Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Takata recall I have submitted papers of numerous accidents and also engine and transmission failures my vehicle has given me. When I first obtained it, it had no struts nor do my air bags deploy when I get into vehicular accidents. I am unable to go to a dealership and get my vehicle checked but because it's non operating at the moment. I do however have open availability for a car inspection at my home if you guys were to send someone to come take a look at it.
I am writing with concern to see if the recall on my daughters 2003 Toyota air bag issue was truly fixed, she was involved in a traffic accident where according to everyone's opinion the airbags should have went off however they did not. Is there any way to see if the recall work was actually done by the company who states they did the repair ??
Vehicle was hit on freeway and knocked up onto center dividing wall of freeway, approximately 2 days after purchase. The vehicle was twisted and unable to be driven. Insurance company refused to total vehicle and original factory replacement parts were denied. Aftermarket parts not related to vehicle were placed on vehicle including wrong steering, frame, wrong brakes, wrong everything, and many other fraudulent parts including ABS removed from vehicle for which I paid extra about $5600. All complaints to repair company, allstate insurance, and Toyota of orange were denied although vehicle was not operating properly. Example brakes never worked, and locked and skidded at 2-5 miles per hour which was extremely dangerous on road. …
I was driving my father's car. After driving car approx.14 miles home from a restaurant, I parked it in the carport. Less than 15 min later I heard an explosion and saw the car was filled with smoke and smoke was pouring out from under the hood. A closer inspection revealed the right front tire was blown and flames were seen underneath the engine compartment soon followed by flames coming out the topside of the hood. After realizing it was out of control, the fire department was called. I had no indication of problems from lights on the dashboard panel, no difficulties driving the car, I did not run over anything on the trip home or any other time I can remember. All recalls received were responded to at peterson Toyota in ftcollins, colorado. Oil changes were done regularly. Brakes were inspected the last oil change in May or June and we were told they were still OK.
In 9/2007 the transmission and clutch went out on my manual 2003 Corolla. Conveniently, it was beyond the warranty period. I spent a significant amount of $ repairing. Again, in March 2015 the transmission and clutch are going out on my manual vehicle. After researching, I found numerous owners experiencing the same problems. There is a serious defect in the 2003 manual Corolla that was apparently fixed in the 2004 version. I have contacted Toyota several times. They will do nothing. They told me to email the NHTSA and your agency would determine a recall. Please, please, please put this problem on the recall list. I (and numerous other owners) have been stranded along the highway and it is not safe!
I experienced a stuck accelerator pedal in my 2003 Corolla.I tried to kick the pedal loose and could not.I ended up grabbing the key and shutting the engine down to avoid losing control on the snow covered road and hitting traffic in front of me.I later determined that the throttle linkage had lost normal freedom of movement in the cold weather,even though I had cleaned the inside of the throttle body some months earlier.I believe most people would have had an accident in my situation.the only thing that saved me from an accident was my mechanical knowledge of cars enabling me to make the right decisions to avoid an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the temperature gauge went to hot and the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bolts for the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. While driving 45 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (air bags) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 199,000.
Catalytic converter failed and replaced by dealership under service campaign at 69,811 miles has now failed again at 152,000 miles. Toyota notified at they declined to provide repair again at there expense. I had a Honda go 250,000 and never have a problem with the converter. There has to be an inherent problem in the one in my Toyota Corolla !! Also other recall on airbags they do not have parts to fix.
P0446- evaporate system vent control circuit I was driving normally like any other day when I noticed the "check engine light" turned on. I went to a mechanic they told me that the vapor canistor had an issue but that, thats completely the car manufactures problem because the part# vc4079 is under lifetime warranty so it shouldn't be damaged.
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 15% of the model year's 720 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.