6.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,872 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Toyota Corolla:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #7

Jun 202011

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Toyota Corolla. Consumer states problems with vehicle accelerating. 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. Updated 08/10/11. The dealership maintained the problem was the driver side floor mat and driver error. Updated 08/23/11. Updated 09/29/11. Upated 10/11/11.

- Slayton, MN, USA

problem #6

Nov 162009

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,056 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While attempting to exit a freeway at 50 mph the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floor. After repeated brake application the vehicle would not stop. After she shifted the vehicle into park, the vehicle reset itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the technician could not identify the cause of the failure. He was waiting for a response from the manager of the dealership. The failure mileage was 40,056. The consumer stated she experienced the problem again in December 2009. Updated evoq 03/25/11

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 202003

Corolla

  • miles
While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle failed to accelerate. Consumer applied the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 092004

(reported on)

Corolla

  • 8,550 miles
Consumer complained about an intermittent acceleration problem. Vehicle did not stop when applying the brakes. Consumer had to turn off the ignition for the vehicle to stop. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and dealer was unable to duplicate or resolve the problem.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jan 222004

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,500 miles
My 2003 Toyota Corolla experienced a sudden acceleration problem twice. The local Toyota dealer and Toyota's field technical specialist refused to believe the car would have accelerated by itself unless I had pressed the accelerator. No way!!!! they said it was impossible for the car to have picked up self-acceleration. They were unable to pinpoint any problem. This is a very dangerous situation! I was lucky nobody was hurt or killed.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

problem #2

Sep 022003

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
When the vehicle came to a complete stop, the accelerator pedal became stuck in the idle position. The dealer inspected the vehicle three times and was unable to duplicate or correct the problem.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #1

Dec 242002

Corolla

  • miles
Consumer stated that when trying to accelerate the pedal will stick in the idle position causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified.

- Helendale, CA, USA