Toyota Corolla Complaints (1998)

225 consumer complaints on file.

#10207542October 31, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE VEHICLE HAS WINDSTAR PHASER TUBELESS RADIAL, SIZE 185/65/R14 TIRES (NA). WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE DRASTICALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE CUPPING AND WEARING ON THE INSIDE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE STRUTS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE PRESSURE AND OUTSIDE TREAD WAS NORMAL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STRUTS WERE FINE. THE CONTACT HAD THE TIRES REPLACED. THE POWERTRAIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197405July 24, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BY THE OTHER PARTY. THE WEATHER WAS BRIGHT AND SUNNY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,820. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE ACCELERATION CAUSE WAS NOT FOUND. UPDATED 12/12/07
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196166July 12, 2007
AIR BAGS
I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. IN AUGUST 2004, THE AIRBAG WENT DEFECTIVE. AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN NJ ORDERED A REPLACEMENT CENTRAL AIRBAG ASSEMBLY AND THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ON SEP 1, 2004. *AK HOWEVER AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM REOCCURED AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG CIRCUITRY WAS DEFECTIVE. SINCE THEY QUOTED ME AN EXHORBITANT PRICE, I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THIS SECOND DEALERSHIP AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, IDENTIFIED THAT THE SAME CENTRAL AIRBAG ASSEMBLY THAT WAS REPLACED IN SEP 1, 2004 WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY ORDERED A SECOND REPLACEMENT AND FITTED MY CAR WITH THE NEW PART. THIS HAPPENED IN NOV 2006. HOWEVER 2 MONTHS AFTER THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT,IN FEB 2007 THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM REOCCURED FOR A 3RD TIME. I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA, INC AT 1901 SOUTH WESTERN AVENUE - WC 10, TORRANCE, CA 90501 TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I SENT THEM ALL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. HOWEVER INSPITE OF EXPLAINING THE THREAT TO MY LIFE CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG, TOYOTA HAS NOT COME FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1500 ON THE PROBLEM ALREADY OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS A 1998 MAKE, THE AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED IN SEP 2004 AND NOV 2006 AND ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I REQUEST YOU TO INSTRUCT TOYOTA TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG AT NO EXTRA COST TO ME. TOYOTA'S REFERENCE NUMBER FOR MY CASE IS 200706250076.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185195March 15, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC ($90). THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW CHARCOAL CANISTER. REPAIR MADE A LOCAL AUTO SHOP (PARTS & LABOR $370). ONE MONTH LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REAPPEARED. LOCAL AUTO SHOP RAN DIAGNOSTIC. REPORT INDICATED THAT THE VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE FOR THE PURGE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. REPAIR MADE AT LOCAL AUTO SHOP (PART & LABOR $135). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173788November 18, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ON 11/7/2006 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE 98 TOYOTA COROLLA REAR ENDED A CEMENT TRUCK. THE SPEED AT WHICH MY CAR WAS TRAVELING WAS 25-35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND BECAUSE OF THIS MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I VISITED THE URGENT CARE THE SAME DAY AND AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT I SUFFERED STRAINED LIGAMENTS AND MUSCLES IN MY NECK AND BACK AND A BRUISE AND SCRAPE ON MY CHEST. I AM STILL SUFFERING. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10168234September 14, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT INCIDENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CONNECTIONS WERE LOOSE. THE CONNECTIONS WERE TIGHTENED AND THE CODE WAS RESET. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG WOULD PROBABLY NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. UPDATED 11/21/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169062September 12, 2006
AIR BAGS
1998 TOYOTA COROLLA AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT BLINKED CONTINUOUSLY AFTER REPAIRED. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIRBAG HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164287August 3, 2006
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON OUR 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA BLINKS CONTINUALLY. COMPUTER ANALYSIS INDICATES THE CAUSE TO BE A FAULTY AIRBAG HARNESS. CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE HARNESS -- A $500 EXPENSE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMONLY SEEN PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL YEAR. IF THE AIRBAG HARNESS FAILS, THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY OR MIGHT NOT DEPLOY EFFECTIVELY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SUCH A PROBLEM THEREFORE REPRESENTS A BROADER SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160993June 28, 2006
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN AUGUST OF 2004 FOR NO APPARENT REASON (CAR HAS NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENTS). TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED (IN THE STATES- WE NOW LIVE IN CANADA), AIR BAGS NOT COVERED UNDER THE PURCHASE WARRANTY. DEALER SPLIT THE COST OF REPLACING THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG OUT OF GOOD WILL (WE PAID $418.25). LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON REPEATEDLY AFTER FIX. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER COMPONENT, ADJUSTED HARNESS, REPEATEDLY TRIED TO FIX WIRING. IT IS NOW JUNE OF 2006 AND THE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON- WE HAVE JUST REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG (AT THE COST TO TOYOTA- WE PAID FOR LABOR), AND LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON. DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT AIR BAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE CAR FOR THE SAFETY OF THE AIR BAGS AND WE ARE WORRIED OF BEING INJURED IN A CRASH. DEALER IS CURRENTLY IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA REGARDING REPLACING COMPUTER COMPONENTS AGAIN. WE ARE GOING ON 2 YEARS OF HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! AN ESTIMATED $5000 HAS BEEN PUT INTO FIXING THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING LABOR FOR OUR 14+ VISITS TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE AND DEFECTIVE AND WE ARE UNABLE TO SELL IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159958June 15, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
MAJOR FUEL LEAK AT INJECTORS CAUSING LIQUID GASOLINE TO POOL IN THE WELLS OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED O-RINGS AT TOP OF INJECTORS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159182June 7, 2006
AIR BAGS
MULTIPLE AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACEMENTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150826February 7, 2006
SEAT BELTS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1998 TOYOTA COROLLA'S DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AT THE LATCH AREA WHERE IT HOOKS IN . THE TRUNK LOCK BROKE INSIDE THE CYLINDER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE INSIDE. *TS THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED ALTHOUGH ALL THE OCCUPANTS HAD THEIR SEAT BELTS BUCKLED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138519October 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ENGINE STARTER MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED. STARTER CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER ENGINE WAS STOPPED AND KEY WAS REMOVED. STARTER MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. CAR NOW INOP. SOME WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. STARTER MOTOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT WITH REMANUFACTURED STARTER MOTOR IF AVAILABLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138323October 2, 2005
AIR BAGS
1998 TOYOTA COROLLA LE, AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STARTS BLINKING AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. FIRST TIME, THERE WERE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ON IN AUG 2005. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER. HE REPLACED THE SEAT BELT(COST WAS $350). THAT FIXED THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ON PROBLEM. TODAY(SEPT 30, 2005), THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS AGAIN COME ON AND KEEP BLINKING WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON. I BELIEVE IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE MATTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119781June 3, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CONTACT STATES: STARTER STUCK, COULDN'T SHUT OFF IGNITION. THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE O DEALER, AND REPAIRS WERE DONE @ A COST OF $1,300. CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. IN THE PAST, WHILE TURNING KEY, ENGINE WOULDN'T START. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. SERVICE RECORDS STATED STARTER SHORTED OUT AND STARTER WIRES BURNED. REPLACED STARTER. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118167April 20, 2005
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY FLASHING. DEALER SAYS I NEED A WIRE HARNESS REPLACEMENT. WITHOUT IT THE AIR BAGS ARE INOPERABLE. TOYOTA HAS HAD ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON 1998 TO 2000 MODEL COROLLA THAT IT ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE PROBLEM. DEALER INDICATED THAT ESSENTIALLY THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. DESPITE THIS, TOYOTA STATED IT WAS COVERED ONLY UNDER 3 YEARS, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. AFTER THAT, THEY WON'T COVER IT BY WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118169April 20, 2005
AIR BAGS
THIS IS REFERENCING A PREVIOUSLY FILED COMPLAINT, #10118167. DEALER OFFERED TO MAKE A GOODWILL REPAIR AT ITS HIS COST BECAUSE THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED, WIRING HARNESS FOR AIRBAG SYSTEM. I AM PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, AND WANT TO MAKE SURE DEALER GETS CREDIT FOR DOING THIS!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114115March 15, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PROMPTING ME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED. THE INDICATION WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE PO441: PURGE FLOW FAULT. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED A CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILURE WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT AND CONSISTENT COMPLAINTS BY TOYOTA OWNERS REGARDING EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEMS FAILURES IN THE 1998 COROLLA IN ADDITION TO A LAWSUIT IN WHICH TMC SETTLED WITH THE EPA COVERING ONLY CERTAIN MODELS. IT SEEMS THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON ALL 1998 MODELS AS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113180February 28, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110673February 17, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTS UP -- MULTIPLE SERVICE CHECKS AT DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR RECOMMEND REPAIR OTHER THAN REPLACING ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY (AT COST OF $500+). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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