I AM AN OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA, WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN A REALLY BAD FRONTAL WRECK. MY VEHICLE HAD COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF AN SUV AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND BRAKED ABOUT 200 FT AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WHEN IT COLLIDED. NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, NOR THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER HIT THEIR HEAD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD AND SHATTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED PROPERLY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS VIA EMAIL AND PHONE SO THEY MAY INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM. *NM
2003 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 2003 record →
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC FOOTREST ON THE FLOORBOARD FRACTURED OFF. THERE WAS NO INDICATION PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE PLASTIC FOOTREST WENT BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH DISABLED THE VEHICLE FROM BRAKING UNTIL THE PART COULD BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER.*AK
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE REVVED UP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY A GOOD AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL AND EVENTUALLY, HE SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SAFE STOP AND THE VERY FAST IDLE WHICH MAY HAVE LASTED FOR 10 SECONDS HAD RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE WHAT THE CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED. *JB
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. AFTER EXPERIENCING A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, I BROUGHT MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA TO THE DEALER. ONE INTERESTING NOT, IS I NEVER HAD THE ESTIMATED GAS MILEAGE ON MY COROLLA, AND BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION NUMEROUS TIMES. I WOULD ONLY GET 31-33 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND WORSE IN THE CITY. I THINK THE BEARINGS ON THE 2003 COROLLA ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO ALSO HAS A 2003 COROLLA AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER ONLY 2 YEARS OF DRIVING. OUR VEHICLES DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL, BUT ALL 2003 COROLLAS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *JB
I HAVE NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ROTTEN EGG ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD TO ONLY BUY SHELL GAS, I HAD TRIED THIS AND IT DOESN'T WORK. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS BUILT FOR HIGH EMISSION STANDARDS AND SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS, THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. WHILE I LIVED IN CALIFORNIA I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE ROTTEN ODOR. HAS THIS ISSUE EVER BEEN RESOLVED? I AM REALLY TIRED OF THE ODOR. *NM
ON APRIL 27, 2006 MY DAD STARTED THE ENGINE TO GO TO CHURCH AND THE CAR ACCELERATED IN PARKING POSITION. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, ONCE STARTED IT DROVE FINE. THE SAME DAY WHEN MY DAD WAS COMING FROM CHURCH HE STARTED THE CAR AND WHEN HE PUT IT IN DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF AND ITT BOLTED OUT AND WENT OVER A PILE OF SAND THAT WAS ON THE SIDE ON THE ROAD. THE CAR FLIPPED AND STOPPED AGAINST THE FENCE OF A HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DAD WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HE WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HIS SEAT BELT ON. I'VE REVIEWED OTHER COMPLAINTS AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO JUST BE A RANDOM DEFECT. I HOPE THIS ACCIDENT IS INVESTIGATED TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DEATHS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *JB
AUTOMATIC TENSIONER FAILED. BEARING MAKES TERRIBLE SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN COLD. GETTING WORSE AS MONTHS GO BY. ALSO WORSE IN COLD, WET WEATHER. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED IN BASIC WARRANTY. DIDN'T GET EXTENDED WARRANTY. IS THIS RIGHT? SEEMS LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART. SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. HAVE SEEN SAME PROBLEM WITH 2 OTHER CORROLLA'S FROM SIMILAR YEARS. WHY DOESN'T TOYOTA REPLACE THIS PART AS PART OF REGULAR WARRANTY? *JB
WHILE ROLLING TO A STOP BETWEEN TRAFFIC SIGNALS FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVVED ITSELF UP AND BOLTED FORWARD CREATING A 3 VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I HIT THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT THE INITIAL SURGE, BUT STILL HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN IN EACH VEHICLE AND MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED OVER $4,500 IN DAMAGE AND WON'T RUN WHILE IT SITS AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP, THE NOSE AND BUMPER ARE BADLY DAMAGED. I WAS TOLD THIS SOUNDS LIKE "UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION" . THE VEHICLE IS AWAITING THE PARTS FOR REPAIRS. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SLOWING DOWN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE REVVED UP. THE GEARS WERE THEN PUT INTO DRIVE AND FINALLY THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED, UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY HAD STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE FLOOR MAT GETTING UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - *NM
ON JANUARY 7, 2006 AT ABOUT 2:30 A.M. MY DAUGHTER, [XXX] DROVE BACK HOME TO SAN MATEO FROM SANTA CRUZ IN A TOYOTA COROLLA LE OF 2003 WITH A[XXX] AND [XXX]. AS SHE DROVE ON HIGHWAY 17 NEAR SAN JOSE SHE TRIED TO STEP ON THE FOOT BRAKE TO MAINTAIN SAFETY CONTROL AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MILES PER HOUR WHILE GOING DOWN THE WINDING SLOPE. HOWEVER THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE NO BRAKE AND STARTED SPINNING WITH THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT FIRST HIT THE CENTRAL CONCRETE DIVIDER THEN THE TAIL ALSO HIT THE DIVIDER AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. NO THIRD PARTY WAS INJURED AND NO PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT MY DAUGHTER GOT SOME BRUISES ON HER LEFT THIGH AND THE CAR ENDED UP WITH A TOTAL LOSS. MY DAUGHTER THEN UNBUCKLED HERSELF FROM THE CAR SEAT AND CALLED THE POLICE WITH HER CELL PHONE THROUGH WHICH SHE WAS ADVISED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AT THE SCENE THE DRIVER SAID TO MY DAUGHTER THAT THE CAR GOT NO BRAKE AND HE HAD TO PUT ADDITIONAL CHAINS AND STOPPERS TO SECURE THE CAR WHILE TOWING. SURPRISINGLY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR WAS DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO MY RECORDS, THE CAR WAS FULLY SERVICED BY THE DEALER, TOYOTA 101 IN REDWOOD CITY JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND AS RECENT AS A WEEK AGO THAT I HAD THE CAR'S ENGINE BELT CHANGED ALSO BY TOYOTA 101 BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING I SUSPECT THAT THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT IN THE CAR SAFETY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE AIRBAGS AND FOOT BRAKE. I AND MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER TRIED T
NO INCIDENT, JUST DEFECTS. *NM
DEAR NHTSA, I PURCHASED A 2003 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED TOYOTA COROLLA LE ON 9/17/05. I LOVE THE CAR, AND IT GETS EXCELLENT GAS MILEAGE. HOWEVER, I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR: -THE CAR STALLS AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SPUTTERS AND JERKS LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. -THE RESUME FUNCTION ON THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS IN THIS AREA, BUT THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON 12/16/05, I'M TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FIX IT. *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING FUMES ENTERING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS UPDATED 11/7/2005 - THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE STATING THAT FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL. *NM
ON 10-12-2005 TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 MODEL. OPENED CAR DOOR AND TURNED CAR ON. THEN PLACED REAR DEFROSTER ON WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND BROKE. IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE. THE POLICE DETERMINED IT WAS NOT FROM ANY IMPACT. THE REPORT STATES DEFECT OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION. *NM
FUMES ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH AIR VENTS. THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN IT WAS BOUGHT NEW AND UNTIL NOW. THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS WERE TO BRING VEHICLE TO DEALERS. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERS FOR REPAIR BUT DEALERS COULD NOT FIX THE DEFECT. *JB
1. OUR SON WAS IN AN END-OVER-END ROLLOVER CRASH, WITH HIS SEAT BELT FASTENED. 2. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BENT, EJECTING HIM INTO THE BACK SEAT, WHERE HIS NECK WAS BROKEN. 3. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND HE DIED 20 DAYS LATER. *JB
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA ON MAY 2003. DURING MAY - JUNE 2005 I NOTICED SEVERAL AIR BUBBLES (1.5" DIAMETER) ON THREE DOOR PANELS SKIN FROM INSIDE. THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR EXPIRED JUST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED - ON MAY 11 2004 THE CAR HAD ONLY 33000 + MILES. I CONTACTED AND SHOWED THE CAR TO BRIAN MURRAY. HE PROMISED THAT HE WILL TALK TO TOYOTA AND CALL ME BACK. HE NEVER CALLED BACK, SO I CALLED HIM AFTER ONE WEEK, HE PROMISED THE SAME THING AND NEVER CALLED BACK. I THREATENED THE DEALERSHIP OF GOING ON THE INTERNET WITH THE ISSUE. SERVICE MANAGER - CHRIS BROWN - WROTE ON 29TH AND MENTIONED THAT BRIAN CALLED MY CELL PHONE AND LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES (WHICH IS A FLAT OUT A LIE, I CAN PROVE THAT NO ONE CALLED FROM THE DEALERSHIP THROUGH MY CELL PHONE USAGE RECORDS) AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO SHOW THE CAR ONCE AGAIN. I REQUESTED HIM TO TALK TO BRIAN AS HE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THAT WOULD SAVE TIME FOR ALL INVOLVED. UNTIL THIS DATE HE HAS NEITHER CALLED NOR REPLIED TO ANY OF MY SUBSEQUENT EMAILS. I BELIEVE THAT AS THE AIR BUBBLES APPEARED JUST IN THREE YEARS TIME WITH ONLY 33000 + MILES ON CAR IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND COMPANY / DEALERSHIP SHOULD HELP CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. I ALSO FEEL THAT AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER FOR OVER THREE YEARS, I WAS ILL TREATED: NO RESPONSE, LIES THAT THEY CALLED WHEN THEY DID NOT, AND NO RESPONSE TO MY REPEATED EMAILS. SEE MY RECENT EMAIL TO THEM - MON, 12 SEP 2005 10:54:37 -0700 (PDT) FROM: "SUDHAKAR LAHADE" ADD TO ADDRESS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE DURING START UP. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST. THERE WAS A PROGRAM TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE FOR TOYOTA CAMRY REGARDING SLUDGE BUILD UP, BUT NOT FOR THE TOYOTA COROLLA. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY NEEDED TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART AND REPLACE NEEDED COMPONENTS. *AK
DT: CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT 45 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ADJUSTER TOLD CONSUMER THAT HE SAW THIS ALL THE TIME, THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN CRASHES OR THEY DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE CRASH. THE OTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND IT T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. CONSUMER WAS FEARFUL THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS HESITANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN FEARING THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD FAIL AGAIN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. TOYOTA HAS BEEN VERY UNCOOPERATIVE AND HUNG UP ON THE CONSUMER. *AK THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAGS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *JB
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, ACCORDING TO REPAIR SHOP WAS DEFECT FROM COMPANY. LESS THAN 115 MILES LATER THE ENGINE GOES. ACCORDING TO SERVICE MANAGER AND MASTER TECHNICIAN, ENGINE LOOKED GREAT AND COULD FIND NO PROBLEM UNTIL DISCOVERED THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS WARPED AND WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM" . ENGINE AND TRANSIMISSION GONE WITHIN 115 MILES OF EACH OTHER.
WHEN BACK WINDOWS ARE DOWN IN THE CAR, IT CREATES A SONIC PRESSURE AND HURTS YOUR EARS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PERMANENT EARING LOSS. THIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR.
PURCHASED NEW, 9/03/02. AT 15,470 MILES, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN LESS THAN ONE DAY.
IN THE MORNING, I FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PIPE BELOW REAR PASSENGER SEAT AREA OF MY CAR. THE BACKYARD I PARKED MY CAR WAS COVERED BY GASOLINE. I TOWED MY CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL CRACK IN THE FUEL PIPE LINE CONNCETED THE BODY AND THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PIPE UNDER WARRANTY.
I HAD A SUBSTANTIAL FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT MY FACE AND ARMS HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
I HAVE TOYOTA COROLLA 2003. FLETCHER JONES TOYOTA REPLACED ALL TIRES ON DECEMBER 11, 2004 AND INSTALLED NEW GOODYEAR TIRES ON THIS CAR. ON MAY 17, 2005 I DROVE THIS CAR ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES/HOURS AND SUDDENLY LOSTED CONTROL. I REDUCED SPEED, BUT COULD NOT CONTROL CAR AND IT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE BECAME FLAT. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR (CLAIM #766745). IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOOODYEAR, NOTHING WRONG WITH TIRE. IT JUST LOSTED SEAL. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE. GOODYEAR AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY DIXIELAND (776 SOUTH BLAFF STREET, ST. GEORGE, UT 84770) RESEALED TIRE. TIRE SIZE IS 185-65-R15 AND IT IS NOT IN YOUR LIST.
CRUISE CONTROL, TWICE, AT LEAST NOW, ZOOMED TO MAJOR EXCELERATION WHEN I TRIED TO DEACTIVATE. (FASTER THAN IF I TRIED TO MYSELF!)
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA HEATING SYSTEM EMITS A ROTTEN ODOR WHEN ACTIVATED.*MR SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM IS ON THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT SULFUR (ROTTEN EGG) ODOR EMITTED. CONSUMER STATED, THOUGHT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BURN OFF, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. WAS TOLD BY DEALERS TO CHANGE GASOLINE, BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *BF *NM
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA EXPERIENCED ROLL BACK.*MR WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT CAR SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARD. THE CONSUMER PUT THE BRAKE DOWN AS HARD AS SHE COULD BUT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. *BF *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT SUDDEN ACCELERATION ABOUT 5 TIMES. CONSUMER HAS TO STEP ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN.*AK *BF
TOYOTA COROLLA LE 2003. PARKED IN A MULTI-STORY PARKING LOT. PUT THE GEAR IN PARK. NEXT THING CAR ACCELERATED AND SMASHED INTO PILLAR. CALLED TOYOTA, WHO CLAIMED THAT SUCH INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA, AND THAT DRIVER ERROR WAS THE CAUSE. I AM SURE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND ABOUT TO SWITCH OFF. NOBODY HURT, BUT DAMAGE TO CAR IN EXCESS OF $4500. IT IS IN THE SHOP.*AK
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR 30 PLUS MINUTES. TOTAL LOSS. TOYOTA HAS NOT YET RETURNED NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS, AND THE SELLING LOCAL DEALER WANTS IT OFF THEIR LOT. 14,500 MILES. PURCHASED EXTENDED SERVICE POLICY, WHICH TOYOTA IS NOT HONORING. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE.
RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V074000, WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY MAKES A RUMBLING NOISE ,AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRODUCED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
REAR HEAD RESTS TOO BIG AND BLOCK VIEW IN THE REAR WINDOW. I NEED TO REMOVE THE REAR HEADRESTS TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THE SUMMER TIME WHEN AIR CONDITION IS ON. CAR SEATS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE. *JB
CONSUMER STATES WHEN TRYING TO BRING CAR TO STOP, HE HAD APPLY AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO THE BRAKE, EVEN THOUGH RIGHT FOOT REMOVED FROM GAS PEDAL ENGINE DID NOT STOP. BF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY DURING THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE UP AT LESS THAN 35 MPH THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS MOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL HE HAD TO FORCEFULLY APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND DROVE HOME WITH NO INCIDENT. *TC
THE CONSUMER WANTED TO ROTATE THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP FOLLOWED BY CHANGING THE TIRES. WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO DISMOUNT THE TIRES FROM THE DRUMS, THE WHEEL/RIM WAS STUCK. THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC FOR ALL THE WHEELS. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE END WAS THE SAME SIZE AS THE CENTER HOLE IN THE WHEEL AND WAS FROZEN TOGETHER. THERE WAS A LITTLE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE DRUM, THAT WAS ADDING TO THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET A HAMMER AND REPEATEDLY BEAT UPON THE WHEELS TO DISLODGE THEM. *AK *SC
THE PASSENGER'S REAR SEAT BELTS LOCK GOES THROUGH THE SEAT. SEAT COVER HAS BEEN CHANGED, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT MADE FURTHER CONTACT WITH THE CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER TWO PIECES OF CARPET INTO CIRCLES AND A SLIT IN THE CENTER AND PUSHED THE REAR SEAT BELT LOCKS THROUGH THE CARPET AND NOW IT LAYS ON THE TIP OF THE REAR SEAT. *TC
ENGINE REPLACED AT 55874 MLS DEALERSHIP SAID "VEHICLE WAS NOT MANTAINED". EVEN THOUGH OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 55 TO 7500 MLS. 3 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON HWY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW IT DOWN THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. AFTER ABOUT 5 MILES & 3 NEAR COLLISIONS I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF HWY AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WERE STILL LOCKED UP AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL ACCELERATING, CAR WOULD NOT STOP! I THEN THREW CAR IN PARK AND CUT ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO AVOID INJURING SOMEONE ELSE OR MYSELF . SMOKE POURED FROM UNDER HOOD. HAD TOWED TO DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE SAID THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG! 2ND INCIDENT 3 DAYS AFTER GETTING CAR BACK TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ONCE AGAIN SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE AND THAT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM!THIS CAR ALMOST KILLED ME AND IS VERY DANGEROUS!!!!*AK
ROTTEN EGG SMELL AND MANY STRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN THIS CAR. *JB
BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE BEFORE, CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION.*AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSED BY POORLY FITTING GAS CAP. CONCERNED ABOUT BURNED OIL DEBRIS IN NEW OIL CHANGED. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE INCH OF THE ENGINE OIL HAD BEEN LOST OVER 1800 MILES ENOUGH THAT THE ENGINE COULD BE COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL OVER A 4000 MILE PERIOD. *TC
VEHICLE IS LETTING OUT FUMES FROM THE ENGINE AND THROUGH THE VENTS INTO THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TENDS TO GET DROWSY, AND HER ASTHMA TENDS TO GET WORSE BECAUSE OF THE FUMES.*AK
SINCE LEASING MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA IN MARCH OF 2003, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL WHENEVER THE CAR IS USED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER (PLAZA AUTO MALL) WHERE I LEASED IT FROM TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT ON 4/26/03. TECHNICIAN FOUND "NO PROBLEMS, EVERYTHING OPERATING NORMALLY AT THIS TIME". ON 6/2/04 I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND EXPLAINED THE FOUL ODOR SMELL. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM A GASOLINE ISSUE AND THAT NEW TOYOTAS ARE SO EFFICENIENT AT BURNING FUEL THAT THEY ALSO BURN UP CONTAMINANTS IN THE FUEL THAT WERE NORMALLY RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. THEY IN TURN FORWARDED MY COMPLAINT TO CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS.(COMPLAINT #200306020751) ON 6/3/03 MY DEALERSHIP CALLED TO EXPLAIN AGAIN WHAT I HAD BEEN TOLD BY CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AT THIS TIME. HE SUGGESTED TRYING A DIFFERENT BRAND OF GAS WHICH I HAVE DONE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS WITH THE FOUL ODOR SMELL.*AK
PAINT BUBBLED AND PEELING ALL OVER CAR. *JB
MY BRAKES SEAMED TO BE FAILING BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. TOOK TO DEALER JUNE 2003 SAID NO PROBLEM KEEP HEARING SQUEAKING NOISE IN BACK. NOW BRAKES GRINDING, HAS 22500 MILES 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE HAD FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED 09-30-2003 STILL HEARING SQUEAKING NOISE IN BACK . SAID NO PROBLEM WITH BACK BRAKE S,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAD CHECKED EARLY 2003, SAID NO PROBLEM. SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEM WITH STEERING WHEEL MAKING STRANGE NOISE WHEN TURNING. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED OR ACCELERATED UPON FINAL PARKING WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND ON BRAKE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A COUPLE FEET. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *AK THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR SHE EXPERIENCED ENGINE SURGES AND THE VEHICLE LUNGING FORWARD UPON BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY ADMITTED THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE HAD A DESIGN FLAW IN HER VEHICLE WHERE THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE. *TC *JB
ON SEPT. 10TH, 2004 MY SON TRIED CLOSING MY TRUNK ON MY COROLLA LE AND THE PLASTIC MECHANISM BROKE AND PREVENTED THE TRUNK LID FROM LOCKING. HE REPORTS THAT HE DID NO MORE THAN TO TRY TO CLOSE THE TRUNK AFTER OPENING IT. THIS SEEMS LIKE ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS WHERE THERE IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM AND MOST OWNERS FEEL THEY ARE THE CULPRET OF ITS' MALFUNCTION. I HAD ONE OF THOSE COROLLA'S THAT HAD A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE TOYOTA AGENCY AFTER 1 1/2 YEARS REPLACED IT FREE AFTER SMELLING LIKE ROTTEN EGGS FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME. I WAS TOLD ORIGINALLY BY THE SERVICE DEPT., IT WAS THE GAS I PUT INTO IT, OR THAT IT WOULD TKAE LONGER THEN NORMAL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BREAK IN. FINALLY, IT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF SO MANY REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS WHO SUFFERED FROM THE SAME SMELL. I WONDER IF THIS IS THE SAME ABOUT THE TRUNK LID MECHANISM?*AK
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
BRAKE FAILURE ! TRAVELIN APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL. TAP BRAKE TO RELEASE CRUISE. BEGIN COASTING. APPROACHING 4 WAY RED FLASHER. BEGIN BRAKING. NOTICE NOT SLOWING DOWN AS USUAL. BEGIN BRAKING HARDER. REALIZE NOT SLOWING DOWN. ATTEMPT TO STEER THROUGH INTERSECTION, BUT HIT TRAILER OF CROSSING VEHICLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE STALLED. BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND THE CODES APPEARED AS FOLLOWS, P04400/P04411/ P04412. THEN, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND THE GAS VAPOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MANY TIMES. ALSO, MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
I HAVE PURCHASED THE NEW COROLLA 2003 ON AUGUST 2002,ONLY SEVEN MILES AT THE DELIVERY TIME. AND I HAVE FOUND WATER INSIDE THE CAR (WET RIGHT REAR CARPET) AFTER THE HEAVY RAIN TWICE. THE FIRST TIME HAD HAPPEN ON JUNE 2003, THE FAWLER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD REPLACED BODY SEAL AND DOOR SEAL. THE SECOND TIME ON JUNE, 28TH 2004, THE JOHN EAGLE SPORT CITY SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD FOUND THAT WATER WAS LEAKED INSIDE THE CAR THROUGH THE SEAL OF REAR WINDOW. IT IS NOT RIGHT BECAUSE WITH IN TWO YEARS AND AT THE 24000 MILES THE SEALS NEED TO BE REPLACE AT SEVERAL PARTS. IS IT THE DEFECTED PARTS OR CARS BECAUSE THE BODY OF THE COROLLA HAD JUST REDESIGN FOR THIS MODEL. *LA
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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 2003 Toyota Corolla → · Every Corolla year → · How the figures are calculated →