What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Toyota Corolla

Typical pattern

11.7% of complaints about the 2003 Toyota Corolla came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 10.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (331 complaints), typically at 12.3 yr or about 120,000 miles.

Complaints
771
Median age at failure
10.8 yr
Median mileage
90,000 n=417
Crash / fire / tow
18.3% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
331 reports · 120,000 mi
12.3 yr
18.7%
Engine cooling
80 reports · 29,919 mi
1.2 yr
2.5%
Power train
56 reports · 96,000 mi
7.5 yr
8.9%
Speed control
55 reports · 85,300 mi
7.2 yr
32.7%
Seat belts
37 reports · 109,000 mi
12.5 yr
10.8%
Electrical system
29 reports · 126,000 mi
11.3 yr
17.2%
Structure
28 reports · 45,000 mi
5.6 yr
17.9%
Visibility
22 reports · 80,000 mi
5.9 yr
13.6%
Service brakes, hydraulic
16 reports · 55,000 mi
4.0 yr
43.8%
Engine
16 reports · 158,000 mi
12.9 yr
31.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V741000 2019-10-17
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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 propella

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V627000 2019-08-28
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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.

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

18V883000 2018-12-12
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V286000 2015-05-13
Air bags

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,

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.

15V285000 2015-05-13
Air bags

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

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.

15V043000 2015-01-28
Air bags:frontal

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

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.

13V029000 2013-01-30
Air bags

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.

Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08V162000 2008-04-10
Visibility:glass, side/rear

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.

THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.

In owners’ own words

Engine cooling mileage not reported 1 mo in service
WHILE AT A STOP, WITH THE ENGINE IDLING,THE VEHICLE WILL MOMENTARILY SURGE FORWARD. DT
Engine cooling 2,000 mi 5 mo in service
STRONG SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAST. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS SAID IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED, AND BLAMES BAD GAS. DID SAY TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TESTED SEVERAL BRANDS AND GRADES OF GAS WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. DIRECTLY CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT CANNOT BE FIXED. SAID CAR COMPUTER IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY.
Engine cooling 8 mi 1 mo in service
THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT AND DID HOLD IN IDLE, THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE NEW MODEL ENGINES.*JB
Air bags 600 mi 1 mo in service crash / fire / tow
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BEING IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO STATED THAT DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND HAS DECLINED TO GIVE ANY SERVICE TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT HAS SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY ARE GIVING HIM THE RUN AROUND. TS

Other Corolla model years

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