Five problems related to emission control have been reported for the 1999 Toyota Corolla. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine light comes on from time to time on its on due to failures of the charcoal canister/evaporative solenoids. The charcoal canister seems to be a common complaint. The car will run just fine (depending on the type of failure), but if you have emissions testing, the car will fail. Many Toyota owners seem to be having this similar trouble due to some flaw in the Toyota icu programming. If you search on the net for the similar problem, many links will show up. . Read more...
Evap cannister also called a charcol cannister failed at 67000miles on car. The engine check light kept comming on and now the car will not pass inspection. Dealer told her it was due to design flaw in evap cannister. Has not contacted manufacturer yet.
No accidents, all maintenance done as specified in manual. Check engine light on for several months. First time Toyota dealer said it was loose gas cap. Came back on. Next time they said it was charcoal canister (cost $736). Light returned. Now they say it is some valve and is going to cost another $700 -800 to fix.
Upon seeing the "check engine" light on I took my 1999 Toyota Corolla (50,200 miles) to a local Toyota dealership for diagnostics. The report indicated that the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The repair costs are almost $500 with labor. This part is not under warranty past 3 years and 30000 miles. Although this is not a safety issue, it is an environmental and fuel efficiency concern and I think that the company should include it in its extended warranty. I am trying to shop around for a cheaper estimate. I have performed all the recommended maintainence schedules and am concerned that this was not addressed during routine maintainence.
Purchased my car used on 2002. The car never had any problems until in January 2004, the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. This was at the same time the a/c system needing to be replaced. The a/c system was covered under an extended warranty, however the emission problems were not. I have had problems with the check engine light continually going on and off since this has been replaced. I have taken it back to be checked, the mechanic tells me there is nothing wrong with my car. However, the light continues to arise. The light stayed off for approximately 2-3 months and has now started its on and off again show. The research I have begun has opened my eyes to a whole new world of charcoal canisters being replaced as fast as people change underwear. This replacement cost about $467-/ with labor. As far as I can tell this is the going rate for this job. I am upset to see so many people in the same 'canister' as I and Toyota, with whom I love their cars, are not making any adjustments nor standing up to the plate to assist their consumers. I work in a consumer protection agency and know personally how people and businesses take advantage of one another. I ask Toyota to look into this problem thoroughly.