Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 117

2002 Toyota Corolla complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed May 19, 200879,787 milesMD

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Mar 8, 2008TX

I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF MY TOYOTA COROLLA, WHICH HAS 74,000 MILE ON IT NOW. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THREE AND HALF YEARS (MARCH 2005), THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATION SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTION AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VACUUM SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD SPENT MORE THAN $600.00 TO HAVE THIS DONE. AT THAT TIME I DID NOT COMPLAIN TOO MUCH. HOWEVER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2007, I HAD TO SPEND ANOTHER $600.00 TO REPLACE CANISTER AND VALVE AGAIN (AFTER TWO AND HALF YEARS LATER). I BELIEVE THAT THE TWO CHARCOAL CANISTERS HAD VERY BAD QUALITY! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 24, 200879,980 milesNY

ENGINE MALFUNCTION DASH INDICATOR CAME ON. FIRST TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AFTER DISCUSSION AND SAID DRIVE CAR FOR FEW DAYS. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON NEXT DAY. SECOND TOYOTA DEALER RAN FULL DIAGNOSTICS AND GOT CODE P1346. ADVISED VVTI CAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLE TIMING CHAIN. MINIMUM COST JUST OVER $1000. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS. THEY SAID NO. THERE IS. NOW WHAT STEP SHOULD I TAKE? *TR

Structure
Filed Oct 22, 2007CA

I'VE NOTICED THIS IS LOT OF TOYOTAS IN LOS ANGELES. THERE IS A BUMP IN THE BACK FENDERS, BUT NOT DUE TO ANY ACCIDENTS- THE PAINT IS PERFECT; IT JUST LOOKS LIKE THE FENDER SUCKED ITSELF IN. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE ABOUT TO BREAK. OTHER PLASTIC PIECES OF THE INTERIOR- TRIANGULAR DOOR GUARD, STORAGE UNIT TOP, DRINK HOLDERS.. HAVE BROKEN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 4, 200773,784 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC PUT AN OIL STABILIZER IN THE CAR TO MAINTAIN THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURES WERE MILEAGE 73784.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 1, 200724,000 milesGA

INTERMITTENT FUNCTION OF PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BEGAN IN 2004. TOTAL FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FUNCTION FOLLOWED. WINDOW IS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, NEITHER MASTER CONTROL OR PASSENGER WINDOW CONTROL WILL WORK. DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS AND NEVER USE THE WINDOW IN QUESTION. I EXPECT MUCH BETTER OF TOYOTA WHICH IS WHY I CHOSE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA. *TR

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices
Filed Jul 5, 200757,900 milesKS

CHARCOAL CANISTER VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE WAS GONE BAD AND STUCK IN POSITION 1. THIS HAPPENED TO MOST OF THE COROLLA. I HAVE READ ON INTERNET ABOUT TOYOTA FIXING THIS PROBLEM TO FEW OF THE CUSTOMERS AS GOODWILL. I HAD TO PAY AROUND $500 TO GET IT FIXED. IF THIS WAS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IT HAS TO BE FIXED BY TOYOTA. MY CAR HARDLY HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAD DONE EVERY BIT OF MAINTENANCE DEFINED IN THE COROLLA MANUAL.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed May 16, 200781,000 milesOH

THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 9, 2007124,000 milesOR

FREQUENT USE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MAY CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME TANGLED AND NOT FEED THROUGH THE FEEDER PROPERLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY HARM AND/OR INABILITY TO USE SEATBELT PROPERLY. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 12, 200756,870 milesFL

TL * - IN OCTOBER 2006, THE CONTACT TOOK HER 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE SHE WAS HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 61, 313 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT SEE AN OIL LEAK AROUND HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TOLD SHE WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR FOR THE VEHICLE DUE TO OIL STARVATION, AND THAT THERE WAS A SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JUNE 2006, AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 56, 860 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE ALSO TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT A GRINDING NOISE SHE WAS HEARING. THE DEALER TOLD HER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR THE NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS OF 20-50 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS WHEN THE NOISE OCCURRED. THE WARRANTY DEPT HAS TOLD THE CONTACT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE FAILURE DUE TO VEHICLE NEGLECT. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT HAS ALL OF HER REPAIR ORDERS FOR THE VEHICLE. *NM

Seats
Filed Jul 5, 2006NY

DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. WHEN DRIVING ALONG DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SLIDE BACKWARDS TO THE FARTHEST POSITION MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVER TO REACH THE BREAK AND CLUTCH. A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THIS HAPPENS MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, CHECKED THE PROBLEM, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE SEAT BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jun 30, 200640,198 milesAZ

I BOUGHT A CAR RECENTLY THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND REPAIR (RESTORED / SALVAGE TITLE). FOUND OUT LATER THAT THERE IS NO AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND NO AIR BAG SQUIB ON DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL. ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT BULB IN DASH HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT. SELLER NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY OF THIS. HE WORKS WITH (SELLS VEHICLES FOR) THE BODY SHOP THAT FIXED THE CAR AFTER ACCIDENT. *NM

Seat Belts › FrontCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 2, 2006CA

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ROLLOVER. FAILURE OF ROOF STRUCTURE, PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, OCCUPANT RESTRAINT, WINDOWS AND SEAT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed May 22, 200626,000 milesWV

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE FRONT END MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS FIVE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE ATHE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed May 21, 200660,000 milesCO

I TOOK MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA LE IN FOR AN EMISSIONS TEST AND FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOVE $500 BECAUSE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER ON MY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND I NEED TO REPLACE IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH MY MECHANIC I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH COROLLAS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE IS THAT THE CANISTER IS SET AT AN ANGLE AND IT ALLOWS ENGINE GASES TO LIQUEFY AND CAUSE FAILURE. I AM UPSET BECAUSE THIS CAR HAS FEWER THAT 65000 MILE ON IT AND THIS IS A MAJOR PART FAILURE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS OBVIOUS VEHICLE DEFECT. THANK YOU. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Mar 3, 200680,075 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE HOOD CAME UNLOCKED AND HIT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HOOD, FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD, ROOF AND TRIM, FENDER PANEL AND HINGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. IT WAS DETERMINED THE HOOD LATCH WAS WORN AND WAS NOT PROPERLY CATCHING THE STRIKER. UPDATED 03/29/06. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Feb 24, 200690,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FRACTURED AND BROKE INTERNALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2005NY

CONSUMER WANTS PERMISSION TO DEACTIVATE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ON 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 30, 200550,000 milesMA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF DUE TO CHARCOAL CANISTER IN MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. I HAVE BEEN USING 93 OCTANE CONTENT GAS SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS CAR. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)
Filed Jun 26, 200540,400 milesWI

A FEW WEEKS BACK MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE (THIS WAS WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 40,500). SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO A AAA CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP FOR INVESTIGATION. I LATER CAME TO KNOW THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILURE. SINCE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEALER SO I LATER INQUIRED ABOUT THE REPAIR COST. THE TOTAL REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS TOLD TO ME AROUND $480 WHICH PROMPTED ME TO SEARCH THE WEB ABOUT SIMILAR REPAIR ISSUES. I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS RELATED TO CHARCOAL CANISTER FOR MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR REGULAR OIL-CHANGES,ETC. I WAS ALARMED THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR WOULD FAIL JUST A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. SO I CALLED THE TOYOTA ASSISTANCE AT 800-331-4331 ON 6/3/2005 (REFERENCE # [XXX]). I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER WOULD CONTACT ME SOME TIME WITHIN THE NEXT 3-4 DAYS BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED. UPON CALLING THE TOYOTA ASSISTANCE CENTER TODAY AGAIN (6/16/05) I CAME TO KNOW THAT THE DEALER HAD NEVER BOTHERED CALLING ME AND HAD INSTEAD JUST LEFT A NOTIFICATION IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT THE REGIONAL CENTER HAD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION IN THIS REGARD. MY OTHER CAR IN THE HOUSEHOLD IS AROUND 70,000 MI AND IT HAD NEVER HAD ANY SUCH PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF THE TOYOTA LOOKS INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILURE ISSUES MORE SERIOUSLY AND PROVIDES RELIEF IN THAT REGARD. A PART OF SUCH IM

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 20, 200585,000 milesCA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Mar 25, 200585,000 milesCA

CHANGED DESIGN FROM TIMING CHAIN TO BELT 2 MONTHS AFTER RELEASE. BOLT ATTACHING TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET TO CAM SHAFT OVERTIGHTENED AT FACTORY CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO CAM TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKET AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS, AND LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A NATIONAL FOREST 45 MILES FROM NEAREST SERVICES WITH NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2005CA

VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BOLT WAS TOO TIGHT, WHICH BENT THE VALVE, AND TOTALLY RUINED OTHER ENGINE PARTS. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

Suspension
Filed Feb 12, 200525,000 milesNC

SQUEALING NOISE STARTED. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NOISE. AS IT GOT LOUDER THEY "DRESSED THE BELTS" AT 35,426 MILES. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND NOW THE STABILIZER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE PART BEING DEFECTIVE, I WAS TOLD THE PARTS ORIGINAL NUMBER HAS CHANGED AND A NEW ONE IS NOW USED. DOES THIS MEAN THAT THE FIRST ONE WAS DEFECTED AND THEY HAD TO MAKE A NEW ONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? IT IS NORMAL FOR THE PART TO GIVE BE BAD SO SOON. SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED EARLIER? *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 5, 2004NE

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 14, 2004PA

A BEAM OF LIGHT COMES FROM THE HEADLIGHTS AND SHOOT UPWARDS, LIKE A SPOT LIGHT . THIS CAUSES A VISIBILITY DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN FOG OR UNDER OVER HEAD TREES. ALSO, REDUCES THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATION ON THE ROAD.*AK

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 19, 2004GA

DEAR SIR/MADAM, THIS IS TO NOTIFY YOU THAT THURSDAY, 12 AUGUST, MY MOTHER, A FRIEND AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA COROLLA S 2002. THE ACCIDENT LEFT MY MOTHER IN A DEEP FRIGHT AND WITH INJURIES ON HER FACE, AS SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE IS PRESCRIBED TO GO TO THERAPY FOR OVER A MONTH TO OVERCOME THE CATASTROPHE. I, NOW, SUFFER FROM MINOR BACK PROBLEMS CAUSED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON ONE OF THE MOST EVENTFUL HIGHWAYS OF GEORGIA, HIGHWAY US 78. OUR CAR, TRAVELING ON THE MIDDLE LANE, WAS HIT BY AN ISUZU SUV  RODEO, AND AFTER ROTATING ABOUT 180 DEGREES STOPPED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER FELL APART, AND THE CAR WAS BEYOND RECOGNITION FROM THE FRONT. YESTERDAY, WE HEARD FROM THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEIR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT CAR IS TOTALED. MOST SHOCKING PART OF THE EVENT IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDNT ACTIVATE EVEN AFTER SUCH A STRONG IMPACT OF SUV COMING AT AROUND 65 MILES AN HOUR SPEED AND HIT OUR TOYOTA COROLLA (2002) FROM FRONT. WHEREAS, THE AIR-BAGS OF THE RODEO DID NOT FAIL TO INFLATE. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN OVER A WEEK NOW AND I HAVE NOT RECIEVED ANY CALLS OR E-MAILS FROM THEIR PART. I SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL PLEASE LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND KEEP ME INFORMED. YOUR COOPERATION IS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND APPRECIATED IN ADVANCE. I LOOK FORWARD TO TO HEAR FROM YOU A.S.A.P. SINCERELY, [XXX] PHONE NUMBER: [XXX] [XXX]. *AK INFOR

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Aug 12, 2004OH

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS FAILED TO ADJUST PROPERLY DUE TO THE LEVER FOR ADJUSTING WAS NOT MOUNTED ON THE MIRROR. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 8, 200413,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 35 -MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. NEITHER OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED NOR DID THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. CONSUMER WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR EIGHTS DAYS. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT. (POR FAVOR ENVIE LAS COPIAS QUE LE ENVIO EL FABRICANTE TOYOTA). *NM *MR *JB

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Feb 24, 200423,000 milesAZ

GOODYEAR INTEGRITY, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P185/65R14. TIRE WAS LUMPY, AND WEARING UNEVENLY. IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE BELTS BROKE FROM WITHIN. *AK *MR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004IL

I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA AND FOUND THAT MY NASAL PASSAGES BURNED, MY MOUTH HAD A BITTER CHEMICAL TASTE AND I FELT SPACY WHEN I DROVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE AND MY LUNGS BURNED IF I WAS IN THE CAR FOR 45 MINUTES OR MORE. THE LONGER I WAS IN THE CAR THE LONGER IT TOOK TO GET RID OF THIS TOXIC CHEMICAL FEEL IN MY RESPITORY SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO TRADE ME OUT OF THIS "TOXIC" CAR INTO A NEW ONE BUT EVEN THOUGH I EAGERLY TRIED A NEW COROLLA, ECHO, AND MATRIX, THE NEW CARS WERE EVEN WORSE. I HAVE OWNED BRAND NEW TOYOTAS TWICE BEFORE AND HAVE DRIVEN THIS MAKE FOR 20 YEARS. THE ONE I TRADED WAS PURCHASED IN 1992. MUCH TO MY SHOCK AND DISBELIEF, THE CHEMICAL OFFGASSING INSIDE MODELS AS OLD AS 2000'S HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO BUY A NEW OR EVEN RELATIVELY NEW TOYOTA. I HAVE RECENTLY RIDDEN IN A NEW DODGE CARAVAN AND A NEW VOLKSWAGAN, GOLF WITHOUT A PROBLEM.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jan 15, 200438,000 milesNY

I AM WRITING REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE IN MY CAR, A CHARCOAL CANISTER DUE TO IT BEING CLOGGED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM BECAUSE ON THE DAY THAT I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED, I MET ANOTHER PERSON AT THE TOYOTA SERVICE STATION WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND WHO ALSO HAD A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. HOWEVER, FORTUNATELY FOR HER SHE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART IS 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS AT THE 38,000 MARK ON MILEAGE AND SO I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BEFORE I HAD THE CAR FIXED, I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 800-331-4331 (REFERENCE #: 200309021930) AND AFTER A BIT OF BACK AND FORTH, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD GOOD WILL THE PART TO ME SINCE I WAS RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. AS A SIDE TO THIS STORY, TOYOTA NORTH IN MT. KISCO (WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) LABOR FEE TO REPLACE THIS PART IS A $90 DIAGNOSTIC FEE PLUS 1.5 HOURS LABOR ADDING TO A TOTAL OF ABOUT $225. AFTER SHOPPING AROUND, I FOUND THAT TOYOTA CITY IN MAMARONECK (LOCATED WITHIN THE SAME COUNTY AS TOYOTA NORTH) LABOR FEE FOR THE SAME JOB IS $90 TOTAL. OBVIOUSLY, I OPTED TO GO TO TOYOTA CITY TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY CLOGGED CHARCOAL CANISTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE 2002 MODEL OF A TOYOTA COROLLA. I DID CONTACT THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRA

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 10, 2003MD

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

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Nov 3, 200328,460 milesAL

FIRESTONE TIRE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. TIRE MODEL FR680, SIZE P185/65-R14. *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Oct 24, 200319,000 milesCA

MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA HAD WARPED DISCS AFTER 20,000 MILES OF FREEWAY DRIVING, NO HILLS. TOYOTA RESURFACED DISCS AND SAID THERE WOULD BE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. AR 38,000 MILES THEY WARPED AGAIN NOW TOYOTA SAYS ITS MY PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THE BRAKES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION EXCEPT THE WARPED DISCS AND THOUGHT THAT TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE DISCS AT 20,000 INSTEAD OF RESURFACING THEM. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Oct 21, 200338,100 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T SERVICE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY APPOINTMENT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, SHE WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE DEALER "GOOD WILLED" THE PART SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND THE CONSUMER JUST HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. *PH *NLM

Seats
Filed Sep 12, 200313,262 milesNJ

THE SEAT DID NOT STAY IN PLACE AND THIS HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND FIXED THE DRIVERS SEAT BUT THEY DID NOT FIX THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. *PH THERE WERE SEAT RELEASE PROBLEMS. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST EXPERIENCED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MADE NOISE AFTER THE SEAT RELEASED. (UPON ACCELERATION, STOPPING GOING UP AN INCLINE) THE NOISE OCCURRED PRIOR TO RELEASE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE THROWN AWAY FROM THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL. *SCC *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 25, 2003CA

I HAVE A TOYOTA COROLLA 2002. I NOTICED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUES. WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE IN RESOLVING ON THIS MATTER?*AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 11, 20036,000 milesDC

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD, BELT CAME OUT FROM OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. ALSO, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT PASSENGER SUFFERED A CHEST CONCUSION/ NECK SPRING AND BACK SPRING BREAKS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Jul 22, 200330,000 milesIL

"THERE IS AN OFF GASSING OF CHEMICAL IN VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING AN IRRITATION TO CONSUMER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM". *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 6, 2003NJ

THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED UP THREE TIMES. *AK *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 2, 2003PA

THERE APPEAR TO BE A DISTRACTING STRAY OF LIGHT WHEN I HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT. IT IS EVEN WORSE WHEN YOU HAVE THE HIGH BEAMS ON. IS THERE ANYWAY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM? *TT

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Apr 25, 2003TX

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 18, 2002CA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BROKE. DEALER REPLACED WITH ONE TRANSMISSION REMANUFACTURE WENT AGAIN AFTER A WEEK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Suspension
Filed Dec 9, 2002GA

CONSUMER STATES THAT SUSPENSION IS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING SERIOUSLY AFFECTING ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. CONSUMER HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH A 99 COROLLA WHICH MANUFACTURER HAD TO BUY BACK. TS

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 14, 2002CA

WHEN MERCED TOYOTA APPLIED A CLEAR COAT THEY DAMAGED THE PAINT JOB. THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN I FIRST WENT TO LOOK FOR A CAR I ASKED THEM FOR A DEMO AND HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE THEY SOLD ME WAS PRE-OWNED BY AT LEAST TWO OTHERS. THE PAINT HAS BEEN DAMAGED ON THE HOOD, TOP, SIDES & TRUNK. THEY HAVE STATED THEY HAVE ALL THEIR IS DOTTED SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. THEY HAVE TRIED TO BLAME ME STATING I FOLLOWED A TRUCK LEAKING ACID OR GRAVEL, OR ACID RAIN, IT HASN'T RAINED PRIOR TO THE DAMAGE. DROVE OVER ROAD WORK, I WAXED THE CAR, PARKED UNDER A TREE & SAP DID THE DAMAGE. THE CONVERTER EXPLODED, ALL THESE THINGS WERE SAID ON THE SAME DAY TO ME. IF THE DAMAGE WAS THERE WHY DID THEY APPLY THE CLEAR COAT? DURING MY VISIT A MAN CAME IN STATING HE DID THE CLEAR COAT & HE TRIED TO BUFF OUT THE DAMAGE!!IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO HANDLE THIS TYPE OF SITUATION PLEASE FORWARD THIS AND REFER ME TO THE CORRECT PLACES. THANK YOU. DT

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint1 injured
Filed Oct 1, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES HEAD RESTS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND ARE CAUSING AILMENTS WHICH AFFECT CONSUMER'S ABILITY TO PROPERLY DRIVE VEHICLE. CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING MUSCLE SPASMS, TENDENITIS, CARPAL TUNNEL'S SYNDROME AND SLIGHT SPINE CURVATURE. NLMCONSUMER IS ASKING FOR A REDESIGNED HEAD REST TO HELP AID IN THE NATURAL RESTING OF THE NECK AND SPINE CURVATURE. *JG

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation ComponentsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 26, 2002FL

NOT SURE OF SPEED ON IMPACT. DRIVER WAS BRAKING FROM 50MPH.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 12, 2002NC

GAP BETWEEN FRONT DRIVERSIDE DOOR AND REAR DRIVERSIDE DOOR UNEVEN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › DeliveryFire
Filed Aug 7, 2002SC

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

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Toyota Corolla → · Every Corolla year → · How the figures are calculated →