2003 Toyota Corolla Power Train Problems
- 27
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 27 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- manual transmission · 5 records
- grinding noise · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 12 |
| 60–100k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Service Brakes · Wheels
Rear wheel bearings failure (safety defect) -- 2003 toyota corolla. Excerpts from my e-mail to toyota motor sales, u.s.a. Inc. Follow: "the local toyota dealership has recently recommended replacing the rear hub axle bearings due to a humming noise, at a cost of over $1,000.00. This recommendation has floored me as this type of repair for a vehicle with only 90,000 miles does not seem to be consistent with the…
ODI 10990491
Power Train
Original transmission was replaced at 124,000 miles, and only 3 years later, and 25,000 miles later, it now needs another transmission. Not the dependability i was expecting. In both instances, the same thing occurred; although it went out on me a lot faster the second time around. I heard a grinding sound every time i accelerated, until it finally went out on me and locked up both times. The first time i was on a…
ODI 10714558
Power Train
I was stopped at a red light. When it turned green i started to accelerate and turn the transmission blew. Subsequently, i was read ended. I started to do research and found that the 2003 toyota corolla has excessive transmission issues. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10667591
Power Train
I was driving down freeway at 55mph and without any warning transmission made loud noise and then locked up, since car is front wheel drive i had no steering as front wheels locked up. Car then started to go into a spin, but i was able to fight the wheel and steer car to side of road. It was only by luck that there were no other cars or tractor trailers along side or in back of me, after all said and done with…
Crash reported
ODI 10659118
Power Train
I am the original owner of a 2003 toyota corolla s with a manual transmission. In november 2011, the bearings in my transmission failed on a long trip at just over 93,000 miles. The failure in the bearings destroyed the transmission and disabled my car on the freeway. I had it towed to an auto shop where i purchased a brand new transmission from the local toyota service center. It was installed, as well as a new…
ODI 10630748
Power Train
At just over 91000 miles my very well maintained 2003 corolla with a manual transmission had a complete transmission failure at highway speeds. While accelerating the transmission suddenly made a loud grinding noise followed by a "thud" and completely locked up on me. I ended up stuck on a busy highway with my two young boys in the back seat. In researching this problem i have found that it is a well documented…
ODI 10535913
Power Train
The c-59 five speed manual transmissions in the 2003 corolla model year, both corolla and matrix, are known to be prone to early bearing failure, due apparently to a faulty batch of bearings. I was driving on a freeway when i first heard bearing noise from my transmission. I took it to a transmission shop that confirmed the noise was from one or more bearings in the transmission and offered me a choice of replacing…
ODI 10544492
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 110,000. *tr
ODI 10503508
Power Train
Vehicle began making a grinding, chatter type noise. I took the vehicle to a private mechanic and found that the transmission has to be replaced. In looking for replacement transmission i found several complaints for the exact same issue. Many have had the transmission replaced only to have the issue resurface with the new/refurbished transmission. This would seem like a manufacturing flaw and could be very…
ODI 10481267
Power Train
Vehicle began making a grinding or chatter type noise when in any gear. Took the vehicle to private mechanic and found the issue to be the transmission. While looking for replacement transmission found a site where many other 2003 toyota corolla owners with manual transmission were having the same issues. All have had to have the transmissions replaced. This does not eliminate the issue as the replacement…
ODI 10481265
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
I was driving home from work when the transmission locked up. I pulled over turned the car off and back on. I managed to put the car in first gear and make it back home even though the transmission was making this loud grinding noise. I brought the car for repair and they tell me i need a new transmission. Just 6 weeks ago i had the clutch replaced. After investigating this issue i have learned this is a very common…
ODI 10451482
Power Train
2003 corolla s & manual transmission with under 90k miles. Driving at approximately 25 mph in third gear. Car began making a grinding noise and the car stopped completely in the middle of a busy [redacted] nearly causing an accident. It was still running, but couldn't get it to drive. Almost felt as if something was holding it back or stuck under the car. Had to manually move car to the side of the road. Car has not…
ODI 10443836
Power Train
While driving on the freeway, there was a sudden loud whine and loss of power. Since i was in the middle of nowhere, i continued down the road until i got to a service station. There, i checked all fluids, which were fine; i then continued on my way to an appointment with an eye specialist i had, and at that time i noticed the clutch was difficult to use. Once i had the appointment with the specialist, i had the car…
ODI 10444321
Power Train
I was driving on the freeway at about 60mph when the transmission failed. It felt like there was something stuck under the wheels of my car. I was able to pull off the road safely. It wouldn't go into any gear after that, but luckily, i was in neutral so it could be towed. The shop i took it to said this is a very common problem for the 2003 corollas with the 5-speed manual transmission. It cost me $3,700 for a new…
ODI 10436339
Power Train
After making some noise on the highway i pulled off the road to realize that i had no reverse gear in my corolla. It was difficult to get the car in first gear also. I limped my way to the mechanic who told me the next day that the transmission was completely broken. He said that a component came loose and destroyed the transmission further by interfering with other parts. He said that it would cost $3,800 to fix.…
ODI 10430561
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the driver was traveling approximately 55 mph when the vehicle would no longer shift gears. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and shut off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop where the driver was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
ODI 10429559
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
I was driving the car, a toyota corolla 2003 on july 12 and while driving it turn on the check engine light, next morning while driving the car in a highway the car turn off. I didn't have an accident because it was too early in the morning, after couple attempts the car turned on, i call a toyota place, where i do all maintenance of my cars, and after i called i went there so they can run a test. The result was…
ODI 10413223
Power Train
Car is a 5 speed and had an increasing "growl" in transmission in 2,3,and 5th gear. After research, this appears to be a common problem in 5 speed corolla's, matrix, and pontiac vibe which all use the c59 5 speed transmissions. Over $1000 to repair if caught early enough. This is/was my 5th toyota, and will be my last also!! *tr
ODI 10434876
Power Train
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 the transmission rebuilt in nov. 2010. I began hearing the same high-pitched whirring noise again…
ODI 10437272
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp illuminated and the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.
ODI 10451619
Power Train
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The driver stated while he was driving 30 mph and approached a red traffic light. The when she tried to accelerate the vehicle failed to move. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral and to coast to the nearest gas station. The driver also stated that failure caused her axle to break. A local mechanic stated that he has never seen anything like that before. The vin…
ODI 10313760
Power Train
Today, as i was very slowly pulling into my parking spot at work , it felt like a "jet" engine took off and my car accelerated into the building. I was stuck on cement parking borders and the wheels were spining. I did not have any control over this. I do have witneses to his.the care was towed to toyota. *cn
Crash reported
ODI 10302650
Power Train
I was driving and heard loud noise. Pull into a gas station and called husband. When he got to me he tried to put car in reverse and it just made a grinding noise. It wouldn't do anything. I had the transmission rebuilt. Now just 3 years later june 4, 2012 i was driving and heard same noise. I got home turned off car and when tried to put car in reverse it just made a grinding noise and wouldn't move. *js
ODI 10462217
Engine · Power Train
In 9/2007 the transmission and clutch went out on my manual 2003 corolla. Conveniently, it was beyond the warranty period. I spent a significant amount of $ repairing. Again, in march 2015 the transmission and clutch are going out on my manual vehicle. After researching, i found numerous owners experiencing the same problems. There is a serious defect in the 2003 manual corolla that was apparently fixed in the 2004…
ODI 10702154
Power Train
Car accelerated when breaking to a stop and while stopped. The event happened 4 times in one day and 1 time recently. The dealer could not find a problem with it and had never heard of such a problem.
ODI 10060875