2003 Toyota Corolla complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FILLER NECK AND GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE, SO THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,670. UPDATED 3/24/09 *CN UPDATED 03/27/09.*JB

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE. CAR STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING NOISE FOR A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES. *TR

1. 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE SEATBELT STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS INSERTING INTO THE LOCK AT 90K MILES OR MY 6TH YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT 2. OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME 3. NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE, CAUSE OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA CE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LENSES ON THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HAVE BECOME OPAQUE, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. THE OPACITY OF THE LENS INTERFERES WITH THE LIGHT. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN UPDATED 03/13/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE P195 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER ALSO NOTICED DEBRIS COMING FROM THE TIRE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE SHIELD THAT COVERS THE WHEEL WELL WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE DRIVER REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO TWO LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS, BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC WAS PROVIDED FOR THE TIRE BLOW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE TIRE BE SHIPPED TO THEM FOR INSPECTION. AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INFORM HER OF THEIR DECISION. THE FIRESTONE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ASSIST HER WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,994 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,203. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/23/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WAS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, THE GLASS SHATTERED WHILE THE WINDOW WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V162000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR GLASS BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA TRANSMISSION WENT OUT JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. TO REPLACE IT WILL COST OVER $3000.00. I HAVE OWNED 2 TOYOTAS PREVIOUS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. *TR

THE BOLT HOLDING THE PULLEY FOR THE BELTS SNAPPED AND WEDGED IN THE ENGINE - SO FAR 2 1/2 DAYS BY THE DEALER AND THEY STILL CANNOT REMOVE THE BOLT. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BOLT. *TR

I RECENTLY TRADED IN A FORD EXPLORER ON A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA.. 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TENSIONER STARTED TO SQUEAL AND GOT WORSE PROGRESSIVELY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE BELT WAS WORN AND GOT A NEW ONE,WENT TO REPLACE IT AND FOUND THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TENSIONER HAD SNAPPED OFF DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF IT. I WAS JUST NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA THAT I HAD TO BUY THE NEW(CORRECTLY )DESIGNED TENSIONER AT AN ADDITIONAL COST TO ME OF $180.00 PLUS THE LABOR TO DO IT WHICH INVOLVES UNBOLTING THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND JACKING THE ENGINE UP!I AM A CONTRACTOR AND IF I DO SOMETHING WRONG OR SOMETHING THE CUSTOMER DOESN'T LIKE I EAT THE COST. SHOULDN'T TOYOTA'S BAD DESIGN BE PAID FOR BY TOYOTA. I WAS GOING TO TRADE IN MY FORD TRUCK ON A NEW TOYOTA TRUCK BUT AFTER THIS LITTLE EXPERIENCE I THINK I WILL STICK WITH FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IN HER FACE WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS ON HER FACE. A DAY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD MADE A CREAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE A YEAR LATER PERTAINING TO THE BOLTS NEAR THE DOOR AND WINDOWS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED; HOWEVER, IT WAS REPAIRED IMPROPERLY BECAUSE THE WINDOW SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE AFTERWARDS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN EXITING ONE HIGHWAY TO ENTER ANOTHER. IN ADDITION, A LOUD SOUND STARTED TO COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOVED VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND DROVE VERY SLOWLY. PRIOR TO FAILURE THERE WERE SOME SOUNDS FROM THE TRANSMISSION BUT NO LOSS OF POWER OR TROUBLE GETTING THE VEHICLE INTO TO GEAR. CONSIDERED IT LUCKY THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SEIZE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SLOWLY, TO A REPAIR FACILITY BEFORE SOME OF THE GEARS BECAME INOPERABLE. MECHANIC IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR 2003 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ON THE INTERNET, ESPECIALLY IN CANADA. MOST FAILURES ARE OCCURRING AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRES BUT UNDER 100,000 MILES. MY MECHANIC IS SAVING THE OLD TRANSMISSION. *TR

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA HAVE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT RECALLS FOR AIR BAGS ON HIS VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH STARTLED EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE. THEY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT NO ONE COULD DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE EXPLOSION. HOWEVER AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 YARDS, A SECOND EXPLOSION OCCURRED AND WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED OVER, HE NOTICED THE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED IN AN ABNORMAL WAY OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT DID NOT FULLY EXPAND, BUT SIMPLY POPPED OUT. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED SMOKE AND A STRONG ODOR. THE CONSUMER LOOKED AT THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD ALSO DEPLOYED. *JB THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 06/17/13

THE WINDOW TABS ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE & THE WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACKS. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. I SUBMITTED MY PAID RECEIPTS & THEY ADVISED MY REPAIRS DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL 80! (SSC 80A). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. IN AUGUST OF 2007, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WEEKS AFTER A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. IN JUNE OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OR LESS OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND HAS REMAINED LIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 09/11/08*JB

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDOW IS NOT BALANCED WITH THE TRACKS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH WHICH MAKES THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN. *KB THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IF THE BOLTS WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, THEN IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. A FEW HOURS LATER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, THEY REPAIRED A COMPONENT RELATED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,100.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A MERGING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, WHICH CONCERNED THE CONTACT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL LOT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE DAMAGE/LOSS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY ON HER VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE HEARD A BUZZING OR HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY NEAR THE REAR AXLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. SHE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V074001 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,577 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,200.

THE METAL ON THE DOOR HANDLES STARTED PEELING OFF. IT IS VERY SHARP AND WILL SLICE OPEN SKIN IF NOT CAREFUL. FRONT TWO DOORS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW BACK DOORS ARE STARTING TO PEEL AND ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE PLASTIC UNDERNEATH IS VERY UGLY AND CHEAP LOOKING...SO HAVE TO PAY TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER WAS NOT INCREASING. HE INITIATED THE TRIP ODOMETER BUT, AFTER TRAVELING 250 MILES, THE ODOMETER STILL DID NOT INCREASE. THE ODOMETER WILL NOT EXCEED 299,999 MILES. THE FAILURE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THE SAME MILEAGE AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING A REMEDY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 299,999. UPDATED 06/03/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/30/08

OK , ONCE I DID REPLACED ON RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. I'VE PAID AND FIXED, IT WAS ITSELF WHEN I WAS USING DOWN THE WINDOW MACHINE BUT IT SHATTERED WOW! UNEXPECTED HAPPENED. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, TOOK IT HOME, AND IT BEGAN STINKING LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO BUY MORE EXPENSIVE GAS THAT CONTAINS LESS SULFUR. FOUR YEARS OF BUYING EXPENSIVE GASOLINE, AND I FIND OUT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BURNED UP AND I NEED A NEW ONE FOR $1200. I FOUND OUT THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CAN BE DAMAGED IF FUEL IS BEING MIXED TO RICHLY, EVIDENT BY A SULFUR SMELL. I BEGAN RESEARCHING THIS AND FOUND A TOYOTA TECHNICAL BULLETIN (HTTP://WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/TOYOTA%2003-04%20COROLLA%20CATALYST.PDF) THAT STATES MY SPECIFIC MODEL 2003 COROLLA HAD A MANUFACTURERS ERROR ALL ALONG. THE ECM WAS SET INCORRECTLY TO MIX FUEL TOO RICHLY, AND THAT IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS OF AN EXCESSIVE SULFUR SMELL, THE ECM AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED UNDER WARRANTY! THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED WHILE I WAS STILL UNDER A 60,000MILES WARRANTY, HOWEVER I WAS ON VACATION IN CALIFORNIA, AND CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY TOLD ME MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE SYSTEM, SO I WAITED TO GET IT FIXED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER RETURNING TO COLORADO, AND DIDN'T COME BACK ON FOR 15,000 MILES. AT 85,000 MILES, I FINALLY TOOK MY CAR TO BE FIXED BY A DEALERSHIP IN DENVER. AFTERWARD, I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TOYOTA BULLETIN, AND AN "EMISSIONS WARRANTY" THAT WOULD HAVE COVERED THE PROBLEM UP TO 8YRS OR 80,000 MILES. NOW, TOYOTA REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE WORK TO FIX THE REAL ECM PROBLEM,

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA HAS BEEN USING OIL SINCE 30,000 MILES. TOYOTA DEALER SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING AT 35,000 MILES BECAUSE SLUDGE WAS IN THE HEAD. OIL WAS CHANGED BETWEEN 4,000 - 5,000 MILES SINCE NEW. NOW WE MUST REPLACE THE ENGINE AFTER IT WAS JUST PAID OFF. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THIS WAS A DEFAULT FROM THE FACTORY. *TR

THE REAR BRAKES ON MY 2003 COROLLA HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND HAD BEEN ADJUSTED. STILL WHEN YOU BRAKE, IT STILL MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. PADS HAVE BEEN CHANGE SEVERAL TIMES AND TEMPORARILY THE GRINDING NOISE WILL GO AWAY AND AFTER ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS IT RETURNS. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO SOMEONE FIXED THE PROBLEM, NOW ITS BACK AGAIN. *TR

MY CHECK LIGHT WENT ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PIPE SUB-ASSY, FU. THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK DETECTED. EVAP MALFUNCTION. *TR

I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2003 COROLLA AND THE BELT SQUEAK A LOT. I WORK AT TOYOTA MYSELF AND I KNOW THAT EVERY TOYOTA COROLLA BELT SQUEAKS. IT'S NOT DUE TO THE FACT ON THE DRIVE BELT BUT THE BELT TENSIONER. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE UNDER THE WARRANTY WILL BE REPLACE BUT THAT'S A OUTRAGE. TOYOTA ALREADY KNEW THAT THE BELT TENSIONER WAS A BAD DESIGN AND THEY MADE A NEW VERSION TO REPLACE THE 1ST DESIGN. I SPENT 140 BUCKS TO BUY THE PART AND THE SQUEAK WEAK AWAY. EVERY 9TH GENERATION COROLLA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS BELT TENSIONER THING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SLIPPING AND LOSING HORSEPOWER. I KEPT THE OLD PART IN CASE YOU WANT ME TO SHIP IT TO YOU. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED. *TR

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS LOOSING TRANSMISSION FLUID. I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND THEY CANNOT FIND WHERE THE FLUID IS GOING TO, ITS NOT LEAKING EXTERNAL, INTO THE RADIATOR OR TO THE ENGINE BUT THEY CONFIRMED IT IS LOOSING FLUID TO SOMEWHERE. ANY IDEAS ON THIS ISSUE? *TR

PURCHASED A USED 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA IN 2006, WHICH HAD [UNKNOWN TO ME] A TOYOTA EXTENDED WARRANTY IN FORCE. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER, AT APPROXIMATELY 67,000 MILES, THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A "ROD KNOCK" AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, BY ATKINSON TOYOTA IN BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION TEXAS. COST $6000. THE DEALER COULD NOT FILE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR US SINCE WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND SO DID NOT FILE FOR TRANSFER. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME, AND REPORTED SIMPLY THAT THE LOW OIL INDICATOR CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING INDICATORS REGARDING OIL LEVEL OR LIFE [AS DOES GM AND OTHERS], SO THAT THE 'WORD ON THE STREET' IS THAT IF THE OIL INDICATOR COMES ON, YOUR ENGINE IS ALREADY RUINED. MY SON AND I CHANGED THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, AND IT HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 4,000 MILES SINCE THE PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE. *TR

VEHICLES INFRONT OF ME STEPPED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. I APPLIED MY BRAKES WITH NO RESPONSE. TAPPED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND TRIED HOLDING DOWN WITH NO RESPONSE AGAIN. TRIED TO SWERVE INTO SUICIDE LANE TO AVOID HITTING CAR THAT WAS 30 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME AND WAS FORCED TO HIT CAR AS VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN. BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. *TR

THE FUDAL CARAT ASSURO TIRES BLOWOUT ON THE SIDEWALLS. THE TIRE IS ONLY 15 MONTHS OLD WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. *TR

I OWN AN '03 TOYOTA COROLLA WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. AT THE 45,000 MILE MARK MY REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH ON A NEWLY PAVED CITY STREET - THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR OBSTRUCTIONS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO BE "CLIMATE BUT NO EXCUSES." THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD "ROTTED" (RUSTED) OUT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT ALL COMMON. I JUST SPOKE TO A TOYOTA MECHANIC WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE - HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BUT SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE. HE ALSO QUESTIONED WHETHER THE UNDERBODY HAD BEEN PROPERLY TREATED ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. HE WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN IN SUCH A YOUNG CAR - MORE LIKELY WITH A 10 YEAR OLD CAR. I DID NOT GET TO VISUALLY SEE THE BROKEN, ROTTED PARTS. TOYOTA REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT MY EXPENSE - $604 - AND THEY RECENTLY OFFERED ME A SETTLEMENT FOR $301. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE THE REAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS. THIS ISSUE ALSO RAISES CONCERN FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT DISENGAGED. AS OF OCTOBER 2, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS A FAILED BOLT THAT HELD THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

MY TOYOTA COROLLA STARTED MAKING A HAMMERING NOISE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR I WAS GOING DOWNHILL ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST TOWN AND CALLED TOYOTA WHO INFORMED ME I HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK AND GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I DID SO, AND THE NEXT DAY WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS IT HAD BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO LACK OF OIL. I WAS SURPRISED SINCE MY CAR'S LAST SERVICE WAS AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE JUST A MONTH AND TWO WEEKS BEFORE. AT THAT TIME THEY DID NOT INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR AND SAID MY CAR WAS OK. MY CAR HAS 49,500 MILES AND I AM NOW FACING A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (CHANGE ALL THE INTERNAL MOTOR PARTS) SINCE MY CAR'S 5 YEAR/60,000 WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST LAST MONTH. *JB

FALURE OF CHARCOAL EMMISION CANNISTER IN MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 4 YEARS THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER.

I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA COROLLA AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THEY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HOSE TOUCHED THE FREON LINE AND CAUSED THE AIR-CONDITIONER TO SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FREON LINE HOSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE DEALER DID NOT QUESTION THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WROTE UP THE REPAIR ORDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,450 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,400.

WE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. IT WAS NOTICEABLE BEGINNING AT 20 MPH AND LEVEL OF NOISE INCREASED WITH SPEED. RESEARCHED INTERNET FOR RECALL PROBLEMS AND FOUND RECALL #02V074001 FOR HUB AND AXLE DEFECT. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL;, ONLY A SERVICE ADVISORY. WE PAID FOR REPAIRS. OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO THE VIN ALTHOUGH DEALER INSISTED HE COULD NOT FIND RECALL INFORMATION. . I HAVE ANOTHER TOYOTA COROLLA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FELT THAT THESE CARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT SEEME D TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG COROLLA USERS.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 45 OR 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES, BUT THE NOISE PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TENSION PULLEY WAS CAUSING THE BELT TO DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL DUE TO THE SMALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 93,620 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

SULFUR ODOR/CATALYTIC CONVERTER; ORIGINAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BY TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN MARYLAND AT 69308 MILES COVERED BY WARRANTY ON 4/8/05. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN ON 5/30/07, WENT OFF BY ITSELF ON 5/31/07. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA ON 6/4/07 FOR SERVICE. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AGAIN AT 134939 MILES. ANNUAL INSPECTION AND EMISSIONS DUE BY OCTOBER 2007, AND REPAIR QUOTE FOR THE THIRD CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS OVER $1200.00. CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT COST OF THE REPAIR, BUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA TO NEED ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER. REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, AND IT WAS USED MOSTLY FOR ERRANDS AND COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR, IN ADDITION TO A NEW OXYGEN SENSOR. THE LIGHT REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. TOYOTA PERFORMED AN EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEW SENSOR. THE CONTACT HAS SPENT OVER $1,500 ON REPAIRS. INITIALLY, TOYOTA WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. PRESENTLY, DUE TO THE AFTERMARKET FAILURE, TOYOTA IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THEY ARE JUST MAKING AN EXCUSE TO NOT REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,000.

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA PURCHASED IN 2002 WAS TOLD TODAY I NEED A BRAND NEW ENGINE. MY CAR HAS 102,000 NOT OLD AT ALL WELL MAINTAINED GOT SERVICES WHEN NEEDED. NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY MY ENGINE HAS GONE BAD. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY OTHER ENGINES HAVE GONE BAD THIS SOON?? THE LAST TIME SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR IT ENDED UP BEING A RECALL A FEW MONTHS LATER HAD TO HAVE A REAR AXLE REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS 105,000 MILE SERVICE. PART OF THE SERVICE WAS TO REPLACE THE OIL. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE SERVICE AND THE CAR WAS OK. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. IT SAT FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS AND WHEN I LEFT I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND THEN THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING AND BANGING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THERE HAS BEEN NO OIL LEAK OR BLACK SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. I HAD AN OIL LEAK AROUND 96,000 MILES THAT I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED. ALTHOUGH I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FIX IT PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME. I FEEL THERE HAS BEEN SOME ERROR ON THEIR PART AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO GET INTO THE ENGINE AND SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND JUST WANT ME TO REPLACE THE ENGINE NO QUESTIONS ASKED. *TR

CAR BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL PLANE WITH LOTS OF VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES, BUT AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, THE NOISE REMAINED. TOOK IT INTO TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR HUBS NEEDED REPLACED. WAS TOLD THAT IF THE HUBS WERE NOT REPLACED THAT THE CAR WOULD LOSE CONTROL. SPENT OVER $1200 ON NEW REAR HUBS. *AK

UNDER IDEAL NIGHTTIME ROAD CONDITIONS (DRY ROAD AND CLEAR VISIBILITY), I SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. I MISSED HITTING THE OTHER CAR, BUT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP AND PUT THE CAR INTO A SKID FROM WHICH THERE WAS NO RECOVERING. THE CAR SPUN OUT AND CAME TO REST AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE CENTER DIVIDER TWICE. THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE LOCKED UP, AS THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). IF THE ABS HAD WORKED PROPERLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOIDED THE SPIN AND CONTACT WITH THE CENTER DIVIDER.

WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STARTED TO MAKE A RUMBLING AND RATTLING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA CORPORATION AND THEY FLAT OUT REFUSED TO ASSIST ME OR OFFER ANY "GOOD FAITH" MEASURE OR ANY SERVICE WHATEVER TO ASSIST ME WITH THE DEFECT. THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING AND WAS NOT DETECTABLE WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICES AND INSPECTION. *JB

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE PLATED WITH A CHROME METALLIC PLATING. METAL PLATING IS POORLY ATTACHED AND STARTS FLAKING OFF OF PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE. WHEN METAL PLATING STARTS PEELING OFF, IT IS VERY THIN AND SHARP. IT HAS RESULTED IN NUMEROUS FINGERS BEING CUT / SLICED OPEN. ONE HANDLE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE OTHER THREE HANDLES HAVE FLAKED AND PEELED AS WELL. IN ORDER TO "FIX" TWO OF THE HANDLES, I CUT AND SCRAPED ANY REMAINING METAL PLATING OFF OF THE HANDLES TO LEAVE ONLY THE IVORY COLORED PLASTIC HANDLE. THE THIRD HANDLE IS GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL NEED TO REMOVE THE METAL PLATING SOON. *JB

MY 03 TOYOTA COROLLA WHEEL CAPS (HUB CAPS) FLEW OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. ONE FLEW OFF AT LOW SPEEDS AT MY SONS SCHOOL. IT ALMOST HIT A SCHOOL KID. HAVE BOUGHT 3 NEW CAPS AND IT'S RANDOM. IT LOOKS LIKE THE WHEELS CAPS DON'T LOCK DOWN TO WHEEL. *JB

I BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM A CERTIFIED CAR DEALERSHIP, AND WAS SOLD A CAR THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND WAS NOT REPORTED. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR HAS NONE OF THE ORIGINAL PARTS TO THE CAR WHICH DEPRECIATED THE VALUE OF THE CAR, BUT IT WAS STILL SOLD TO ME AS SLIGHTLY USED IN GREAT CONDITION,LOW MILEAGE AND SUPPOSE TO HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ANY ACCIDENTS, I ALSO FOUND OUT THE THIS CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, I HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES STARTING FIVE DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I TRIED GIVING THE CAR BACK AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE CONTRACT IS ALREADY SIGNED, AND BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE CAR THEY WILL ONLY GIVE $6,000 FOR THE CAR WHEN IN FACT THEY SOLD IT TO ME FOR OVER $15,000. *NM