RoadVitals

2003 Toyota Corolla Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
32
Latest Mar 12, 2026
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.
4%
of 720 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 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 visibility

The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Mar 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla. The contact lowered the front passenger’s side window; however, while attempting to raise the window, the window failed to respond. The contact researched online and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V162000 (Visibility). The contact called a local dealer and was informed of the recall; however, the recall had been repaired in 2008, and the VIN was not eligible for a second repair. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact was informed that any additional repairs would be out-of-pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

NHTSA ID
11723843
Incident
Feb 19, 2026
Mileage
124,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureVisibility
Filed Jun 30, 2023

I was driving as usual and suddenly the air bags exploded inside the dash causing damage to the passenger window and the front crystal. Seconds after the drivers airbag also opened and consequently the alarms. I did not impact anything and the car won’t start again.

NHTSA ID
11529844
Incident
Jun 5, 2023
Visibility
Filed Apr 3, 2023

While driving on the highway (I-75) in Michigan on April 2, 2022 the sunroof exploded for no apparent reason.

NHTSA ID
11515147
Incident
Apr 2, 2023
Visibility
Filed Nov 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR WARNING WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO WESLEY CHAPEL TOYOTA (5300 EAGLESTON BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544, (813) 703-1759), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE SUN ROOF BEING AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11281108
Incident
May 2, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR DISTORTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW, CAUSING VEHICLES TO APPEAR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LEHMAN TOYOTA/SCION, MIAMI, FL, 305-652-4442) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED AN UNAFFORDABLE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
11013631
Incident
Oct 31, 2003
Mileage
10 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 19, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WINDOWS, EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, DID NOT OPEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V285000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10837182
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Mileage
96,000 mi
AirbagsVisibility
Filed May 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS), 14V312000 (AIR BAGS), 13V029000 (AIR BAGS), AND 08V162000 (VISIBILITY) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10722324
Incident
Sep 2, 2014
Visibility
Filed Feb 9, 2015

RECALL ID # 75947 - VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW IS FALLING OUT PLACE AGAIN. PREVIOUS RECALL WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE WAS IN 2008. SUMMARY: TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BECOMING LOOSE AND POSSIBLY RATTLING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE MAY BE HEARD FROM THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHEN OPERATING THE POWER WINDOWS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682190
Incident
Aug 8, 2008
ElectricalSeat beltsVisibility
Filed Oct 8, 2013

1. ELECTRICAL: DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP AFTER ROLLING THEM DOWN. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BUTTON WAS NOT BROKE...& PHYSICALLY WORKED WHEN PUSHED DOWN OR PULLED UP BUT DID NOT ROLL THE WINDOW UP. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON ACTUALLY BROKE/CAVED IN WHEN PUSHED TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN. ONCE ROLLED DOWN...IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER: AIR CONDITIONER BARELY BLOWS ANY AIR OUT OF VENTS. WHEN SET ON "HIGHEST FAN OPTION"...U CAN HEAR IT WORKING & CAN FEEL COOL AIR BUT U HAVE TO HAVE YOUR FACE 2 INCHES IN FRONT OF VENT TO FEEL IT. 3. SEAT BELTS: PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT CLICK/LOCK INTO LOCKING DEVICE TO KEEP SEATBELT ON. DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING BREAKING IT...JUST WOULDN'T "CLICK" INTO LOCKING DEVICE ONE DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547273
Incident
Feb 17, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 27, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID
10537575
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
84,000 mi
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Jun 17, 2013

THIS IS THE THIRD RECALL NOTICED I HAVE RECEIVED FROM TOYOTA. THE FIRST ONE, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AGO FOR THE WINDOWS, THE SECOND APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO FOR BRAKE PEDDLE, AND THE MOST RECENT (SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - INTERIM NOTICE, JUNE 2013. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING IN THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN LATE 2002. HOW MANY TIMES IS THIS VEHICLE GOING TO BE RECALLED? AT WHAT POINT WILL TOYOTA MAKE SOME SORT OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND WORRY? PLEASE NOTE, I HAVE NOT HAD AN INCIDENT WITH THESE ISSUES. HOWEVER, I COULD NOT SUBMIT FORM WITHOUT ENTERING A DATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520126
Incident
Jun 12, 2013
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 30, 2013
Fire reported

WAS DRIVING 20MPH ON A SIDE STREET WITH MY TODDLER IN THE CAR WHEN I SMELT STRONG ELECTRICAL FIRE. WINDOW SWITCH GOT STUCK ON DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND INSTEAD OF BLOWING FUSE MY DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ETC AND THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE NO RECALL FOR MY YEAR. JUST RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TODAY. TWO MONTHS AFTER! THIS IS MY SECOND RECALL ON THIS CAR AND I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN HANDLE THIS. I WILL NEVER OWN A TOYOTA AGAIN. FYI THE FIRST RECALL WAS FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR SO THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL PARTS ETC BUT OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505112
Incident
Jan 19, 2013
Mileage
185,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 18, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10475795
Incident
Sep 18, 2010
Mileage
56,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 7, 2010

POWER WINDOW RECALL FROM TOYOTA IS STILL DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE RECALL FOR THE POWER WINDOW RECALL FOR COMPONENT : VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR AND YET WHEN THEY REPAIR IT STILL COMES BACK. THEY REFUSE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT CAN BREAK AGAIN ANYTIME CAUSING DEATH, ACCIDENTS, OR SERIOUS INJURY! TOYOTA OF GLENDALE IN CA REFUSED TO REPAIR MY RECALL AFTER IT RECURRED(ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS TIGHTEN THE BOLTS). [XXX] CALL ME IF YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND WE CAN HAVE A NEW RECALL ON TOYOTA. I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID TUFF LUCK...I HAVE IT RECORDED... THEY SIMPLY REFUSED TO ADMIT THEIR RECALL CORRECTION IS NOT A GOOD CORRECTION!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10369525
Incident
May 24, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TOYOTA RECALL NOTICE 08V162000 VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JULY 21, 2010 AND WAS STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL SINCE THE GLASS WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA ID
10344694
Incident
Jul 21, 2010
Mileage
46,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 6, 2010

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR A WINDOW REPLACEMENT AFTER IT BLEW OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TGW THE CONSUMER SENT IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA ID
10324237
Incident
Nov 21, 2005
Visibility
Filed Aug 24, 2009

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IN MY 03 TOYOTA COROLLA COLLAPSED AND SHATTERED. THIS AFTER A RECALL WAS DONE A YEAR AGO FOR THE EXACT SAME THING (CAMPAIGN 08V162000). NEITHER THE DEALER NOR TOYOTA WOULD PAY TO REPAIR THE WINDOW SAYING THEY WOULDN'T PROVIDE WARRANTY ON THE RECALL SINCE IT HAD BEEN 13 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. IN FACT THE DEALER WANTED $800 TO REPAIR THE WINDOW WHICH I HAD FIXED AT A GLASS SHOP FOR $130. FORTUNATELY, MY SON WHO WAS DRIVING WASN'T HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281549
Incident
Jun 30, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WAS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, THE GLASS SHATTERED WHILE THE WINDOW WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V162000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR GLASS BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10254240
Incident
Mar 20, 2008
Mileage
80,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 23, 2008
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10243253
Incident
Mar 8, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 13, 2008

THE WINDOW TABS ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE & THE WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACKS. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. I SUBMITTED MY PAID RECEIPTS & THEY ADVISED MY REPAIRS DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL 80! (SSC 80A). *TR

NHTSA ID
10238003
Incident
Jun 23, 2007
Mileage
52,800 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 16, 2008

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDOW IS NOT BALANCED WITH THE TRACKS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH WHICH MAKES THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN. *KB THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IF THE BOLTS WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, THEN IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10231731
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Visibility
Filed May 10, 2008

OK , ONCE I DID REPLACED ON RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. I'VE PAID AND FIXED, IT WAS ITSELF WHEN I WAS USING DOWN THE WINDOW MACHINE BUT IT SHATTERED WOW! UNEXPECTED HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227218
Incident
Jul 28, 2007
Visibility
Filed Oct 19, 2005

ON 10-12-2005 TOYOTA COROLLA 2003 MODEL. OPENED CAR DOOR AND TURNED CAR ON. THEN PLACED REAR DEFROSTER ON WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND BROKE. IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE. THE POLICE DETERMINED IT WAS NOT FROM ANY IMPACT. THE REPORT STATES DEFECT OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10140222
Incident
Oct 12, 2005
Visibility
Filed Mar 29, 2004

RATTLING NOISES, SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE SITTING STILL AND ALL FOUR WINDOWS GOT STUCK IN THE SUMMER TIME AND COULDN'T BE OPENED WITH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH. (NAR) *PH *CB

NHTSA ID
10065199
Incident
Dec 2, 2003
Mileage
24,980 mi
Driver assistanceEngineVisibility
Filed Mar 11, 2004
Crash reported

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA SURGED, HITTING BRAND NEW WASHER IN GARAGE, SURGED AGAIN, RUNNING UP PLANTER CURB HITTING TREE. TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER BOTH TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE SCENARIO. WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM YET TOYOTA SAYING THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO? ALSO, HAVE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE DROPPING OUT OF OVERDRIVE, REARVIEW MIRROR PROBLEM WITH VISOR. SO MUCH FOR THE SAYING; "YOU WON'T GET A LEMON AT TOYOTA OF ORANGE". I'M HAPPY TO SAY I HAVEN'T HAD THE SULFUR SMELL.*AK

NHTSA ID
10061887
Incident
Jan 18, 2003

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .