2003 TOYOTA COROLLA Engine Problems

16 NHTSA complaints on file

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Engine Issues in the 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA

16 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. Of these, 3 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 3 resulted in injury.

16
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Engine Complaints

#11446969 |
I barely bought the car and I looked at the odometer and it’s at 126,000 and I serched and it has more then 300,000 i need help
#11395728 | Crash
I AM WRITING WITH CONCERN TO SEE IF THE RECALL ON MY DAUGHTERS 2003 TOYOTA AIR BAG ISSUE WAS TRULY FIXED, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHERE ACCORDING TO EVERYONE'S OPINION THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF HOWEVER THEY DID NOT. IS THERE ANY WAY TO SEE IF THE RECALL WORK WAS ACTUALLY DONE BY THE COMPANY WHO STATES THEY DID THE REPAIR ??
#11190106 |
P0446- EVAPORATE SYSTEM VENT CONTROL CIRCUIT I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY LIKE ANY OTHER DAY WHEN I NOTICED THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TURNED ON. I WENT TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VAPOR CANISTOR HAD AN ISSUE BUT THAT, THATS COMPLETELY THE CAR MANUFACTURES PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PART# VC4079 IS UNDER LIFETIME WARRANTY SO IT SHOULDN'T BE DAMAGED.
#11074673 | Crash
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.
#11058538 |
I WAS DRIVING AT A TRACK EVENT AND MY ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK, MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE IT BACK TO MY PARKING SPOT, LOADED IT ON A FRIENDS TRAILER AND GOT IT HOME. I CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF MY OIL BEFORE LEAVING BUT WE FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TO OIL STARVATION.
#10850642 | Fire
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, NOTICED BAD SMELL. STOPPED AND CAME OUT FROM THE VECHICLE AND IT STARTED ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
#10780907 |
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN AT 69,811 MILES HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN AT 152,000 MILES. TOYOTA NOTIFIED AT THEY DECLINED TO PROVIDE REPAIR AGAIN AT THERE EXPENSE. I HAD A HONDA GO 250,000 AND NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CONVERTER. THERE HAS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM IN THE ONE IN MY TOYOTA COROLLA !! ALSO OTHER RECALL ON AIRBAGS THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX.
#10760033 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
#10748665 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS FOR THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
#10702154 |
IN 9/2007 THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WENT OUT ON MY MANUAL 2003 COROLLA. CONVENIENTLY, IT WAS BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF $ REPAIRING. AGAIN, IN MARCH 2015 THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ARE GOING OUT ON MY MANUAL VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE 2003 MANUAL COROLLA THAT WAS APPARENTLY FIXED IN THE 2004 VERSION. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WILL DO NOTHING. THEY TOLD ME TO EMAIL THE NHTSA AND YOUR AGENCY WOULD DETERMINE A RECALL. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE RECALL LIST. I (AND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS) HAVE BEEN STRANDED ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND IT IS NOT SAFE! *TR
#10670826 |
I EXPERIENCED A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN MY 2003 COROLLA.I TRIED TO KICK THE PEDAL LOOSE AND COULD NOT.I ENDED UP GRABBING THE KEY AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE DOWN TO AVOID LOSING CONTROL ON THE SNOW COVERED ROAD AND HITTING TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME.I LATER DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE HAD LOST NORMAL FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN THE COLD WEATHER,EVEN THOUGH I HAD CLEANED THE INSIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY SOME MONTHS EARLIER.I BELIEVE MOST PEOPLE WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY SITUATION.THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME FROM AN ACCIDENT WAS MY MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE OF CARS ENABLING ME TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR
#10648690 |
I WAS DRIVING TO GO TO SCHOOL AND I NOTICED MY ENGINE MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL DUE A RING OR RINGS TORN UP. ONE MECHANICS MENTIONED THAT HE HAS HAD SEVERAL COROLLAS 2003 COMING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT BURNS A LOT OF OIL AND THE ENGINE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. *TR
#10633699 | Fire
I WAS DRIVING MY FATHER'S CAR. AFTER DRIVING CAR APPROX.14 MILES HOME FROM A RESTAURANT, I PARKED IT IN THE CARPORT. LESS THAN 15 MIN LATER I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND SAW THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BLOWN AND FLAMES WERE SEEN UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SOON FOLLOWED BY FLAMES COMING OUT THE TOPSIDE OF THE HOOD. AFTER REALIZING IT WAS OUT OF CONTROL, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAD NO INDICATION OF PROBLEMS FROM LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL, NO DIFFICULTIES DRIVING THE CAR, I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING ON THE TRIP HOME OR ANY OTHER TIME I CAN REMEMBER. ALL RECALLS RECEIVED WERE RESPONDED TO AT PETERSON TOYOTA IN FTCOLLINS, COLORADO. OIL CHANGES WERE DONE REGULARLY. BRAKES WERE INSPECTED THE LAST OIL CHANGE IN MAY OR JUNE...
#10617289 | Crash
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...
#10522700 |
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
#10520386 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A HOLE IN THE SOCKET FOR THE SOLENOID E. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Other 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA Problem Areas

Air Bags 314 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 68 complaints Seat Belts 33 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System 30 complaints Electrical System 28 complaints Power Train 28 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingengine 20 complaints Air Bagsfrontal 18 complaints Engine And Engine Cooling 14 complaints Structure 14 complaints Structurebody 14 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor 13 complaints Power Trainautomatic Transmission 13 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulic 13 complaints Unknown Or Other 13 complaints Power Trainmanual Transmission 11 complaints Electronic Stability Control Esc 9 complaints Tires 9 complaints Fuel System Gasoline 8 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control 7 complaints Steering 7 complaints Suspension 7 complaints Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal 7 complaints Visibilitywiper 7 complaints Exterior Lightingheadlights 6 complaints Service Brakes 6 complaints Visibility 6 complaints Visibilityglass Siderear 6 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 5 complaints Wheels 5 complaints Power Trainaxle Assembly 4 complaints Power Trainaxle Hubs 4 complaints Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls 4 complaints Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel 3 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline 3 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys 3 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve 3 complaints Latcheslockslinkages 3 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip 3 complaints Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control 3 complaints Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesinterior 3 complaints Exterior Lighting 2 complaints Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl 2 complaints Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly 2 complaints Seats 2 complaints Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint 2 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components 2 complaints Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments 2 complaints Suspensionfront 2 complaints Suspensionrear 2 complaints Tirestreadbelt 2 complaints Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window 2 complaints Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly 2 complaints Visibilitywindshield 2 complaints Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module 1 complaint Electrical System12v24v48v Battery 1 complaint Electrical Systemhorn 1 complaint Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers 1 complaint Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings 1 complaint Equipment 1 complaint Equipment Adaptivemobility 1 complaint Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner 1 complaint Equipmentelectrical 1 complaint Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc 1 complaint Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch 1 complaint Fuel System Otherdeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch 1 complaint Parking Brake 1 complaint Power Trainclutch Assembly 1 complaint Power Traindrivelinecenter Support Bearing 1 complaint Seat Beltsfront 1 complaint Seat Beltsfrontretractor 1 complaint Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices 1 complaint Seatsmidrear Assembly 1 complaint Service Brakes Air 1 complaint Service Brakes Airantilock 1 complaint Service Brakes Electric 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumwheel Cylinders 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages 1 complaint Steeringrack And Pinion 1 complaint Structurebodydoor 1 complaint Structurebodytrunk Lid 1 complaint Suspensionrearaxlenon Powered Axle Assembly 1 complaint Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 1 complaint Tiressidewall 1 complaint Traction Control System 1 complaint Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher 1 complaint Wheelshub 1 complaint Wheelshubcapcover 1 complaint
Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report