I have two corollas, a 2001 and a 2007. I just recently had to have my transmission on my 2001 corolla changed due to failing bearing. Was not worth fixing because of the metal flakes inside. Had been making whining noise for almost two years but never got worse until just recently on a long trip. Started sounding really bad and clunky when decelerating. Had to have a friend drive three hours with trailer to bring it back home. Didn't want to drive it anymore in fear of locking up.

Anyway, I also have a 2007 corolla that only has 35,500 miles on it. Yes that's right. Has been my backup car for many years and rarely gets driven. Anyway just recently drove it on a long trip and just started noticing a clicking noise. Have had a few diagnostic opinions on it, and they all say it sounds like a bearing is going bad in transmission. Have not got a quote on fixing it yet. I really am thinking a rebuild since I probably won't find another transmission with same or lower miles than the one in it. Can't wait to hear the cost!

Was thinking of getting rid of my 2001 corolla and looking for another newer corolla. Hard to find a used corolla with manual transmission.

Now I am starting to think I might look at some other brands of cars. I am finding out that Toyota has quite a reputation for not admitting they have a problem with the 5 speed manual transmission bearings.

Noise/vibration started coming from the 5 speed manual transmission at 50,000 mles. I took it in to the dealership and was advised that the transmission would need to be replaced. I was floored. I've never heard of a manual transmission having problems at 50,000 miles Drivetrain warranty was still good, so no cost to me, but since this was the second major component failure of the car (engine control module failed at 30,000 miles), I was not too happy with Toyota. I hoped that this would be the last of my problems with this car. I was wrong.