2003 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems
- 20
- 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 20 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
| 60–100k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
I have a 2003 toyota corolla 2003 4dr le, 80000 miles, i want to report coolant leak from engine area. I took the car to mechanics and toyota dealer, they determined that coolant leak due to bottom part of the engine is cracking, recommendations is replace the engine block, that will cost about $6000. Mechanics stated that when toyota made the mode of the engine, the mode does not make good. *tr
ODI 10383478
Engine
I'm not sure if this is a defect but i just want to file a comment i have with my vehicle. I have a 2003 toyota corolla s made in 7/2002. The thing i have experiencing and still am is that my vehicle will lurch when it comes to a stop and engine idle speed changes when the vehicle was stopped. I've never experience this with other cars i have driven. I also didn't know if this is a defect or not back then until i…
ODI 10307097
Engine · Exhaust System
I purchased a used 2003 corolla. Vehicle came with all service records and it had been well maintained. I also checked all fluids. Mileage was 133,065 at the time i purchased it. I thought this was good because toyotas are suppose to last forever, right? A week after i bought it i noticed a knocking in the engine. I checked the oil and it was out. I have to put 3-4 quarts of oil in my car every 7-8 days. It does not…
ODI 10314020
Engine
I own a 2003 toyota corolla le. Car started to make a ticking noise for a few days prior to a complete engine failure with less than 45,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10258796
Engine
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. *tr
ODI 10311214
Engine
I recently traded in a ford explorer on a 2003 toyota corolla.. 2 weeks after i bought the car the tensioner started to squeal and got worse progressively. At first i thought the belt was worn and got a new one,went to replace it and found that the bolt that holds the tensioner had snapped off due to the poor design of it. I was just notified by toyota that i had to buy the new(correctly )designed tensioner at an…
ODI 10243867
Axle Assembly · Engine
2003 toyota corolla purchased in 2002 was told today i need a brand new engine. My car has 102,000 not old at all well maintained got services when needed. No one can explain why my engine has gone bad. I just wonder how many other engines have gone bad this soon?? The last time something was wrong with my car it ended up being a recall a few months later had to have a rear axle replaced. *tr
ODI 10189428
Engine
I have a 2003 toyota corolla and i took it to the dealership for its 105,000 mile service. Part of the service was to replace the oil. I left the dealership after the service and the car was ok. I drove it for about 45 minutes. It sat for about 3 hours and when i left i drove it for about 30 minutes and then there was a loud clanking and banging from the engine. I had it towed to the dealership and they say i need a…
ODI 10189222
Engine
I have noticed that several others have complained about the rotten egg odor coming from the engine. I had taken the car in several times about this and was told to only buy shell gas, i had tried this and it doesn't work. I was then told that the car was built for high emission standards and since i live in texas, there is nothing that they can do about it. While i lived in california i did not experience the…
ODI 10157533
Engine
Dt: the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The consumer stated while driving the vehicle hesitated and white smoke came from the tail pipe during start up. The contact took vehicle to a local dealership. Upon inspection it was determined that there was sludge in the oil. The dealership did not service the vehicle because of the high cost. There was a program to extend the warranty on the engine for toyota camry…
ODI 10134741
Engine · Headlights · Manual Transmission
Transmission went out, according to repair shop was defect from company. Less than 115 miles later the engine goes. According to service manager and master technician, engine looked great and could find no problem until discovered the cylinder head was warped and was a "common problem" . Engine and transimission gone within 115 miles of each other.
ODI 10126176
Automatic Transmission · Engine
2003 toyota corolla experienced roll back.*mr while stopped at red light car suddenly rolled backward. The consumer put the brake down as hard as she could but the car kept rolling. The consumer had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. *bf *nm
ODI 10120438
Engine
Check engine light came on, caused by poorly fitting gas cap. Concerned about burned oil debris in new oil changed. *bf the consumer stated that one inch of the engine oil had been lost over 1800 miles enough that the engine could be completely out of oil over a 4000 mile period. *tc
ODI 10103334
Engine
When the brakes were applied, the vehicle would idled at a high rpm . The dealership and manufacture has been contacted. Technician was unable to determine the cause. Please provide any additional information. *nm *jb
ODI 10074385
Engine
My new '03 toyota corolla ce (17715 miles as of 01/19/04) has some serious defect that makes it stall. At least 5 times, from october 20, 2003 to january 22, 2004, we had to bring it to the dealership for the same problem. It already had to be towed twice, as it would sometimes stop in traffic, putting the lives of my family in danger. So far, none of the toyota dealership's technicians have ben able to find the…
ODI 10054871
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated in her vehicle. The dealer stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. A few hours later, the light illuminated again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and they stated that the sensor was bad and made the replacement. On the third occasion, they repaired a component related to the exhaust system because of…
ODI 10230822
Engine
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, AFTER IT WAS STARTED.*JB
Fire reported
ODI 10009104
Engine · Interior · Vehicle Speed Control
2003 toyota corolla surged, hitting brand new washer in garage, surged again, running up planter curb hitting tree. Taken to toyota dealer both times without success. Dealer said they could not duplicate scenario. Why so many people having same problem yet toyota saying there is nothing they can do? Also, have problem with vehicle dropping out of overdrive, rearview mirror problem with visor. So much for the saying;…
Crash reported
ODI 10061887
Engine
The vehicle became hesitant and did hold in idle, the manufacturer was aware that a problem existed with the new model engines.*jb
ODI 10008942
Catalytic Convertor · Engine
My 2003 corolla has a rotten egg smell, especially when i am stopped, and it has been going on since i got the car. The dealer said to change gas and it would probably wear off, but it hasn't and i have been reading on the internet that other people are complaining about this, so i'm not the only one. Also, when i am stopped, sometimes the corolla will surge forward. I read where someone else is having the same…
ODI 10018871