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2003 Toyota Corolla Suspension Problems

9 owner-reported suspension complaints from NHTSA data

9
Complaints
2
Crashes
Jan 2004Dec 2004
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (9)

mediumSUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS
CrashFiled: Jul 2020

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE STREET WHEN I GOT HIT BY A CAR TRAVELING OPPOSITE DIRECTION, PERSON HIT NE ON A GREEN LIGHT BUT BESUDES THAT MY SYSPENSION BRAKES AND TIRES NOT SITTING RIGHT, I ALSO I HEAR CHAINS THE CAR DOESNT DRIVE STRAIGHT AND CAR SEEMS LOPSIDED WHEN DRIVEN AND BREAKS SQUEEL

NHTSA #: 11337160
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Nov 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED OFF OF THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA #: 10659650
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2014

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE REAR SPRING (STRUTS) WERE RUSTED AND VEHICLE WAS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING. *SMD A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE STRUTS WERE NOT COATED, AND THAT WAS USUALLY DONE AT THE FACTORY, WHEN ASSEMBLED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10574544
mediumSUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 2014

I WAS DRIVING AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS KNOCKED OUT. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR.. I RAN INTO SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED ME.TO.STOP.. AND CAUSED MORE DAMAGE ON THE OUTSIDE AND RIGHT TIRE.. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT BEFORE OR HAVE I HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10561472
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Nov 2007

I OWN AN '03 TOYOTA COROLLA WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. AT THE 45,000 MILE MARK MY REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH ON A NEWLY PAVED CITY STREET - THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR OBSTRUCTIONS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO BE "CLIMATE BUT NO EXCUSES." THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD "ROTTED" (RUSTED) OUT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT ALL COMMON. I JUST SPOKE TO A TOYOTA MECHANIC WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE - HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BUT SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE. HE ALSO QUESTIONED WHETHER THE UNDERBODY HAD BEEN PROPERLY TREATED ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. HE WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN IN SUCH A YOUNG CAR - MORE LIKELY WITH A 10 YEAR OLD CAR. I DID NOT GET TO VISUALLY SEE THE BROKEN, ROTTED PARTS. TOYOTA REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT MY EXPENSE - $604 - AND THEY RECENTLY OFFERED ME A SETTLEMENT FOR $301. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE THE REAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS. THIS ISSUE ALSO RAISES CONCERN FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10209203
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Jun 2005

PURCHASED NEW, 9/03/02. AT 15,470 MILES, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN LESS THAN ONE DAY.

NHTSA #: 10124422
mediumSUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Dec 2004

ROTTEN EGG SMELL AND MANY STRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN THIS CAR. *JB

NHTSA #: 10104294
mediumSUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2004

(1) ROTTEN-EGG SMELL FROM DAY 1 (PURCHASED 9/2002) W/ COOLING OR HEATING SYSTEM FUNCTION. DEALER TOLD ME TO SWITCH OCTANE AND DO NOT USE RECIRCULATION - NO IMPROVEMENT. (2) IN 11/2003, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT, DRAINED BATTERY. DEALER SAID TSB HAD BEEN RELEASED - PART ORDERED & INSTALLED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. (3) IN 1/2004, LEAKING OIL FROM UNDER CAR, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE - DEALER SAID RIGHT FRONT STRUT LEAKING & "COMPLETELY BLOWN." HAD TO BE REPLACED & CAR REQUIRED SUBSEQUENT ALIGNMENT. *JB

NHTSA #: 10056322
mediumSUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEATER FAN QUITS AT RANDOM. IT DOES START BACK BUT OBVIOUSLY HAS A SHORT. IT COMES AND GOES. THE DEALER HAS STATED EACH TIME THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO HAS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. SINCE NEW THE CAR HAS MADE UNPLEASANT CLANING AND RATTLING NOISES IN THE FRONT END. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT MANY TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT FEELS UNSTABLE IN WINDY CONDITIONS AND UN EVEN SURFACES. I'VE ACTUALLY THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE BECAUSE OF THE CAR SWAYING SO BADLY IN THE WIND AND ON UNEVEN SURFACES. I'VE OWNED MANY SMALL CARS BEFORE AND EVEN AN OLDER COROLLA SO I'M AWARE OF WHAT IS NORMAL. IT HAS DEFINITE SUPSENSION PROBLEMS. I HONESTLY FEEL IT'S DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION. I NEED HELP. THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AS WELL. IT'S A TRUE LEMON.

NHTSA #: 10070756

Other 2003 Toyota Corolla Issues