RoadVitals

2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Sep 30, 2015
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder, 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

  • Driver assistance417.4%
  • Electrical417.4%
  • Powertrain (other)313.0%
  • Engine313.0%
  • Brakes28.7%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%
  • Airbags14.3%
  • Transmission14.3%
  • Body & structure14.3%
  • Exterior lighting14.3%
  • Other / unspecified14.3%
  • Steering14.3%

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

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID 10778822 · filed Sep 30, 2015

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BECAME INTERMITTENT IN OPERATION, WITH POTENTIAL OF BEING UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10578953 · filed Apr 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE GEAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP AND HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,800. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ID 10640007 · filed Sep 29, 2014

2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION/ SHIFTING MALFUNCTION - WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FROM STOPPED POSITION, THEN TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE CAR BECAME INCAPABLE OF SHIFTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. ECU WAS REPLACED. SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESURFACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10632785 · filed Sep 12, 2014

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE GEAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP AND HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,800. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ID 10640007 · filed Sep 29, 2014

2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION/ SHIFTING MALFUNCTION - WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FROM STOPPED POSITION, THEN TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE CAR BECAME INCAPABLE OF SHIFTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. ECU WAS REPLACED. SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESURFACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10632785 · filed Sep 12, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID 10778822 · filed Sep 30, 2015

2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION/ SHIFTING MALFUNCTION - WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FROM STOPPED POSITION, THEN TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE CAR BECAME INCAPABLE OF SHIFTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. ECU WAS REPLACED. SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESURFACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10632785 · filed Sep 12, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID 10778822 · filed Sep 30, 2015

PROBLEM 1: TRANSMISSION WILL AT RANDOM TIMES DURING DRIVING GO INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSE POWER SLOWING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT DIES. THE CAR WILL THEN NOT HAVE POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC TWICE CAUSING A NEAR SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT HAS LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED AND REQUIRING THE DEALER TO TOW THE VEHICLE AS IT WOULD NOT RE-START. IT HAPPENED ONE TIME WHERE THERE WAS ROOM TO PULL TO THE ROADSIDE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR RAN ROUGHLY AND WOULD NOT IDLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AS WELL AS NOT GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO GEAR, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE AND SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION LIGHTS WERE ON. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE DEALER ABOUT 15 MILES ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THEY FOUND SOME CODES BUT NO ONE COULD FIND THEM IN THE BOOK. PROBLEM 2: AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS, MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH THE E-BRAKE SET AND THE CAR IN GEAR AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTION OF THE SALES TEAM. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, OUR NEIGHBOR CAME TO OUR DOOR AND TOLD US OUR CAR HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND OUR GRANITE MAILBOX. I HAVE STATEMENTS FROM THEM AS THEY WERE EYE-WITNESSES. ONE OF THE WITNESSES IS A CERTIFIED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR FOR MANY YEARS. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME SAYS THE BRAKE IS WORKING AS IT SHOULD. TO THIS DAY, I CAN GET THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ON MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE BRAKE ON. I HAD THE SHOP FOREMAN LOOK AT IT WITH ME IN THE CAR AND HIM DRIVING IT. WE PARKED ON A HILL BEHIND THE DEALER, HE SET THE E-BRAKE AND RELEASED THE FOOT BRAKE AND THE CAR ROLLED. AFTER TWO MORE ATTEMPTS AND THE BRAKE LEVER AT THE MAXIMUM PHYSICAL TRAVEL, THE BRAKE SET TO HOLD THE CAR, BY NOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. HE THEN STATED THAT THE BRAKE WAS IN WORKING ORDER.

NHTSA ID 10070899 · filed Jan 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE040 215/45R16 DOT NO. EJ1EJAA3602, MOUNTED ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL MILEAGE AT FAILURE: 9142 ROAD CONDITIONS AT FAILURE: CLEAR, DRY, ~ 40 F., SOUTH-BOUND ON U.S. I-69 MICHIGAN EXIT NO. 3, NO ROAD HAZARDS, 70 MPH VEHICLE SPEED THE TIRE IN QUESTION WAS INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED TIRE DEALER THE EVENING BEFORE THE BLOW OUT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CERTIFIED TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS. FROM THE POINT OF INSPECTION, THE TIRE WAS OPERATED WAS OPERATED 10 MILES IN CITY TRAFFIC AND THEN PARKED IN A GARAGE OVERNIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE TIRE WAS OPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (AVERAGE 50 MPH, MAX 70 MPH) FOR ~ 200 MILES. TIRE BLEW (TREAD COMPLETELY SEPERATED INTACT FROM SIDEWALL) WITHOUT ANY WARNING. STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND I LOST SOME CONTROL BUT REGAINED ENOUGH CONTROL TO COAST TO A STOP (BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED). VEHICLE RODE ON SIDEWALL AND RIMS FROM BLOWOUT TO COAST TO STOP. THE ONLY TIME THE TIRE IS KNOWN TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PRESSURE WAS AFTER IT BLEW WITHOUT ANY PRIOR PROBLEM OR WARNING. IT TOOK BETWEEN 30 60 SECONDS TO BRING THE MR2 RUNNING AT 70 MPH ON DRY ROADS WITH A BLOWN DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP. SUBMITTED INCIDENT CLAIM 835370 DATED 4/18/2005, FAILED TIRE, AND PICTURES OF TIRE AND DAMAGED CAST ALUMINUM RIM TO BRIDGESTONE. BRIDGESTONE LEGAL (NORMA Y DAVIS 800 543 7522 ) DENIED MY CLAIM AND REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGED TIRE AND RIM. BRIDGESTONE FINDINGS: 1. TIRE WAS OPERATED FOR AN UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME WITH INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE TO CARRY THE LOAD 2. INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE CONDITION IS EVIDENCED BY THE TATTERED SIDEWALLS AND THE MELTED INNERLINER, AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE 3. TIRE FAILURE DID NOT RESULT FROM A DEFECT IN EITHER MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP ON 5/3/2005 I REQUESTED THAT THE CASE BE SENT TO ARBITRATION. NO RESPONSE YET FROM BRIDGESTONE.

NHTSA ID 10119509 · filed May 3, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

- NEW TOYOTA CAMRY LE PURCHASED JANUARY 2004 - ON FEBRUARY 25TH KEY WOULD NOT TURN (TOOK 10 - 15 MINUTES TO START IT) - LATER WHILE PARKING, THE CAR THE STEERING LOCKED TURNING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT - THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SURGED DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE (SAME AS ODI PEO4021) - THOUGH THE CAR BROKE A METAL FLAG POLE, DAMAGED A RETAINING WALL, AND FELL SEVEN FEET INTO A MAJOR STREET, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGED: WHEELS, TIRES, FRONT END, GAS TANK, FRONT AXLE - DRIVER HAS A SWOLLEN AND SORE KNEE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INCLUDING BACK PAIN *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10063898 · filed Jun 4, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SEQUENTIAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH FAILED TO COMPLETELY DISENGAGE LEAVING THE CAR IN GEAR WITH POTENTIAL CRASH RESULTS. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AFTER 3 SEPARATE TIMES IN THE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10355396 · filed Sep 13, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PLATE UNDER ENGINE COMES LOOSE, HANGING UNDER CAR AND EXPOSING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE ROAD. THIS PLATE HAD COME LOOSE SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE REPLACED SCREWS TO PUT IT BACK IN PLACE, BUT THIS TIME IT COMPLETELY FAILED AND BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10284996 · filed Sep 23, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL, EVERYDAY DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOG LAMP LENSE OBTAINED A HOLE. THIS ALLOWS WATER, AMONG OTHER ELEMENTS TO COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE FOG LAMP AS WELL AS THE FOG LAMP BULB. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS UNDER THE MANUFATURER'S WARRANTY AND/OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM SEEKING TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE FOG LAMP, MYSELF. *NM

NHTSA ID 10147781 · filed Jan 14, 2006

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

- NEW TOYOTA CAMRY LE PURCHASED JANUARY 2004 - ON FEBRUARY 25TH KEY WOULD NOT TURN (TOOK 10 - 15 MINUTES TO START IT) - LATER WHILE PARKING, THE CAR THE STEERING LOCKED TURNING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT - THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SURGED DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE (SAME AS ODI PEO4021) - THOUGH THE CAR BROKE A METAL FLAG POLE, DAMAGED A RETAINING WALL, AND FELL SEVEN FEET INTO A MAJOR STREET, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGED: WHEELS, TIRES, FRONT END, GAS TANK, FRONT AXLE - DRIVER HAS A SWOLLEN AND SORE KNEE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INCLUDING BACK PAIN *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10063898 · filed Jun 4, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

- NEW TOYOTA CAMRY LE PURCHASED JANUARY 2004 - ON FEBRUARY 25TH KEY WOULD NOT TURN (TOOK 10 - 15 MINUTES TO START IT) - LATER WHILE PARKING, THE CAR THE STEERING LOCKED TURNING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT - THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SURGED DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE (SAME AS ODI PEO4021) - THOUGH THE CAR BROKE A METAL FLAG POLE, DAMAGED A RETAINING WALL, AND FELL SEVEN FEET INTO A MAJOR STREET, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGED: WHEELS, TIRES, FRONT END, GAS TANK, FRONT AXLE - DRIVER HAS A SWOLLEN AND SORE KNEE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INCLUDING BACK PAIN *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10063898 · filed Jun 4, 2004

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

Data on this page last refreshed .