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2003 Toyota Corolla Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 720 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Corolla, most often about the air bags (46% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota Corolla problems
Air bags
332 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While the contact was driving approximately 5 MPH, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed inadvertently. There was no personal injury. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to detect the cause of failure and the…
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…
Engine
108 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
Automatic tensioner failed. Bearing makes terrible squeaking sound when cold. Getting worse as months go by. Also worse in cold, wet weather. Brought car to dealer. They said it's not covered in basic warranty. Didn't get extended warranty. Is this right? Seems like a defective part. Seems like it should be covered…
2003 Toyota Corolla le, 48,000 miles, engine seized due to lack of oil circulation in the engine block. Result was a complete engine replacement. The vehicle has always been well maintained and the oil changed at regular intervals.
Speed control
77 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While slowing down at a traffic light, the engine suddenly revved and accelerated through the intersection. The contact immediately turned the vehicle off and restarted it; the engine reset itself. The contact called the dealership and was told that the mats were probably the…
I had unintended acceleration on Toyota Corolla 2003 le model. This problem happened to me two times during one year of 30,000 miles drive. I suspected the cruise control system was the cause of the problem.
Transmission
61 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly, axle hubs.
One year ago my 2003 Toyota Corolla began to make a high-pitched whirring noise when the transmission was engaged. The sound continued to become louder until while driving down the street my car began to make a crunching noise. After I pulled to the side of the road I was unable to put the car back into gear. I had…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the rear hub assembly on her vehicle was defective. She heard a buzzing or humming noise while driving 35 MPH. The dealer stated that the rear hub assembly near the rear axle was the cause of the noise. She discovered NHTSA campaign id number 02v074001…
Seat belts
38 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
I was stopped at a traffic light when the for no apparent reason the seatbelt pretensioners deployed. The car was returned about one year before to the dealer for a recall to address a problem with the airbag control module that, if not corrected, could cause the airbag and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy. The…
1. 2003 Toyota Corolla le seatbelt started to have problems inserting into the lock at 90k miles or my 6th year of ownership. Not sure what caused it 2. Occurs almost every time 3. Nothing had been done, cause out of warranty.
Electrical
34 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
I have received 3 safety recalled notices applied to my car. On january, 2014 I went to a local Toyota dealer. They took my information, but did not give me an appointment because of not a computer system. They told me they would call back. I called them 10 times and they never had computer system or people to receive…
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v043000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a…
Visibility and wipers
32 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: glass, side/rear, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, windshield.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 70 MPH on normal road conditions, the front driver's side power window was activated. Suddenly, the glass shattered while the window was in operation. There were no prior warnings or injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While parked, the contact noticed that the front passenger side window could not be closed. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure…
Brakes
31 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, pedals and linkages.
Engine replaced at 55874 mls dealership said "vehicle was not mantained". Even though oil was changed every 55 to 7500 mls. 3 weeks later while driving on hwy car suddenly started accelerating on its own, when I tried to slow it down the brakes did not work. After about 5 miles & 3 near collisions I was able to get…
When I was driving the vehicle it started to make a rumbling and rattling sound in the rear of the vehicle. I notified Toyota corporation and they flat out refused to assist me or offer any "good faith" measure or any service whatever to assist me with the defect. The rear passenger wheel bearing hub assembly was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Corolla recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are k1q and k0q. Pontiac owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Gm's number for this recall is n192273760.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 corolla, 2005-2008 corolla matrix, and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will notify the pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 23, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are j0a (zone a toyota), j0b (zone b toyota), j0c (zone c toyota), jli (zone
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 lexus sc and toyota sequoia, 2003-2005 toyota corolla and tundra, and 2003-2007 pontiac vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on july 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-312 in its entirety.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 sequoia vehicles manufactured august 18, 2003, to august 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 tundra vehicles manufactured march 18, 2003, to august 25, 2004. On june 16, 2015, toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been ins
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on july 13, 2015. Pontiac vibe owners may contact gm at 1-800-762-2737. Gm began the recall on june 29, 2015. Note: this recacl
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 lexus sc, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, sequoia, and pontiac vibe, and 2005-2006 toyota tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, along the gulf coast, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On june 16, 2015 toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 lexus sc, toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix, toyota corolla, pontiac vibe, and toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the may 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessit
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on august 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Gm issued an interim notification to owners on march 27, 2015. The recall began on august 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. Note: this recall supersedes recalls 13v-029 and 14v-147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 toyota corolla vehicles manufactured december 28, 2001, to may 2, 2004, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix vehicles manufactured january 6, 2002, to april 29, 2004, 2003-2004 avalon vehicles manufactured june 5, 2002, to december 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 pontiac vibe vehicles manufactured january 18, 2002, to april 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Air bags
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and general motors will re-notify theirs. Dealers previously installed a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness, free of charge. Dealers will replace the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on march 13, 2013. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for second notices. For more information, toyota owners may call 1-800-331-4331 and pontiac owners may
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 pontiac vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. This could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Visibility and wipers: glass, side/rear
Risk: The door glass may separate from the window regulator, bind and shatter during operation of the power windows, causing driver distraction and/or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger door glass bolts with newly designed bolts free of charge. The recall began on april 16, 2008 to toyota owners. The recall began on may 21, 2008, for pontiac owners. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling 662,178 my 2003-2004 corolla, corolla matrix and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with power windows. The driver and front passenger door glass bolts may loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator. Due to the components becoming loose and possibly rattling, an abnormal noise may be heard from the driver and /or front passenger door when operating the power windows.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: If the vehicle is operated in this condition, one or more of the four bolts could come loose, causing an abnormal noise from the rear axle area. In the event that all four bolts loosen completely, separation of the rear brake and hub assembly from the rear axle carrier could occur, which could lead to a loss of vehicle control.
Fix: Dealers will properly tighten the bolts. Owner notification began march 21, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
On passenger vehicles with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) starting with 1nx only and built from january 8 through february 13, 2002, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be loose due to insufficient tightening during the assembly process.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Side front power window shatters
Summary
For the subject vehicles, there is a possibility that the retention force of the regulator bolts which attach the front side window glass to the power window regulator may not be sufficient due to an interference of the retention nut and the bolt shoulder radius.in this condition the bolt may become loose, causing a loud noise to be generated when the window is raised or lowered.if the vehicle and the power window are continuously operated in this condition, the bolt may completely separate, causing the glass to become misaligned, and in the worse case, the glass may shatter during operation of the power window.general motors corporation (gm) and toyota north america, inc. (toyota) will cond
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Corolla
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (332 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); engine (108 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles); speed control (77 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Corolla have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Corolla?
- It is 6th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints, with 720 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.