NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Corolla. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. OCCURRED ONLY ONCE. *TR
STRONG SULFUR SMELL WHILE DRIVING CAR. HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO THIS AUGUST. DEALER SAID HAD TO DO WITH ADDITIVES IN GASOLINE AND SHOULD STOP, BUT HASN'T STOPPED. ESPECIALLY STRONG IN THE MORNINGS AFTER CAR HAS SAT OVER NIGHT. *NLM
WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE OFF, THIS CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND THE OTHER OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. *AK THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN ON THE CONSUMERS RIGHT OF WAY. WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *CB *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
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED IN THE REAR WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD. *AK *CB *NLM
NO INCIDENT, JUST DEFECTS. *NM
INTERIOR NOISE, RIGHT FRONT DOOR AND DASHBOARD NOISE, RADIO/CD PANEL NOISE, SEVERAL PARTS WERE REPLACED AND REFIXED BUT NOISE IS NOT GONE YET. EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THAT NOISE CAN'T BE DUPLICATED. AS A RESULT I USUALLY HAVE TO RIDE WITH SOMEONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO PROVE THAT NOISE IS THERE. IN MY OPINION SOME INTERIOR PARTS DO NOT FIT CAR'S STRUCTURE. AND SO MANY TIMES I TOOK TO DELERSHIP AND THEY SAID TI SI FIXED AND AFTER CERTAIN TIME IT WILL COME AGAIN.I EVEN TRIED TO GIVE MY CAR BACK AND THE ARBITRATOR SAID I HAVE LESS ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. A FEW HOURS LATER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, THEY REPAIRED A COMPONENT RELATED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,100.
6853 MILES NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA ARE UNSAFE ON THE DIM SETTING. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE GREAT, BUT I CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT. THERE HAS TO BE SOME CORRECTION TO MY LIGHTS BEFORE I RUN INTO SOMETHING AND MAYBE HURT SOMEONE OR MYSELF. WHAT CAN I DO. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE COMPLAINT DEPT. TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS, PLEASE HAVE THIS CORRECTED.*JB
THE SEAT BELT IN MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE, PURCHASED IN APRIL 2002 IS LOCKING ME UP IN MY DRIVER SEAT AT EVERY, EVEN VERY LIGHT DECELERATION OF THE CAR. I HAVE TO STOP MY CAR BEFORE THE INTERSECTION, RELEASE THE LOCKED SEAT BELT AND FOLLOW SLOWLY TO THE INTERSECTION LINE, BEING ABLE TO MOVE IN MY SEAT AND OBSERVE THE INTERSECTION SITUATION. IF INSTEAD OF OBSERVING THE TRAFFIC I HAVE TO WORK WITH RELEASING MY SEAT BELT THE SITUATION IMPAIRS THE SAFETY OF MY DRIVING. *JB
CAR ACCELERATED WHEN BREAKING TO A STOP AND WHILE STOPPED. THE EVENT HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE DAY AND 1 TIME RECENTLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM.
TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY DROPPED OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHILE COASTING ON FLAT ROAD OR GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE MAKES AN UNUSUAL AND VERY LOUD 'TINGY' OR HIGH PITCHED REVING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, WHICH DISAPPEARS WHEN AT CRUISING SPEED. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND WAS FOLLOWED BY THE INABILITY TO GO ABOVE 15 MPH. THIS PERSISTED DESPITE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR FULLY TO THE FLOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS WAS TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. THE MOST RECENT INCITENT ONLY INVOLVED DROPPING OUT OF OVERDRIVE. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND HAS TRIED TO FIND PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED.
STRONG SULFUR ODOR ENTERS VEHICLE, PRESUMABLY EXHAUST GASES.
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
PURCHASED NEW, 9/03/02. AT 15,470 MILES, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN LESS THAN ONE DAY.
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB *TS
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. *NLM
I HAD A 2003 COROLLA THAT I PURCHASED IN 2002, ONE OF THE FIRST DELIVERED TO A WORCESTER MA DEALERSHIP. IN 2003 WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING UP A HILL THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON BUT I HADN'T. I WAS PROBABLY GOING AT LEAST 65MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE, I HAD TO KEEP HITTING THE BRAKES TO MAKE IT STOP ACCELERATING. *TR
MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. SHE PURCHASED IT BECAUSE OF ITS IMPLIED ECONOMY. BUT DESPITE THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLAIMS THAT THE CAR CAN USE 1987 OCTANE OR HIGHER, SUCH IS NOT THE CASE. IN TWO WORDS, ROTTEN EGGS. IN TWO OTHER WORDS, HYDROGEN SULFIDE.AS WE DECELERATE FOR ANY REASON, IF THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN, OR IF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IS SET TO INTAKE OUTSIDE AIR, THE ODOR OF ROTTEN EGGS IS OVERPOWERING. (NOTE THAT IF THE AIRFLOW PATTERN CONTROL IS TURNED TO EITHER PARTIAL OR TOTAL WINDSHIELD DEFROST, THE CONTROL WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENFORCE FRESH, OUTSIDE AIR INTAKE.) WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER DIDN'T BAT AN EYELASH. JUST OPENED A DRAWER AND PULLED OUT A SHEET OF PAPER WHICH STATES THAT TMC ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AND WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY IT. THE PAPER FURTHER SUGGESTS THAT I SHOULD CHANGE BRANDS OF GASOLINE (WE HAD ALREADY TRIED THAT) OR CHANGE TO A HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO WRITE UP THE PROBLEM ON A REPORT. SEARCHING THE WEB, I TRIPPED INTO AN EDMUNDS.COM WEB SITE. SPECIFICALLY - HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?50@180.VN8LB6QRYCO.1@.EF0A161!MAKE=TOYOTA&MODEL=ALL&ED_MAKEINDEX=.EF0A161 - WHICH WILL GET YOU INTO A DISCUSSION. (TO FOLLOW THE PATH FROM THEIR HOME PAGE, CHOOSE THE CAR DISCUSSIONS TAB, THEN TOYOTA > COROLLA > COROLLA & MATRIX PROBLEMS.) Y' GOTTA READ THE MOANING ON THIS VERY SUBJECT. SEARCH THIS DISCUSSION (BOTTOM OF THE PAGE) FOR ROTTEN EGG OR HYDROGEN TO BRING THEM UP. PLEASE HELP!! THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. MY '88 COROLLA USES THE SAME 87 OCTANE FUELS, FROM THE SAME BRANDS (THAT WE'VE TRIED ON THE '03 COROLLA) AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMERS DESERVE A BETTER PRODUCT THAN THIS. MY SON'S '02 HONDA CIVIC DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD WE - AND OUR FELLOW ROAD USERS BEHIND US AND TO THE SIDES OF US - BE FORCED TO TOLERATE THIS DEPLORABLE STENCH?*AK
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
THERE IS A VERY FOUL SULFUR SMELL THAT REGULARLY ENTERS THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. *JB
7301 MILES FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) TIRE BLEW
ALL FOUR TIRES ARE LEAKING AIR FROM THE SIDEWALL AND DEFLATING. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL STREET. THE CONSUMER COULD SEE THE TIRE DEFLATING AND HEAR AIR LEAKING. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE COMPANY WERE CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO BOTH FAILURES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO REIMBURSED FOR BOTH TIRE REPAIRS. *PH
THERE WAS A SULFUR SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB
STRONG SULFUR SMELL WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC.*JB
SULFUR LIKE SMELL ENTERS THE CAR WHILE RUNNING, ESPECIALLY EVIDENT IN WET WEATHER. GARAGE SAYS TOYOTA HAS SENT OUT A TECHNICAL ADVISORY STATING THE GASOLINE IS THE PROBLEM. HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE OTHER VEHICLES I DRIVE. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE MAY WELL BE THE PLACEMENT OF THE FRESH AIR INTAKE IN RELATION TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM (?). IT TENDS TO MAKE ONE HAVE HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR AT LEAST 4-5 MONTHS. 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA, NEW. *JB
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, AFTER IT WAS STARTED.*JB
AFTER I HAD BEGUN DRIVING MY 2003 COROLLA I SMELLED A TERRIBLE ODOR IN THE CAR. THIS CONTINUED (AND STILL DOES) BUT, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ODOR...EGGS/SULFUR. IT ONLY BEGINS TO FADE AFTER A FEW MILES. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA WHO REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. KOONS SAID IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. SOMETHING TO DO WITH EMISSIONS. I DROVE A 2003 HIGHLANDER AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE THIS. ALSO, AN AWFUL DRAFT COMES THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL (POWER WINDOWS/LOCKS) PANEL. I'VE ALSO NOTICED A SUDDEN SURGE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THANKS
MY CAR IS A 2003 COROLLA, I BOUGHT IT IN DECEMBER, I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD IN JANUARY AND NOW IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND IT IS CRACKED AGAIN AND WILL NEED TO BE FIXED. MY BELIEF IS THAT THE WINDSHIELDS BEING MANUFACTURED FOR THE NEW COROLLA'S CANNOT STAND NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, AND CRACKS WHEN EVEN A SMALL ROCK HITS IT. THIS WILL BE MY SECOND WINDSHIELD AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 2 MONTHS.
STRONG SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAST. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS SAID IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED, AND BLAMES BAD GAS. DID SAY TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TESTED SEVERAL BRANDS AND GRADES OF GAS WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. DIRECTLY CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT CANNOT BE FIXED. SAID CAR COMPUTER IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY.
MY BRAKES AND ROTORS WENT OUT AT 15,000 MILES ON MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU EMAIL ME AT SDENNIS@KMTG.COM. *JB
VEHICLE LURCHES WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC.*JB
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA SURGED, HITTING BRAND NEW WASHER IN GARAGE, SURGED AGAIN, RUNNING UP PLANTER CURB HITTING TREE. TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER BOTH TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE SCENARIO. WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM YET TOYOTA SAYING THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO? ALSO, HAVE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE DROPPING OUT OF OVERDRIVE, REARVIEW MIRROR PROBLEM WITH VISOR. SO MUCH FOR THE SAYING; "YOU WON'T GET A LEMON AT TOYOTA OF ORANGE". I'M HAPPY TO SAY I HAVEN'T HAD THE SULFUR SMELL.*AK
MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. SHE PURCHASED IT BECAUSE OF ITS IMPLIED ECONOMY. BUT DESPITE THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLAIMS THAT THE CAR CAN USE 87 OCTANE OR HIGHER, SUCH IS NOT THE CASE. IN TWO WORDS, ROTTEN EGGS. IN TWO OTHER WORDS, HYDROGEN SULFIDE. AS WE DECELERATE TO A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, IF THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN, OR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IS SET TO INTAKE OUTSIDE AIR, THE ODOR OF ROTTEN EGGS IS OVERPOWERING. (NOTE THAT IF THE AIRFLOW PATTERN CONTROL IS TURNED TO EITHER PARTIAL OR TOTAL WINDSHIELD DEFROST, THE CONTROL WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENFORCE FRESH, OUTSIDE AIR INTAKE.) WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER DIDN'T BAT AN EYELASH. JUST OPENED A DRAWER AND PULLED OUT A SHEET OF PAPER WHICH STATES THAT TMC ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AND WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY IT. THE PAPER FURTHER SUGGESTS THAT I SHOULD CHANGE BRANDS OF GASOLINE (WE HAD ALREADY TRIED THAT) OR CHANGE TO A HIGHER GRADE OF GASOLINE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO WRITE UP THE PROBLEM ON A REPORT. I CAN ATTEST, THE ROTTEN EGG ODOR DOESN'T ABATE IF 87 OCTANE FUEL IS USED - EVEN AMOCO WHICH PURPORTS TO BE BETTER THAN THE REST. SEARCHING THESE TOPICS VIA GOOGLE, I FOUND A DISCUSSION SUGGESTING THAT THE CAUSE WAS/IS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUNNING TOO HOT - PROBABLY DUE TO ITS PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. SURE ENOUGH, THIS VEHICLE HAS THE FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER (THERE ARE TWO, IN TANDEM) IS COUPLED DIRECTLY TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. FURTHER, THERE IS NO ROOM TO MOVE THE UNIT BACK, AND, SINCE THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS WELDED, ANY MODIFICATIONS TO IT WOULD PROBABLY NEGATE MY WARRANTY. MY '88 COROLLA USES THE SAME 87 OCTANE FUELS, FROM THE SAME BRANDS (THAT WE'VE TRIED ON THE '03 COROLLA) AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMERS DESERVE A BETTER PRODUCT THAN THIS. MY SON'S '02 HONDA CIVIC DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD WE - AND OUR FELLOW ROAD USERS BEHIND US AND TO THE SIDES OF US - BE FORCED TO TOLERATE THIS DEPLORABLE STENCH?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AS WELL AS THE FOUR PASSENGERS WAS INJURED. THE INJURY DETAILS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
REAR-END ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM INSUFFICIENT BRAKING ABILITY OF 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE, PURCHASED IN APRIL 2002. DURING A NORMAL MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK, I WAS INVOLVED IN A SLOW-SPEED ACCIDENT, IN WHICH I "REAR-ENDED" THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, WHEN TRAFFIC ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. PRIOR TO BRAKING, TRAFFIC IN MY LANE, WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH AND I HAD ~2-2.5 "CAR LENGTHS SPACING BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE FRONT VEHICLE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED, I ALSO IMMEDIATELY APPLIED FULL PRESSURE ON MY BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PREVENT COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, RESULTING IN $2700 IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY HIGHER INSURANCE RATES FOR MYSELF, FOR FAILING TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. SINCE I HAD TOYOTA REPAIR THE COROLLA, I ALSO REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THEY STATED THAT ALL THE DAMAGE WAS STRICTLY COSMETIC AND THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES (AS I EXPECTED THEY WOULD). HOWEVER, EVEN AT LOWER SPEED OF 10-20 MPH, I FIND THAT MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA TAKES CONSIDERABLE LONGER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP (UNDER NORMAL BRAKING FORCE) THAN I'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM ANY PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN VEHICLE (DURING 24 YEARS AS A LICENSED DRIVER). NOTE: THE EXACT DATE OF THE ACCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE. *NLM
VEHICLE DROPS OUT OF OVER DRIVE WHILE GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL AND GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. ALSO DOES IT WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY, AT 60 MPH OR HIGHER AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH MEDIUM PRESSURE. DOES NOT RESUME OVER DRIVE FOR 1/2 MILE AFTER THAT.*JB
PURCHASED 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. CAR IS EMITTING A VERY NOTICEABLE SULFUR ODOR ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE GASOLINE I PURCHASE. I POINTED OUT THAT I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2002, THAT I FILL BOTH CARS WITH THE SAME GASOLINE, AND THAT I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY SUCH PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE GASOLINE. THE INTERNET ABOUNDS WITH DISCUSSION GROUPS WHERE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I AM EXPERIENCING.
PURCHASED 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA IN OCTOBER 2002. CAR IS EMITTING A VERY NOTICEABLE SULFUR ODOR ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS PARTICULARLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE GASOLINE I PURCHASE. ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, SOME GAS STATIONS PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE GAS THAT CREATES THIS SMELL. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEM ON TOYOTA COROLLA 2003. THE FLOORS MATS USED TO COME ON TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR AND MAKE DRIVING UNSAFE. I CHANGED THEM TO BUY DIFFERENT BRANDS OF FLOOR MATS AND FINALLY I STOPPED USING THE FLOOR MATS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I SEE NO MENTION OF THE 2003 COROLLA IN THE RECALLS AND SURPRISED BY IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 45 OR 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES, BUT THE NOISE PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TENSION PULLEY WAS CAUSING THE BELT TO DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL DUE TO THE SMALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 93,620 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
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
COMPLAINT CONCERNING ADDITIONAL FLOOR PADDING ADDED TO ALL 2003 COROLLA'S MANUFACTURED AFTER 1/03 TO IMPROVE CRASH TEST RATING. I WOULD LIKE A RECALL TO INSTALL THIS SAFETY PADDING ON ALL 2003 COROLLA'S. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ALL 2003 COROLLA OWNERS. *JB
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE PEDAL WILL STICK IN THE IDLE POSITION CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
IN NOVEMBER 2002, I PURCHASED A TOYOTA COROLLA 2003. WHEN THE HEAT IS ON, THE CAR EMITS A NAUSEATING ROTTEN EGG SMELL THROUGH THE VENTS. I BROUGHT THE COROLLA INTO A TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. IMMEDIATELY, THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE HANDED ME A MEMO EXPLAINING THAT THIS "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL (AS THEY ALSO REFERRED TO IT) CAN OCCUR FROM LOW-OCTANE BRANDS AND THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR ITSELF. THIS ADVICE CONTRADICTED WHAT THE SALESMAN TOLD ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR -- THAT I COULD USE 87 OCTANE GASOLINE. I ASSUME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAD A MEMO READY FOR COROLLA OWNERS WITH THIS SPECIFIC COMPLAINT. HOWEVER, FOR SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN PUMPING 89-93 OCTANE GASOLINE INTO MY CAR WITH NO LUCK -- THE SMELL STILL EXISTS. *AK
I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA IN MAY 2002. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, WE NOTICED THAT ON OCCASION THE RPMS WOULD SURGE TO OVER 4,000 WHILE DRIVING ON UPGRADES, AND COASTING ON DOWNGRADES. IN NOVEMBER OF 2003, WE WERE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT GRADE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN THE RPMS ONCE AGAIN SURGED TO OVER 4,000, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 60 MPH. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A FLUTTERING NOISE AND SMELLED HOT. WE PULLED OFF THE FREWAY AND LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN. IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO CHUCK PATTERSON TOYOTA IN CHICO, CA. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR US. IN DECEMBER 2003, WE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE RPMS SURGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING UP GRADES AND COASTING ON DOWN GRADES. WE TOOK THE CAR TO NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA, CA. THEY ALSO INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IN JANUARY 2004, I TOOK THE CAR TO THOUSAND OAKS TOYOTA, CA. I TOOK A MECHANIC FOR A TEST DRIVE. WHEN WE COASTED DOWN A GRADE, THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN SURGED WITH THE RPMS EXCEEDING 4,000. THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS DROPPING OUT OF OVERDRIVE. MY FEELINGS OF EXCITEMENT THAT THE CAR WOULD FINALLY BE FIXED QUCIKLY TURNED TO DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN THE SERVICE MAMAGER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ABNORMAL WITH THE CAR. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT. EVERYONE IS VERY POLITE, BUT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND.*AK
I ALSO HAVE NOTICED AN INTERMITENT ODOR OF SULFUR IN MY 2003 COROLLA. *AK
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. CONSUMER STATES NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE ACCIDENTS, THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST ACCIDENT, SHE TRIED TO REDUCE HER SPEED ON A CURVE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND CONSEQUENTLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SECOND ACCIDENT, SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND AGAIN SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE APPROACHED A CURVE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, SHE HIT A CURB AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. UPDATED 04/16/10
PURCHASED CAR NEW ON 10/4/02. WITHIN A MONTH NOTICED A VERY SIGNIFICANT SULFAR ODOR EXPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS PARTICULARLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG. THEIR EXPLANATION IS THAT SOME GAS STATIONS PUT ADDITIVES IN THEIR GAS THAT CREATE THIS ODOR.. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING FURTHER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.