2003 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems
- 14
- 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 14 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- check engine · 5 records
- engine light · 4 records
- light illuminated · 4 records
- failure mileage · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 8 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
P0446- evaporate system vent control circuit i was driving normally like any other day when i noticed the "check engine light" turned on. I went to a mechanic they told me that the vapor canistor had an issue but that, thats completely the car manufactures problem because the part# vc4079 is under lifetime warranty so it shouldn't be damaged.
ODI 11190106
Air Bags · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Takata recall i have submitted papers of numerous accidents and also engine and transmission failures my vehicle has given me. When i first obtained it, it had no struts nor do my air bags deploy when i get into vehicular accidents. I am unable to go to a dealership and get my vehicle checked but because it's non operating at the moment. I do however have open availability for a car inspection at my home if you guys…
Crash reported · 3 injuries
ODI 11074673
Engine
I was driving at a track event and my engine started to knock, my oil pressure light came on. I drove it back to my parking spot, loaded it on a friends trailer and got it home. I checked and topped off my oil before leaving but we found out it was due to oil starvation.
ODI 11058538
Electrical System · Engine
While driving the car, noticed bad smell. Stopped and came out from the vechicle and it started on fire from the engine compartment.
Fire reported
ODI 10850642
Air Bags · Engine
Catalytic converter failed and replaced by dealership under service campaign at 69,811 miles has now failed again at 152,000 miles. Toyota notified at they declined to provide repair again at there expense. I had a honda go 250,000 and never have a problem with the converter. There has to be an inherent problem in the one in my toyota corolla !! Also other recall on airbags they do not have parts to fix.
ODI 10780907
Air Bags · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. While driving 45 mph, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 15v043000 (air bags) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
ODI 10760033
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the temperature gauge went to hot and the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bolts for the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10748665
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Vehicle Speed Control
I experienced a stuck accelerator pedal in my 2003 corolla.i tried to kick the pedal loose and could not.i ended up grabbing the key and shutting the engine down to avoid losing control on the snow covered road and hitting traffic in front of me.i later determined that the throttle linkage had lost normal freedom of movement in the cold weather,even though i had cleaned the inside of the throttle body some months…
ODI 10670826
Engine
I was driving to go to school and i noticed my engine making a loud knocking sound. I took it to a mechanic and they told me that the engine is burning oil due a ring or rings torn up. One mechanics mentioned that he has had several corollas 2003 coming with the same problem and now i am stuck with a car that burns a lot of oil and the engine is in critical condition. *tr
ODI 10648690
Engine
I was driving my father's car. After driving car approx.14 miles home from a restaurant, i parked it in the carport. Less than 15 min later i heard an explosion and saw the car was filled with smoke and smoke was pouring out from under the hood. A closer inspection revealed the right front tire was blown and flames were seen underneath the engine compartment soon followed by flames coming out the topside of the…
Fire reported
ODI 10633699
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated the check engine light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who stated the check engine light illuminated due to a hole in the socket for the solenoid e. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the check engine light and they stated there was nothing they could do. The failure mileage was 200,000.
ODI 10520386
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure…
ODI 10522700
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
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Vehicle was hit on freeway and knocked up onto center dividing wall of freeway, approximately 2 days after purchase. The vehicle was twisted and unable to be driven. Insurance company refused to total vehicle and original factory replacement parts were denied. Aftermarket parts not related to vehicle were placed on vehicle including wrong steering, frame, wrong brakes, wrong everything, and many other fraudulent…
Crash reported
ODI 10617289