10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
45 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
46 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,069 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.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Aug 202013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 190,000 miles
I received a recall on my airbags a few months back. I took it to dealership last week and was told that there were two parts recalled. The dealership fixed those but then told me that my airbag light will stay on because I also need a new spiral cord which is not recalled. They wanted $500 bucks! after reading multiple complaints for the same thing, I am outraged that people have been hurt over this issue. The airbag either won't go off when needed, or it can deploy at any given moment. As you can imagine, I am terrified to drive my car knowing that it could go off at any moment. I feel like its a ticking time bomb. I have always raved about Toyota and what great cars they have and that I would never drive anything else. After calling the customer care line, I soon realized that they don't care at all. The rep was rude, and basically said that there was nothing she could do. This is a safety issue and can hurt people! I will never purchase another Toyota again..and I have informed my family that if I die in an accident from this issue, that they go full force after Toyota. They don't care for the owners well being. I am not the first to complain about this and won't be the last. Lets pray nothing happens to me or anyone else.

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #31

May 082013

Corolla

  • 8,641 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 3V133000 (air bags); however the remedy part remained unavailable. On a separate occasion, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly when the gear was shifted into reverse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 8,641.

- Sunny Asles Beach , FL, USA

problem #30

Jun 262013

Corolla

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla le. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 13V133000 (air bags), however the part needed to complete the service was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified and they were unable to provide an expected date for the remedy part to become available. The contact had not experience a failure.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

problem #29

Jul 072013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
I was notified three months ago that there was a problem with the air bag system in my 2003 Toyota Corolla. I was told the air bag would not deploy in an accident. I immediately brought the car to the Toyota dealership. The dealership stated the part to correct the problem was not available. They would notify me when the part came in. I have since called the dealership several times with no success and months have passed. Although the problem is serious and could be fatal to the individual driving the car there seems to be little concern from Toyota. There is no justification that months have passed and the problem cannot been corrected. The problem is dangerous and should have been given immediate attention. How long must a owner wait until they can safely drive their car?

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #28

Apr 152013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 8,505,242 miles
I own a 2003 Corolla and took the car in for an air bag safety recall on 4/15/13 and still do not have my car. I have been offered no assurances that my vehicle will run the same as when I dropped it off for the recall. I am concerned that with the car's age and the fact that it has been sitting at the dealership for over 11 weeks now that my car will not run as well as it did prior to me taking it in for the recall over 11 weeks ago. I need to know what recourse I have if I have problems related to the car not being driven for over 11 weeks are apparent when and if I ever receive my car back. Is Toyota allowed to just keep my car indefinitely" how long can they hold my car without some type of compensation"

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #27

May 212013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 60,832 miles
June 22, 2013 supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control module (ECM) safety recall. On May 21, 2013, I took the car in to the Toyota dealership to have the safety issue addressed. The assistant manager said they needed to order the part and that it would take 2 weeks. It is now near 5 weeks. I have been in contact with the dealership at least 3 times. At the 13 day mark, I inquired about the availability of the part and they said the part had not arrived. A few days later, they sent me a customer response survey by E-mail. The following week I called inquiring about the part, and the dealership said they would call back. As of today, I have not heard from them regarding anything related to the safety recall notice. The dealership's only attempt to contact me was for a customer survey, and that had nothing to do with the recall. All my inquiries to address the safety issue have been met with indifference by the dealership.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #26

Oct 232010

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the driver crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained neck, back, arm and facial injuries, and was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed from the impact and towed from the scene. The manufacturer was contacted notified of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 100,000.

- Amberson , PA, USA

problem #25

Jun 202013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 100,065 miles
I received a notice from Toyota several months ago about an urgent safety recall regarding my airbags running the risk of not deploying during impact. They said that another letter would follow that would instruct me when and where to fix the problem. Today, June 20th, I received the "second" notice they promised which now says they will send "a second owner notification letter when the remedy is available." I feel that my safety is at risk and they have had ample time to rectify the problem while I am at risk of my bags not deploying should I be involved in an accident. I purchased this vehicle brand new and I take very good care of it but I am scared. Please advise and look into this matter.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 122013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
This is the third recall noticed I have received from Toyota. The first one, which was approximately 2 yrs ago for the windows, the second approximately 3 months ago for brake peddle, and the most recent (safety recall notice - interim notice, June 2013. This is very disturbing in that I purchased the car new in late 2002. How many times is this vehicle going to be recalled" at what point will Toyota make some sort of accommodation for the inconvenience and worry" please note, I have not had an incident with these issues. However, I could not submit form without entering a date.

- Montclair, NJ, USA

problem #23

Apr 262013

Corolla

  • 140,000 miles
I was issued a recall on this vehicle. I made an appointment to have the safety issue resolved. My vehicle was dropped off at the dealer approximately six weeks ago and I am being told that the dealer has no idea when the part will be available. This is unacceptable. When will Toyota have the parts needed to address this safety issue? a recall should not be issued if the replacement parts are not available.

- Putnam Valley, NY, USA

problem #22

Jun 032013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to unsatisfactory service at dealership service department for recall notice. The consumer made an appointment to have the recall done. However, after waiting over an hour, she was informed the part had to be ordered. Eight weeks later, the part still had not arrived. The consumer was informed the part was on back order. The consumer also stated the seat belt light has been on for years, and the dealer told her not to worry about it.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #21

Apr 132013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 135,161 miles
Toyota recalled the vehicle to replace a defective harness on air bag system. We brought the vehicle in to a Toyota dealership to have this work done. Less than four weeks later, the air bag light starting staying on all the time indicating that the air bag is disabled; this condition makes the car dangerous to drive. We brought the vehicle back to the dealership. We were told that we would have to pay approximately $550 to replace the spiral cable. Prior to having the recall work done, there was never any problem with the airbag or the airbag lights. The spiral cable issue is a safety issue and should be dealt with by Toyota at least under circumstances when it is related to the other airbag recalls.

- Glenview, IL, USA

problem #20

Feb 192013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving 70 mph and attempted to avoid debris from another vehicle when he crashed into a median barrier. The vehicle was destroyed. The air bags did not deploy and there were no injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the crash. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Tallahasse, FL, USA

problem #19

Apr 052013

Corolla

  • miles
I received a recall on airbags problem the first week ok April 2013. I went with the car to West kendall Toyota 13800 sw 136th St, miami, fl 33186 that first Saturday and they told me that the car had problems on the airbags computer and system. I have called since April 6 2013 five times (April 13, April 16, April 23, May 3, May 13) and they always say that the replacement part has not arrived and they have 180 recalls on list. That means.. how many months do I have to wait to be attended? if I have a car accident (god bless me and my family) what about the airbags" how can Toyota send "urgent" recalls and they dont have the replacement parts in stock" I thought Toyota and their dealers were more serious on their job.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #18

Apr 012013

Corolla

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that she attempted to have her vehicle serviced via NHTSA campaign id number: 13V133000 (air bags) but the part needed to complete the repair was on backorder. The contact also stated that it had been 6 weeks since the vehicle was initially taken in for service per the recall. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The current mileage was 235,000. The VIN was not available. Returned by usps on 6/3/2013. 2nd attempt on 6/11/2013 failed.

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #17

May 032013

Corolla

  • 119,000 miles
Wrecked my 2003 Toyota Corolla into a light pole. The speed was about 35 mph. Front end of the vehicle was smashed in and the car was totaled, the air bags did not deploy. With the amount of front end damage done to the vehicle the airbags should have opened, my 9 year old son has marks on his neck and is very sore from the impact of the seatbelts.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #16

Mar 232013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
I received the recall notice and took the car to 355 Toyota in gaithersburg, md on March 23, 2013. Up to now, they still don't have parts and don't know when it will be available. How can one issue recall without having the necessary material?

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #15

Apr 112013

Corolla

  • 67,311 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, he fell unconscious and crashed into a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained four fractured ribs and a fractured sternum. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 67,311.

- Oakland Garden, NY, USA

problem #14

Apr 012013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to electronic control module for the supplemental restraint system recall notice. The consumer stated there were no dealers on the island where she lived. The consumer stated the last time she received a recall notice, she paid out of pocket for the repairs, but when she submitted the paperwork for reimbursement, she was denied. Toyota would not honor the work performed by the establishment. The consumer was informed, the part was not available to complete the air bag recall. Updated 03/25/15.

- Ketchikan, AK, USA

problem #13

Apr 042013

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Took my car into Toyota dealer jim coleman Toyota - because of the 2003 supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control module (ECM) safety recall notice that I received 2 weeks ago, made an appointment 2 days ago with the dealer for this recall - said to come in today at 2:00 pm for the repair. One hour and 45 minutes later - fix was not completed because they said that Toyota corporation only allows for 12 sub-wire harness (filters) to be installed each day at each dealer through out the United States of America. They did not that the part and told me at the beginning of the service that they didn't have the part - but still needed to check my car to see if it needed to be repaired. They will have the part tomorrow and will fix tomorrow - hopefully. So my complaint is why does Toyota not send the parts to the dealers to fix this safety recall and what will the NHTSA do about this problem with no parts from Toyota to fix the problem - only 12 per day per dealer" also I don't no if this is related but the passenger door lock doesn't work - when it rains it might or not work - problem occurred in 2005 and until this day - right after warranty ended on the car? like an electrical short in the right passenger door - not sure if it is related"

- Kensington, MD, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »