Toyota Corolla Complaints (1999)

155 consumer complaints on file.

#10079168July 2, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
PURCHASED MY CAR USED ON 2002. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL IN JANUARY 2004, THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AT THE SAME TIME THE A/C SYSTEM NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE A/C SYSTEM WAS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER THE EMISSION PROBLEMS WERE NOT. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY GOING ON AND OFF SINCE THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO BE CHECKED, THE MECHANIC TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ARISE. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS AND HAS NOW STARTED ITS ON AND OFF AGAIN SHOW. THE RESEARCH I HAVE BEGUN HAS OPENED MY EYES TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF CHARCOAL CANISTERS BEING REPLACED AS FAST AS PEOPLE CHANGE UNDERWEAR. THIS REPLACEMENT COST ABOUT $467-/ WITH LABOR. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS IS THE GOING RATE FOR THIS JOB. I AM UPSET TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE SAME 'CANISTER' AS I AND TOYOTA, WITH WHOM I LOVE THEIR CARS, ARE NOT MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS NOR STANDING UP TO THE PLATE TO ASSIST THEIR CONSUMERS. I WORK IN A CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY AND KNOW PERSONALLY HOW PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ONE ANOTHER. I ASK TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM THOROUGHLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078346June 16, 2004
SUSPENSION, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
(1) NOTICEABLE STRONG VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN CAR APPROACHES SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. VIBRATION BECOMES STRONGER WITH INCREASING SPEED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED AFTER CAR HAD BEEN SERVICE AT TOYOTA DEALER (ARMSTRONG TOYOTA).*AK (2) CAR BECOMES UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL (3) RETURNED TO SAME DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TIRE BALACING. UPON CHECKING THE CAR, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT TIRES WOULD NOT "TAKE" BALANCING AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TIRE PRESSURE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS ADJUSTED, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074800June 4, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1) KEY WOULD SOMETIMES NOT TURN IN IGNITION. THIS BECAME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. ) EVENTUALLY THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR AND I COULD NOT REMOVE IT AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. 3) THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE 2ND TIME THEY GAVE ME MORE TROUBLE ABOUT IT BUT FIXED IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE THIRD TIME THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CHANGE THE KEY WHICH I ALLOWED THEM TO DO AND I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE BUT THEY DID CHARGE ME PART OF THE COST. I BELIVE THE "KEY" AND IGNITION SYSTEM OBVIOUSLY HAD A DESIGN FLAW. I DON NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS BUT I DO HAVE RECORDS OF THE REPAIRS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074601June 1, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
UPON SEEING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON I TOOK MY 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA (50,200 MILES) TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE ALMOST $500 WITH LABOR. THIS PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY PAST 3 YEARS AND 30000 MILES. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND FUEL EFFICIENCY CONCERN AND I THINK THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD INCLUDE IT IN ITS EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM TRYING TO SHOP AROUND FOR A CHEAPER ESTIMATE. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE RECOMMENDED MAINTAINENCE SCHEDULES AND AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS NOT ADDRESSED DURING ROUTINE MAINTAINENCE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064733April 20, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, STRUCTURE
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR HANDLE SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL DUE TO VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060953March 23, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE LOSING AIR. AFTER 10,000 MILES ALL 4 TIRES HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062795March 22, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE RIGHT TURN, I HEARD SOMETHING BROKE AND THE CAR COULDN'T MOVE. TOWED THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THE LEFT TRANSAXLE WAS BROKEN. FORTUNATELY, THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON LOCAL STREET. IF IT WERE ON HIGHWAY, I COLD HAVE BEEN INJURIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063281March 16, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW FAILED, CATCHING THE DOG'S TAIL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062266March 15, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SUSPENSION IS WORN OUT AFTER 28,500 MILES. THIS PRESENTS A LIKELIHOOD OF TIRE FAILURE DUE TO "CUPPING" WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS TO A CAR TIRE WHERE THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS WORN OUT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061060March 1, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, NO AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. DRIVER WORE A SEAT BELT.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059914February 27, 2004
TIRES
TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER 10.000 MILES ONLY DESPITE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED CARE. ALL 4 TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055096January 28, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHENEVER WEATHER BECOMES TOO COLD AND WET, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT STAY SHUT BECAUSE OF A PIN INSIDE THE DOOR. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (JOHN LEDFORD) WHO SAYS THAT HE CONTACTED REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER (CHRIS TENEBHN) AND THAT THEY TOLD HIM IT IS BEING CAUSED FROM MOISTURE GETTING INSIDE THE DOOR AND THAT ALL THEY OFFER IS TO LUBRICATE IT MORE (WHICH THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE) TO TRY AND KEEP IT FROM FREEZING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER ON I-70 TO GET TO WORK WHILE HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT 4 TIMES THIS WINTER ALONE. I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER (DENNIS YOUNG) AT THE LEE'S SUMMIT MISSOURI TOYOTA WHERE I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052508January 6, 2004
STRUCTURE
PAINT HAS FADED TO PRIMER IN SEVERAL AREAS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045993November 11, 2003
TIRES
BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045328November 3, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS CRACKED AND MAY BREAK AT ANY TIME. THAT WILL MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AT ANY TIME, EVEN IN AN EMERGENCY. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10036704August 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
MY ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON I 95. LACK OF OIL TO THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN WAS THE STATED CAUSE. OIL HAD BEEN RECENTLY CHANGED AND WHEN CHECKED WAS FULL ON THE DIPSTICK. MILAGE 64,000. MANUAL RECOMENDS CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN AT 80,000 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022562June 6, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TENSION RETAINER BOLT BROKE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022179June 3, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTING SYSTEMS WAS OUT SERVICE. INSTRUMENTAL LIGHTS/ HEAD LIGHTS/ BRAKE LIGHT AND SIGNAL LIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019063May 21, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, MY 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA VE HAS BEEN MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, OR UNEVEN PATCHES IN THE ROAD, OR WHENEVER I AM DRIVING AROUND A SHARP CURVE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR ITS 40,000 MILE OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE YESTERDAY (MAY 21, 2003) THE SERVICE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE STEERING RACK END, ALSO KNOWN AS THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THIS IS PART OF THE SUSPENSION. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA OF CLEVELAND IN CLEVELAND, TN. THE MAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH STATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM IN COROLLA'S. HE SAID IT WAS NOT TECHNICALLY CONSIDERED A "RECALL" AND THAT APPARENTLY THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT CONSIDER IT ENOUGH OF A PROBLEM TO ISSUE A RECALL. ALTHOUGH HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF COROLLAS. HE CLAIMED THAT IT WAS MERELY COSMETIC, THAT IT WOULD JUST MAKE NOISE, AND THAT IT DID NOT REALLY NEED TO BE FIXED. HE SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR FREE ONLY IF THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL. ALTHOUGH HE DID TELL ME THAT IF I WANTED TO FIX IT, IT WOULD COST ABOUT $600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I ASKED HIM IF THEY WERE GOING BAD AND HE SAID, "OH, NO. IF THEY WERE GOING BAD YOU WOULD KNOW IT. THEY WOULD START RATTLING REALLY LOUD AND SHAKING." SO DOES THAT MEAN THAT EVENTUALLY THEY WILL GO BAD AND THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $600 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK END ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE BRANDS? IF THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM, I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OF THIS PART AND FIX IT FOR FREE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019006May 20, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WE BOUGHT A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH 19,509 MILES ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 FROM AN INDEPENDENT USED CAR DEALER. THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE SAME DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR SO WE TOOK THE COROLLA TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, JAY TOYOTA OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA TO HAVE THE ENGINE INSPECTED THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR. ON OUR WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND "JERKY" ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN POOR CONDITION DUE TO SLUDGE DAMAGE AND EVEN ADMITTED THAT TOYOTA CO. HAS BEEN HAVING SLUDGE PROBLEMS IN TOYOTA ENGINES. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT TOYOTA MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY DOES NOT HONOR ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE DAMAGE. THEIR ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS $2500-$5800. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED THAT WE NOT DRIVE THE COROLLA ANYMORE THAN NECESSARY BEFORE WE HAVE THE ENGINE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY SAID THE ENGINE MAY FAIL DUE TO THE SLUDGE. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ENGINE REPAIRED, BUT WE DID SEND AN OIL SAMPLE IN FOR OIL ANALYSIS. ALTHOUGH THE OIL WE SENT IN ONLY HAD 314 MILES ON IT, THE LEVELS OF FUEL AND IRON IN THE OIL WERE CONSIDERED HIGH. ACCORDING TO THE ANALYSIS AN OIL SAMPLE FROM A GASOLINE ENGINE SHOULD CONTAIN LESS THAN 2% FUEL, OUR SAMPLE WITH ONLY 314 MILES ON IT ALREADY HAD FUEL PERCENTAGE OF 2.8. THE UNIVERSAL AVERAGE FOR IRON IS 9 PARTS PER MILLION, OUR OIL HAD 34 PARTS PER MILLION OF IRON. IT SEEMS TO US THAT OUR COROLLA IS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AS THE MODELS THAT TOYOTA COMPANY HAS AGREED TO INCLUDE IN ITS PROGRAM IN WHICH CERTAIN ENGINE MODELS WITH SLUDGE DAMAGE CAN BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED BY TOYOTA AT NO COST. AFTER VISITING SOME CAR REVIEW AND CAR SURVEY SITES AND PERFORMING SOME SEARCHES ON THE WEB, WE FOUND THAT WE WERE NOT THE ONLY COROLLA OWNERS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SLUDGE. WE BELIEVE COROLLA SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM TOYOTA'S SLUDGE PROGRAM. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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