2003 Toyota Corolla: brake failure

Filed Mar 12, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash · 1 injury

My mother got in the car and as soon as the car was put on drive, the car accelerated to its max potential, but when she attempted to hit the brakes they did not respond. So max acceleration, on its own, and brakes did not work. She ended up in the hospital for 9 days suffering a broken rib, front teeth missing, they had to sew her tongue back together, both cheeks shattered, broken clavicle and she has a hole right under the back of her skull. Miraculously, after she flipped to the side and took out two trees, the third tree flipped her back to right side up, and stopped the vehicle completely.

Filed Jan 7, 2015 · Acceleration · PR · crash · 1 injury

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated independently and the brakes failed causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into ten vehicles and into a concrete wall where the vehicle came to a stop. A police report was filed. The contact sustained whiplash injuries to the neck and back including numerous hematomas on the waist that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Djr

Filed Dec 30, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 55,874 miles · TX

Engine replaced at 55874 mls dealership said "vehicle was not mantained". Even though oil was changed every 55 to 7500 mls. 3 weeks later while driving on hwy car suddenly started accelerating on its own, when I tried to slow it down the brakes did not work. After about 5 miles & 3 near collisions I was able to get off hwy and pull into a parking lot. The brakes were still locked up and the engine was still accelerating, car would not stop! I then threw car in park and cut engine off in order to avoid injuring someone else or myself . Smoke poured from under hood. Had towed to dealer could not duplicate said their was nothing wrong! 2nd incident 3 days after getting car back took to dealer again and they once again said could not duplicate and that they found no problem!this car almost killed me and is very dangerous!!!!

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Brakes · 14,950 miles · NY · crash

Brakes malfunctioned. Consumer was concerned since the brakes failed once before, causing a rear end collision.

Filed Sep 21, 2004 · Brakes · 14,250 miles · NJ

Intermittently the vehicle lunged or accelerated upon final parking with foot off accelerator and on brake. The vehicle jumped over a couple feet. The dealership inspected the vehicle several times and found nothing wrong. *ak the brakes failed to hold. The consumer stated that over the past year she experienced engine surges and the vehicle lunging forward upon braking. The vehicle was taken in for service and they admitted they did not know how to fix this problem. Consumer was told she had a design flaw in her vehicle where the brake and the accelerator were designed too close. *tc

Filed Aug 26, 2004 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · IN · crash

Brake failure ! Travelin approximately 55 MPH with cruise control. Tap brake to release cruise. Begin coasting. Approaching 4 way red flasher. Begin braking. Notice not slowing down as usual. Begin braking harder. Realize not slowing down. Attempt to steer through intersection, but hit trailer of crossing vehicle.

Filed Sep 11, 2002 · Brakes · GA · crash

Within the first three months of ownership, our 2003 corolla was involved in two separate incidents in which the brakes failed, both of which resulted in collisions. In the first instance (june 12, 2002), while attempting to brake at approximately 45 MPH, the brakes locked and the vehicle (over which the driver no longer had control) collided with a vehicle in front. After the collision, the brakes were completely inoperable. This collision resulted in injuries to the driver of the corolla, and significant damage to the front end of the corolla. In the second incident (august 29, 2002), the brakes failed while attempting to park, resulting in a collision with a parked car. This collision also resulted in damage to the front end of the corolla.

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Brakes · NV · crash · 1 injury

Consumer states while driving 35 MPH rear brakes failed causing accident and injuries.

Filed May 6, 2002 · Brakes · CA

Brakes failed-brakes locked up on me in busy freeway conditions. I feared for my life as I struggled to get off the freeway. Thank god I did. That 2003 corolla almost killed me. The dealer confirmed the problem and exchanged me into another corolla.