general problems of the 2003 Toyota Corolla - part 1

My mother got in the car and as soon as the car was put on drive, the car accelerated to its max potential, but when she attempted to hit the brakes they did not respond. So max acceleration, on its own, and brakes did not work. She ended up in the hospital for 9 days suffering a broken rib, front teeth missing, they had to sew her tongue back together, both cheeks shattered, broken clavicle and she has a hole right under the back of her skull. Miraculously, after she flipped to the side and took out two trees, the third tree flipped her back to right side up, and stopped the vehicle completely.

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.

I was driving along the street when I got hit by a car traveling opposite direction, person hit ne on a green light but besudes that my syspension brakes and tires not sitting right, I also I hear chains the car doesnt drive straight and car seems lopsided when driven and breaks squeel.

I was parking at about 3 mph, took my foot off the accelerator pedal and pressed down on the brake pedal to slowly ease the car to a stop at the parking spot. The vehicle jolted forward and accelerated. I hit a pole and the vehicle sustained terrible frontend damage. I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and it is over 188,000 miles.

My 2003 Toyota corrola (odometer reading approx. 230,000 miles) never had this problem till this year around March when my wife noticed that the car suddenly accelarated and she couldn't reduce the speed by braking. Fortunately there was no accident, and the problem went away suddnely as it came. This thing happened twice afterwards the car was taken to sears auto center, natick, MA and they cleaned a dirty throttle. The problem went away till three days ago the problem came back. I was driving this time in broad daylight with medium traffic. Suddenly the car started accelarating and I couldn't reduce accelaration by braking. I cleared the floor mat area in case there was any blockage. But there was none, and the car kept on accelarating. It scared the wits out of me, and I had to stop the car by moving the gear to 'park'. I intend to take the car back to sears auto. But, it may be a chronic problem of 'sudden accelaration and failure to brake' with many Toyota automobiles.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated quickly without warning. The failure recurred two times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,500. Sg.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While reversing at 3 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While reversing at 3 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available.

2003 Toyota Corolla. Consumer states problems with vehicle accelerating. The consumer stated she was traveling at the posted speed limit, when the sign ahead indicated to reduce speed ahead. The consumer reduced her speed to the posted limit by pressing down on the brake. As she attempted to brake, the vehicle continued to increase in speed and a loud noise was present. The consumer stated she continued to press harder on the brake and she could feel the abs activating. The abs sounded like a high pitched noise and pulsating very fast. The consumer finally came to a complete stop, before going through an intersection. However, the engine was emitting a loud roaring sound. The consumer shifted the gear from drive 1 to drive 2 and the vehicle shuddered. She tried to shift to park, but as she got to reverse the vehicle tried to buck, so she put the gear in neutral and turned off the vehicle. Updated 08/10/11. The dealership maintained the problem was the driver side floor mat and driver error. Updated 08/23/11.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving 5 mph and attempting to park when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into the cinder block wall, knocking a hole into the cinder block. The vehicle crashed into the wall with such force that is also caused a portion of the cinder block to shoot through a neighboring wood fence, fracturing the fence. The vehicle sustained moderate damages to the front end. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle was not repaired and the incident was reported to the manufacturer. The approximate failure and current mileage was 94,000.

While attempting to park in a mall parking lot at a lot speed, the engine accelerated without using the gas pedal. This occurred twice within a span of 30 minutes. I was able to apply the foot brake, emergency brake and shift the vehicle into park without incident. Then I turned the car off. I then started the car after shutting it down and the car ran normally.

I own a 2003 Toyota Corolla s manual that for the first time in 9 years has accelerated uncontrollably. I started the car and put it in the first gear and it drove normally, but when pushed on the clutch switching to the second gear the rpm went up high above 4000. I made sure that I wasn't pushing on the accelerator. I checked if the floor mat was in contact with the accelerator but it wasn't. I put it in neutral and tried to diagnose the problem but the rpm was going very high and more than normal . So I turned the car off and restarted and everything was fine and the rpm went back to normal . Noticing that this is the only time has happened I would like to inform Toyota about the problem not asking for anything at this moment but if I the issue is still persisting they might have to look closely to the issue. Because my car has a manual transmission, I have more control on the car than an automatic transmission( option on pushing on the clutch) and disengage the engine from the transmission faster, I have less risk in being involved in and accident unless I need to suddenly stop. Thank you for your concern.

My car accelerated by itself while I was driving in a rotary and resulted in a head on collision with a guard rail. It continued to accelerate even after it hit the first guard rail and caused me to hit a second guard rail. This crash resulted in injuries and completely totaled my 2005 Toyota Corolla. I filed a complaint with Toyota as well as an accident report with the police department and the massachusetts rmv and insurance company.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla . While driving approximately 5 mph out of a parking space his vehicle accelerated into a pole and damaged his vehicle. The license plate also came off. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven to his residence; however, the failure occurred three times. A claim was also filed with Toyota. The failure mileage was 181,000.

Was driving my 2003 Toyota Corolla last night and when I took my foot off of the gas pedal the car just started accelerating on its own - it did it 2 or 3 times when I pulled over and shut the car off.

In November of 2009 I was driving south on interstate 93 from andover in bumper-to-bumper traffic when I suddenly found that my car, a 2003 Toyota Corolla, was accelerating despite my using all my energy on the brake pedal. For some scary moments I was certain that I was going to collide with the car in front of me. Just as suddenly my car started to brake. However, there had been the possibility of a serious accident and dire consequences for all involved. I had not had such an experience with the car before and have not had one since.

When driving on the highway, car started speeding up. Despite pushing the brake, the car would not slow down. Driver lost control due to speed and went off the road rolling the car several times.

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...

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While approaching a stop light between 2 to 10 mph the vehicle accelerated past the light without intention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not find the problem. The failure mileage was 105,000.

The contact has a 2003 Toyota Corolla. After proceeding from a stop light at 35 mph, the vehicle accelerated to 70 mph. Even after brake application. The vehicle continued to accelerate. She then shifted the vehicle into park and turned the engine off. The vehicle was towed to her home. A mechanic inspected the vehicle, but could not identify the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified, and she was advised that her model type does not have a defect. The failure mileage was 100,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla. When stopped at a stop light/ sign the car will idle up. If you do not have enough pressure on the brake the car will jump forward. This happens more when it is raining out. I took it back to the dealer, they checked it out and could not find anything wrong. I asked if I could stop in when it is raining so they could look at it than. They said yes. I stopped in on a rainy day when the car was doing it. The service agent said that cars idle up when you use the defroster. That could be the problem but I have never had a vehicle do it as to try to leap forward. My 1999 Toyota camry does not do it. Nothing has been done to fix this problem. Thank you!.

Our 2003 Toyota Corolla has twice mysteriously accelerated. First in '07 causing extensive damage to auto and property. Dealer didn't take seriously and claimed driver error that he had foot on accelerator instead of brake. Car was repaired and returned. On 1/11/10 it accelerated a second time while I was going downhill with foot on brake. Stopped car by throwing into neutral. Toyota was notified and given case number [xxx] . Dealer checked car on 1/15/10 and could not duplicate problem. Have documentation but are unable to contact Toyota for follow-up. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated his vehicle was parked and as he turned the ignition on with his foot on the brake the vehicle accelerated into a cement wall. The vehicle's front fenderwas badly damaged. The contact stated he was injured but did not go to the hospital. The police was not called before towing the vehicle from the scene to a body repair center. At that time of the complaint the vehicle had not taken to the dealer. The Toyota manufacturer had not been called. There was only normal maintenance performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 58,479 and the current mileage is 116,000.

My 2003 Toyota Corolla le which was purchased in 2003 had a acceleration problem, I took it to the oakbrook Toyota while it was still under warranty and was told that it was all in my head and moreover the electronics for this function was factory installed and there was nothing the dealer could do with it. This was the last time I went to this dealer. The car would accelerate from 500 rpm to 2000 rpm in idle this would lurch the car forward and the only way I could drive this car was to change the ceramics brake pads every 10000 miles. In 2007 the car lurched forward at a traffic light and broke the rear bumper of a Hyundai santas fe and cracked my bumper too I tried to explain to the police officer that I was stopped and suddenly the car lurched forward, it did not help I was given a ticket and told to tell my story to the judge, luckily the lady I hit did not show up in court and I was discharged but that did not make my insurance company all state from raising my premium and I still have the car and still has the highest premium. The car is used for running errands locally.

2003 Toyota Corolla le revved up when brakes were applied. The consumer had to apply a good amount of pressure to the pedal and eventually, he shifted the gear into neutral. The vehicle came to a safe stop and the very fast idle which may have lasted for 10 seconds had returned to normal. The dealer was unable to duplicate what the consumer had experienced.

On April 27, 2006 my dad started the engine to go to church and the car accelerated in parking position. Car was turned off and started again, once started it drove fine. The same day when my dad was coming from church he started the car and when he put it in drive the car accelerated itself and itt bolted out and went over a pile of sand that was on the side on the road. The car flipped and stopped against the fence of a house. The air bags did not deploy. My dad was taken to the hospital and the car was a total loss. He was lucky to have his seat belt on. I've reviewed other complaints and it seems to me that this has happened too many times to just be a random defect. I hope this accident is investigated to avoid unnecessary deaths due to this problem.

While rolling to a stop between traffic signals foot off the gas pedal my vehicle suddenly revved itself up and bolted forward creating a 3 vehicle accident. I hit the brake when I felt the initial surge, but still hit the vehicle in front. Seat belts were worn in each vehicle and my airbag didn't deploy. My vehicle has suffered over $4,500 in damage and won't run while it sits at an auto body shop, the nose and bumper are badly damaged. I was told this sounds like "unintentional acceleration" . The vehicle is awaiting the parts for repairs.

Consumer states that when he is sitting at a stop light, with his foot on the brakes, his vehicle surges forward. He states this also happens when he has her defroster on or the vehicle is heating up. He states he has taken the vehicle to the dealer/mechanic he is told that it is normal. He states that this has been happening for 2 years, and nothing has been done about it. He states that he is told that there are recalls on this type of vehicle for the same problem, but was it does not include his. He states he was told that it is with the camry, avalon. Please help, because he states it is getting worse and he is afraid he will have an accident or hit someone.

While idling at a stop light, the vehicle surged forward without warning. The consumer's foot was completely on the brake pedal.

The vehicle will surge forward when at a stop. This happens when the air conditioner is turned on. There has been several occasions that I almost hit the car in front.

The consumer was driving 20 mph when the driver applied the brakes. The pedal had gone to the floor and the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they have not been able to identify the problem. The consumer turned the vehicle very slowly and heard a sharp noise and the vehicle begun to shake. The motor had gone wild. The brakes had gone out. The consumer tried to shut off the ignition and tried to place in neutral, then park, but nothing happened and the vehicle continued to run with no control. The vehicle ran into a tree. The driver sustained injuries.

Consumer states when trying to bring car to stop, he had apply an excessive amount of force to the brake, even though right foot removed from gas pedal engine did not stop. Bf the vehicle was still under warranty during the time of the failure. The consumer stated while he was backing the vehicle up at less than 35 mph the failure occurred. After the consumers foot was moved from the gas pedal he had to forcefully apply the brakes. The consumer stated that it was necessary to shift out of drive to bring the vehicle under control. The consumer shut the vehicle off and let it sit for a while and started it again and drove home with no incident.

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; "you won't get a lemon at Toyota of orange". I'm happy to say I haven't had the sulfur smell.

Accelerator pedal problem on Toyota Corolla 2003. The floors mats used to come on top of the accelerator and make driving unsafe. I changed them to buy different brands of floor mats and finally I stopped using the floor mats several years ago. I see no mention of the 2003 Corolla in the recalls and surprised by it.

I bought a new 2003 Toyota Corolla in may 2002. Within a few months, we noticed that on occasion the rpms would surge to over 4,000 while driving on upgrades, and coasting on downgrades. In November of 2003, we were driving up a slight grade getting on the freeway, when the rpms once again surged to over 4,000, and the car would not exceed 60 mph. The engine began to make a fluttering noise and smelled hot. We pulled off the freway and let the engine cool down. It was fine after that. We took the car to chuck patterson Toyota in chico, CA. They told us that they could not find anything wrong, and couldn't do anything for us. In December 2003, we continued to experience the rpms surge for no apparent reason while driving up grades and coasting on down grades. We took the car to northridge Toyota, CA. They also inspected the car and told us that there was nothing wrong. In January 2004, I took the car to thousand oaks Toyota, CA. I took a mechanic for a test drive. When we coasted down a grade, the engine once again surged with the rpms exceeding 4,000. The mechanic immediately told me that the engine was dropping out of overdrive. My feelings of excitement that the car would finally be fixed qucikly turned to disappointment when the service mamager insisted that there was nothing abnormal with the car. They also refused to do anything. I am currently working with the customer relations department. Everyone is very polite, but I am getting the run around.