2003 Toyota Corolla Complaint Log

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE SLIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AS THE ENGINE BECAME LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE UP HILL, CRASHING INTO A TREE AND IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES FROM THE FORCE OF IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL EXHIBITING HIGH RPMS AND THE UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 45,000.

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.

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.

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. *TR

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 HIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND AS HE TURNED THE IGNITION ON WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT FENDERWAS BADLY DAMAGED.THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INJURED BUT DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL.THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED BEFORE TOWING THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE TO A BODY REPAIR CENTER. AT THAT TIME OF THE COMPLAINT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER.THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THERE WAS ONLY NORMAL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,479 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 116,000.

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. *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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ON 4/26/2006 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA INTO A PARKING SPOT AT HER EMPLOYMENT. THE CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO LEAVE TIRE TRACKS ON THE CONCRETE AND DUG THROUGH GROUND AFTER JUMPING THE CURB. THE CAR DID FINALLY STOP AFTER HITTING A SMALL TREE AND BARELY MISSING A LIGHT POLE. AT THE TIME WE BELIEVED THAT THE FLOOR MATS\HAD GOT TANGLED UP AND THE HARDER SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES THE CAR WENT FASTER. WITH ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH STUCK GAS PEDALS AND FLOOR MATS . WE ARE NOT SURE THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. *TR

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

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

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 TO CONTACT THE MANAGER OF TOYOTA 101 BY PHONE FOR NUMEROUS TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT CAN HELP AND BRING THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA 101 WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH AN INCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECT. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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

TL* TAKATA RECALL.THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VCU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005, I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, AT CERTAIN TIMES IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAY IN THE LANE BECAUSE OF THE STEERING. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE CAR IS BEING PUSHED BY WIND, EVEN IF THERE IS NO WIND. I NOTICED AN ARTICLE ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT IN 2009-2010 TOYOTA COROLLA'S HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED IT FOR YEARS WITH MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. *TR

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR A WINDOW REPLACEMENT AFTER IT BLEW OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TGW THE CONSUMER SENT IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION.

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

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

ON JULY 9, 2005, I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR COLLISION DRIVING A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA TYPE S, IN WHICH THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

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

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.

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 BOOK TO: "BROWN, CHRIS" , BMURRAY@GROUP1ATLANTA.COM MR. CHRIS BROWN, IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE YOUR LAST EMAIL AND MORE THAN THREE WEEKS SINCE I WROTE THE FIRST TIME, MORE THAN 50 DAYS SINCE I SHOWED MY CAR AT YOUR DEALERSHIP, AND I AM STILL WHERE I WAS ON THE ISSUE. IN YOUR LAST EMAIL (THE ONLY) YOU MENTIONED "I LOOK FORWARD TO RESOLVING THIS ISSUE FOR YOU" AND I BELIEVED YOU MEANT IT. I HOPE YOU REALIZE THE FRUSTRATIONS!*JB

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.

I PURCHASE MY TOYOTA PRE-OWNED WITH 46,000 MILES ON IT ODOMETER. A SHORT WHILE AFTER THE PURCHASE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE CAR DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE AGENT STATED THAT MY GAS CAP MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. I TIGHTENED MY GAS CAP AND THE LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. IT NEVER CAUSED ANY PROBLEMS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO GET IT SMOGGED FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT WOULD NOT PASS SMOG. THE MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND $1,800 TO REPLACE. THEREFORE, I HAD TO GO THE REFEREE TO GET A 2 YEAR WAIVER ON MY SMOG. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS, I CANNOT GO WITHOUT A CAR. MY CAR WILL BE GOING ON THE NEXT YEAR SOON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY FUNDING TO HELP WITH REPAIRS WHEN THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A FACTORY ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER TOYOTA CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL, TWICE, AT LEAST NOW, ZOOMED TO MAJOR EXCELERATION WHEN I TRIED TO DEACTIVATE. (FASTER THAN IF I TRIED TO MYSELF!)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE BEFORE, CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION.*AK

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