RoadVitals

2002 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Apr 23, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
21%
of 117 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Apr 23, 2021

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 ID
11413552
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
Mileage
74,047 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 3, 2019

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 ID
11286750
Incident
Dec 1, 2019
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2019

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 ID
11269404
Incident
Oct 18, 2019
Engine
Filed Nov 30, 2015

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 ID
10807455
Incident
Jun 15, 2002
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 2012

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 ID
10480661
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2012

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. *TT

NHTSA ID
10446024
Incident
May 6, 2010
Engine
Filed Aug 24, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10351495
Incident
Aug 1, 2010
Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2010

IN AUGUST 2009 MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER ATTACHED TO THE MUFFLER WENT OUT. THEY PUT IN THE CODE THAT WAS GIVEN FOR THAT JOB. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS , I WAS BACK IN THE SHOP EVERY OTHER WEEK BECAUSE MY EMERGENCY LIGHT WOULD KEEP COMING ON. I AM 68 YEARS OLD AND FOR ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE MY CAR WAS HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED/CORRECTED TO THIS DAY. L WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AND HAVE THEM TAKE CARE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10317201
Incident
Aug 9, 2009
EngineSteering
Filed Nov 23, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE, AND THEN TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED, AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SHE FILED REPORT NUMBER 091113338 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10293208
Incident
Nov 20, 2009
Mileage
116,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2009

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA THAT USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL IT IS NOT LEAKING IT OUT IT IS BURNING IT. AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF VIRTUALLY THE SAME PROBLEMS FROM OTHER TOYOTA COROLLA CONSUMERS I BELIEVE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. I EVEN HAD TO REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO THE PROBLEM. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CALL THE NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE LINE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM. FROM EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM CAR REPAIR PLACES AND THE INTERNET I MUST "YOUR LOOKING AT A COMPLETE OVERHAUL... YOU WANT TO REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS AND VALVE STEMS... BUT EVERY GASKET YOU TOUCH OR GO NEAR SHOULD BE REPLACED ALONG THE WAY. ALSO ADD IN INCIDENTALS FOR ITEMS THAT BREAK OR THINGS THAT ARE DISCOVERED ALONG THE WAY..." TOYOTA WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM; HOWEVER, LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH IT INCLUDING MYSELF. I HAVE NOT DONE AN OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE I AM LOOKING FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR WORK. I DID REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN JULY OF 2009. RIGHT NOW I AM GOING THROUGH ALL MY IN LESS THAN 3,000 MILES. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN BEFORE MY REGULAR OIL CHANGES. NOW I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT MAJOR REPLACEMENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. MANY OTHERS ARE PUTTING QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY 1,000 MILES OR LESS. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I GET TO THIS POINT TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286802
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 26, 2009

I WOULD LIKE TO DOCUMENT MY CONCERN REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE CHARCOAL CANISTER IN MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ON THE INTERNET. REGARDLESS, I FEEL THAT A PART SO NON DESCRIPTIVE SHOULDN'T COST OVER $500 TO REPLACE. SECONDLY TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY INSIST THAT THE PART WOULD BE COVERED FOR A RECURRING FAILURE ONLY IF IT IS REPLACED AT THE DEALER, WHERE THE COSTS ARE 2/3RDS MORE THAN A NORMAL SERVICE SHOP SUCH AS MIDAS. TOYOTA SHOULD NOT ADVERTISE ON RELIABILITY IF PARTS FAIL AT 50000 MARK AND THAT TO BECOMES SO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE (INCLUDING LABOR). I SEE THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF THERE A RECALL IS INITIATED ON THIS PART AND REPLACEMENTS DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281862
Incident
Jul 22, 2009
Mileage
62,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2009

2002 TOYOTA COROLLA - CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING, SYMPTOMS LIKE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. CAR STALLS AND WILL NOT DIE WHILE DRIVING. DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258632
Incident
Jul 20, 2008
Mileage
18,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 8, 2008

I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF MY TOYOTA COROLLA, WHICH HAS 74,000 MILE ON IT NOW. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THREE AND HALF YEARS (MARCH 2005), THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATION SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTION AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VACUUM SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD SPENT MORE THAN $600.00 TO HAVE THIS DONE. AT THAT TIME I DID NOT COMPLAIN TOO MUCH. HOWEVER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2007, I HAD TO SPEND ANOTHER $600.00 TO REPLACE CANISTER AND VALVE AGAIN (AFTER TWO AND HALF YEARS LATER). I BELIEVE THAT THE TWO CHARCOAL CANISTERS HAD VERY BAD QUALITY! *TR

NHTSA ID
10220453
Incident
Nov 10, 2007
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2008

ENGINE MALFUNCTION DASH INDICATOR CAME ON. FIRST TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AFTER DISCUSSION AND SAID DRIVE CAR FOR FEW DAYS. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON NEXT DAY. SECOND TOYOTA DEALER RAN FULL DIAGNOSTICS AND GOT CODE P1346. ADVISED VVTI CAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLE TIMING CHAIN. MINIMUM COST JUST OVER $1000. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS. THEY SAID NO. THERE IS. NOW WHAT STEP SHOULD I TAKE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10218998
Incident
Feb 19, 2008
Mileage
79,980 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC PUT AN OIL STABILIZER IN THE CAR TO MAINTAIN THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURES WERE MILEAGE 73784.

NHTSA ID
10205049
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
73,784 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2007

TL * - IN OCTOBER 2006, THE CONTACT TOOK HER 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE SHE WAS HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 61, 313 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT SEE AN OIL LEAK AROUND HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TOLD SHE WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR FOR THE VEHICLE DUE TO OIL STARVATION, AND THAT THERE WAS A SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JUNE 2006, AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 56, 860 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE ALSO TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT A GRINDING NOISE SHE WAS HEARING. THE DEALER TOLD HER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR THE NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS OF 20-50 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS WHEN THE NOISE OCCURRED. THE WARRANTY DEPT HAS TOLD THE CONTACT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE FAILURE DUE TO VEHICLE NEGLECT. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT HAS ALL OF HER REPAIR ORDERS FOR THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178569
Incident
Oct 1, 2005
Mileage
56,870 mi
Engine
Filed May 21, 2006

I TOOK MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA LE IN FOR AN EMISSIONS TEST AND FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOVE $500 BECAUSE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER ON MY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND I NEED TO REPLACE IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH MY MECHANIC I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH COROLLAS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE IS THAT THE CANISTER IS SET AT AN ANGLE AND IT ALLOWS ENGINE GASES TO LIQUEFY AND CAUSE FAILURE. I AM UPSET BECAUSE THIS CAR HAS FEWER THAT 65000 MILE ON IT AND THIS IS A MAJOR PART FAILURE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS OBVIOUS VEHICLE DEFECT. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157948
Incident
May 18, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2005

A FEW WEEKS BACK MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE (THIS WAS WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 40,500). SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO A AAA CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP FOR INVESTIGATION. I LATER CAME TO KNOW THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILURE. SINCE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEALER SO I LATER INQUIRED ABOUT THE REPAIR COST. THE TOTAL REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS TOLD TO ME AROUND $480 WHICH PROMPTED ME TO SEARCH THE WEB ABOUT SIMILAR REPAIR ISSUES. I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS RELATED TO CHARCOAL CANISTER FOR MANY TOYOTA VEHICLES. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR REGULAR OIL-CHANGES,ETC. I WAS ALARMED THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR WOULD FAIL JUST A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. SO I CALLED THE TOYOTA ASSISTANCE AT 800-331-4331 ON 6/3/2005 (REFERENCE # [XXX]). I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER WOULD CONTACT ME SOME TIME WITHIN THE NEXT 3-4 DAYS BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED. UPON CALLING THE TOYOTA ASSISTANCE CENTER TODAY AGAIN (6/16/05) I CAME TO KNOW THAT THE DEALER HAD NEVER BOTHERED CALLING ME AND HAD INSTEAD JUST LEFT A NOTIFICATION IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT THE REGIONAL CENTER HAD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION IN THIS REGARD. MY OTHER CAR IN THE HOUSEHOLD IS AROUND 70,000 MI AND IT HAD NEVER HAD ANY SUCH PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF THE TOYOTA LOOKS INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILURE ISSUES MORE SERIOUSLY AND PROVIDES RELIEF IN THAT REGARD. A PART OF SUCH IMPORTANCE AND COST SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN SUCH LOW MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL,TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THIS REGARD AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10126614
Incident
Jun 2, 2005
Mileage
40,400 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 25, 2005

CHANGED DESIGN FROM TIMING CHAIN TO BELT 2 MONTHS AFTER RELEASE. BOLT ATTACHING TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET TO CAM SHAFT OVERTIGHTENED AT FACTORY CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO CAM TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKET AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS, AND LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A NATIONAL FOREST 45 MILES FROM NEAREST SERVICES WITH NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10114728
Incident
Mar 16, 2005
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2005

VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BOLT WAS TOO TIGHT, WHICH BENT THE VALVE, AND TOTALLY RUINED OTHER ENGINE PARTS. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115776
Incident
Mar 3, 2005
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I AM WRITING REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE IN MY CAR, A CHARCOAL CANISTER DUE TO IT BEING CLOGGED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM BECAUSE ON THE DAY THAT I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED, I MET ANOTHER PERSON AT THE TOYOTA SERVICE STATION WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND WHO ALSO HAD A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. HOWEVER, FORTUNATELY FOR HER SHE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART IS 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS AT THE 38,000 MARK ON MILEAGE AND SO I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BEFORE I HAD THE CAR FIXED, I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 800-331-4331 (REFERENCE #: 200309021930) AND AFTER A BIT OF BACK AND FORTH, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD GOOD WILL THE PART TO ME SINCE I WAS RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. AS A SIDE TO THIS STORY, TOYOTA NORTH IN MT. KISCO (WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) LABOR FEE TO REPLACE THIS PART IS A $90 DIAGNOSTIC FEE PLUS 1.5 HOURS LABOR ADDING TO A TOTAL OF ABOUT $225. AFTER SHOPPING AROUND, I FOUND THAT TOYOTA CITY IN MAMARONECK (LOCATED WITHIN THE SAME COUNTY AS TOYOTA NORTH) LABOR FEE FOR THE SAME JOB IS $90 TOTAL. OBVIOUSLY, I OPTED TO GO TO TOYOTA CITY TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY CLOGGED CHARCOAL CANISTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE 2002 MODEL OF A TOYOTA COROLLA. I DID CONTACT THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND FILED A REPORT REGARDING THE FAILURE ON THIS PART AND HOPE THAT OTHERS WOULD DO THE SAME. OVERALL, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE AWARE THAT THEY CAN FILE A REPORT ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE PART, AS THEY DO NOT THINK IT IS RELATED TO A SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO ALL TOYOTA OWNERS THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FILE A REPORT ON ANY AUTO PART THAT FAILS REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT IT IS COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
10070963
Incident
Aug 15, 2003
Mileage
38,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T SERVICE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY APPOINTMENT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, SHE WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE DEALER "GOOD WILLED" THE PART SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND THE CONSUMER JUST HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ID
10038613
Incident
Aug 15, 2003
Mileage
38,100 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2003

"THERE IS AN OFF GASSING OF CHEMICAL IN VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING AN IRRITATION TO CONSUMER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM". *AK

NHTSA ID
10029807
Mileage
30,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 21, 2002

PURCHASED CAR ON 9-4-2001, NO SMELL AT ALL. FUEL PUMP GOES BAD AND IS REPLACED AFTER 20 DAYS OWNING CAR AT 300 MILES. AFTER PUMP REPLACEMENT I NOTICED VERY BAD ROTTEN EGG SMELL. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR, BUT IT COULD BE THE FUEL. IT WAS ADVISED TO USE 5 DIFFERENT FUELS. FILL TANK 3 TIMES USING EACH FUEL UNTIL THE CAR BURNS THE GAS THAT DOES NOT SMELL. THEY ALL SMELL AND PEOPLE AS MYSELF ARE GETTING SICK RIDING IN THE CAR. THE SMALL HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY WITH NO SET TIME. SOME ORDERS ARE LIGHT IN SMELL THEN A STRONG SMELL THAT WILL FORCE YOU OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF CAR WHO GET GAS AT THE SAME STATION I DO IF THERE CAR SMELLS AND EVERYONE SAID NO. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND A DISTRICT TECH FROM NEW YORK, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR ANYMORE AND WE HAVE TO GO TO ARBITRATION. THERE PHONE NO. IS 310- 618 4000. SOMETHING DOES NOT ADD UP. ONLY ONE VISIT, THE CAR STILL STINKS, I FEEL SICK DRIVING IT , NO SECOND VISIT TO DEALER, FIELD TECH BRUSHING ME OFF , AND GO TO ARBITRATION AFTER ONE DEALER VISIT. I WANT THIS INVESTIGATED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT , AND I THINK IT ALSO MY BE TIME FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO .*AK

NHTSA ID
759646
Incident
Jan 9, 2002

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .