Owners have filed 141 complaints
about the 2002 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA between 2001 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 24 of 34 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Toyota Corolla. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
44% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
720.0%
Headlights
617.1%
Frontal
617.1%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
411.4%
Emission Control
38.6%
Exhaust System
38.6%
Retractor
38.6%
Automatic Transmission
38.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
79.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
79.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1318.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1521.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1825.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1014.1%
150,000+ miles
11.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2001peak 8Aug 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Toyota Corolla
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE14016Opened 11 Jun 2014Closed 2 Mar 2015AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
Recalls on the 2002 Toyota Corolla
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 54,500 milesTitusville, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE CRASH WAS SERIOUS; IT TOTOLED THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10704075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesHolt, MOCrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORKING 12 HOUR GRAVEYARD SHIFT. I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND RAN OFF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF OUR BLACKTOP ROAD 1 MILE FROM HOME. MY 2002 COROLLA WAS TRAVELING AROUND 50MPH I AWOKE AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE CAR'S PATH AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON DESTROYING THE RIGHT GRILL BUMPER HOOD, WINDSHIELD, RIGHT FENDER, INNER UPPER FRAME WORK AND HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY AND WIRING. MY DASH LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WAS STILL INTACT IT FAILED TO DEPLOY OR INFLATE. I WAS SAVED BY GOD AND MY SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10693173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
WHEELS
I WAS IN THE "SLOW " LANE ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TO SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET THE DAY BEFORE SO I MADE SURE TO ON BE IN SLOW LANE GOING SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A RED CADILIAC BRAKE AND KIND OF HARD SO I BRAKE TRAVELING AT 60 TO 65 MPH. I BRAKE QUICK NOT REAL HARD AND WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS IN GODS HANDS. I THEN DID A 360 AND A 180 ACROSS ALL THREE LANES NEVER HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK HIT THE CENTER OF THE INTERSTATE AND ROLLED THREE TIMES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WOMEN TRAVELING BEHIND ME SAID SHE HAD TO STOP BC SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS ALIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN BUT REALLY I HAD NO CLUE I KNEW I WAS PISSED BC MY 6 MONTH OLD CAR GONE. IT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING ON MY OWN AND BAM. I HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND CUT ON SHOULDER ROAD RASH AND WHIP LASH BAD. RECENTLY I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SAW MY CAR IS IN FACT ON THE LIST. THE YEAR AND MODEL BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF MY EXACT CAR WAS DEFECTIVE? ITS BEEN IN THE IMPOUND SINCE APRIL 2002. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10637696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
SUSPENSION
I WAS IN THE "SLOW " LANE ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TO SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET THE DAY BEFORE SO I MADE SURE TO ON BE IN SLOW LANE GOING SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A RED CADILIAC BRAKE AND KIND OF HARD SO I BRAKE TRAVELING AT 60 TO 65 MPH. I BRAKE QUICK NOT REAL HARD AND WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS IN GODS HANDS. I THEN DID A 360 AND A 180 ACROSS ALL THREE LANES NEVER HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK HIT THE CENTER OF THE INTERSTATE AND ROLLED THREE TIMES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WOMEN TRAVELING BEHIND ME SAID SHE HAD TO STOP BC SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS ALIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN BUT REALLY I HAD NO CLUE I KNEW I WAS PISSED BC MY 6 MONTH OLD CAR GONE. IT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING ON MY OWN AND BAM. I HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND CUT ON SHOULDER ROAD RASH AND WHIP LASH BAD. RECENTLY I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SAW MY CAR IS IN FACT ON THE LIST. THE YEAR AND MODEL BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF MY EXACT CAR WAS DEFECTIVE? ITS BEEN IN THE IMPOUND SINCE APRIL 2002. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10637696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesSchaumburg, ILCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10508592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesDallas, TXCrash
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10374130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Barrington, RI
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Tire size: TM-1 185/65R14 86 T Tire. I bought 4 tires in Sept 2022. I just found out that, after 11 months of normal city driving (which added bout 10K miles to the mileage) and normal maintenance, the tires already showing belt. They have become a safety hazard so I have to buy 4 new tires of another brand.
NHTSA complaint #11540135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,047 milesRiverside, CT
ENGINE
IVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND HAVE HAD TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY WEEK BECAUSE EVERY MORNING I START MY CAR LOT OF BLUE SMOKE IS COMING OUT MY EXHAUST. THIS IS BECAUSE THE DESIGN TEMPERATURE FOR THE PISTONS IN THIS ENGINE WAS 120 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURES REACHED ARE 160 DEGREES CELSIUS, WHICH CAUSES THE PETROLEUM OIL TO SLUDGE UP AND CARBON TO ACCUMULATE IN THE PISTON OIL HOLES THAT ALLOW OIL TO FLOW TO THE PISTON RINGS. THIS BLOCKS THOSE OIL HOLES, PREVENTING OIL FROM GETTING TO THE PISTON RINGS AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE PISTON RINGS WEAR VERY, VERY QUICKLY, THEN ALLOWING OIL TO BE ABLE TO SLIP PAST THE PISTON RINGS, INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND OUT THE EXHAUST. THIS WILL LEAD TO REPLACING THE PISTONS WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND LABOR INTENSIVE JOB JUST BECAUSE TOYOTA MADE A MISTAKE WITH THE WAY THEY BUILT THE ENGINE. IT'S A SHAME THAT TOYOTA HASN'T RECALLED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE ARE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF RECORDS ON THESE CARS HAVING THAT PROBLEM. THE CAR CAN BREAK DOWN AFTER SO MUCH OIL HAS BEEN BURNED AND THAT COULD HAPPEN UN EXPECTEDLY. IT'S DRIVABLE BUT NOT SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11413552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lima, OH
ENGINE
THE ENGINE IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. NEED TO ADD 1 QUART EVERY 300 MILES TO KEEP FILLED. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES. NOTICE BLUE SMOKE UPON ACCELERATION. CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL.
NHTSA complaint #11286750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FL
ENGINE
MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2002 CE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE PISTONS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOLES IN THE PISTONS TO ALLOW ENOUGH OIL TO GO THROUGH AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL, UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 250 MILES. PLEASE! CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11269404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesBurlington, MA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOW RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IT BURNED MORE OIL THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE APPROXIMATELY FIVE QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING 150 TO 200 MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10807455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, VA
AIR BAGS
THE DASH LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAG IS ON. TOYOTA STATES THAT A SAFETY RECALL IS PENDING THAT MIGHT AFFECT MY CAR. UNTIL THEN, THEY ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPAIR MY CAR. THEY STATE THAT THE AIRBAG MAY GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. THEY CANNOT TELL ME HOW LONG IT MAY BE BEFORE THE RECALL IS ANNOUNCED. THIS SEEMS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10781515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newbedford, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10714687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,500 milesTitusville, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE CRASH WAS SERIOUS; IT TOTOLED THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10704075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesHolt, MOCrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORKING 12 HOUR GRAVEYARD SHIFT. I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND RAN OFF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF OUR BLACKTOP ROAD 1 MILE FROM HOME. MY 2002 COROLLA WAS TRAVELING AROUND 50MPH I AWOKE AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE CAR'S PATH AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON DESTROYING THE RIGHT GRILL BUMPER HOOD, WINDSHIELD, RIGHT FENDER, INNER UPPER FRAME WORK AND HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY AND WIRING. MY DASH LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WAS STILL INTACT IT FAILED TO DEPLOY OR INFLATE. I WAS SAVED BY GOD AND MY SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10693173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gray, TN
AIR BAGS
TOYOTA TOLD US NOT TO PUT ANYONE IN PASSENGER SIDE BECAUSE AIRBAG IS DANGEROUS. WE HAVE FOUR ADULTS IN OUR FAMILY AND NEED TO USE THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. TOYOTA (JOHNSON CITY TN) SAY THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY CAN FIX THE AIR BAG BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. "IT COULD BE MONTHS". WE NEED TO HAVE IT FIXED SOON.
NHTSA complaint #10680241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
WHEELS
I WAS IN THE "SLOW " LANE ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TO SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET THE DAY BEFORE SO I MADE SURE TO ON BE IN SLOW LANE GOING SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A RED CADILIAC BRAKE AND KIND OF HARD SO I BRAKE TRAVELING AT 60 TO 65 MPH. I BRAKE QUICK NOT REAL HARD AND WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS IN GODS HANDS. I THEN DID A 360 AND A 180 ACROSS ALL THREE LANES NEVER HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK HIT THE CENTER OF THE INTERSTATE AND ROLLED THREE TIMES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WOMEN TRAVELING BEHIND ME SAID SHE HAD TO STOP BC SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS ALIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN BUT REALLY I HAD NO CLUE I KNEW I WAS PISSED BC MY 6 MONTH OLD CAR GONE. IT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING ON MY OWN AND BAM. I HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND CUT ON SHOULDER ROAD RASH AND WHIP LASH BAD. RECENTLY I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SAW MY CAR IS IN FACT ON THE LIST. THE YEAR AND MODEL BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF MY EXACT CAR WAS DEFECTIVE? ITS BEEN IN THE IMPOUND SINCE APRIL 2002. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10637696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
SUSPENSION
I WAS IN THE "SLOW " LANE ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TO SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET THE DAY BEFORE SO I MADE SURE TO ON BE IN SLOW LANE GOING SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A RED CADILIAC BRAKE AND KIND OF HARD SO I BRAKE TRAVELING AT 60 TO 65 MPH. I BRAKE QUICK NOT REAL HARD AND WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS IN GODS HANDS. I THEN DID A 360 AND A 180 ACROSS ALL THREE LANES NEVER HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK HIT THE CENTER OF THE INTERSTATE AND ROLLED THREE TIMES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WOMEN TRAVELING BEHIND ME SAID SHE HAD TO STOP BC SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS ALIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN BUT REALLY I HAD NO CLUE I KNEW I WAS PISSED BC MY 6 MONTH OLD CAR GONE. IT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING ON MY OWN AND BAM. I HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND CUT ON SHOULDER ROAD RASH AND WHIP LASH BAD. RECENTLY I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SAW MY CAR IS IN FACT ON THE LIST. THE YEAR AND MODEL BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF MY EXACT CAR WAS DEFECTIVE? ITS BEEN IN THE IMPOUND SINCE APRIL 2002. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10637696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesZimmerman, MN
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS I WOULD HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. I ASKED A MECHANIC WHAT IT WAS AND HE SAID IT WAS THE STRUTS. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA FOR THAT VERY THING. ONE DEALER SAID HE WOULDN'T FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10616066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOYOTA CENTRAL DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THE RECALL OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE(ECM),I'VE BEEN TO CENTRAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWO TIMES AND THEY TURNED ME AWAY BY GIVING ME EXCUSE OF PARTS UNAVAILABILITY. THEREFORE PLEASE ADVICE ME WHAT TO DO NEXT?. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10512754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesSchaumburg, ILCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10508592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesRaleigh, NC
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED THAT WAS UNABLE TO DISPLAY A FAILURE CODE. THE 02 SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
NHTSA complaint #10480661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PROBLEM IS AND HAS BEEN EXCESS OIL USUAGE. IT USES A QUART ABOUT EVERY 400 HUNDRED MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALER MAY, 2010. IT HAD 102,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 117,000. IT'S BEEN USING OIL EVERY SINCE I'VE HAD IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND THERE WERE NO OIL LEAKS ANYWHERE. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS POSTED ABOUT THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE PUT IN THE CAR IN 2002. A 1.6L WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW 1.8L ENGINE AND EVIDENTLY THE 1.8L DIDN'T SEAT PROPERLY CAUSING OIL USUAGE. MY SON DROVE THIS CAR WHILE HE WAS AT COLLEGE. THE PROBLEM IS, WITH THIS KIND OF OIL USAGE, YOU CAN RUN THE CAR OUT OF OIL. WE TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH IT, BUT IF YOU RUN IT HIGH SPEEDS IT WILL USE MORE OIL. IF THE CAR RUNS OUT OF OIL ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE LOCKS UP, WELL YOU COULD HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I KEEP THE CAR AT HOME NOW BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. WE DRIVE IT LOCALLY ONLY.
NHTSA complaint #10446024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesLuray, VA
STEERING
STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT. TOOK TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A FAILED RACK, AT 75,000 MILES. REPAIRED AT COST OF $1060. THREE WEEKS LATER EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. RETURNED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT JOINT WAS CORRODED AND STUCK. CLAIMS THEY HAVE FIXED IT. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND A RECALL ORDERED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND SUDDEN FAILURE!
NHTSA complaint #10444506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,500 milesMobile, AL
SEATS
ABOUT A WEEK AGO, DRIVER SEAT COULD NOT RETURN TO UPRIGHT POSITION AFTER ADJUSTING ANGLE. THEN WE NOTICED LARGE PIECE OF SEAT BACK FRAME WAS PROTRUDING ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. UPON REMOVAL OF COVERING AND CUSHION TO UNCOVER THE BACK FRAME, WE DISCOVERED THAT, OF THE TWO SOLID-STEEL ARMS ATTACHING THE BACK FRAME TO THE BOTTOM PART OF THE BUCKET SEAT (THE ADJUSTER MECHANISM), THE ARM ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES, ALONG A HORIZONTAL BREAK IN THE STEEL ITSELF. IN SHORT, THE LEFT HALF OF THE SEAT BACK FRAME IS NOT ATTACHED ANYMORE. INITIALLY WE SUSPECTED VANDALISM, BUT THE BREAK IS DEFINITELY NOT A SAW CUT (EVEN IF WERE POSSIBLE); AND WE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE STEEL ARM ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE HAS A HALF-INCH LONG CRACK IN ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT, AND ALSO HORIZONTAL. THIS LED US TO CONCLUDE THAT THE BREAK ON THE LEFT ARM WAS DUE TO A DEVELOPING CRACK IN THE STEEL, AND THE RIGHT ARM IS CLEARLY HEADED TOWARDS AN IDENTICAL FRACTURE -- WHICH WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE THE SEAT BACK FRAME FROM THE BUCKET SEAT ALTOGETHER! THE TWO STEEL ARMS ARE CLEARLY MADE OF SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL. WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANT COST OF REPLACING THE BUCKET SEAT, THIS IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE AT ANY MOMENT THE SEAT BACK COULD COLLAPSE COMPLETELY DUE TO SUB-STANDARD STEEL PARTS TEARING APART. IT IS FORTUNATE THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. WE HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THESE DEFECTS, INCLUDING CLOSE-UPS, READY TO SEND YOU UPON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #10442872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,051 milesHonolulu, HI
SEAT BELTS
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL OUT THE SEAL BELT, IT LOCKS AND CAN NOT BE PULLED OUT ANY FURTHER. THE BELT CAN ONLY BE PULLED OUT FURTHER ONLY AFTER A DRIVE AND START TO APPLY THE BRAKES. AFTER AN ARGUMENT WITH THE SALESMAN THE MANAGER AGREED TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. A DAY LATER, I WATCHED THE MECHANIC INSTALL THE PAIR OF SEAT BELTS THAT CAME FROM THE DEALER IN SEALED BOXES. AFTER INSTALLATION THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. MANAGEMENT TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE USED CARS ARE ALL SOLD "AS IN". THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEN PAY FOR REPAIRS. A GENTLEMAN FROM TOYOTA'S PARTS DEPARTMENT TRIED TO BUCKLE HIMSELF IN AND HAD THE BELT LOCKED AS HE WAS PULLING THE BELT OUT. HE TRIED AGAIN SLOWLY BUT SAME RESULTS. HE CLAIMS HE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE WRONG. CAN ANYONE HELP ME?
NHTSA complaint #10414331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesDallas, TXCrash
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10374130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesDallas, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10374130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesWaterford, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT REMAINED STUCK IN THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS NOR DID THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,217. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/09/11
NHTSA complaint #10372263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2002 KEEPS WANTING TO STALL. I'VE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND MECHANICS SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #10351495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesInglewood, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK FROM THE FRONT END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATED FOR THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10347344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.