2001 Toyota Corolla Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Corolla, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine3421.7%
- Airbags2314.6%
- Driver assistance148.9%
- Body & structure127.6%
- Brakes127.6%
- Exterior lighting95.7%
- Tires & wheels95.7%
- Fuel system85.1%
- Steering85.1%
- Transmission85.1%
- Electrical74.5%
- Interior & seats53.2%
- Other / unspecified21.3%
- Powertrain (other)21.3%
- Seat belts21.3%
- Suspension10.6%
- Visibility10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA WE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON EVERY MONTH AND SO I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST EACH TIME WITH THE RESULT SHOWING THAT THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN AND A PART CALLED A CAM. TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT WOULD COST ME AROUND 800 DOLLARS. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST IGNORED ME. THE RESULT IS I HAVE TO DO AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 1200 MILES AS THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AFTER 800 MILES. NORMALLY ONE WOULD HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE EVERY 3000 MILES. SO THE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 400 MILES INTERVALS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON FORUMS ABOUT THE 2001 COROLLA, BUT TOYOTA NEVER BOTHERED FIXING. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM THE PLASTIC LINING AROUND OUR CAR WINDOWS, ON ALL FOUR DOORS HAS PEELED OFF. I REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER LAST SPRING. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS LINING PROBLEM AND YET THE DEALER IGNORED ME ON THIS. INSTEAD THEY ASKED ME TO COUGH UP $450 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS NOT A RIPOFF ON THAMERICAN CITIZENS THEN WHAT IS? ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DONT STAY IN THE CAR I USE WIRE TO WIRE THEM TO THE FRAME OR THEY FALL OUT WHICH HAPPENED TO ME ALREADT THANK GOD IT WAS DAYLIGHT HERE ARE SOME HTTP://WWW.COROLLAND.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?/TOPIC/18973-2001-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-ISSUE/ HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T1082872-CHECK_ENGINE_LIGHT_2001_TOYOTA_COROLLA HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/COROLLA-MATRIX/69501-2001-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-P0446/ HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/2001-TOYOTA-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-IS-ON-VT126177.HTML THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON COROLLAS 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,... WILL THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION ACT AGAINST TOYOTA AND HELP US FIX OUR CARS? *TR
ENGINE STALLED DURING DRIVING, OCCURRED TO BOTH OF MY CARS THIS ONE IS 2001 COROLLA, HAPPENED TO MY 2006 COROLLA A WEEK AGO. VERY CONCERNING ABOUT COROLLA'S DRIVING SAFETY ISSUE. RE-IGNITE THE CAR, RUN NORMALLY. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DAUGHTER HIT A STOPPED CAR AT APPROX 30 MPH. SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOO LATE. SHE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. SHE WAS GOING STRAIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED AND MOVED BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK, HEAD, AND MID BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN FIVE DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR 30 DAYS AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CONTACT THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BUMPER SUSTAINED DAMAGES, AND NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WITH REPAIRS PERFORMED. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A POLICE REPORT FILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ACCORDING TO THE LETTER THE CONSUMER SENT IN, SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE, WHEN HER VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE RESTAURANT BUILDING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED SHE OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA AND HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT FIVE PARKED CARS. UPDATED 06/17/10*JB
2001 TOYOTA COROLLA WOULD NOT STOP WAS GOING BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO HOUSE. NOV 12. 2009. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF HALFWAY THROUGH THE TRAVEL FROM POINT A TO POINT B. *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,452.
ON 4/22/2008 [XXX], THE OWNER OF A PT.CRUISER, HIT MY TOYOTA HEAD ON AFTER CROSSING THE CENTER LANE AND WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, WHILE I WAS ALMOST STOPPED ON FALLING WATER DRIVE IN EAGLE RIVER.. IT FLATTENED THE RIGHT FRONT AND LATER LEFT FRONT TIRE, AND BUMPER AND QUARTER PANELS ON THE LEFT. I FELT LIKE I HAD AN ELECTRIC SHOCK TO MY SPINE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT WAS ON. , I COULDN'T LIFT THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE TO CHANGE THE FLAT WITHOUT MY NECK HURTING. I HAD CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT BUT MY NECK WAS STILL SORE . A YEAR LATER I WENT TO MY GP DR. BARNES AND HE ORDERED AN MRI. THE MRI SHOWED BLOWN DISCS AND /DR. BARNES ORDERED PT. PT. UNSUCCESSFUL AND WENT TO NEUROSURGEON DR. KRALICK . WHO SUGGESTED POSTERIOR CERVICAL. LAMINECTOMY AND SPINAL FUSION C-3-C7 AND HAD SAME 4-7-2010. UNFORTUNATELY I DEVELOPED SEROMA AND ABSCESS AT PROV. HOSPITAL. I CODED BLUE TWICE. I HAD MASSIVE DISABILITY AND WAS ALMOST PARALYZED BY THE INFECTION. I HAD MASSIVE REHAB AND MED EXPENSES IN EXCESS OF $500,000 I AM STILL RECOVERING 4 YEARS LATER AND HAVE TO TQKE FLEXIRIL AND PERKASET FOR PAIN. I HAVE PROFOUND NEUROPATHY IN MY FEET AND HANDS CRAMPING IN MY LEFT HIP, KNEE AND CALF AND SHARP PAIN AT THE SITE OF THE INCISION. IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED AS IT SHOULD, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HURT SO BADLY IN MY SPINE.. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,900.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES IN ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA WE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON EVERY MONTH AND SO I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST EACH TIME WITH THE RESULT SHOWING THAT THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN AND A PART CALLED A CAM. TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT WOULD COST ME AROUND 800 DOLLARS. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST IGNORED ME. THE RESULT IS I HAVE TO DO AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 1200 MILES AS THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AFTER 800 MILES. NORMALLY ONE WOULD HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE EVERY 3000 MILES. SO THE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 400 MILES INTERVALS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON FORUMS ABOUT THE 2001 COROLLA, BUT TOYOTA NEVER BOTHERED FIXING. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM THE PLASTIC LINING AROUND OUR CAR WINDOWS, ON ALL FOUR DOORS HAS PEELED OFF. I REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER LAST SPRING. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS LINING PROBLEM AND YET THE DEALER IGNORED ME ON THIS. INSTEAD THEY ASKED ME TO COUGH UP $450 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS NOT A RIPOFF ON THAMERICAN CITIZENS THEN WHAT IS? ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DONT STAY IN THE CAR I USE WIRE TO WIRE THEM TO THE FRAME OR THEY FALL OUT WHICH HAPPENED TO ME ALREADT THANK GOD IT WAS DAYLIGHT HERE ARE SOME HTTP://WWW.COROLLAND.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?/TOPIC/18973-2001-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-ISSUE/ HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T1082872-CHECK_ENGINE_LIGHT_2001_TOYOTA_COROLLA HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/COROLLA-MATRIX/69501-2001-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-P0446/ HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/2001-TOYOTA-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-IS-ON-VT126177.HTML THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON COROLLAS 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,... WILL THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION ACT AGAINST TOYOTA AND HELP US FIX OUR CARS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED TO SEE APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (COX TOYOTA OF BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER HAD NOT RENDERED A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER GETTING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A SET OF WINSTON WINNER 185/60R14 82 H THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND AT ABOUT HALF OF THE LISTED LIFETIME OF THE TIRES, AND WITH PLENTY OF TREAD, ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT AT 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE TIRE APPARENTLY BLEW OUT AROUND THE LETTERING OF THE TIRE AT THE T OF WINSTON. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION IT APPEARED AS IF A FEW OF THE OTHER LETTERS WERE CRACKING AT THE EDGE OF THE LETTERS ON THE SIDEWALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND NOT A CUT OR SOME ROAD DEBRIS. *TR
TIRE BLOWOUT. *NM
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA WE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON EVERY MONTH AND SO I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST EACH TIME WITH THE RESULT SHOWING THAT THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN AND A PART CALLED A CAM. TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT WOULD COST ME AROUND 800 DOLLARS. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST IGNORED ME. THE RESULT IS I HAVE TO DO AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 1200 MILES AS THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AFTER 800 MILES. NORMALLY ONE WOULD HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE EVERY 3000 MILES. SO THE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 400 MILES INTERVALS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON FORUMS ABOUT THE 2001 COROLLA, BUT TOYOTA NEVER BOTHERED FIXING. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM THE PLASTIC LINING AROUND OUR CAR WINDOWS, ON ALL FOUR DOORS HAS PEELED OFF. I REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER LAST SPRING. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS LINING PROBLEM AND YET THE DEALER IGNORED ME ON THIS. INSTEAD THEY ASKED ME TO COUGH UP $450 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS NOT A RIPOFF ON THAMERICAN CITIZENS THEN WHAT IS? ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DONT STAY IN THE CAR I USE WIRE TO WIRE THEM TO THE FRAME OR THEY FALL OUT WHICH HAPPENED TO ME ALREADT THANK GOD IT WAS DAYLIGHT HERE ARE SOME HTTP://WWW.COROLLAND.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?/TOPIC/18973-2001-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-ISSUE/ HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T1082872-CHECK_ENGINE_LIGHT_2001_TOYOTA_COROLLA HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/COROLLA-MATRIX/69501-2001-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-P0446/ HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/2001-TOYOTA-COROLLA-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-IS-ON-VT126177.HTML THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON COROLLAS 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,... WILL THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION ACT AGAINST TOYOTA AND HELP US FIX OUR CARS? *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT GOING OFF EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE PARTS
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA ONLY RECALL 2009/2010 COROLLA. BUT MY COROLLA HAD FATAL PROBLEM ON 2001 MODEL, AND CRASHED ON 2004/03. ON HIGHWAY 680 ON 03/19/2004, DOVE AS NORMAL SPEED. THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WERE FAR AWAY, MAYBE ABOUT 200 METERS. THERE IS NO CAR WAS CLOSELY ASIDE OF MY LANE. I DIDN'T STEP BRAKE OR TRY CHANGE LANE, JUST KEPT THE LANE AND SPEED AS NORMAL. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF CONTROL. IT RUSHED TO RIGHT, THEN LEFT, THEN RIGHT, LEFT, I TRIED VERY HARD BUT COULDN'T CONTROL THE STEERING. AT THE FIRST SECOND WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR WENT WRONG DIRECTION, I STEPPED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, NO USE. STEERING AND BRAKE WERE OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR HIT THE BARRIER WALL WITH HIGH SPEED, ROLLING OVER AND OVER. MILPITAS OR SAN JOSE CHP WAS ON SITE, AND HAD A ACCIDENT REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOTAL DAMAGED, MY HEAD GOT HIT AND START BLEEDING INSIDE BUT DIDN'T CHECK IT OUT AFTER ACCIDENT. 2 MONTHS LATER I HAD A HEAD SURGERY TO STOP THE BLEEDING INSIDE AND TOOK OUT A BIG CHUNK OF BLOOD. AFTER YEARS, TILL TODAY, I AM STILL SUFFERED BY THE HEAD WOUNDS/HIT. BUT THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR 2009/2010 MODEL, LEAVE SO MANY DRIVERS STILL IN DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, AND BOTH DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WORE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
RE: UNSAFE REBUILT TRANSMISSION, 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 7/29/2008. IN JANUARY 2009, THE ENGINE DUMPED OIL AND BURNED OUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER THE TRANSMISSION FELL APART. OUR MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH EPOXY. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS BENT, INDICATING TO THE MECHANIC THAT THE CAR MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN SOME KIND OF ACCIDENT. ALSO I BELIEVE THE MECHANISM FOR THE BOLT TO GO THROUGH (TO HOLD THE TRANSMISSION IN PLACE) WAS MISSING ALONG WITH THE BOLT. ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHOULD BE VERIFIED WITH HARRY, OWNER OF IMPORT AUTO, AT 2583 UNIVERSITY AVE, MADISON, WI 53705; PHONE 608-231-1221. HE HAS BEEN KEEPING THE TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION BY INTERESTED AUTHORITIES. HARRY CALLED THE TRANSMISSION A "FRAUD." IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN INSTALLED LIKE THAT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS UNSAFE. I ALLOW MY GRANDSON TO DRIVE THIS CAR. HE IS A STUDENT, AGE 19. HE HAS A PART-TIME JOB WITH PIZZA HUT, DELIVERING PIZZAS. HE IS ALSO IN A BAND. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, HE WANTED TO DRIVE THE CAR A LONG DISTANCE FOR A GIG. I TOLD HIM TO TAKE MY OTHER CAR. IF HE HAD TAKEN THE COROLLA, THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE COME APART AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY IN THE DEAD OF WINTER. HE AND OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY MECHANIC ORDERED ANOTHER REBUILT TRANSMISSION, BUT IT TOO HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HE IS FLABBERGASTED THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BEING SOLD, AND HE TOLD US HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE IN HIS 40-YEAR CAREER. WE OPTED TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION. BOTTOM LINE: BAD, UNSAFE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BEING SOLD AND UNSCRUPULOUS MECHANICS OR CAR OWNERS ARE INSTALLING THEM. WE HAVE PHOTOS AND MORE INFORMATION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND. A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING AND SHAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS WORN AND DEFECTIVE. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT TURN AUTOMATICALLY. THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES. I TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT STOPS FLASHING. I HAVE REPLACED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT RELAY TWICE AND NEITHER ONE FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT RELAYS WERE USED NOT NEW.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BURNT GROUND WIRE AND THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT WHICH FAILED DUE TO THE BURNT WIRE. THE RELAY ASSEMBLY AND RUNNING LIGHT WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED AND MOVED BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK, HEAD, AND MID BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN FIVE DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR 30 DAYS AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CONTACT THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKEN. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURES WERE RECURRING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 02/24/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF AT DIFFERENT MILEAGE INTERVALS AND WERE REPLACED BY HIM, ON ALL FOUR DOORS. UPDATED 02/24/14
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 4/22/2008 [XXX], THE OWNER OF A PT.CRUISER, HIT MY TOYOTA HEAD ON AFTER CROSSING THE CENTER LANE AND WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, WHILE I WAS ALMOST STOPPED ON FALLING WATER DRIVE IN EAGLE RIVER.. IT FLATTENED THE RIGHT FRONT AND LATER LEFT FRONT TIRE, AND BUMPER AND QUARTER PANELS ON THE LEFT. I FELT LIKE I HAD AN ELECTRIC SHOCK TO MY SPINE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT WAS ON. , I COULDN'T LIFT THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE TO CHANGE THE FLAT WITHOUT MY NECK HURTING. I HAD CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT BUT MY NECK WAS STILL SORE . A YEAR LATER I WENT TO MY GP DR. BARNES AND HE ORDERED AN MRI. THE MRI SHOWED BLOWN DISCS AND /DR. BARNES ORDERED PT. PT. UNSUCCESSFUL AND WENT TO NEUROSURGEON DR. KRALICK . WHO SUGGESTED POSTERIOR CERVICAL. LAMINECTOMY AND SPINAL FUSION C-3-C7 AND HAD SAME 4-7-2010. UNFORTUNATELY I DEVELOPED SEROMA AND ABSCESS AT PROV. HOSPITAL. I CODED BLUE TWICE. I HAD MASSIVE DISABILITY AND WAS ALMOST PARALYZED BY THE INFECTION. I HAD MASSIVE REHAB AND MED EXPENSES IN EXCESS OF $500,000 I AM STILL RECOVERING 4 YEARS LATER AND HAVE TO TQKE FLEXIRIL AND PERKASET FOR PAIN. I HAVE PROFOUND NEUROPATHY IN MY FEET AND HANDS CRAMPING IN MY LEFT HIP, KNEE AND CALF AND SHARP PAIN AT THE SITE OF THE INCISION. IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED AS IT SHOULD, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HURT SO BADLY IN MY SPINE.. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT, CLAIM 25-5411-610. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND. A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING AND SHAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS WORN AND DEFECTIVE. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ
TRAVELING ON STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD. REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE SHEARED IN HALF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WERE NOT SECURE. THE BELT THAT WAS THREADED THROUGH THE LOCKS BECAME LOOSE AND WAS FREE TO MOVE AROUND. THE SEAT WAS BRITAX, MODEL # E9L06-D5. THE MANUFACTURER DATE WAS 7-13-06. *AK
I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM INSTALLING AND PROPERLY SECURING CAR SEATS IN AUTOMOBILES. HOWEVER, SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE DEALERSHIP, MYSELF NOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO GET A CAR SEAT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS OF BOTH THE CAR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE. ANY OF THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT SECURE A CAR SEAT. WE EVEN BOUGHT A NEW CAR SEAT TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE SEAT BELT IS AS TIGHT AS IT COULD POSSIBLY EVER BE, YOU CAN STILL LIFT THE CAR SEAT OFF OF THE SEAT BY ABOUT 12 INCHES AND THE CAR SEAT DOES NOT FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS EVEN HOOKED INTO THE SEAT BELT. I STOPPED BY THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE AUTOMOBILE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE CAR SEAT SECURED EITHER. IF THE CAR SEAT CAN'T BE SECURED PROPERLY, HOW IS IT THAT A PERSON IS SAFE WITH THE SEAT BELT? IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW COROLLA'S? MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE CAR SEATS IN HER VEHICLE CAN'T BE BUDGED! IS THIS A DEFECT WITH MY CAR ONLY? I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY FAMILY IS SAFE IN THIS CAR AND THAT THE SAFETY RESTRAINTS ARE WORKING CORRECTLY? PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY AND MY OWN SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE HOW MUCH TROUBLE I HAVE HAD GOTTEN A NEW SET OF TIRES EVERY 90-120 DAYS SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR THE SHOCKS ARE ALWAYS PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED THEY HAVE BROKEN ONE AND THEN BEFORE I CAN GET TO THE SHOP WITHIN 3 DAYS OF FEELING LIKE I AM DRIVING ON SQUARE TIRES THEY START TO FEEL LIKE I AM ONLY ON RIMS WITH IN 50 HWY AND INTERSTATE MILES THEY START TO COME DOWN AND THE TIRES ARE RUBBING ON THE CAR CAUSING THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRES AND THE PADS HAVE BROKEN TWICE I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT SHOPS BUT THE SAME OUTCOME BROKEN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOYOTA COROLLA 2001 S - THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS DEFECTIVE. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR HAS 2 NON-METAL HOLDERS TO HOLD UP THE GLASS (GLUED TO THE GLASS). ONE OF THEM GOT BROKEN THAT CAUSE THE GLASS TO GO OUT OF BALANCE AND GET STUCK WHEN ROLLING UP/DOWN. THE MOTOR GOT OVER WORKED AND FAIL SHORTLY AFTER THAT. COULD NOT FIND A PART TO REPLACE EXCEPT FOR THE WHOLE GLASS. THIS HAPPENED AROUND THE END OF 2004/ EARLY 2005. I HAD TO KEEP THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW CLOSED ALL TIME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .