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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,256 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.

2003 Toyota Corolla miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2003 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 112022

Corolla

  • miles

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

I received a recall notice, scheduled an appointment and then went to Bev Smith Toyota in Fort Pierce, FL. My appointment was for 9:30 AM. I decided that as long as I was there, I would get my oil changed (normally I do not use dealer oil changes because they are expensive, but since I was there anyway...). At 11:10, I was presented the bill for the oil change and told that they refused to service the airbag. There was some garbage on the floor of the passenger side that the service manager claimed rendered my vehicle unsafe to work on. I pointed out that no one asked me to clean out the front seat when I scheduled the appointment, that the items were there at 9:30 when received the car, and that the car apparently was safe enough for them to perform an overpriced oil change. I offered to remove the items (it later took me all of 3 minutes to clear the area). The service manager refused and refused to complete the recall work. He still demanded payment for the oil change and was unwilling to compensate me for my wasted time.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #11

Sep 222021

Corolla

  • miles
My car is accelerating when my foot is off of the pedal and when in park, it is revving like I am pressing down on the gas pedal. I put it in reverse to test it to make sure I was experiencing what I just thought had happened. As soon as I put the gear in reverse, and released my foot from the break, the car spead down my driveway. I breaked, put gear in drive, and when I released my foot from the break pedal, again it sped up almost crashing into my house. When I put the car in park, the engine became louder as if I was pressing down on the gas pedal. I checked the pedals below. The rug or nothing else was near the pedal, as can happen at times. This morning I tested it out again on my way to work. It was a repeat of yesterday. The car is speeding up without me putting my foot on the drive pedal, by me simply lifting my foot of of the break. And when I park, it gets loud as if I am pressing on the gas pedal. This is very dangerous and I am afraid to drive my car until I can get it to a mechanic.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 042018

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 188,000 miles
I DO NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS TRADED IN TO ORLAND TOYOTA (ORLAND IL) WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2015 TOYOTA COROLLA ON 08/04/2018. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THE NHRA REPRESENTATIVES BY MAIL AND BY PHONE THAT I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. I'M SICK OF THIS. REMOVE MY NAME AND ADDRESS FROM YOUR RECORDS ASAP [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Matteson, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 282017

Corolla

  • 98,000 miles

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

This Toyota was totaled in a car accident on June 28, 2017. The damage was to the front and side. Air bags should've deployed but never did. My daughter was driving the vehicle and was hit by someone speeding and going through a stop sign.

- South Park, PA, USA

problem #8

Oct 042011

Corolla

  • miles
It was recalled for airbags twice, and windows dropping down twice. It is being used still.

- Saint Francis, WI, USA

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problem #7

Sep 252015

Corolla

  • 160,325 miles
Driver experienced a surge in uncalled for acceleration while slowing down to stop for a traffic light. The car stopped after this surge after heavy brake application and became normal. This was not repeated for the remainder of the trip of approximately 5 miles.

- Brookfield, WI, USA

problem #6

Oct 022014

Corolla

  • 140,697 miles

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

Our Toyota had a recall on the passenger airbags. The dealer installed a harness and ECM. When they rechecked the SRS system the airbag light came back on for B1811 for spiral cable. I was told that this repair is not part of the recall but that my driver side airbag is not working. I did some research and found that the spiral cable is part of a recall with other Toyota but not the same year as mine. Obviously there are problems with these airbags and I'm wondering why my Toyota is not part of the recall? I am very concerned about this especially since my 17 year old son is now driving the vehicle! this is an expensive repair for us!

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #5

Aug 192011

Corolla

  • 14,050 miles
I've been waiting for the parts to come in for the "safety recall" for my sunroof and have only received one phone call stating they are still waiting on the parts. The recall is from webasto product North America, Inc. For hollandia 700/600, and hollandia tvs 900 series aftermath sunroofs. This sunroof is # 6074852 and just shattered last night.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #4

Jun 012006

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
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.

- Blackshear, GA, USA

problem #3

May 262006

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
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.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #2

Jun 102004

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
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.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 032003

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The car has a rotten egg smell. It happens sporadically. I've called both the dealer and Toyota a number of times. They tell me it is the gas - and to try different brands of gas. I called the epa and spoke with jim caldwell and he said it was not the gas. I called the wi dept of transportation and jim chaja said that another lady from appleton called in on Monday about the same thing. She was getting ready to file under the lemon law. She bought hers from gustman, I bought mine from kolosso. Toyota claims they stand by their research and believe the epa is wrong.

- Appleton, WI, USA

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