general problems of the 2003 Toyota Corolla

22 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2003 Toyota Corolla. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Toyota Corolla based on all problems reported for the 2003 Corolla.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/22/2021

My car is accelerating when my foot is off of the pedal and when in park, it is revving like I am pressing down on the gas pedal. I put it in reverse to test it to make sure I was experiencing what I just thought had happened. As soon as I put the gear in reverse, and released my foot from the break, the car spead down my driveway. I breaked, put gear in drive, and when I released my foot from the break pedal, again it sped up almost crashing into my house. When I put the car in park, the engine became louder as if I was pressing down on the gas pedal. I checked the pedals below. The rug or nothing else was near the pedal, as can happen at times. This morning I tested it out again on my way to work. It was a repeat of yesterday. The car is speeding up without me putting my foot on the drive pedal, by me simply lifting my foot of of the break. And when I park, it gets loud as if I am pressing on the gas pedal. This is very dangerous and I am afraid to drive my car until I can get it to a mechanic.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/11/2016

I've tried to report both items to tysons Toyota in the past. The driver side window has "exploded" in, once while I was in the car. I'm on my third window and it rattles when the window is partially open. I fear another explosion. Second, the paint on this blue car has rusted and peeled on the roof and trunk. When I googled the year, make, model, and color, there are thousands of 2003-04 cars experiencing the same defect. Despite being an older car, there are many still on the road. Toyota claims there was no problem. However, with so many occurances, one would think Toyota would look into the quality of blue paint used. It would cost over $900 just to have the roof and trunk repaired and repainted. The side back panels are now beginning to rust. I saw where sequoia white suvs were afforded free repainting because of a similar issue. (if someone can afford a sequoia, they could probably afford to get their cars repainted!).

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/11/2016

My smog light keeps going on even after I have it repaired. I know someone who has the same exact car that I have and she got the recall on the ecm and they replaced it and she did not have to replace the catalytic converter to pass the CA smog. I replaced it already and it is super expensive. . . 1,600!! last year I had my car service for the check engine light and it cost me 1,000. Afterwards the check engine light went on again. They are saying I have to have the catalytic converter replaced again. I feel this is unfair if my friend had that control module replaced and no longer had the check engine light problem like I am having. I believe it could be the mechanism is faulty. It is hard to believe I have to replace the catalytic converter all over again. I did not drive that many miles. Plus in CA they said they would give us money towards the repair but it was very difficult and I was led to believe I could get 500 plus 800 so I thought I would be paying the balance after 1300 which would have still been 300 plus but I was only able to get 500 towards the repair so I still had to pay 1,100! it really bothers me because my friend who has the same make and model had the same problem with the check engine light going on and they recalled it and replaced it she has never had to replace her catalytic converter yet but I am now having to do it twice! she has high mileage perhaps more than I have. Please look into this for me.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/18/2016

While driving the car, noticed bad smell. Stopped and came out from the vechicle and it started on fire from the engine compartment.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/15/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while park the vehicles engine burst into flames. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated the day prior to the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000. Ec.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/14/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 47 mph, another vehicle made a left turn in front of him and while depressing the brake the vehicle crashed into her vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back injuries which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 209,000. Ed.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/27/2015

Tl - the contact owns a 2003 Toyota coroolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 15v043000 (ecu) and 15v285000 (srs) the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure. The failure mileage 120000. Am.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/11/2015

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v403000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed was not available. The contact believed that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/27/2015

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number:15v043000 (electronic control unit) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2015

This form required I enter an incident date . There has been no incident. I entered the incident date of the date of my recall notification. After 6 months and several telephone calls to my dealer, Toyota has still not corrected the issues addressed in their recall notification. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ safety recall NHTSA #15v043. Manuf. Recall #d3b recall date Jan. 27 2015. I received the recall letter from Toyota in approx Feb 2015( I am medically disabled) and then called in Feb 2015 my local stadium Toyota to schedule the recall maintenance. Always they have been exceedingly courteous and competent when I've used them for oil changes and another recall service. They took my name/tele number and said they will call me back when the specific parts come in . . . . . . Which is generally what the letter does say. (". . We will send another notification once preparations are complete") I called back stadium Toyota may 18 2015. They said they"will call me to schedule. . . . I called back again June 22 2105. They said they"will call me to schedule. . . . I was called by a gal from stadium Toyota do general maintenance the week of July 23 2015 & told her I was only interested in this particular recall issue. ( I service my car elsewhere because,unfortunately, stadium is too expensive for my ssdi budget) she told me she would have the service department call me concerning this issue. July 27,2015, I did try to leave a complaint via the telephone complaint number but hung up after "heavy volume" . Now I am leaving this complaint on your intranet. I did verify that this particular recall is the only open recall for my vehicle. What a great web site this is !!!.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/19/2014

Vehicle mileage does not match carfax report. Likely odometer tampering.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2014

I have received 3 safety recalled notices applied to my car. On January, 2014 I went to a local Toyota dealer. They took my information, but did not give me an appointment because of not a computer system. They told me they would call back. I called them 10 times and they never had computer system or people to receive my calls. I called Toyota puerto rico, I gave my phone number and a short description of my problem. I never received a call back. On July, 2014, I visited another Toyota dealer with the same result: no massage nor call back. There is enough time and opportunities to fulfill with this car recall, the reason to submit respectfully this complaint.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/26/2013

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of nhsta campaign number :15v043000(electrical system)15v286000(air bags)however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vehicle had not experienced any type of failure. Kh.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/25/2013

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the contact noticed a burning smell emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2013

Took my car into Toyota dealer jim coleman Toyota - because of the 2003 supplemental restraint system (srs) electronic control module (ecm) safety recall notice that I received 2 weeks ago, made an appointment 2 days ago with the dealer for this recall - said to come in today at 2:00 pm for the repair. One hour and 45 minutes later - fix was not completed because they said that Toyota corporation only allows for 12 sub-wire harness (filters) to be installed each day at each dealer through out the united states of America. They did not that the part and told me at the beginning of the service that they didn't have the part - but still needed to check my car to see if it needed to be repaired. They will have the part tomorrow and will fix tomorrow - hopefully. So my complaint is why does Toyota not send the parts to the dealers to fix this safety recall and what will the NHTSA do about this problem with no parts from Toyota to fix the problem - only 12 per day per dealer? also I don't no if this is related but the passenger door lock doesn't work - when it rains it might or not work - problem occurred in 2005 and until this day - right after warranty ended on the car? like an electrical short in the right passenger door - not sure if it is related?.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/19/2013

Was driving 20mph on a side street with my toddler in the car when I smelt strong electrical fire. Window switch got stuck on driver side window and instead of blowing fuse my door caught on fire. Called the dealership etc and they wouldn't do anything about what happened because no recall for my year. Just received a recall letter today. Two months after! this is my second recall on this car and I'm not sure how much longer I can handle this. I will never own a Toyota again. Fyi the first recall was for electrical problems in my driver side door so they replaced the entire door panel parts etc but obviously didn't fix the problem.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/17/2011

1. Electrical: driver & passenger side electric windows would not roll up after rolling them down. Drivers side window button was not broke. . . & physically worked when pushed down or pulled up but did not roll the window up. Passenger side window button actually broke/caved in when pushed to roll window down. Once rolled down. . . It would not roll up. 2. Unknown or other: air conditioner barely blows any air out of vents. When set on "highest fan option". . . U can hear it working & can feel cool air but u have to have your face 2 inches in front of vent to feel it. 3. Seat belts: passenger side seat belt will not click/lock into locking device to keep seatbelt on. Don't know of anything breaking it. . . Just wouldn't "click" into locking device one day.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2009

2003 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes regarding filing complaint with Toyota corporation for headlights melting and entire assembly needing to be replaced the consumer stated the driver and passenger side door would not unlock when she tried to use the remote. The dealer had to dismantle the door panel and install a new lock device. The transmission had to be replaced due to faulty work on the part of Toyota. The driver and passenger headlights continued to go out, until finally, the consumer had to pay to have the entire electrical portion of the headlights replaced.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2009

I was driving along the interstate at about 60-65 miles per hour when the engine suddenly turned off: all indicators in the dashboard turned off/went to zero and there was no way of accelerating. I had to somehow pull over to avoid an accident. When finally on the side lane the engine just turned back on. . Read more...

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2008

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the entire instrument panel illuminated. In addition, the dome light would not function. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The manufacturer issued a voluntary recall related to the electrical system. The technician advised that the vehicle be taken to the location where the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000. Kmj.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2007

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) purchased 2003, Toyota, Corolla, VIN: [xxx] with daughter. Veh was purchased from Toyota of orange in CA. Two days later a hit and run driver forced veh to skid across five lanes on interstate 10 in ontario, CA, and landed atop center divider. The vehicle was sent to repair shop and "repaired" after approximately 5-8 months. However, the car was never properly repaired, and I complained to both Toyota , and to the insurance company, allstate, but Toyota adamantly stated the veh was without problems. The car was continually in the shop for the brakes. Eventually the carpet caused the accelerator to become stuck and the car went out of control. I was forced to reach down while the car moving and pull the carpet with both hands to release the accelerator. Stepping on the brakes did not help. Neither Toyota repair nor allstate would help resolve our complaints since 2003, we were simply told that the veh was fine. Additionally I believe the frame is bent, lack of interlocking brakes causing skids, brakes are soft and drop to floor, and poor steering column. This car is dangerous and is impossible to drive without involving near miss accident episodes. The car skids if going as little as 5-10 miles per hour. I offered to give the car away to anyone who was willing to investigate my complaints, all to no avail. I just recently learned that one of the problems I heard in the brand new car was a hole in the exhaust system. Toyota continually denied this for 5-6 years, then by accident a very young newly employed staff at Toyota of orange, informed us that our complaint about loud air sounding noise was a hole in the exhaust, which had been continually making the noise, and burning of eyes (migraines). The brakes were repaired every 2-4 months or less until I just reported less frequently. The car is now no longer under warranty. Currently it needs some brakes, rotors, drums, calipers, and shocks as always.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/21/2002

Intermittently while driving, without warning the interior lights including the dashboard panel lights goes out. The dealership has serviced the vehcile but they cannot find the problem. Please provide more details. Ts.



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