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2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,376 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Corolla engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #7

Aug 012010

Corolla

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Toyota Corolla 2002 keeps wanting to stall. I've taken it in several times and mechanics says there is no problem. Not sure what to do.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 012009

Corolla

  • 110,000 miles
I have a 2002 Toyota Corolla that uses an excessive amount of oil it is not leaking it out it is burning it. After reading numerous complaints of virtually the same problems from other Toyota Corolla consumers I believe this seems to be a common problem in this year make and model. I even had to replace my catalytic converter due to the problem. My local Toyota dealership told me to call the national Toyota customer experience line and they told me that this was not a recognized problem. From everything that I have been told from car repair places and the internet I must "your looking at a complete overhaul... you want to replace the piston rings and valve stems... but every gasket you touch or go near should be replaced along the way. Also add in incidentals for items that break or things that are discovered along the way..." Toyota will not admit that this is a manufacturing problem; however, lots of people are having issues with it including myself. I have not done an overhaul of the engine because I am looking for Toyota to take responsibility for their poor work. I did replace the catalytic converter in July of 2009. Right now I am going through all my in less than 3,000 miles. I have to put oil in before my regular oil changes. Now I am just waiting for the next major replacement due to this problem. Many others are putting quarts of oil in every 1,000 miles or less. I can't wait until I get to this point to have this resolved.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #5

Jul 202008

Corolla

  • 18,000 miles
2002 Toyota Corolla - car just stops running, symptoms like timing chain failure. Car stalls and will not die while driving. Dangerous driving condition.

- No Ogden, UT, USA

problem #4

Feb 192008

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,980 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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?

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 012007

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,784 miles
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.

- W. Hatfield , MA, USA

problem #2

Oct 012005

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,870 miles
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.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #1

Mar 032005

Corolla 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

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