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
768 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2011
CAR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. *KB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 16, 2011
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA COROLLA AUTOMOBILE DOT/I#2011-2068. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE SIGN AHEAD INDICATED TO REDUCE SPEED AHEAD. THE CONSUMER REDUCED HER SPEED TO THE POSTED LIMIT BY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE. AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND SHE COULD FEEL THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE ABS SOUNDED LIKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND PULSATING VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BEFORE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING A LOUD ROARING SOUND. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM DRIVE 1 TO DRIVE 2 AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. SHE TRIED TO SHIFT TO PARK, BUT AS SHE GOT TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE TRIED TO BUCK, SO SHE PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HER CRUISE CONTROL WA ACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. *JB UPDATED 11/10/11 *BF UPDATED 11/16/11
Power train, Aug 5, 2011
MANUAL TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT DUE TO BEARING FAILURE (INPUT SHAFT). *TT
Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2011
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE ACCELERATING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE SIGN AHEAD INDICATED TO REDUCE SPEED AHEAD. THE CONSUMER REDUCED HER SPEED TO THE POSTED LIMIT BY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE. AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND SHE COULD FEEL THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE ABS SOUNDED LIKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND PULSATING VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BEFORE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING A LOUD ROARING SOUND. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM DRIVE 1 TO DRIVE 2 AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. SHE TRIED TO SHIFT TO PARK, BUT AS SHE GOT TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE TRIED TO BUCK, SO SHE PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED 08/10/11. *JB THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT AND DRIVER ERROR. UPDATED 08/23/11.*JB UPDATED 09/29/11.*JB UPATED 10/11/11. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 17, 2011
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, A TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 ON JULY 12 AND WHILE DRIVING IT TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NEXT MORNING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN A HIGHWAY THE CAR TURN OFF. I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING, AFTER COUPLE ATTEMPTS THE CAR TURNED ON, I CALL A TOYOTA PLACE, WHERE I DO ALL MAINTENANCE OF MY CARS, AND AFTER I CALLED I WENT THERE SO THEY CAN RUN A TEST. THE RESULT WAS SHIFT SOLENOID "E" MALFUNCTION. THE WORKER TOLD ME THAT MOST LIKELY THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT ON THE COROLLA 2006 NOT 2003. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS. HE TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAIN SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2011
WHILE DRIVING MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 MODEL AT FREEWAY 110 WITH A SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, I NOTICED THAT THE MIL OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON. AS SOON AS I SAW THE LIGHT, I WENT STRAIGHT TO A MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THE MECHANIC USED A DIAGNOSTIC TESTER AND SHOWED THE CODE P0070 SOLENOID "E" FAULT AND ADVISED US TO GO TO THE DEALER AND CHECK IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS FAULT, BUT TOYOTA CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL ISSUED ON THAT PARTICULAR DEFECT. I TRIED TO RESEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON OCT. 23, 2002 . IT WAS ALSO ADMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT TOYOTA HAS MADE PRODUCTION CHANGES IN LATER MODELS OF THE COROLLA LINE TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2003 MODEL. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN THIS WILL TRULY POSED A PROBLEM TO MANY TOYOTA COROLLA 03 USERS. WE BOUGHT THESE CAR 5 YEARS AGO AND WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEM ON IT UNTIL TODAY. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN URGE TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, Jun 8, 2011
140 000 KM ON BOARD AND THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS GONE ON MY COROLLA 2003. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 21, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 4DR LE, 80000 MILES, I WANT TO REPORT COOLANT LEAK FROM ENGINE AREA. I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THAT COOLANT LEAK DUE TO BOTTOM PART OF THE ENGINE IS CRACKING, RECOMMENDATIONS IS REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK, THAT WILL COST ABOUT $6000. MECHANICS STATED THAT WHEN TOYOTA MADE THE MODE OF THE ENGINE, THE MODE DOES NOT MAKE GOOD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 12, 2011
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA S MANUAL THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 9 YEARS HAS ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN THE FIRST GEAR AND IT DROVE NORMALLY, BUT WHEN PUSHED ON THE CLUTCH SWITCHING TO THE SECOND GEAR THE RPM WENT UP HIGH ABOVE 4000. I MADE SURE THAT I WASN'T PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I CHECKED IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR BUT IT WASN'T. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT THE RPM WAS GOING VERY HIGH AND MORE THAN NORMAL . SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND THE RPM WENT BACK TO NORMAL . NOTICING THAT THIS IS THE ONLY TIME HAS HAPPENED I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING AT THIS MOMENT BUT IF I THE ISSUE IS STILL PERSISTING THEY MIGHT HAVE TO LOOK CLOSELY TO THE ISSUE. BECAUSE MY CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I HAVE MORE CONTROL ON THE CAR THAN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION( OPTION ON PUSHING ON THE CLUTCH) AND DISENGAGE THE ENGINE FROM THE TRANSMISSION FASTER, I HAVE LESS RISK IN BEING INVOLVED IN AND ACCIDENT UNLESS I NEED TO SUDDENLY STOP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN. *TR
Air bags, Feb 6, 2011, crash
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBAND HIT HIS CHIN ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE RECEIVED 16 STAPLES AND 12 STITCHES IN HIS HEAD, 5 STITCHED IN HIS TONGUE AND IS BEING TREATED FOR NECK INJURIES. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE AND I PRESUME THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AND THE LOCATION THAT THE CAR WAS HIT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 15, 2010
ODOMETER FAILURE DUE TO TOYOTA BUILDING AND INSTALLING A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. *TR
Power train, Dec 11, 2010
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2006 WITH 76,000 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. I TRUSTED THE REPUTATION OF TOYOTA AND THOUGHT I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON A DEPENDABLE CAR THAT WOULD LAST ME UNTIL AT LEAST 200,000 MILES WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR CURRENTLY HAS 126,000 MILES ON IT. LAST FRIDAY, AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION RUNNING A LITTLE LOUDER THAN USUAL. DURING THE NEXT 7 RESIDENTIAL MILES HOME, THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SOUND LOUDER AND MORE GRINDING IN NATURE. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING AND LEARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. AFTER A LITTLE ONLINE RESEARCH, I READ THAT MORE THAN A FEW PEOPLE HAD REPLACED WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS ONLY TO HAVE THE REBUILT ONE FAIL. I CHOSE TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION (AT LEAST IT'S UNDER WARRANTY FOR 3 YEARS/36,000 MILES) ALONG WITH A NEW CLUTCH AND OTHER ACCESSORIES TO THE TUNE OF $3,500. WHEN I ASKED HOW MY DEPENDABLE LITTLE TOYOTA COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME SOMETHING ABOUT THE CLUTCH BEGINNING TO SHOW SOME WEAR, CAUSING SOME PARTS (BEARINGS?) TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WREAK HAVOC. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NO LONGER ASSOCIATE TOYOTA WITH DEPENDABILITY. *TR
Visibility, Dec 7, 2010
POWER WINDOW RECALL FROM TOYOTA IS STILL DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE RECALL FOR THE POWER WINDOW RECALL FOR COMPONENT : VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR AND YET WHEN THEY REPAIR IT STILL COMES BACK. THEY REFUSE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT CAN BREAK AGAIN ANYTIME CAUSING DEATH, ACCIDENTS, OR SERIOUS INJURY! TOYOTA OF GLENDALE IN CA REFUSED TO REPAIR MY RECALL AFTER IT RECURRED(ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS TIGHTEN THE BOLTS). [XXX] CALL ME IF YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND WE CAN HAVE A NEW RECALL ON TOYOTA. I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID TUFF LUCK...I HAVE IT RECORDED... THEY SIMPLY REFUSED TO ADMIT THEIR RECALL CORRECTION IS NOT A GOOD CORRECTION!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Dec 3, 2010
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WITH ONLY 120,000 MILES NEEDS NEW MANUAL TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF $3800 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS MAKING LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING AND HAVING CONVULSIONS WHICH FORCED US TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS "WARNING SIGNS" THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. ALL WARRANTY MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT UP TO DATE ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE RIGHT TIME. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS SINCE THEY NOW SEEM TO BE MORE AND MORE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST THIS PARTICULAR MODEL YEAR COROLLA. *TR
Power train, Dec 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE DEBRIS FROM A DEFECTIVE BEARING THAT ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 28, 2010
EXACTLY APPEARANCE AS IN CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10311317. I AM WRITING TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT I HAVE RESOLVED AN ISSUE MYSELF BECAUSE I KNOW THAT NETHER DEALERSHIP NOR PRIVATE MECHANICS WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO PROPERLY TROUBLESHOOT AN ISSUE. I WOULD GUESS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN TOLERANCES BETWEEN GUIDES OF BRAKE PADS AND CYLINDER SLOTS. PADS ARE TOO TIGHT SITTING IN CYLINDER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO BRAKE AND GETTING THEM ALMOST GET STACKED CLOSE TO ROTOR. THIS CAUSING UNEVEN ROTOR WORMING, VIBRATION AND HUMMING SOUND. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS. USING GRINDER I HAVE REDUCED THE SIZE OF PAD GUIDES. 2 MINUTES OF WORK. ISSUE IS GONE AND NEVER RECURRED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2010, crash
ON NOVEMBER 16, 2010, WHILE TRYING TO PARK MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2003, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY CRASHING INTO A FENCE CONTINUED BY CRASHING INTO SOME WOODEN PALLETS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER A FEW WEEKS BEFORE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WILL STAY ACCELERATED TO A MINIMUM OF 1800RPM. THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT ACTIVATED AND I DID NOT RECEIVED MAJOR INJURY. MY NECK WAS HURTING FOR A WHILE. I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO PROPANE TANKS FOLLOWING THE FENCE. MY SON NOTIFIED TOYOTA IN PUERTO RICO AND FILED A COMPLAINT #CR12287. HE WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL UNIT AND THAT THE GAS IN MY CAR OPERATED BY A CABLE. THE AUTO SHOP MECHANICS THAT REPAIRED ALL THE FRONT DAMAGE OF THE CAR NOTICED THE CAR ACCELERATOR TOO HIGH. ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010 THE CAR WAS PICKED UP BY MY SON AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA FOR INSPECTION. THE TOYOTA EMPLOYEE TRIED TO CONVINCE MY SON TO SIGN AN AUTHORIZATION TO ACCESS ALL THE DATA IN THE CAR COMPUTER MEMORY BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE A COPY OF THE DATA TO THE CUSTOMER. MY SON REFUSED TO SIGN THE RELEASE FORM. WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2010
SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. JUST RETURNED FROM FIRST ROAD TRIP WITH THIS CAR, FROM OREGON TO COLORADO, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES - 3 OF THE TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. IN PARTICULAR - WHILE GOING UP HILL -- THE CAR PICKS UP SPEED TO GET OVER THE HILL BUT AFTER REACHING THE TOP, CAR FAILS TO SLOW DOWN AND ONLY AFTER HITTING BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES WOULD THE ACCELERATION STOP AND CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SLOW. IN ONE INSTANCE, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO AN UPHILL ON-RAMP TO GET IT TO SLOW AND BRAKES FINALLY WORKED AT TOP OF HILL. I COULD ACTUALLY FEEL THE GAS PEDAL PUSHING DOWN ON ITS OWN - WITHOUT MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS JUST NATURALLY PICKING UP SPEED. IT WAS ONLY AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL THAT I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WAS THE CAR, NOT THE ENVIRONMENT. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE CAR WENT FROM 52 TO 83, THE SECOND INCIDENT - 57 TO 90, THE 3RD INCIDENT - 65 TO 88, THE 4TH INSTANCE 75 TO 84 AND THE SCARIEST INCIDENT OF ALL - THE CAR WENT FROM 70 TO 105 MPH!! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE ONLY THING THAT SLOWED THE CAR DOWN (BESIDES MY CONTINUAL BRAKING) WAS THAT I STARTED CLIMBING A LARGE HILL. ONE OF THE INCIDENTS WAS WITNESSED BY A WYOMING HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER - OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND MANY MILES TO A TOWN - WHO THOUGHTFULLY GAVE ME DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO GET THE CAR TO STOP SAFELY (TURN ON YOUR EMERGENCY FLASHERS, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY EVEN PRESSURE TO BRAKES - PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL GIVES MORE POWER TO BRAKES). THIS CAR HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD NEVER BEEN ON A LONG TRIP BEFORE AND VERY RARELY ON A FREEWAY. I HAD NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL BEFORE AND WILL NOT BE USING IT AGAIN. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADD THE 2003 COROLLA TO THE RECALL AS IT OBVIOUSLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2005 - 2010. TOYOTA WILL BE HEARING FROM ME TOMORROW. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Nov 2, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL TANK LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK LINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,097. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF UPDATED 11/22/11 *CN
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 18, 2010
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING FILING COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION FOR HEADLIGHTS MELTING AND ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN SHE TRIED TO USE THE REMOTE. THE DEALER HAD TO DISMANTLE THE DOOR PANEL AND INSTALL A NEW LOCK DEVICE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY WORK ON THE PART OF TOYOTA. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO GO OUT, UNTIL FINALLY, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 20, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CINDER BLOCK WALL, KNOCKING A HOLE INTO THE CINDER BLOCK. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WALL WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IS ALSO CAUSED A PORTION OF THE CINDER BLOCK TO SHOOT THROUGH A NEIGHBORING WOOD FENCE, FRACTURING THE FENCE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Power train, Sep 15, 2010
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MADE A WEIRD NOISE AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY. CAR WAS SCREAMING UNTIL I GOT OFF OF FREEWAY. PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED AAA. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TROUBLE PUSHING CAR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. GOT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND CAR WOULD NOT BACK OFF OF TOW TRUCK. TRANSMISSION SHOP TOOK APART TRANSMISSION AND STATES THE PINION BEARING WENT BAD AND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LOCKED IN 5TH GEAR. THEY STATED THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GO BAD IN TOYOTA'S MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND REBUILT MY TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW AFTERMARKET BEARING KIT. REPAIRS COST APPROXIMATELY $1800. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING AND LEAKING OIL. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO AND NOW IT HAD FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1200. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REITERATE THAT THIS FAILURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Aug 6, 2010, crash
MY WIFE MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AND THE CAR GOT CRASHED. MY WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES ON CHEST DUE HIT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. *TR
Visibility, Jul 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TOYOTA RECALL NOTICE 08V162000 VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JULY 21, 2010 AND WAS STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL SINCE THE GLASS WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.