Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While the vehicle was parked, the 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.
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. …
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. …
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.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 09/08/16 the consumer stated the airbags were repaired, but some electrical does not work.
Tl* Takata recall.the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator and the check engine light remained illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vcu needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While the vehicle was parked, the horn independently activated. Also, both frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners deployed inadvertently. No injuries were sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V043000 (air bags) and 15V286000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 273,000.
Car caught on fire after sitting for 30 plus minutes. Total loss. Toyota has not yet returned numerous telephone calls, and the selling local dealer wants it off their lot. 14,500 miles. Purchased extended service policy, which Toyota is not honoring. Fire department said it was electrical failure.
Vehicle ignition switch engages starter on an intermittent basis when turning the key. After a unspecified period of time has lapsed, the vehicle will engage starter and start. Vehicle has been stranded numerous times around town.
Electrical complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 5% of the model year's 720 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Corolla electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Toyota Corolla, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Corolla electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.