2002 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems

Your car is burning through oil rapidly — you need to add 2 quarts every week. You'll notice blue smoke coming from the exhaust when you start it each morning. This indicates oil is leaking past the piston rings into the combustion chamber and being burned off. The fix will likely require removing the engine head and replacing the pistons and rings, which is a major repair job.

Your engine is consuming oil much faster than normal — you need to add about 1 quart every 300 miles to keep it at the proper level. You've also noticed blue smoke coming from the exhaust when you accelerate, which typically indicates oil is burning in the engine. Even though your car has been regularly serviced according to Toyota's schedule, this excessive oil consumption at 120,000 miles suggests internal engine wear or damage. A mechanic will likely need to inspect the engine for worn piston rings, valve seals, or other internal components that may need repair or replacement.

Your engine appears to be burning excessive oil—about 1 quart every 250 miles. The owner believes this is caused by a design flaw in the pistons where there aren't enough oil passages. This excessive oil consumption needs to be diagnosed by a mechanic, as it could indicate piston wear, damaged piston rings, or valve seal issues that are allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber.

Your engine is making a low rumbling sound while driving, and you're noticing a strong exhaust smell inside the car along with burning more oil than normal—you're adding about 5 quarts of oil every 150-200 miles. Your check engine light is on and the car isn't accelerating properly. A mechanic diagnosed a failed head gasket, but the problem came back even after repair.

Your car is experiencing unexpected power loss during acceleration, followed by sudden uncontrolled acceleration that requires heavy braking to slow down. The dealer has replaced the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter, but the problem persists even though diagnostic tests couldn't find an error code. The issue may require further inspection of the fuel system, ignition system, or engine control computer to identify the root cause.

Your car is burning through oil at an unusual rate—about one quart every 400 miles—even though the dealer found no leaks and the engine appears clean. This excessive oil consumption creates a safety risk, as running the engine dry at highway speeds could cause the engine to seize and leave you stranded. The issue may be related to how the replacement 1.8L engine was installed, and you'll need to monitor oil levels frequently or have the engine inspected more thoroughly for internal wear or improper seating.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

I BOUGHT A TOYOTA SAQUOIA LIMITED 4X4 USED IN 2003. WHEN I TOOKIT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE HER HUSBAND SIAD I SHOULD GET THAT TICKING NOISE CHECKED OUT. I TOLD HIM THAT ALL OF THE SUV'S AT THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE TICKING NOISE. WELL, HE WAS RIGHT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO BE INSPECTED I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL OF THE TOYOTA SUV'S AND TRUCKS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MANIFOLDS. IF THIS IS TRUE, WHY HAVE THEY NOT DONE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? I MANIFOLD IS NOT A CHEAP PART TO REPLACE.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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