Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 110,000.
2003 Toyota Corolla transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 61, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle began making a grinding, chatter type noise. I took the vehicle to a private mechanic and found that the transmission has to be replaced. In looking for replacement transmission I found several complaints for the exact same issue. Many have had the transmission replaced only to have the issue resurface with the new/refurbished transmission. This would seem like a manufacturing flaw and could be very problematic if the car will no longer shift into gear, as several complaints have noted.
Vehicle began making a grinding or chatter type noise when in any gear. Took the vehicle to private mechanic and found the issue to be the transmission. While looking for replacement transmission found a site where many other 2003 toyota corolla owners with manual transmission were having the same issues. All have had to have the transmissions replaced. This does not eliminate the issue as the replacement transmissions seem to be having the same problems.
I was driving and heard loud noise. Pull into a gas station and called husband. When he got to me he tried to put car in reverse and it just made a grinding noise. It wouldn't do anything. I had the transmission rebuilt. Now just 3 years later june 4, 2012 I was driving and heard same noise. I got home turned off car and when tried to put car in reverse it just made a grinding noise and wouldn't move.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp illuminated and the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.
I was driving home from work when the transmission locked up. I pulled over turned the car off and back on. I managed to put the car in first gear and make it back home even though the transmission was making this loud grinding noise. I brought the car for repair and they tell me I need a new transmission. Just 6 weeks ago I had the clutch replaced. After investigating this issue I have learned this is a very common problem. Something must be done about this.
While driving on the freeway, there was a sudden loud whine and loss of power. Since I was in the middle of nowhere, I continued down the road until I got to a service station. There, I checked all fluids, which were fine; I then continued on my way to an appointment with an eye specialist I had, and at that time I noticed the clutch was difficult to use. Once I had the appointment with the specialist, I had the car towed to the nearest auto transmission service center, where I had to have a new transmission, clutch, and axle put on my car for over $4,000 because they said "no one rebuilds toyota transmissions". I am a 60-year-old woman who always takes the car for regular oil changes, and had a pre-trip car check just 6 weeks before that by a very reliable, honest mechanic. I stay close to home, and only took this trip because I had to see an eye specialist. This car has only 106,000 miles on it!
2003 corolla s & manual transmission with under 90k miles. Driving at approximately 25 MPH in third gear. Car began making a grinding noise and the car stopped completely in the middle of a busy 3 lane street nearly causing an accident. It was still running, but couldn't get it to drive. Almost felt as if something was holding it back or stuck under the car. Had to manually move car to the side of the road. Car has not been officially diagnosed yet, but all indications point to the transmission. This seems to be a common theme with this year, make & model.
One year ago my 2003 toyota corolla began to make a high-pitched whirring noise when the transmission was engaged. The sound continued to become louder until while driving down the street my car began to make a crunching noise. After I pulled to the side of the road I was unable to put the car back into gear. I had the transmission rebuilt in nov. 2010. I began hearing the same high-pitched whirring noise again recently (nov. 2011).
I was driving on the freeway at about 60mph when the transmission failed. It felt like there was something stuck under the wheels of my car. I was able to pull off the road safely. It wouldn't go into any gear after that, but luckily, I was in neutral so it could be towed. The shop I took it to said this is a very common problem for the 2003 corollas with the 5-speed manual transmission. It cost me $3,700 for a new transmission (and labor) from toyota, which will most likely end up with the same failure. I am the original owner and my car has 92,000 miles on it. I have kept up on all the maintenance; there is no reason this should have happened. I have mailed a complaint to toyota corporation and am awaiting a response. This vehicle is unsafe for the road and should be recalled.
Car is a 5 speed and had an increasing "growl" in transmission in 2,3,and 5th gear. After research, this appears to be a common problem in 5 speed corolla's, matrix, and pontiac vibe which all use the c59 5 speed transmissions. Over $1000 to repair if caught early enough. This is/was my 5th toyota, and will be my last also!!
After making some noise on the highway I pulled off the road to realize that I had no reverse gear in my corolla. It was difficult to get the car in first gear also. I limped my way to the mechanic who told me the next day that the transmission was completely broken. He said that a component came loose and destroyed the transmission further by interfering with other parts. He said that it would cost $3,800 to fix. This was completely unexpected and dangerous.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the driver was traveling approximately 55 MPH when the vehicle would no longer shift gears. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and shut off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop where the driver was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 123,410.
The 2003 toyota corolla makes noise at speeds over 40 miles per hour. I took the car to 2 different shops and they came back with the same results. The bearings are bad and need to be replaced. I contacted toyota and they refused to fix it due to the time although the bearings should last much longer then the 40k miles even their warranty says 60k miles. This is a safety issue since the wheel can came off while you drive and injure the driver and others. People who have this issue and may not even realize it as I did, I thought it was the muffler and is not is a safety issue. Please post this on your website as this is very dangerous for people . Toyota should investigate what is wrong with the bearings they use.
Manual transmission must be rebuilt due to bearing failure (input shaft).
I was driving the car, a toyota corolla 2003 on july 12 and while driving it turn on the check engine light, next morning while driving the car in a highway the car turn off. I didn't have an accident because it was too early in the morning, after couple attempts the car turned on, I call a toyota place, where I do all maintenance of my cars, and after I called I went there so they can run a test. The result was shift solenoid "e" malfunction. The worker told me that most likely the problem is the computer, that there was a recall but on the corolla 2006 not 2003. Hopefully you can help me with this. He told me to file a complain so I don't know where.
140 000 km on board and the manual transmission is gone on my corolla 2003.
I purchased this car used in 2006 with 76,000 mostly highway miles on it. I trusted the reputation of toyota and thought I got a good deal on a dependable car that would last me until at least 200,000 miles with regular maintenance. This car currently has 126,000 miles on it. Last friday, after getting off the highway, I noticed the gears/transmission running a little louder than usual. During the next 7 residential miles home, the gears/transmission continued to sound louder and more grinding in nature. By the time I arrived home, the car would not go into reverse. I took it to the dealership the next morning and learned that the transmission had failed and I would need a new one. After a little online research, I read that more than a few people had replaced with rebuilt transmissions only to have the rebuilt one fail. I chose to purchase a new transmission (at least it's under warranty for 3 years/36,000 miles) along with a new clutch and other accessories to the tune of $3,500. When I asked how my dependable little toyota could possibly have a transmission failure, the service man told me something about the clutch beginning to show some wear, causing some parts (bearings?) to get into the transmission and wreak havoc. All I know is that I no longer associate toyota with dependability.
2003 toyota corolla le with only 120,000 miles needs new manual transmission at the cost of $3800 for a rebuilt transmission. Car was making loud grinding noise when shifting and having convulsions which forced us to get off the highway and onto the emergency lane. There were no previous "warning signs" this was going to happen. All warranty maintenance has been kept up to date on this vehicle at the right time. Toyota needs to issue a recall on these transmissions since they now seem to be more and more a common problem amongst this particular model year corolla.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the debris from a defective bearing that attached to the transmission caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2003 toyota corolla. Consumer writes regarding filing complaint with toyota corporation for headlights melting and entire assembly needing to be replaced *tgw the consumer stated the driver and passenger side door would not unlock when she tried to use the remote. The dealer had to dismantle the door panel and install a new lock device. The transmission had to be replaced due to faulty work on the part of toyota. The driver and passenger headlights continued to go out, until finally, the consumer had to pay to have the entire electrical portion of the headlights replaced.
While driving my car made a weird noise as I got on the freeway. Car was screaming until I got off of freeway. Parked the car and called aaa. Car would not go into reverse. Tow truck driver had trouble pushing car out of parking space. Got to transmission shop and car would not back off of tow truck. Transmission shop took apart transmission and states the pinion bearing went bad and that the vehicle had locked in 5th gear. They stated that the bearings have been known to go bad in toyota's manual transmissions and rebuilt my transmission with a new aftermarket bearing kit. Repairs cost approximately $1800.
Manual transmission failed on my 2003 toyota corolla and locked up. I have replaced the transmission already and it is my second transmission and is my second incident. It locks up and comes to a sudden stop.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) purchased 2003, toyota, corolla, VIN: [xxx] with daughter. Veh was purchased from toyota of orange in ca. Two days later a hit and run driver forced veh to skid across five lanes on interstate 10 in ontario, ca, and landed atop center divider. The vehicle was sent to repair shop and "repaired" after approximately 5-8 months. However, the car was never properly repaired, and I complained to both toyota , and to the insurance company, allstate, but toyota adamantly stated the veh was without problems. The car was continually in the shop for the brakes. Eventually the carpet caused the accelerator to become stuck and the car went out of control. I was forced to reach down while the car moving and pull the carpet with both hands to release the accelerator. Stepping on the brakes did not help. Neither toyota repair nor allstate would help resolve our complaints since 2003, we were simply told that the veh was fine. Additionally I believe the frame is bent, lack of interlocking brakes causing skids, brakes are soft and drop to floor, and poor steering column. This car is dangerous and is impossible to drive without involving near miss accident episodes. The car skids if going as little as 5-10 miles per hour. I offered to give the car away to anyone who was willing to investigate my complaints, all to no avail. I just recently learned that one of the problems I heard in the brand new car was a hole in the exhaust system. Toyota continually denied this for 5-6 years, then by accident a very young newly employed staff at toyota of orange, informed us that our complaint about loud air sounding noise was a hole in the exhaust, which had been continually making the noise, and burning of eyes (migraines). The brakes were repaired every 2-4 months or less until I just reported less frequently. The car is now no longer under warranty. Currently it needs some brakes, rotors, drums, calipers, and shocks as always.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The driver stated while he was driving 30 MPH and approached a red traffic light. The when she tried to accelerate the vehicle failed to move. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral and to coast to the nearest gas station. The driver also stated that failure caused her axle to break. A local mechanic stated that he has never seen anything like that before. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were around 90,000.
Today, as I was very slowly pulling into my parking spot at work , it felt like a "jet" engine took off and my car accelerated into the building. I was stuck on cement parking borders and the wheels were spining. I did not have any control over this. I do have witneses to his.the care was towed to toyota.
While applying the brakes and stopped, the car will move forward on its own. I apply more pressure and it stops again. I now leave excessive space between my vehicle and the vehicle in front of me. This occurs very often.
2003 toyota corolla transmission went out just like several other people with this model. Toyota should be responsible for this problem. To replace it will cost over $3000.00. I have owned 2 toyotas previous and never had problems like this.
Vehicle lost power when exiting one highway to enter another. In addition, a loud sound started to come from the engine compartment. Moved vehicle out of traffic and drove very slowly. Prior to failure there were some sounds from the transmission but no loss of power or trouble getting the vehicle into to gear. Considered it lucky that the transmission did not seize up in the middle of traffic and cause an accident. I was able to drive the vehicle, slowly, to a repair facility before some of the gears became inoperable. Mechanic is in the process of replacing the transmission, there are many reports of transmission failures for 2003 5 speed manual transmissions on the internet, especially in canada. Most failures are occurring after the warranty period expires but under 100,000 miles. My mechanic is saving the old transmission.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. The contact stated that the rear hub assembly on her vehicle was defective. She heard a buzzing or humming noise while driving 35 MPH. The dealer stated that the rear hub assembly near the rear axle was the cause of the noise. She discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v074001 (power train:axle assembly); however, her VIN was not included in the recall. The current mileage was 97,577 and failure mileage was approximately 97,200.
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