 DAYS OWNING CAR AT 300 MILES. AFTER PUMP REPLACEMENT I NOTICED VERY BAD ROTTEN EGG SMELL. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR, BUT IT COULD BE THE FUEL. IT WAS ADVISED TO USE 5 DIFFERENT FUELS. FILL TANK 3 TIMES USING EACH FUEL UNTIL THE CAR BURNS THE GAS THAT DOES NOT SMELL. THEY ALL SMELL AND PEOPLE AS MYSELF ARE GETTING SICK RIDING IN THE CAR. THE SMALL HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY WITH NO SET TIME. SOME ORDERS ARE LIGHT IN SMELL THEN A STRONG SMELL THAT WILL FORCE YOU OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF CAR WHO GET GAS AT THE SAME STATION I DO IF THERE CAR SMELLS AND EVERYONE SAID NO. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND A DISTRICT TECH FROM NEW YORK, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR ANYMORE AND WE HAVE TO GO TO ARBITRATION. THERE PHONE NO. IS 310- 618 4000. SOMETHING DOES NOT ADD UP. ONLY ONE VISIT, THE CAR STILL STINKS, I FEEL SICK DRIVING IT , NO SECOND VISIT TO DEALER, FIELD TECH BRUSHING ME OFF , AND GO TO ARBITRATION AFTER ONE DEALER VISIT. I WANT THIS INVESTIGATED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT , AND I THINK IT ALSO MY BE TIME FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO .*AK
Child seat, Mar 21, 2002
WHILE INSTALLING THE EVENFLO COZY CARRY CHILD SEAT(MODEL # 272126P1) EQUIPPED WITH THE SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR, THE PLASTIC BENT UPWARD BREAKING AT THE SEAT BELT TAB CLOSEST TO THE DOOR, THE SEAT WAS BEING INSTALLED WITH THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS UNDER BOTH TABS OF THE SEAT BELT PATH. *TT
Air bags, Feb 22, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Air bags, Jan 14, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE HIT A DITCH THEN A TREE, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Exterior lighting, Dec 20, 2001
BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE STRAY BEAMS ON HIGH BEAM THAT PROJECT UPWARD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. VERY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING IN LIGHT MIST CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST HEADLIGHTS WITH NO EFFECT ON CONDITION.*AK
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
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2001
LEFT HEADLIGHT DEMONSTRATES A DISTINCT RAY OF LIGHT EMANATING UP AND OUT APPROX. 70-80 DEGREES PERPENDICULAR TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM OPERATION. DEALER ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT RECTIFIED PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS DISTRACTING FOR THE DRIVER AND MAY AFFECT ONCOMING TRAFFIC.*AK
Suspension, Tires, Wheels, Oct 12, 2001
VEHICLE WANDERS AND SWAYS BACK AND FORTH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE BENT. VEHICLE CAME FROM FACTORY THAT WAY. GOODYEAR, INTEGRITY, P185/65R14 . RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BULGE ON OUTSIDE. *AK NEW VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, ALL 4 WHEELS WERE BENT AND WARPED FROM THE FACTORY, THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BELTS. VEHICLE HAS A HANDLING PROBLEM. NLM
Exterior lighting, Sep 17, 2001
HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2002 COROLLA HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED. THEY REFLECT A DIRECT BEAM STRAIGHT UP. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING BECAUSE THE BEAMS CROSS OVER THE WIND SHIELD AS THEY POINT UP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON HIGH BEAM. HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS APPEARS TO DISTANT DRIVERS. THE ENGINEERS NEED TO REDO THIS DESIGN. *AK
Suspension, Aug 14, 2001
WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER 50 MPH OR MORE IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO WANDER ACROSS THE ROAD; VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK
Visibility, Jul 10, 2001
ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAVE TWO WAYS TO ADJUST THEM BY POWER SWITCH OR MANUALLY. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE EITHER OPTION. CONSUMER STATES IN ORDER TO ADJUST MIRRORS CONSUMER MUST USE HANDS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK