2003 Toyota Corolla Complaint Log

THE RECALL HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR OVER A YEAR AND THEY STILL SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL. IT IS BECOMING APPARENT THAT THEY DON'T INTEND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

ROUGHLY TWO YEARS AGO, JANUARY 2013 ACCORDING TO THE LETTER, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON MY CAR. THE LETTER STATES THAT THE RECALL IS STILL IN INTERIM STATUS, SO THERE IS NOTHING I AM ABLE TO DO AS OF YET. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP CHECKING THE STATUS OF NOT ONLY THIS RECALL, BUT ANOTHER I RECEIVED A YEAR LATER. THERE HAS YET TO BE A CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF EITHER SAFETY RECALL. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PATIENT IN WAITING FOR SOLUTIONS TO THE POTENTIAL EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS IN MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS PROBLEM STILL HAD YET TO BE REMEDIED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT TOLD WHAT CAUSED THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 04/14/14 MA UPDATED 04/18/14 *JS

VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING, CHATTER TYPE NOISE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. IN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. MANY HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESURFACE WITH THE NEW/REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION. THIS WOULD SEEM LIKE A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND COULD BE VERY PROBLEMATIC IF THE CAR WILL NO LONGER SHIFT INTO GEAR, AS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE NOTED. *TR

VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING OR CHATTER TYPE NOISE WHEN IN ANY GEAR. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC AND FOUND THE ISSUE TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FOUND A SITE WHERE MANY OTHER 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA OWNERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. ALL HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE ISSUE AS THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE FIRST TIME THE CIL TURNED ON. IT STAYS ON FOR A COUPLE DAYS THEN STAYS OFF FOR LIKE A MONTH. IT HAS BEEN DOING THAT SINCE 2012. I HAD MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECKED BY A TECH AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THE P0770 CODE MANY TIMES FOR THE MATRIX AND COROLLA. HE PRINTED OUT THE TSB (HTTP://WWW.MATRIXOWNERS.COM/TSB/T-EG020-02.PDF) AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER. I TOOK IT TO CARSON TOYOTA IN CA AND THEY PRETTY MUCH SAID THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS FIX THE ISSUE OUT OF MY POCKET WHICH WAS ALMOST $1500! HE SAID THE ISSUE IS THE R & R ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND IF THAT DOESN'T DO THE TRICK THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE R & R SPEED SENSOR. I PURCHASED MY CAR USED SO IT DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY. I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS SHOULD QUALIFY AS A RECALL. THERE IS SO MANY REPORT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SO MANY OTHER TOYOTA CUSTOMERS THAT ARE VERY UNHAPPY. ALLOT OF THE CONSUMERS ARE SAYING THEY HAVE BOUGHT THESE PARTS AND INSTALLED THEM AND THE CIL IS STILL LIGHTING UP. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I REFUSE TO PAY $1500 TO REPLACE THE ECM AND THE SPEED SENSOR FOR IT TO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR REGISTERED WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF A SMOG CHECK. AND OF COURSE THAT IS AN AUTOMATIC FAIL. THIS IS MY SECOND TOYOTA AND I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE A THIRD. VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V133000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

SINCE THE RECALL OF THE AIRBAGS ON 2003 TOYOTA MY MOM HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIME TO GET THE AIRBAG FIX IN THE PONCE AND CAYEY TOYOTA SERVICE AND IN THREE OCCASION THEY TOLD HER THEY DON'T DO THAT JOB AND KEEP GIVING HER THE RUNAROUND AND MANY PHONE NUMBER TO CALLS. SHE HAS DONE HER PART BUT IT SEEM THE SERVICE COMPANY IN PUERTO RICO IS NOT DOING THEIR PART. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS LITE UP AND DOESN'T GO AWAY. THE CAR IS UNDER MY NAME BUT MY MOM HAS HAD IT SINCE 2007. SHE LIVES IN P. O. BOX 579 ARROYO, PR 00714 AND I MOVED TO ORLANDO IN 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT'S RIGHT FOOT WAS PARTIALLY SEVERED AND THE CONTACT'S LEFT FOOT WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TR

THIS CAR IS NOW 12 YEARS OLD WITH TWO ACTIVE RECALLS INVOLVING SRS AND AIRBAG SYSTEM. TOYOTA KEEPS MODIFYING RECALL IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SCHEME TO RESET THEIR "REASONABLE" TIME CLOCK. IT IS APPARENT THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH OF THE REPLACEMENT SYSTEMS TO INSTALL IN NEW CARS, YET THERE IS A CONTINUOUS DELAY IN REPAIRING THE OLDER AUTOS NOW ON THE ROAD. ATTRITION IS NOT A FIX, AND THE VALUE OF MY CAR IS DOWN WITH THE CURRENT REMEDY OF "DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO USE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT", AND MY SAFETY IS BEING COMPROMISED. BY ANY SENSIBLE SCALE, TOYOTA'S "REASONABLE TIME" TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION HAS LONG PASSED. MODIFYING THE RECALL SHOULD NOT RELIEVE MANUFACTURERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT; THE CAR HAD BEEN COMPLETELY STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BEFORE THIS EVENT. NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. A CERTIFIED TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG SENSORS AND A SHORT IN THE PRE-TENSIONER ASSEMBLIES. ALERTED TOYOTA MANUFACTURING OF THE ISSUE....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF *TR UPDATED IVOQ 06/21/12

CAMELBACK TOYOTA TOOK CARE OF A RECALL ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND SINCE THAT DATE I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS - LOST MY KEYLESS ENTRY, LOST MY SPEEDOMETER, LOST MY HORN. D & B AUTO FOUND SOME PROBLEMS AT THE TUNE OF $428.70 (GOT MY HORN, SPEEDOMETER AND KEYLESS ENTRY WORKING AGAIN - THIS WAS 8/12/13). THEN APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER, MY CAR WOULD START LURCHING AND FELT LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND I WOULD LOOSE MY SPEEDOMETER - NO ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ONE - WE TRIED SEVERAL TIME TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG - D & B AUTO CHECKED OUT MY SPEED SENSORS AND FOUND THEM TO BE OKAY AND SUGGESTED IT WAS MY INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TOLD ME TO CALL DICK'S SPEED-0-TECH - I DID AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT COULD NOT BE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA - SUGGESTED I CALL SAM'S COMPU -TECH - I DID AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT HELP ME UNTIL AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IN THE MEANTIME I FOUND [XXX] THE TECH AND HE FOUND THE ECD CONNECTOR (E8) NOT FULLY SEATED (LOCKED) - NOT THIS IS AFTER THE RECALL BY CAMELBACK TOYOTA AND THEN I STILL HAD THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAR LURCHING, GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND LOOSING MY SPEEDOMETER SO [XXX] THE TECH CAME BACK AND WE SPEND APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS CHECKING OUT THE INSTRUMENT CHANNEL AND GUESS WHAT WE FOUND (DONE BY CAMELBACK TOYOTA) - FIRST HE LOOKED AT THE WIRING UNDER MY DASH AND SAID "THIS IS NOT FACTORY" AND THEN WE FOUND 6 ZIP TIES HOLDING THE WIRES GOING INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BOX AND AGAIN HE STATED THIS IS NOT FACTORY. WE FOUND THE WIRES WOULD NOT STAY IN THE BOX BECAUSE IT HAD OBVIOUSLY BEEN TWISTED - SO WE FIXED THEM AND THE CAR HAS BEEN OKAY SINCE - THIS WAS 10-20-14. NOW YOU ARE TELLING ME I HAVE ANOTHER RECALL ON THIS - I CANNOT GO THROUGH ALL THIS CRAP AGAIN SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I MANAGED TO PUT THE CAR IN FIRST GEAR AND MAKE IT BACK HOME EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING THIS LOUD GRINDING NOISE. I BROUGHT THE CAR FOR REPAIR AND THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. JUST 6 WEEKS AGO I HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA S. THE CONTACT WAS IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000.

2003 COROLLA S & MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH UNDER 90K MILES. DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN THIRD GEAR. CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY 3 LANE STREET NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT COULDN'T GET IT TO DRIVE. ALMOST FELT AS IF SOMETHING WAS HOLDING IT BACK OR STUCK UNDER THE CAR. HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED YET, BUT ALL INDICATIONS POINT TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE & MODEL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD WHINE AND LOSS OF POWER. SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, I CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL I GOT TO A SERVICE STATION. THERE, I CHECKED ALL FLUIDS, WHICH WERE FINE; I THEN CONTINUED ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN EYE SPECIALIST I HAD, AND AT THAT TIME I NOTICED THE CLUTCH WAS DIFFICULT TO USE. ONCE I HAD THE APPOINTMENT WITH THE SPECIALIST, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUTO TRANSMISSION SERVICE CENTER, WHERE I HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, AND AXLE PUT ON MY CAR FOR OVER $4,000 BECAUSE THEY SAID "NO ONE REBUILDS TOYOTA TRANSMISSIONS". I AM A 60-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO ALWAYS TAKES THE CAR FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND HAD A PRE-TRIP CAR CHECK JUST 6 WEEKS BEFORE THAT BY A VERY RELIABLE, HONEST MECHANIC. I STAY CLOSE TO HOME, AND ONLY TOOK THIS TRIP BECAUSE I HAD TO SEE AN EYE SPECIALIST. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 106,000 MILES ON IT!

SOME TOYOTA MATRIX'S HAVE A RECALL ON THE SPIRAL CABLE, NOT MINE. IT HAS BEEN OUT FOR 3 YEARS, I CAN'T GET TOYOTA TO EVEN RESEARCH MY CLAIM AS THEY STATE THAT MY CAR DOESN'T FIT THEIR RECALL PROFILE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING STUCK UNDER THE WHEELS OF MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. IT WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR AFTER THAT, BUT LUCKILY, I WAS IN NEUTRAL SO IT COULD BE TOWED. THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2003 COROLLAS WITH THE 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT COST ME $3,700 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION (AND LABOR) FROM TOYOTA, WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY END UP WITH THE SAME FAILURE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND MY CAR HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE KEPT UP ON ALL THE MAINTENANCE; THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE MAILED A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CORPORATION AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN A POLICE REPORT WAS PROVIDED. UPDATED 12/07/11

AFTER MAKING SOME NOISE ON THE HIGHWAY I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO REALIZE THAT I HAD NO REVERSE GEAR IN MY COROLLA. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR IN FIRST GEAR ALSO. I LIMPED MY WAY TO THE MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. HE SAID THAT A COMPONENT CAME LOOSE AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION FURTHER BY INTERFERING WITH OTHER PARTS. HE SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $3,800 TO FIX. THIS WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED AND DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE DRIVER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,410.

IT WAS RECALLED FOR AIRBAGS TWICE,AND WINDOWS DROPPING DOWN TWICE. IT IS BEING USED STILL.

THE 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA MAKES NOISE AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR. I TOOK THE CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY CAME BACK WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE BEARINGS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT DUE TO THE TIME ALTHOUGH THE BEARINGS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THEN THE 40K MILES EVEN THEIR WARRANTY SAYS 60K MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE WHEEL CAN CAME OFF WHILE YOU DRIVE AND INJURE THE DRIVER AND OTHERS. PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND MAY NOT EVEN REALIZE IT AS I DID, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND IS NOT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE POST THIS ON YOUR WEBSITE AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE . TOYOTA SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE BEARINGS THEY USE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,700. *TR

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.

CAR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. *KB

MANUAL TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT DUE TO BEARING FAILURE (INPUT SHAFT). *TT

WHILE DRIVING MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 MODEL AT FREEWAY 110 WITH A SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, I NOTICED THAT THE MIL OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON. AS SOON AS I SAW THE LIGHT, I WENT STRAIGHT TO A MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THE MECHANIC USED A DIAGNOSTIC TESTER AND SHOWED THE CODE P0070 SOLENOID "E" FAULT AND ADVISED US TO GO TO THE DEALER AND CHECK IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS FAULT, BUT TOYOTA CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL ISSUED ON THAT PARTICULAR DEFECT. I TRIED TO RESEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON OCT. 23, 2002 . IT WAS ALSO ADMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT TOYOTA HAS MADE PRODUCTION CHANGES IN LATER MODELS OF THE COROLLA LINE TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2003 MODEL. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN THIS WILL TRULY POSED A PROBLEM TO MANY TOYOTA COROLLA 03 USERS. WE BOUGHT THESE CAR 5 YEARS AGO AND WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEM ON IT UNTIL TODAY. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN URGE TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, A TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 ON JULY 12 AND WHILE DRIVING IT TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NEXT MORNING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN A HIGHWAY THE CAR TURN OFF. I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING, AFTER COUPLE ATTEMPTS THE CAR TURNED ON, I CALL A TOYOTA PLACE, WHERE I DO ALL MAINTENANCE OF MY CARS, AND AFTER I CALLED I WENT THERE SO THEY CAN RUN A TEST. THE RESULT WAS SHIFT SOLENOID "E" MALFUNCTION. THE WORKER TOLD ME THAT MOST LIKELY THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT ON THE COROLLA 2006 NOT 2003. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS. HE TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAIN SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE. *TR

CAR IS A 5 SPEED AND HAD AN INCREASING "GROWL" IN TRANSMISSION IN 2,3,AND 5TH GEAR. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN 5 SPEED COROLLA'S, MATRIX, AND PONTIAC VIBE WHICH ALL USE THE C59 5 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS. OVER $1000 TO REPAIR IF CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH. THIS IS/WAS MY 5TH TOYOTA, AND WILL BE MY LAST ALSO!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE AIR BAG FRACTURED THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING SYSTEM AND BUCKLE CLIP SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE ACCELERATING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE SIGN AHEAD INDICATED TO REDUCE SPEED AHEAD. THE CONSUMER REDUCED HER SPEED TO THE POSTED LIMIT BY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE. AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND SHE COULD FEEL THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE ABS SOUNDED LIKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND PULSATING VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BEFORE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING A LOUD ROARING SOUND. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM DRIVE 1 TO DRIVE 2 AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. SHE TRIED TO SHIFT TO PARK, BUT AS SHE GOT TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE TRIED TO BUCK, SO SHE PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED 08/10/11. *JB THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT AND DRIVER ERROR. UPDATED 08/23/11.*JB UPDATED 09/29/11.*JB UPATED 10/11/11. *JB

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA COROLLA AUTOMOBILE DOT/I#2011-2068. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE SIGN AHEAD INDICATED TO REDUCE SPEED AHEAD. THE CONSUMER REDUCED HER SPEED TO THE POSTED LIMIT BY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE. AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND SHE COULD FEEL THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE ABS SOUNDED LIKE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND PULSATING VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BEFORE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING A LOUD ROARING SOUND. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM DRIVE 1 TO DRIVE 2 AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. SHE TRIED TO SHIFT TO PARK, BUT AS SHE GOT TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE TRIED TO BUCK, SO SHE PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HER CRUISE CONTROL WA ACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. *JB UPDATED 11/10/11 *BF UPDATED 11/16/11

140 000 KM ON BOARD AND THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS GONE ON MY COROLLA 2003. *TR

1. ELECTRICAL: DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP AFTER ROLLING THEM DOWN. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BUTTON WAS NOT BROKE...& PHYSICALLY WORKED WHEN PUSHED DOWN OR PULLED UP BUT DID NOT ROLL THE WINDOW UP. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON ACTUALLY BROKE/CAVED IN WHEN PUSHED TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN. ONCE ROLLED DOWN...IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER: AIR CONDITIONER BARELY BLOWS ANY AIR OUT OF VENTS. WHEN SET ON "HIGHEST FAN OPTION"...U CAN HEAR IT WORKING & CAN FEEL COOL AIR BUT U HAVE TO HAVE YOUR FACE 2 INCHES IN FRONT OF VENT TO FEEL IT. 3. SEAT BELTS: PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT CLICK/LOCK INTO LOCKING DEVICE TO KEEP SEATBELT ON. DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING BREAKING IT...JUST WOULDN'T "CLICK" INTO LOCKING DEVICE ONE DAY. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBAND HIT HIS CHIN ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE RECEIVED 16 STAPLES AND 12 STITCHES IN HIS HEAD, 5 STITCHED IN HIS TONGUE AND IS BEING TREATED FOR NECK INJURIES. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE AND I PRESUME THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AND THE LOCATION THAT THE CAR WAS HIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V285000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

ODOMETER FAILURE DUE TO TOYOTA BUILDING AND INSTALLING A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2006 WITH 76,000 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. I TRUSTED THE REPUTATION OF TOYOTA AND THOUGHT I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON A DEPENDABLE CAR THAT WOULD LAST ME UNTIL AT LEAST 200,000 MILES WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR CURRENTLY HAS 126,000 MILES ON IT. LAST FRIDAY, AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION RUNNING A LITTLE LOUDER THAN USUAL. DURING THE NEXT 7 RESIDENTIAL MILES HOME, THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SOUND LOUDER AND MORE GRINDING IN NATURE. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING AND LEARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. AFTER A LITTLE ONLINE RESEARCH, I READ THAT MORE THAN A FEW PEOPLE HAD REPLACED WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS ONLY TO HAVE THE REBUILT ONE FAIL. I CHOSE TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION (AT LEAST IT'S UNDER WARRANTY FOR 3 YEARS/36,000 MILES) ALONG WITH A NEW CLUTCH AND OTHER ACCESSORIES TO THE TUNE OF $3,500. WHEN I ASKED HOW MY DEPENDABLE LITTLE TOYOTA COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME SOMETHING ABOUT THE CLUTCH BEGINNING TO SHOW SOME WEAR, CAUSING SOME PARTS (BEARINGS?) TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WREAK HAVOC. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NO LONGER ASSOCIATE TOYOTA WITH DEPENDABILITY. *TR

ON NOVEMBER 16, 2010, WHILE TRYING TO PARK MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2003, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY CRASHING INTO A FENCE CONTINUED BY CRASHING INTO SOME WOODEN PALLETS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER A FEW WEEKS BEFORE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WILL STAY ACCELERATED TO A MINIMUM OF 1800RPM. THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT ACTIVATED AND I DID NOT RECEIVED MAJOR INJURY. MY NECK WAS HURTING FOR A WHILE. I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO PROPANE TANKS FOLLOWING THE FENCE. MY SON NOTIFIED TOYOTA IN PUERTO RICO AND FILED A COMPLAINT #CR12287. HE WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL UNIT AND THAT THE GAS IN MY CAR OPERATED BY A CABLE. THE AUTO SHOP MECHANICS THAT REPAIRED ALL THE FRONT DAMAGE OF THE CAR NOTICED THE CAR ACCELERATOR TOO HIGH. ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010 THE CAR WAS PICKED UP BY MY SON AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA FOR INSPECTION. THE TOYOTA EMPLOYEE TRIED TO CONVINCE MY SON TO SIGN AN AUTHORIZATION TO ACCESS ALL THE DATA IN THE CAR COMPUTER MEMORY BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE A COPY OF THE DATA TO THE CUSTOMER. MY SON REFUSED TO SIGN THE RELEASE FORM. WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 4DR LE, 80000 MILES, I WANT TO REPORT COOLANT LEAK FROM ENGINE AREA. I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THAT COOLANT LEAK DUE TO BOTTOM PART OF THE ENGINE IS CRACKING, RECOMMENDATIONS IS REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK, THAT WILL COST ABOUT $6000. MECHANICS STATED THAT WHEN TOYOTA MADE THE MODE OF THE ENGINE, THE MODE DOES NOT MAKE GOOD. *TR

ONE YEAR AGO MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA BEGAN TO MAKE A HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING NOISE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED. THE SOUND CONTINUED TO BECOME LOUDER UNTIL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A CRUNCHING NOISE. AFTER I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN NOV. 2010. I BEGAN HEARING THE SAME HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING NOISE AGAIN RECENTLY (NOV. 2011). *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. JUST RETURNED FROM FIRST ROAD TRIP WITH THIS CAR, FROM OREGON TO COLORADO, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES - 3 OF THE TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. IN PARTICULAR - WHILE GOING UP HILL -- THE CAR PICKS UP SPEED TO GET OVER THE HILL BUT AFTER REACHING THE TOP, CAR FAILS TO SLOW DOWN AND ONLY AFTER HITTING BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES WOULD THE ACCELERATION STOP AND CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SLOW. IN ONE INSTANCE, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO AN UPHILL ON-RAMP TO GET IT TO SLOW AND BRAKES FINALLY WORKED AT TOP OF HILL. I COULD ACTUALLY FEEL THE GAS PEDAL PUSHING DOWN ON ITS OWN - WITHOUT MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS JUST NATURALLY PICKING UP SPEED. IT WAS ONLY AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL THAT I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WAS THE CAR, NOT THE ENVIRONMENT. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE CAR WENT FROM 52 TO 83, THE SECOND INCIDENT - 57 TO 90, THE 3RD INCIDENT - 65 TO 88, THE 4TH INSTANCE 75 TO 84 AND THE SCARIEST INCIDENT OF ALL - THE CAR WENT FROM 70 TO 105 MPH!! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE ONLY THING THAT SLOWED THE CAR DOWN (BESIDES MY CONTINUAL BRAKING) WAS THAT I STARTED CLIMBING A LARGE HILL. ONE OF THE INCIDENTS WAS WITNESSED BY A WYOMING HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER - OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND MANY MILES TO A TOWN - WHO THOUGHTFULLY GAVE ME DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO GET THE CAR TO STOP SAFELY (TURN ON YOUR EMERGENCY FLASHERS, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY EVEN PRESSURE TO BRAKES - PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL GIVES MORE POWER TO BRAKES). THIS CAR HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD NEVER BEEN ON A LONG TRIP BEFORE AND VERY RARELY ON A FREEWAY. I HAD NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL BEFORE AND WILL NOT BE USING IT AGAIN. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADD THE 2003 COROLLA TO THE RECALL AS IT OBVIOUSLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2005 - 2010. TOYOTA WILL BE HEARING FROM ME TOMORROW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE DEBRIS FROM A DEFECTIVE BEARING THAT ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL TANK LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK LINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,097. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF UPDATED 11/22/11 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, ARM AND FACIAL INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED FROM THE IMPACT AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CINDER BLOCK WALL, KNOCKING A HOLE INTO THE CINDER BLOCK. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WALL WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IS ALSO CAUSED A PORTION OF THE CINDER BLOCK TO SHOOT THROUGH A NEIGHBORING WOOD FENCE, FRACTURING THE FENCE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MADE A WEIRD NOISE AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY. CAR WAS SCREAMING UNTIL I GOT OFF OF FREEWAY. PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED AAA. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TROUBLE PUSHING CAR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. GOT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND CAR WOULD NOT BACK OFF OF TOW TRUCK. TRANSMISSION SHOP TOOK APART TRANSMISSION AND STATES THE PINION BEARING WENT BAD AND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LOCKED IN 5TH GEAR. THEY STATED THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GO BAD IN TOYOTA'S MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND REBUILT MY TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW AFTERMARKET BEARING KIT. REPAIRS COST APPROXIMATELY $1800. *TR

MY WIFE MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AND THE CAR GOT CRASHED. MY WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES ON CHEST DUE HIT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. *TR