Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| SU00302 | 09/16/2002 | 635869 | Information on vehicles exhibiting a tapping noise from the front upper suspension area. *tt | 11/01/2002 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||||
| 00302 | 10/31/2002 | 00302 | 10000270 | Tapping noise from front upper suspension area. *tt | 02/21/2003 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 12/20/2004 | 1 | 07/15/2002 | |
| Rotten egg smell and many structural defects in this car. *jb | |||
| 08/15/2003 | 23000 | ||
| I have had numerous unresolved problems with my 2003 toyota corolla. the air conditioning/heater fan quits at random. it does start back but obviously has a short. it comes and goes. the dealer has stated each time they are unable to duplicate the problem. it also has suspension problems. since new the car has made unpleasant claning and rattling noises in the front end. i have had it looked at many times with no resolution. it feels unstable in windy conditions and un even surfaces. i've actually thought i had a flat tire because of the car swaying so badly in the wind and on uneven surfaces. i've owned many small cars before and even an older corolla so i'm aware of what is normal. it has definite supsension problems. i honestly feel it's dangerous for myself and others due to the suspension. i need help. there are other problems with this car as well. it's a true lemon. | |||
| 2000 | 6 | ||
| Vehicle loses control when being driven above 50 mph. this mainly occurs when being driven over a bridge. provide further details. *nm | |||
| 09/21/2002 | 100 | 1 | 09/20/2002 |
| (1) rotten-egg smell from day 1 (purchased 9/2002) w/ cooling or heating system function. dealer told me to switch octane and do not use recirculation - no improvement. (2) in 11/2003, daytime running lights came on in middle of night, drained battery. dealer said tsb had been released - part ordered & installed to correct problem. (3) in 1/2004, leaking oil from under car, right front passenger's side - dealer said right front strut leaking & completely blown. had to be replaced & car required subsequent alignment. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 03/05/2007 | 80000 | 1 | |
| 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. *tr | |||
| 10/28/2007 | 45000 | 1 | 04/30/2002 |
| I own an '03 toyota corolla which i purchased new. at the 45,000 mile mark my rear suspension collapsed while driving at 20mph on a newly paved city street - there were no potholes or obstructions. the service department at my toyota dealership attributed the failure to be climate but no excuses. the rear suspension had rotted (rusted) out. they also said that this was not all common. i just spoke to a toyota mechanic with 20 years experience - he has never seen this problem but said it was possible. he also questioned whether the underbody had been properly treated on the assembly line. he would not expect this to happen in such a young car - more likely with a 10 year old car. i did not get to visually see the broken, rotted parts. toyota repaired the problem at my expense - $604 - and they recently offered me a settlement for $301. the parts replaced were the rear struts and springs. this issue also raises concern for the front suspension. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 03/05/2007 | 80000 | 1 | |
| 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. *tr | |||
| 10/28/2007 | 45000 | 1 | 04/30/2002 |
| I own an '03 toyota corolla which i purchased new. at the 45,000 mile mark my rear suspension collapsed while driving at 20mph on a newly paved city street - there were no potholes or obstructions. the service department at my toyota dealership attributed the failure to be climate but no excuses. the rear suspension had rotted (rusted) out. they also said that this was not all common. i just spoke to a toyota mechanic with 20 years experience - he has never seen this problem but said it was possible. he also questioned whether the underbody had been properly treated on the assembly line. he would not expect this to happen in such a young car - more likely with a 10 year old car. i did not get to visually see the broken, rotted parts. toyota repaired the problem at my expense - $604 - and they recently offered me a settlement for $301. the parts replaced were the rear struts and springs. this issue also raises concern for the front suspension. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 04/09/2003 | 15470 | 1 | |
| Purchased new, 9/03/02. at 15,470 miles, the right rear wheel bearing failed. dealer replaced under warranty in less than one day. | |||