10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,630 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Jan 192013

Corolla

  • 185,000 miles
Was driving 20mph on a side street with my toddler in the car when I smelt strong electrical fire. Window switch got stuck on driver side window and instead of blowing fuse my door caught on fire. Called the dealership etc and they wouldn't do anything about what happened because no recall for my year. Just received a recall letter today. Two months after! this is my second recall on this car and I'm not sure how much longer I can handle this. I will never own a Toyota again. Fyi the first recall was for electrical problems in my driver side door so they replaced the entire door panel parts etc but obviously didn't fix the problem.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 132011

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 127,275 miles
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.

- Carson, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 172009

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2003 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes regarding filing complaint with Toyota corporation for headlights melting and entire assembly needing to be replaced the consumer stated the driver and passenger side door would not unlock when she tried to use the remote. The dealer had to dismantle the door panel and install a new lock device. The transmission had to be replaced due to faulty work on the part of Toyota. The driver and passenger headlights continued to go out, until finally, the consumer had to pay to have the entire electrical portion of the headlights replaced.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #5

Sep 102009

Corolla

  • miles
I was driving along the interstate at about 60-65 miles per hour when the engine suddenly turned off: All indicators in the dashboard turned off/went to zero and there was no way of accelerating. I had to somehow pull over to avoid an accident. When finally on the side lane the engine just turned back on. My husband would not believe this but we now found an article on www.spiegel.de that related to this. Hence my reporting it now.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #4

Mar 052007

Corolla

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

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 212005

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,500 miles
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.

- Coto De Caza, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 212002

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
(1) rotten-egg smell from day 1 (purchased 9/2002) w/ cooling or heating system function. Dealer told me to switch octane and do not use recirculation - no improvement. (2) in 11/2003, daytime running lights came on in middle of night, drained battery. Dealer said tsb had been released - part ordered & installed to correct problem. (3) in 1/2004, leaking oil from under car, right front passenger's side - dealer said right front strut leaking & "completely blown." Had to be replaced & car required subsequent alignment.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #1

Jul 212002

Corolla

  • miles
Intermittently while driving, without warning the interior lights including the dashboard panel lights goes out. The dealership has serviced the vehcile but they cannot find the problem.

- Irvington, NJ, USA