2003 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 768 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 104 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 96 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleOct 17, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Campaign 19V741000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleAug 28, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
Campaign 19V627000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDec 12, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.
Campaign 18V883000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 13, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.
Campaign 15V286000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 13, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.
Campaign 15V285000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJan 28, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. GM issued an interim notification to owners on March 27, 2015. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V-029 and 14V-147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.
Campaign 15V043000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJan 30, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. This could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and General Motors will re-notify theirs. Dealers previously installed a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness, free of charge. Dealers will replace the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for second notices. For more information, Toyota owners may call 1-800-331-4331 and Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668.
Campaign 13V029000 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
Visibility, glass, side/rearApr 10, 2008
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BECOMING LOOSE AND POSSIBLY RATTLING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE MAY BE HEARD FROM THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHEN OPERATING THE POWER WINDOWS.
THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2008 TO TOYOTA OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2008, FOR PONTIAC OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Campaign 08V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH 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.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assemblyMar 11, 2002
ON PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (VIN) STARTING WITH 1NX ONLY AND BUILT FROM JANUARY 8 THROUGH FEBRUARY 13, 2002, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE BOLTS THAT JOIN THE REAR BRAKE AND HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE CARRIER TO BE LOOSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR BOLTS COULD COME LOOSE, CAUSING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA. IN THE EVENT THAT ALL FOUR BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, SEPARATION OF THE REAR BRAKE AND HUB ASSEMBLY FROM THE REAR AXLE CARRIER COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
DEALERS WILL PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 02V074001 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Apr 15, 2010, crash
2003 TOYOTA 4DR. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A FENCE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2010, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE THE RPMS BEGAN INCREASING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE HER ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND CONTINUE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE AS IT BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED TO 15 MPH. SINCE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE THEN JUMPED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AND PLOWED INTO A SNOW BANK BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL BODY DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO HER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GEAR FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA WAS SCHEDULED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATOR COULD FIND NO FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 4, 2010, crash
MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2003 HAD A ACCELERATION PROBLEM, I TOOK IT TO THE OAKBROOK TOYOTA WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ALL IN MY HEAD AND MOREOVER THE ELECTRONICS FOR THIS FUNCTION WAS FACTORY INSTALLED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THE DEALER COULD DO WITH IT. THIS WAS THE LAST TIME I WENT TO THIS DEALER.THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE FROM 500 RPM TO 2000 RPM IN IDLE THIS WOULD LURCH THE CAR FORWARD AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD DRIVE THIS CAR WAS TO CHANGE THE CERAMICS BRAKE PADS EVERY 10000 MILES. IN 2007 THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND BROKE THE REAR BUMPER OF A HYUNDAI SANTAS FE AND CRACKED MY BUMPER TOO I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THE POLICE OFFICER THAT I WAS STOPPED AND SUDDENLY THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, IT DID NOT HELP I WAS GIVEN A TICKET AND TOLD TO TELL MY STORY TO THE JUDGE, LUCKILY THE LADY I HIT DID NOT SHOW UP IN COURT AND I WAS DISCHARGED BUT THAT DID NOT MAKE MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALL STATE FROM RAISING MY PREMIUM AND I STILL HAVE THE CAR AND STILL HAS THE HIGHEST PREMIUM. THE CAR IS USED FOR RUNNING ERRANDS LOCALLY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 2, 2010, crash
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. CONSUMER STATES NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE ACCIDENTS, THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST ACCIDENT, SHE TRIED TO REDUCE HER SPEED ON A CURVE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND CONSEQUENTLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SECOND ACCIDENT, SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND AGAIN SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE APPROACHED A CURVE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, SHE HIT A CURB AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. UPDATED 04/16/10
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2010
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60-65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY TURNED OFF: ALL INDICATORS IN THE DASHBOARD TURNED OFF/WENT TO ZERO AND THERE WAS NO WAY OF ACCELERATING. I HAD TO SOMEHOW PULL OVER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WHEN FINALLY ON THE SIDE LANE THE ENGINE JUST TURNED BACK ON. MY HUSBAND WOULD NOT BELIEVE THIS BUT WE NOW FOUND AN ARTICLE ON WWW.SPIEGEL.DE THAT RELATED TO THIS. HENCE MY REPORTING IT NOW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2010, crash
OUR 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA HAS TWICE MYSTERIOUSLY ACCELERATED. FIRST IN '07 CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO AUTO AND PROPERTY. DEALER DIDN'T TAKE SERIOUSLY AND CLAIMED DRIVER ERROR THAT HE HAD FOOT ON ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF BRAKE. CAR WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED. ON 1/11/10 IT ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME WHILE I WAS GOING DOWNHILL WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. STOPPED CAR BY THROWING INTO NEUTRAL. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED AND GIVEN CASE NUMBER [XXX] . DEALER CHECKED CAR ON 1/15/10 AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. HAVE DOCUMENTATION BUT ARE UNABLE TO CONTACT TOYOTA FOR FOLLOW-UP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 17, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE SLIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AS THE ENGINE BECAME LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE UP HILL, CRASHING INTO A TREE AND IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES FROM THE FORCE OF IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL EXHIBITING HIGH RPMS AND THE UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 45,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2010
I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 LE MODEL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME TWO TIMES DURING ONE YEAR OF 30,000 MILES DRIVE. I SUSPECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Mar 12, 2010, crash
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PURCHASED 2003, TOYOTA, COROLLA, VIN: [XXX] WITH DAUGHTER. VEH WAS PURCHASED FROM TOYOTA OF ORANGE IN CA. TWO DAYS LATER A HIT AND RUN DRIVER FORCED VEH TO SKID ACROSS FIVE LANES ON INTERSTATE 10 IN ONTARIO, CA, AND LANDED ATOP CENTER DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO REPAIR SHOP AND "REPAIRED" AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MONTHS. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS NEVER PROPERLY REPAIRED, AND I COMPLAINED TO BOTH TOYOTA , AND TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, BUT TOYOTA ADAMANTLY STATED THE VEH WAS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS CONTINUALLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE BRAKES. EVENTUALLY THE CARPET CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR TO BECOME STUCK AND THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS FORCED TO REACH DOWN WHILE THE CAR MOVING AND PULL THE CARPET WITH BOTH HANDS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. NEITHER TOYOTA REPAIR NOR ALLSTATE WOULD HELP RESOLVE OUR COMPLAINTS SINCE 2003, WE WERE SIMPLY TOLD THAT THE VEH WAS FINE. ADDITIONALLY I BELIEVE THE FRAME IS BENT, LACK OF INTERLOCKING BRAKES CAUSING SKIDS, BRAKES ARE SOFT AND DROP TO FLOOR, AND POOR STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT INVOLVING NEAR MISS ACCIDENT EPISODES. THE CAR SKIDS IF GOING AS LITTLE AS 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. I OFFERED TO GIVE THE CAR AWAY TO ANYONE WHO WAS WILLING TO INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINTS, ALL TO NO AVAIL. I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I HEARD IN THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. TOYOTA CONTINUALLY DENIED THIS FOR 5-6 YEARS, THEN BY ACCIDENT A VERY YOUNG NEWLY EMPLOYED STAFF AT TOYOTA OF ORANGE, INFORMED US THAT OUR COMPLAINT ABOUT LOUD AIR SOUNDING NOISE WAS A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST, WHICH HAD BEEN CONTINUALLY MAKING THE NOISE, AND BURNING OF EYES (MIGRAINES). THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED EVERY 2-4 MONTHS OR LESS UNTIL I JUST REPORTED LESS FREQUENTLY. THE CAR IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY IT NEEDS SOME BRAKES, ROTORS, DRUMS, CALIPERS, AND SHOCKS AS ALWAYS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
I HAD A 2003 COROLLA THAT I PURCHASED IN 2002, ONE OF THE FIRST DELIVERED TO A WORCESTER MA DEALERSHIP. IN 2003 WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING UP A HILL THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON BUT I HADN'T. I WAS PROBABLY GOING AT LEAST 65MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE, I HAD TO KEEP HITTING THE BRAKES TO MAKE IT STOP ACCELERATING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010, crash
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP. DESPITE PUSHING THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. DRIVER LOST CONTROL DUE TO SPEED AND WENT OFF THE ROAD ROLLING THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2010
IN NOVEMBER OF 2009 I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 93 FROM ANDOVER IN BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC WHEN I SUDDENLY FOUND THAT MY CAR, A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA, WAS ACCELERATING DESPITE MY USING ALL MY ENERGY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. FOR SOME SCARY MOMENTS I WAS CERTAIN THAT I WAS GOING TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. JUST AS SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED TO BRAKE. HOWEVER, THERE HAD BEEN THE POSSIBILITY OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL INVOLVED. I HAD NOT HAD SUCH AN EXPERIENCE WITH THE CAR BEFORE AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE SINCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 27, 2010, crash
MY CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A ROTARY AND RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A GUARD RAIL. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER IT HIT THE FIRST GUARD RAIL AND CAUSED ME TO HIT A SECOND GUARD RAIL. THIS CRASH RESULTED IN INJURIES AND COMPLETELY TOTALED MY 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AS WELL AS AN ACCIDENT REPORT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MASSACHUSETTS RMV AND INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 20, 2010
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4 DOOR. FIRST TIME INCIDENT. WESTBOUND HIGHWAY 401 NEAR WOODSTOCK ONTARIO WITH CRUISE CONTROL @ 100 KMH IN RIGHT LANE AND SLIGHTLY ACCELERATED TO MIDDLE LANE TO AVOID MERGING INCOMING TRAFFIC FROM ROADSIDE GAS STATION. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT DRIVER ASSISTANCE. STRONG BRAKING DID NOT STOP CAR. STOMPING ON ACCELERATOR DID NOT STOP CAR. TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT STOP CAR. FASTEST SPEED WAS 150KMH @ 7500 RPM. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WHEN SPEED AT 120KMH @ 4000 RPM, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING. SLOWED AND PULLED OFF ONTO SHOULDER AND PARKED THE CAR. TWO MINUTES LATER, STILL IN PARK, IDLED AT 1900 RPM. ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK. OVER THE PHONE, DAN FROM COMPETITION TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT PROBABLY THE THROTTLE BOX OR THROTTLE CABLE HAD BECOME GUMMED UP AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLEANED AS PART OF THE TOYOTA 60,000KM MAINTENANCE. I HAVE NOT USED TOYOTA DEALER TO SERVICE THE CAR DUE TO AFFORDABILITY. I DO HAVE A REGULAR MECHANIC WHO SERVICES THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT INTO COMPETITION TOYOTA AND PROBLEM WAS A DIRTY THROTTLE PLATE WHICH WAS CLEANED AT A COST OF $70. DEALER ALSO DID A RECALL REPAIR ON A WINDOW AND SAID THERE WERE TOO MANY MATS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED. I TOLD DAN THAT DRIVER MATS WERE NOT THE CAUSE AND IN THE PRESENCE OF TWO TOYOTA EMPLOYEES, I SHOWED HIM PHOTOS THAT I TOOK OF THE DASHBOARD JUST AFTER I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. I ASKED IF THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, HE SAID YES, AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR SINCE. REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO TRANSPORT CANADA. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Feb 17, 2010
ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEM ON TOYOTA COROLLA 2003. THE FLOORS MATS USED TO COME ON TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR AND MAKE DRIVING UNSAFE. I CHANGED THEM TO BUY DIFFERENT BRANDS OF FLOOR MATS AND FINALLY I STOPPED USING THE FLOOR MATS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I SEE NO MENTION OF THE 2003 COROLLA IN THE RECALLS AND SURPRISED BY IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2010
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE USING CRUISE ON HIGHWAY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. OCCURRED ONLY ONCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010
THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY WIFE'S 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA HAS ACTED UP ON OCCASION WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. WHEN USING "RESUME" THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE WELL PAST THE PREVIOUS SET POINT. MOSTLY THIS WAS A MINOR ANNOYANCE AS THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE A BIG ENOUGH ENGINE TO TAKE OFF LIKE A ROCKET, AND SWITCHING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND RESTARTING IT SEEMS TO CURE THE PROBLEM. I NEVER WAS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE SEQUENCE THAT WOULD RELIABLY REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND PRETTY MUCH FIGURED WE'D LIVE WITH IT. (SHE DOESN'T USE CRUISE CONTROL AND I USE IT WHEN WE ARE TAKING TRIPS.) WITH THE RECENTLY IDENTIFIED CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS ON THE NEWER COROLLAS, I'M SUSPICIOUS THAT THE PROBLEM MAY GO BACK FURTHER THAN REPORTED. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS TIMES OVER THE PAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS(WHILE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR), SO THE DATE INDICATED BELOW IS A DUMMY DATE TO GET TOT THE NEXT SCREEN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND AS HE TURNED THE IGNITION ON WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT FENDERWAS BADLY DAMAGED.THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INJURED BUT DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL.THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED BEFORE TOWING THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE TO A BODY REPAIR CENTER. AT THAT TIME OF THE COMPLAINT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER.THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THERE WAS ONLY NORMAL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,479 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 116,000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2010, crash
ON 4/26/2006 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA INTO A PARKING SPOT AT HER EMPLOYMENT. THE CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO LEAVE TIRE TRACKS ON THE CONCRETE AND DUG THROUGH GROUND AFTER JUMPING THE CURB. THE CAR DID FINALLY STOP AFTER HITTING A SMALL TREE AND BARELY MISSING A LIGHT POLE. AT THE TIME WE BELIEVED THAT THE FLOOR MATS\HAD GOT TANGLED UP AND THE HARDER SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES THE CAR WENT FASTER. WITH ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH STUCK GAS PEDALS AND FLOOR MATS . WE ARE NOT SURE THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010
CHECK CRUISE CONTROL WIRING/ELECTRONICS TOYOTAS!! I HAD FAILED CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING RPM 7,000-8,000; COULD NOT SHUT OFF; STOMPED ON BRAKES TO SHUT CRUISE OFF. PULLED PARKING BRAKE; DOWNSHIFTED TO NEUTRAL; TURNED CAR OFF. TURNED IT BACK ON WHEN RECOVERED FROM HYSTERIA AND CRUISE HAD ROTATIONS GOING INTO RED ZONE, THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PULLED UP AND CAR WASN'T GOING FORWARD - IT WAS GUNNING ENGINE. TURNED CRUISE OFF. TURNED CAR OFF/ON/OFF/ON. FINALLY STOPPED. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. THEY HAD ADDED TOYOTA CRUISE TO 2003 NEW MODEL COROLLA, 5 SPEED MANUAL AFTER FACTORY. DEALERS WEREN'T AUTHORIZED TO DO IT - TOYOTA WANTED CRUISE CONTROL ONLY ADDED AT FACTORY. BUT DEALER GOT AHOLD OF ONE - THEY PROBABLY WEREN'T SURE HOW TO WIRE AND CONNECT IT IN. TOOK IT BACK. DEMANDED NEW ONE BE INSTALLED. HAS BEEN OKAY. STILL DRIVING 2003, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. BUT IT WAS FRIGHTENING TO HAVE CRUISE STUCK ON WIDE OPEN LIKE GAS PEDAL WAS DOWN STOCK. IT WOULDN'T STOP HITTING BRAKES OR ANYTHING. CHECK THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING AND ELECTRONICS ON THESE RECALL TOYOTAS!!!!!!! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010
PURCHASED NEW 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE IN 2003 AND NEW 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA LE IN 2006. FROM 2003 THRU 2006 SIX INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH VEHICLE STOPPED AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHERE ENGINE RACED AS IF CRUISE CONTROL KICKED INTO "RESUME" AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. BY REFLEX, I SHIFTED INTO PARK OR SHUT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I REPORTED THE INCIDENTS TO LASSEN TOYOTA, ALBANY OREGON NO RESPONSE FROM THEM. THE 2006 TOYOTA HAD THE SAME INCIDENT OCCUR ONCE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT AS THE 2003 MODEL I OWNED AND I REPORTED THE INCIDENT AGAIN TO LASSEN TOYOTA WITH NO RESPONSE. I AM ON MY GUARD NOW THAT I KNOW THIS OCCURS AND I DON'T PANIC AND KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT, BUT ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KEEP A CLEAR HEAD AND KNOW WHAT TO DO INSTINCTIVELY COULD BE IN TROUBLE. I AM SURE THIS IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT HAS SOME LINK TO THE ACCELERATION PROGRAM IN THE CRUISE CONTROL AREA EVEN WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND THE CAR IN DRIVE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FOOT NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN TWO DIFFERENT YEARS OF THE SAME MODEL TOYOTA. JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THIS DOES OCCUR RANDOMLY IN THESE CARS AND THAT COMPLAINTS ARE IGNORED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 29, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT/ SIGN THE CAR WILL IDLE UP. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL JUMP FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT IS RAINING OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I ASKED IF I COULD STOP IN WHEN IT IS RAINING SO THEY COULD LOOK AT IT THAN. THEY SAID YES. I STOPPED IN ON A RAINY DAY WHEN THE CAR WAS DOING IT. THE SERVICE AGENT SAID THAT CARS IDLE UP WHEN YOU USE THE DEFROSTER. THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO IT AS TO TRY TO LEAP FORWARD. MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY DOES NOT DO IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 29, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA . WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING SPACE HIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A POLE AND DAMAGED HIS VEHICLE. THE LICENSE PLATE ALSO CAME OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. A CLAIM WAS ALSO FILED WITH TOYOTA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A FREEWAY AT 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER SHE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,056. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2009. UPDATED EVOQ 03/25/11