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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,900 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #9

Aug 282019

Corolla

  • miles

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

Odometer stopped at 299,999 trip a and B odometer works fine...

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #8

Feb 242018

Corolla

  • 295,000 miles
Takata recall I have submitted papers of numerous accidents and also engine and transmission failures my vehicle has given me. When I first obtained it, it had no struts nor do my air bags deploy when I get into vehicular accidents. I am unable to go to a dealership and get my vehicle checked but because it's non operating at the moment. I do however have open availability for a car inspection at my home if you guys were to send someone to come take a look at it.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 202016

Corolla

  • 319,000 miles
Takata recall I've been hit with this car several times in vehicle accidents and no air bags pop out at alll

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 112016

Corolla

  • 163,000 miles

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

My smog light keeps going on even after I have it repaired. I know someone who has the same exact car that I have and she got the recall on the ECM and they replaced it and she did not have to replace the catalytic converter to pass the ca smog. I replaced it already and it is super expensive...1,600!! last year I had my car service for the check engine light and it cost me 1,000. Afterwards the check engine light went on again. They are saying I have to have the catalytic converter replaced again. I feel this is unfair if my friend had that control module replaced and no longer had the check engine light problem like I am having. I believe it could be the mechanism is faulty. It is hard to believe I have to replace the catalytic converter all over again. I did not drive that many miles. Plus in ca they said they would give us money towards the repair but it was very difficult and I was led to believe I could get 500 plus 800 so I thought I would be paying the balance after 1300 which would have still been 300 plus but I was only able to get 500 towards the repair so I still had to pay 1,100! it really bothers me because my friend who has the same make and model had the same problem with the check engine light going on and they recalled it and replaced it she has never had to replace her catalytic converter yet but I am now having to do it twice! she has high mileage perhaps more than I have. Please look into this for me.

- Laguna Woods, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 152016

Corolla

  • miles
ECU service campaign/ takata / request for spiral cable replacement by dealer holman Toyota-Scion mount laurel, NJ 856.866.1740 (P) 856.866.0083 customer #19139 please review Toyota manual to confirm if replacement of all components of air bag and ECU are required or suggested to be replaced after collision by certified technicians during the repair process prior to release by insurance claim.

- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jun 132016

Corolla

  • miles
I received a recall notice via mail regarding the supplemental restraint system and electronic control unit in June of 2016. I called my local Toyota dealer who has performed recalls in the past on my vehicle to schedule an appointment. On June 13th, 2016 I spoke to a rep and was informed that they were out of parts and would call me when the parts were in, approx 4-6 weeks. On July 13th, 2016 I placed a follow up call and was informed that the parts were still not in and they would call me in approximately 6-8 weeks. To this date I have not received a call that the parts are in; therefore I do not believe this Toyota dealer has remedied this recall in a timely manner. I have followed the directions on the NHTSA.gov website to file a complaint against the manufacturer. The specific Toyota dealer that has not had the part is: Autoland Toyota, 170 us 22, springfield township, NJ 07081 (800)288-6526.

- Harrison, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jul 092003

Corolla

  • 100 miles

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

Vehicle was hit on freeway and knocked up onto center dividing wall of freeway, approximately 2 days after purchase. The vehicle was twisted and unable to be driven. Insurance company refused to total vehicle and original factory replacement parts were denied. Aftermarket parts not related to vehicle were placed on vehicle including wrong steering, frame, wrong brakes, wrong everything, and many other fraudulent parts including ABS removed from vehicle for which I paid extra about $5600. All complaints to repair company, allstate insurance, and Toyota of orange were denied although vehicle was not operating properly. Example brakes never worked, and locked and skidded at 2-5 miles per hour which was extremely dangerous on road. In may, I took vehicle for smog test and was informed vehicle would not pass visual inspection test due to non approved after market parts on vehicle not related to Toyota. At this time specifically catalytic converter is not an approved part. Only Toyota dealership worked on this vehicle until 2012 when visit to Arizona. No one will help me regarding this matter, and I cannot get tags and registration. I am disabled and immediately need my vehicle. Can you please assist me in this matter as not only is vehicle unsafe, but I have no recourse and no place to turn.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 142007

Corolla

  • 78,000 miles
My 2003 Toyota Corolla le which was purchased in 2003 had a acceleration problem, I took it to the oakbrook Toyota while it was still under warranty and was told that it was all in my head and moreover the electronics for this function was factory installed and there was nothing the dealer could do with it. This was the last time I went to this dealer.the car would accelerate from 500 RPM to 2000 RPM in idle this would lurch the car forward and the only way I could drive this car was to change the ceramics brake pads every 10000 miles. In 2007 the car lurched forward at a traffic light and broke the rear bumper of a Hyundai santas fe and cracked my bumper too I tried to explain to the police officer that I was stopped and suddenly the car lurched forward, it did not help I was given a ticket and told to tell my story to the judge, luckily the lady I hit did not show up in court and I was discharged but that did not make my insurance company all state from raising my premium and I still have the car and still has the highest premium. The car is used for running errands locally.

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #1

Mar 052007

Corolla

  • 80,000 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) purchased 2003, Toyota, Corolla, VIN: [xxx] with daughter. Veh was purchased from Toyota of orange in ca. Two days later a hit and run driver forced veh to skid across five lanes on interstate 10 in Ontario, ca, and landed atop center divider. The vehicle was sent to repair shop and "repaired" after approximately 5-8 months. However, the car was never properly repaired, and I complained to both Toyota, and to the insurance company, allstate, but Toyota adamantly stated the veh was without problems. The car was continually in the shop for the brakes. Eventually the carpet caused the accelerator to become stuck and the car went out of control. I was forced to reach down while the car moving and pull the carpet with both hands to release the accelerator. Stepping on the brakes did not help. Neither Toyota repair nor allstate would help resolve our complaints since 2003, we were simply told that the veh was fine. Additionally I believe the frame is bent, lack of interlocking brakes causing skids, brakes are soft and drop to floor, and poor steering column. This car is dangerous and is impossible to drive without involving near miss accident episodes. The car skids if going as little as 5-10 miles per hour. I offered to give the car away to anyone who was willing to investigate my complaints, all to no avail. I just recently learned that one of the problems I heard in the brand new car was a hole in the exhaust system. Toyota continually denied this for 5-6 years, then by accident a very young newly employed staff at Toyota of orange, informed us that our complaint about loud air sounding noise was a hole in the exhaust, which had been continually making the noise, and burning of eyes (migraines). The brakes were repaired every 2-4 months or less until I just reported less frequently. The car is now no longer under warranty. Currently it needs some brakes, rotors, drums, calipers, and shocks as always.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

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