2000 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to while driving vehicle check engine warning light illuminated, followed by heavy smoke pouring from underneath hood and noticed radiator cap was missing due to a negligent act by an establishment who serviced his vehicle.. the radiator cap was not secured after having an oil change. Two independent mechanics stated the head gasket was completely destroyed and the engine block was warped and a complete engine replacement was needed as a direct result of neglecting to place the radiator cap back on the radiator.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

2000 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to cam belt fractured, ruining the engine.

- Dover, OH, USA

My check engine light stays on in my vehicle inspite of replacing the part/S diagnosed in the diagnostics.

- Acworth, GA, USA

I was driving down the highway at approximately 55 mph when my car started to accelerate by itself. I stepped on the brakes until they smoked, but the car continued to accelerate. I was so scared I was afraid to try and turn around to get to the nearest mechanic so I continued home which is a straight line and riding the brakes the entire way approximately 3 miles, got into the driveway and put the car into park at which time the car continued to surge. I shut the key off and sat there trying to compose myself. I have had it at my local mechanics and they cannot duplicate the problem. It had never happened before and hasn't since 2/11/10. My car is a 2000 Toyota Corolla.

- North Kingstown, RI, USA

Bolt broke on the camshaft.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

My dads 2000 Toyota Corolla was bought new and was driven for fours years without any problems. He took care of the car religiously and has 60 mile commute both ways to get to work and home. Everything was fine up to the middle of 2004 when the engine started use oil at an excessive rate and then, out of nowhere, it developed a rod knock. He ended up buying a new car but the Corolla still had the rod knock and it was out of warranty. Finally, the engine gave out and threw the connecting rod end and cap through the block, disabling the car and blocking traffic in a busy industrial area of Kansas City, Kansas. The Corolla ended up sitting at my uncle's farm for two years until my family and I could do anything about the car. We ended up getting a used 2001 prism motor with 88,000 miles on it and swapping that motor for the blown one. Unfortunately, I knew the risk of buying a motor from a junk yard but the risk was also a double risk due to the engine's previous history. After two weeks and the motor was just being run under light load conditions and even with fresh motor oil and filter, the prism motor also developed a rod knock. The problem still exists and I have found other cars with the same motor having the same issues as my family had with our Corolla. This engine has shown to be unreliable and a potential accident waiting to happen.

- Savannah, MO, USA

2000 Toyota Corolla - oil consumption. I, like a number of other owners, have experienced what I consider high oil consumption. My mileage is approximately 62,000 miles. Carbon buildup occurs on valves resulting in loud rattling (detonation) under acceleration, especially between 2500 and 3500 RPM. Dealer said there should be an expected amount of oil consumption between changes but I am adding close to 2 quarts per change. Compression test was fine, one cylinder slightly higher in pressure. Dealer said this indicated a possible sticking ring. Suggested a GM combustion chamber cleaner made by ac delco to blow out the carbon. Tried it. It worked great for 3 months. The detonation is back along with the oil consumption. Owned a 1995 Corolla with ported and polished engine and it never used a drop between changes.

- Pickering, 00, USA

My Toyota Corolla 2000's timing belt "slipped" causing the malfunction lights to go on and the engine suddenly died on highway 17 in santa cruz. We managed to pull the car over to the shoulder of the mountainous road just in time to avoid an accident. We had our five year old son in the car!

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

Sudden increase in the rate of engine oil loss. At 120,000 km (~72,000 miles) the engine started burning oil at a rate in excess of 1 qt. Per 2,000 miles. Engine and car serviced at Toyota dealer per all scheduled service since the car was bought new (all oil changes on time per schedule). The rapid change from burning no oil between changes to burning a 4 quarts between scheduled changes remains unexplained. Investigating with dealer/service department for causes and remedies.

- Calgary, Ab, Canada, 00, USA

My Corolla started using excessive oil at about 60,000 miles. When I took it to our regular mechanic who see that the oil is changed at recommended times (I have the receipts) he could not determine why the engine was blowing oil out the back tailpipe and suggested that I take it to the local Toyota dealership. The Toyota dealership inspected the car, made copies of my receipts, took a picture of the oil on the back bumper, and told me it needed a new engine which was not covered under warranty. They said that Toyota had agreed to cover $600 of the $5400 new engine. They charged me $90 for the inspection. This is not acceptable, when Toyota clearly knows it is their defective engine, that this car should not have to have a new engine at 70,000 miles on a car that has had properly maintained maintenance. I refused to have an engine put in, we are just adding oil every day.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

Started burning oil at the rate of about 1 quart every 750 to 1000 miles right around 60K it currently has 68K, and I just realized it was a Toyota problem rather than a failure on the part of my mechanics to properly fill my oil level. I have just initiated interface with a Toyota dealer and we are monitoring oil usage.

- Louisville, KY, USA

It has been "pure hell". yes, they pulled a fast one on me, and I'm not happy right now. When I lost oil completely out of my engine the first time, I was told that they would repair the engine by rebuilding because of the oil sludge problem, and besides that, I was under the 60,000 miles warranty. The second time it was the rear end seal in the engine that they say was causing further oil leaks, that I paid for because I was over the 60,000 on the second return to Toyota. They originally charged me $850, but then said they would give me a break because they believe in customer satisfaction, they charged me $336. When they gave me the loaner, I thought it was covered too, but for 9 days I end up paying $330 for the rental. I sent a certified letter to the owner, but yet no response.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

The car was great until 01/22/03 when out of the blue it decided choking down, white and black smoke coming from the tailpipe. Toyota of hollywod (fl) the dealership swears it is from my failure to perform regular oil changes. I provided them with oil receipts from my licensed mechanic of 30+ years. They accused me of dummying up the receipts, in essence calling myself and my mechanic a liar. We met with factory reps on 01/29/03. They \\raided\\ my mechanics garage armed with cameras, demanding to see invoices -- old, new, numbered and numbered. Of course, my mechanic refused. They continue to refuse to put a new motor in my car even though they have determined the reason my motor blew is from \\sludge\\.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

Oil sludge in my 2000 Corolla at 60,135 miles on it. I have had regular oil changes with receipts to prove it. I took the vehicle to dealership the day after the oil pressure and check engine light came on at the same time. The dealership advised that nothing they can do but replace my engine but said it would not be covered under my warranty with almost 40,000 miles left on it. They also said there was nothing they can do for me to cover it since I didn't have my oil changed at their dealership and wanted to charge me $8,000 for a new engine. I had to have my engine replaced elsewhere for $2,500. There are many complaints on this problem and Toyota is refusing responsibility!

- Hauppauge, NY, USA