Toyota Corolla Complaints

11,764 consumer complaints on file.

#10245097October 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A MAJOR MANUFACTURING ERROR. MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE PRODUCES A VERY LARGE AND INSTANTANEOUS INCREASE IN HORSEPOWER (A 'SURGE') AT 6800 RPM (DUE TO A 'CAM SWITCHOVER'). I HAVE OBSERVED DYNAMOMETER READOUTS WHICH PLACE THIS JUMP AT AROUND 40HP. BECAUSE OF THIS STRANGE AND INSTANTANEOUS JUMP IN HORSEPOWER, DURING SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, OR ON ROADS WITH DEBRIS SUCH AS SAND OR GRAVEL, THE CAR WOULD, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, LOSE TRACTION WHEN IT HIT THIS POWER SURGE 'POINT'. I AM WELL AWARE THE XRS IS A PERFORMANCE TYPE VEHICLE, AND ENJOY IT WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE PERFECT, YET IT CAUSES ME GREAT DISCOMFORT TO KNOW THAT MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY DURING RAIN OR SNOW (OR WITH SAND OR GRAVEL ON THE ROAD SURFACE) MAY MEAN AN ABRUPT LOSS IN TRACTION LEADING TO A CRASH, INJURY, OR WORSE. I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED SOME VERY UNNERVING NEAR-ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE ENGINE'S BIZARRE POWER DELIVERY. STRANGELY ENOUGH, MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT PREVIOUS ITERATIONS OF THE SAME ENGINE PRODUCED BY TOYOTA HAVE THE 'CAM SWITCHOVER POINT' PLACED MUCH LOWER IN THE RPM RANGE, LEADING TO A MUCH SMOOTHER POWER DELIVERY (WHICH I BELIEVE IS SAFER AND MORE PREDICTABLE). I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES, ONCE THROUGH MAIL AND TWICE BY PHONE, ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVES I TALKED WITH COULD/WOULD NOT ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AS WELL AS REFUSING TO ADMIT TO A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR SPECIAL EDITION CAR. WITH WINTER APPROACHING, I'M NOT WAITING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT TO REPORT THIS MANUFACTURER ERROR, ESPECIALLY SO SINCE TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244120October 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A/C CONDENSER MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY A ROCK. COST TO REPLACE IS $770.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NO PROTECTIVE COVERS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. TOYOTA HAS NOW PLACED PROTECTIVE COVERS ON LATER MODEL VEHICLES TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244150October 1, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:FRONT
LOUD, CRACKING SOUND IN BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243867September 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I RECENTLY TRADED IN A FORD EXPLORER ON A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA.. 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TENSIONER STARTED TO SQUEAL AND GOT WORSE PROGRESSIVELY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE BELT WAS WORN AND GOT A NEW ONE,WENT TO REPLACE IT AND FOUND THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TENSIONER HAD SNAPPED OFF DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF IT. I WAS JUST NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA THAT I HAD TO BUY THE NEW(CORRECTLY )DESIGNED TENSIONER AT AN ADDITIONAL COST TO ME OF $180.00 PLUS THE LABOR TO DO IT WHICH INVOLVES UNBOLTING THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND JACKING THE ENGINE UP!I AM A CONTRACTOR AND IF I DO SOMETHING WRONG OR SOMETHING THE CUSTOMER DOESN'T LIKE I EAT THE COST. SHOULDN'T TOYOTA'S BAD DESIGN BE PAID FOR BY TOYOTA. I WAS GOING TO TRADE IN MY FORD TRUCK ON A NEW TOYOTA TRUCK BUT AFTER THIS LITTLE EXPERIENCE I THINK I WILL STICK WITH FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243927September 29, 2008
TIRES:VALVE
EARLY A.M. WENT TO CAR NOTICED TIRE COMPLETELY FLAT DUE TO 'CRACKED/DEFECTIVE' VALVE STEM. HAD PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES 2/8/07 FROM SAM'S CLUB. THEY REPLACED VALVE STEM BUT DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL AND DID NOT CHECK OTHER VALVE STEMS FOR DEFECTS. I WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALL UNTIL HEARING IT ON THE NEWS THIS WEEK. NOW CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER TIRES AND IF THE 'NEW REPLACEMENT VALVE IS SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243806September 28, 2008
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, TIRES:VALVE
FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM BJ'S WAREHOUSE CLUB ON 08/09/07 AND WERE MOUNTED ON A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE INSTALLATION INCLUDED NEW VALVE STEMS AND BALANCING. ON 09/25/08 ONE OF THE VALVE STEMS FAILED CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED TO STOP, BUT THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER WAS PLACED IN JEOPARDY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE NEAREST BJ'S TIRE CENTER AFTER A SPACE SAVER SPARE WAS INSTALLED. THE BJ'S TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE TIRE AND COMMENTED THAT THE STEM HAD FAILED RESULTING IN DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES HAD APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON THEM AND ABOUT 13 MONTHS OF TIME. THE TECHNICIAN COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL. A REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS NOT IN STOCK AND WAS ORDERED. ANOTHER FULL SIZE TIRE HAD TO BE PURCHASED FROM ANOTHER TIRE DEALER (PEP BOYS) TO TEMPORARILY REPAIR THE VEHICLE, SINCE THE SPACE SAVER SPARE CANNOT BE USED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 60 MILES FROM MY HOME WHILE COMMUTING. INVESTIGATION OF TIRE STEMS SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT DEFECTIVE STEMS WERE SOLD BY DILL IN 2006 AND 2007 TO SOME DEALERS. MY CONCERN IS THAT HOW DO I KNOW IF THE THREE REMAINING TIRE STEMS ARE NOT DEFECTIVE? SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL BY BJ'S? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243597September 27, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
66,760 MILES ON THE ENGINE #3 ROD BEARING COMPLETELY WIPED OUT. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED 8512 MILES FOR 5 YEARS I MANAGED A REPAIR FACILITY THEN OWNED MY OWN SO I PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGES NEVER OVER 3000 MILES BETWEEN. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES A SLUDGE PROBLEM HOWEVER MY CAR WAS ASSEMBLED IN CALIFORNIA PLANT (NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL) AND 6000 MILES OVER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT (CRANK KIT, BEARINGS, RINGS, OIL PUMP, ETC.) NOW HAVE 76000 MILES AND STARTING TO SHOW SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE, SLIGHT NOISE IN ENGINE MAINLY AT HIGHER RPMS AND MORE AFTER LONG TRIPS WHEN ENGINE IS GOOD AND WARM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243507September 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
REFERENCE: ODI NUMBER 1024 3336 CANCEL THIS COMPLAINT - DEALER HANDLED COMPLAINT 100% TO MY TOTAL SATISFACTION. YOUR GOV.'T REPRESENTATIVE SAID TO USE THIS FORM TO ADD FURTHER DETAILS OR TO CANCEL THIS COMPLAINT. THANK YOU. JMV *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243284September 24, 2008
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I'VE BEEN DRIVING A 2005 COROLLA CE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. IT BLOWS WARM AIR, WARMER THEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE OF OUTSIDE. I LIVE IN THE LOWER DESERT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE TEMPERATURES REACH UP TO 115 DEGREES. ACCORDING TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AC002-06, TOYOTA FAILED TO PROTECT THE COMPRESSOR. WITH DAILY USE, ROCKS CONTINUE TO DAMAGE THE COMPRESSOR UNTIL THE AC STOPPED WORKING. AT TIMES I FELT WEAK AFTER GETTING INTO MY CAR AFTER A DAY OF SITTING IN MY WORKS PARKING LOT. I'M EXTREMELY HOT AND HAVE HAD ONSET OF HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243319September 24, 2008
AIR BAGS, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE MASS PIKE IN FRAMINGHAM, MA, AND MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL. I NEITHER HIT ANYTHING NOR DID I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS RESULTED IN MY CAR SWERVING OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING THE BARRIER AND FLIPPING OVER. MY CAR LANDED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF 2 OF THE 6 AIR BAGS I HAVE IN MY CAR, AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER BARREL ROLLING MY CAR. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND I AM UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR SEVERE WHIPLASH TO MY BACK AND NECK. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CONSIDERED THE ACCIDENT A HUMAN ERROR, YET I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. MY FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN A CAR MECHANIC FOR OVER 20 YEARS FEELS THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL FLAW ON THE VEHICLE, AND DOES NOT SEE HOW THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ME. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE REGARDING A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURER'S ERROR ON MY NEW BUT TOTALED 09 TOYOTA COROLLA. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10243336September 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER THAT HIS FEET BECOME TANGLED, AND HE LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 15, 30, AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO MOVE THE CLUTCH PEDAL APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 INCHES TO THE LEFT AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID DEPRESSING BOTH PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE A SHIFT PATTERN AROUND THE STICK SHIFT FOR CORRECT SHIFTING. HE FEELS IT IS EASY TO MISS FIFTH GEAR AND SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR BY MISTAKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243237September 23, 2008
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CEILING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS FALLING DOWN. THE FAILURE WORSENS BY THE DAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243253September 23, 2008
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IN HER FACE WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS ON HER FACE. A DAY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD MADE A CREAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE A YEAR LATER PERTAINING TO THE BOLTS NEAR THE DOOR AND WINDOWS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED; HOWEVER, IT WAS REPAIRED IMPROPERLY BECAUSE THE WINDOW SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE AFTERWARDS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10242954September 19, 2008
AIR BAGS
MY 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WAS SMASHED TO A PULP, AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN FLINCH. I TRIED TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OR IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SO TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING ON THIS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10242648September 17, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LTR FROM CONGRESSMAN JO BONNER ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT, WHO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL IN HIS 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONSUMER CONTROL DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA DENIED KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242661September 17, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADREST POSITIONS HER HEAD AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE, WHICH CAUSES NECK PAIN. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE HEADREST, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE COULD ACTUALLY TURN THE HEADREST BACKWARDS; HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE HEADRESTS WERE DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO TURN THE HEADREST IN THE BACKWARD POSITION SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE IN PAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,080 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 630.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241971September 12, 2008
VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE NEAR BY. THE CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TWO AUTO GLASS COMPANIES CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A STRESS FRACTURE CAUSE BY THE MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE BLAME AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241420September 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR PARKED ON DRY, LEVEL SURFACE. DRIVER STARTED CAR NORMALLY, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE PARKING SPOT, EASED ONTO THE GAS, AND THE CAR WENT FORWARD. STOPPED THE CAR, DOUBLE CHECKED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS FIRMLY IN REVERSE, EASED ON GAS AGAIN AND, ONCE AGAIN, CAR WENT FORWARD. THIS FORWARD LURCH DRUG THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER. CAR STOPPED TO INSPECT DAMAGE. WHEN CAR STARTED AGAIN, EVERYTHING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241638September 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SUMMER 2007, WITH ABOUT 65,000 MILES ON MY 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA S (BOUGHT NEW), I STARTED TO NOTICE AN UNUSUAL SOUND WHEN I SHIFTED GEARS--SOUNDED A LITTLE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE SOUND BUT VERY FAINT. SOUND SLOWLY BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED, UNTIL IT BECAME A WORRY. IT HAPPENED WHEN I USED THE CLUTCH (IT'S A MANUAL). I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LISTEN TO IT. THEY DIDN'T HEAR IT, BUT RECOMMENDED THAT I LEAVE IT FOR SERVICE. I DID. DEALER SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. ALSO SAID THEY RARELY WORK ON MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ANY MORE. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES, I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC PERSONALLY KNOWN TO ME. HE IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED IT AS A TRANSMISSION BEARING PROBLEM. THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLY THE PILOT BEARING. HE RECOMMEND I TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE FOR A LISTEN. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION AS THE LOCAL MECHANIC. I REPORTED BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK WHETHER THERE WERE ANY SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT TRANSMISSION BEARING PROBLEMS AND THEY SAID THERE WEREN'T. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE FINDINGS OF THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I RETURNED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION WORK DONE AND HE REPLACED THE BEARINGS. NO MORE UNUSUAL SOUND WHEN I SHIFT. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART, WHICH SHOWS WEAR ON ONE OF THE BEARINGS. THE DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS EVEN LESS HELPFUL. THE REPAIR WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, ABOUT ~1600 (I ALSO DECIDED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH WHILE WE WERE IN THERE). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241273September 8, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTO SHOP FOR REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CORRODED ON TOP. THERE WERE HOLES ON THE FILLER PIPE AND RUST ON THE GAS TANK. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY THE AUTO SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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