2002 TOYOTA COROLLA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Tire size: TM-1 185/65R14 86 T Tire. I bought 4 tires in Sept 2022. I just found out that, after 11 months of normal city driving (which added bout 10K miles to the mileage) and normal maintenance, the tires already showing belt. They have become a safety hazard so I have to buy 4 new tires of another brand.

IVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND HAVE HAD TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY WEEK BECAUSE EVERY MORNING I START MY CAR LOT OF BLUE SMOKE IS COMING OUT MY EXHAUST. THIS IS BECAUSE THE DESIGN TEMPERATURE FOR THE PISTONS IN THIS ENGINE WAS 120 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURES REACHED ARE 160 DEGREES CELSIUS, WHICH CAUSES THE PETROLEUM OIL TO SLUDGE UP AND CARBON TO ACCUMULATE IN THE PISTON OIL HOLES THAT ALLOW OIL TO FLOW TO THE PISTON RINGS. THIS BLOCKS THOSE OIL HOLES, PREVENTING OIL FROM GETTING TO THE PISTON RINGS AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE PISTON RINGS WEAR VERY, VERY QUICKLY, THEN ALLOWING OIL TO BE ABLE TO SLIP PAST THE PISTON RINGS, INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND OUT THE EXHAUST. THIS WILL LEAD TO REPLACING THE PISTONS WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND LABOR INTENSIVE JOB JUST BECAUSE TOYOTA MADE A MISTAKE WITH THE WAY THEY BUILT THE ENGINE. IT'S A SHAME THAT TOYOTA HASN'T RECALLED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE ARE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF RECORDS ON THESE CARS HAVING THAT PROBLEM. THE CAR CAN BREAK DOWN AFTER SO MUCH OIL HAS BEEN BURNED AND THAT COULD HAPPEN UN EXPECTEDLY. IT'S DRIVABLE BUT NOT SAFE.

THE ENGINE IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. NEED TO ADD 1 QUART EVERY 300 MILES TO KEEP FILLED. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES. NOTICE BLUE SMOKE UPON ACCELERATION. CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL.

MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2002 CE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE PISTONS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOLES IN THE PISTONS TO ALLOW ENOUGH OIL TO GO THROUGH AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL, UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 250 MILES. PLEASE! CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION? THANK YOU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOW RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IT BURNED MORE OIL THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE APPROXIMATELY FIVE QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING 150 TO 200 MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE DASH LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAG IS ON. TOYOTA STATES THAT A SAFETY RECALL IS PENDING THAT MIGHT AFFECT MY CAR. UNTIL THEN, THEY ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPAIR MY CAR. THEY STATE THAT THE AIRBAG MAY GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. THEY CANNOT TELL ME HOW LONG IT MAY BE BEFORE THE RECALL IS ANNOUNCED. THIS SEEMS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO ME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE CRASH WAS SERIOUS; IT TOTOLED THE CAR. *TR

Crash 1 injured

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORKING 12 HOUR GRAVEYARD SHIFT. I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND RAN OFF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF OUR BLACKTOP ROAD 1 MILE FROM HOME. MY 2002 COROLLA WAS TRAVELING AROUND 50MPH I AWOKE AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE CAR'S PATH AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON DESTROYING THE RIGHT GRILL BUMPER HOOD, WINDSHIELD, RIGHT FENDER, INNER UPPER FRAME WORK AND HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY AND WIRING. MY DASH LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WAS STILL INTACT IT FAILED TO DEPLOY OR INFLATE. I WAS SAVED BY GOD AND MY SEAT BELT. *TR

Crash

TOYOTA TOLD US NOT TO PUT ANYONE IN PASSENGER SIDE BECAUSE AIRBAG IS DANGEROUS. WE HAVE FOUR ADULTS IN OUR FAMILY AND NEED TO USE THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. TOYOTA (JOHNSON CITY TN) SAY THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY CAN FIX THE AIR BAG BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. "IT COULD BE MONTHS". WE NEED TO HAVE IT FIXED SOON. *TR

I WAS IN THE "SLOW " LANE ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TO SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET THE DAY BEFORE SO I MADE SURE TO ON BE IN SLOW LANE GOING SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A RED CADILIAC BRAKE AND KIND OF HARD SO I BRAKE TRAVELING AT 60 TO 65 MPH. I BRAKE QUICK NOT REAL HARD AND WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS IN GODS HANDS. I THEN DID A 360 AND A 180 ACROSS ALL THREE LANES NEVER HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK HIT THE CENTER OF THE INTERSTATE AND ROLLED THREE TIMES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WOMEN TRAVELING BEHIND ME SAID SHE HAD TO STOP BC SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS ALIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN BUT REALLY I HAD NO CLUE I KNEW I WAS PISSED BC MY 6 MONTH OLD CAR GONE. IT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING ON MY OWN AND BAM. I HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND CUT ON SHOULDER ROAD RASH AND WHIP LASH BAD. RECENTLY I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SAW MY CAR IS IN FACT ON THE LIST. THE YEAR AND MODEL BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF MY EXACT CAR WAS DEFECTIVE? ITS BEEN IN THE IMPOUND SINCE APRIL 2002. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY. *TR

Crash 1 injured

I WAS IN THE "SLOW " LANE ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TO SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET THE DAY BEFORE SO I MADE SURE TO ON BE IN SLOW LANE GOING SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A RED CADILIAC BRAKE AND KIND OF HARD SO I BRAKE TRAVELING AT 60 TO 65 MPH. I BRAKE QUICK NOT REAL HARD AND WITH IN SECONDS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS IN GODS HANDS. I THEN DID A 360 AND A 180 ACROSS ALL THREE LANES NEVER HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR TRUCK HIT THE CENTER OF THE INTERSTATE AND ROLLED THREE TIMES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WOMEN TRAVELING BEHIND ME SAID SHE HAD TO STOP BC SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WAS ALIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN BUT REALLY I HAD NO CLUE I KNEW I WAS PISSED BC MY 6 MONTH OLD CAR GONE. IT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING ON MY OWN AND BAM. I HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND CUT ON SHOULDER ROAD RASH AND WHIP LASH BAD. RECENTLY I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SAW MY CAR IS IN FACT ON THE LIST. THE YEAR AND MODEL BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF MY EXACT CAR WAS DEFECTIVE? ITS BEEN IN THE IMPOUND SINCE APRIL 2002. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY. *TR

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS I WOULD HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. I ASKED A MECHANIC WHAT IT WAS AND HE SAID IT WAS THE STRUTS. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA FOR THAT VERY THING. ONE DEALER SAID HE WOULDN'T FIX IT. *TR

TOYOTA CENTRAL DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THE RECALL OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE(ECM),I'VE BEEN TO CENTRAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWO TIMES AND THEY TURNED ME AWAY BY GIVING ME EXCUSE OF PARTS UNAVAILABILITY. THEREFORE PLEASE ADVICE ME WHAT TO DO NEXT?. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED THAT WAS UNABLE TO DISPLAY A FAILURE CODE. THE 02 SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

THE PROBLEM IS AND HAS BEEN EXCESS OIL USUAGE. IT USES A QUART ABOUT EVERY 400 HUNDRED MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT A LOCAL HONDA DEALER MAY, 2010. IT HAD 102,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 117,000. IT'S BEEN USING OIL EVERY SINCE I'VE HAD IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND THERE WERE NO OIL LEAKS ANYWHERE. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS POSTED ABOUT THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE PUT IN THE CAR IN 2002. A 1.6L WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW 1.8L ENGINE AND EVIDENTLY THE 1.8L DIDN'T SEAT PROPERLY CAUSING OIL USUAGE. MY SON DROVE THIS CAR WHILE HE WAS AT COLLEGE. THE PROBLEM IS, WITH THIS KIND OF OIL USAGE, YOU CAN RUN THE CAR OUT OF OIL. WE TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH IT, BUT IF YOU RUN IT HIGH SPEEDS IT WILL USE MORE OIL. IF THE CAR RUNS OUT OF OIL ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE LOCKS UP, WELL YOU COULD HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I KEEP THE CAR AT HOME NOW BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. WE DRIVE IT LOCALLY ONLY. *TT

STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT. TOOK TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A FAILED RACK, AT 75,000 MILES. REPAIRED AT COST OF $1060. THREE WEEKS LATER EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. RETURNED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT JOINT WAS CORRODED AND STUCK. CLAIMS THEY HAVE FIXED IT. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND A RECALL ORDERED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND SUDDEN FAILURE! *TT

ABOUT A WEEK AGO, DRIVER SEAT COULD NOT RETURN TO UPRIGHT POSITION AFTER ADJUSTING ANGLE. THEN WE NOTICED LARGE PIECE OF SEAT BACK FRAME WAS PROTRUDING ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. UPON REMOVAL OF COVERING AND CUSHION TO UNCOVER THE BACK FRAME, WE DISCOVERED THAT, OF THE TWO SOLID-STEEL ARMS ATTACHING THE BACK FRAME TO THE BOTTOM PART OF THE BUCKET SEAT (THE ADJUSTER MECHANISM), THE ARM ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES, ALONG A HORIZONTAL BREAK IN THE STEEL ITSELF. IN SHORT, THE LEFT HALF OF THE SEAT BACK FRAME IS NOT ATTACHED ANYMORE. INITIALLY WE SUSPECTED VANDALISM, BUT THE BREAK IS DEFINITELY NOT A SAW CUT (EVEN IF WERE POSSIBLE); AND WE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE STEEL ARM ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE HAS A HALF-INCH LONG CRACK IN ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT, AND ALSO HORIZONTAL. THIS LED US TO CONCLUDE THAT THE BREAK ON THE LEFT ARM WAS DUE TO A DEVELOPING CRACK IN THE STEEL, AND THE RIGHT ARM IS CLEARLY HEADED TOWARDS AN IDENTICAL FRACTURE -- WHICH WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE THE SEAT BACK FRAME FROM THE BUCKET SEAT ALTOGETHER! THE TWO STEEL ARMS ARE CLEARLY MADE OF SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL. WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANT COST OF REPLACING THE BUCKET SEAT, THIS IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE AT ANY MOMENT THE SEAT BACK COULD COLLAPSE COMPLETELY DUE TO SUB-STANDARD STEEL PARTS TEARING APART. IT IS FORTUNATE THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. WE HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THESE DEFECTS, INCLUDING CLOSE-UPS, READY TO SEND YOU UPON REQUEST. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL OUT THE SEAL BELT, IT LOCKS AND CAN NOT BE PULLED OUT ANY FURTHER. THE BELT CAN ONLY BE PULLED OUT FURTHER ONLY AFTER A DRIVE AND START TO APPLY THE BRAKES. AFTER AN ARGUMENT WITH THE SALESMAN THE MANAGER AGREED TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. A DAY LATER, I WATCHED THE MECHANIC INSTALL THE PAIR OF SEAT BELTS THAT CAME FROM THE DEALER IN SEALED BOXES. AFTER INSTALLATION THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. MANAGEMENT TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE USED CARS ARE ALL SOLD "AS IN". THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEN PAY FOR REPAIRS. A GENTLEMAN FROM TOYOTA'S PARTS DEPARTMENT TRIED TO BUCKLE HIMSELF IN AND HAD THE BELT LOCKED AS HE WAS PULLING THE BELT OUT. HE TRIED AGAIN SLOWLY BUT SAME RESULTS. HE CLAIMS HE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE WRONG. CAN ANYONE HELP ME?

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT REMAINED STUCK IN THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS NOR DID THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,217. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/09/11

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK FROM THE FRONT END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATED FOR THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.

Crash 1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING HIS VEHICLE, HE FORGOT TO PUT ON HIS SAFETY BELT, AND WHEN HE DROVE AWAY HE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE FOUNDATION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. HIS HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING IT TO CRACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND BRIEFLY LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED AND A CASE MANAGER INFORMED HIM THAT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Crash 1 injured

2002 TOYOTA COROLLA, SUSTAINED A BLOWOUT ON THE STEER TIRE.*BF THE TIRE SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL ON THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFC CRASH REPORT # 10-0190-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF

SOMETIME WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF OWNING MY 2002 COROLLA, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STARTED TO STOP WORKING. IT WAS INTERMITTENT. SOMETIMES I WOULD ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN TO ORDER TAKEOUT AND COULDN'T ROLL IT BACK UP AND HAVE TO DRIVE IN COLD THEN AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, IT WOULD ROLL UP AND BE FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.....MAYBE 2 MONTHS WOULD GO BY,,,,SO I DECIDED TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE MOTOR REPLACED UNDER MY 6 YEAR, 100,000 MILES WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL THIS YEAR, NOW MY DOOR HANDLE ON THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN, AND SOME HOW THE WINDOW HAS COME OFF THE TRACT AND WHEN I ROLL THE WINDOW UP YOU CAN SEE BY THE TINTING, THAT IT HAS SHIFTED AND NOW THE GAP ON MY WINDOW, NOT AT THE TOP BUT AT THE SIDE TOWARDS THE REAR, THERE IS A 1/4 INCH GAP WHEN WINDOW ROLLS UP. THIS HAPPENED AFTER MY OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME STUCK WHEN I OPENED MY DOOR, IT STAYED LIFTED UP AND I COULDN'T CLOSE MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I HAD TO PHYSICALLY PUSH DOWN ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE IN ORDER TO GET MY DOOR TO SHUT AND LATCH.....NOW MY WINDOW WON'T ROLL UP ALL THE WAY AND .....ITS A PAIN NOT TO BE ABLE TO GO THRU THE CAR WASH....I HAVE TO HOLD TOWELS IN IT IN ORDER TO NOT GET INTERIOR WET. MY CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT.....ANYONE ELSE HAVING THAT KIND OF PROBLEMS....PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO GET DOOR PANEL OFF AND YOU NEED A SPECIAL TOOL....OF COURSE YOU DO! I DON'T HAVE ANY CASH TO FIX IT SO I JUST LIVE WITH IT.....WHAT A PAIN! THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN SOLD SO, I AM SOL! SORRY THEY SAID.....THAT WAS UNDER THE OLD DEALERSHIP AND WE DON'T HONOR THEIR REPAIRS! WHATEVER........AT LEAST I SHOULD BE THANKFUL MY GAS PEDAL DOESN'T STICK! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME WAS FRACTURED. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE SEAT WOULD SLIDE BACKWARDS AND FORWARD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BUT THE FRAME WAS BENT WHICH PREVENTED THE SEAT FROM STAYING IN PLACE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SEAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 05/13/10. *LJ

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA CE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO MY GARAGE WALL CAUSING THE CAR TO BE TOTALED (LOSS OF OVER 7,000) PER FARMERS INSURANCE. [XXX] AT THAT TIME WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES WITH TOYOTA'S - THE FLOOR MAT SITUATION WAS JUST COMING OUT. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA ON 10/2/09 INCIDENT [XXX]AND THEY HAD SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THE 2002 COROLLA'S. I DID REPURCHASED A NEW 2010 AND NOW WITH ALL THE ISSUES I FEEL UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR BUT AM LEFT LIKE MANY OTHERS STUCK WITH IT. TOYOTA HAD A GOOD REPUTATION AND I WISH THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED. JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW SO THIS WILL SOMEHOW HELP IN THE ONGOING SEARCH FOR AN ANSWER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*TR

Crash

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT RESPOND AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN-FRONT OF HIM. THE DRIVERS FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HE HAD EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT RESPOND AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN-FRONT OF HIM. THE DRIVERS FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HE HAD EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Crash

2002 TOYOTA COROLLA LE ACCELERATION PEDAL: --OCCASIONALLY, BUT RARELY, APPEARS TO STICK MOMENTARILY (A SENSATION LIKE A SPRING THAT HAS TEMPORARILY STUCK AND THEN SPRUNG LOOSE). I TOOK IT INTO MY TOYOTA DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD DETECT. THEREFORE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE MYSTERY. THE STICKING/SPRINGING SENSATION STILL OCCASIONALLY OCCURS BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL. --IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER STARTING UP. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH OTHER TOYOTAS. THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, LISTED BELOW (MAR 5, 2002), IS APPROXIMATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED OCT. 2001. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE UNDER 5 MPH WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS HAD INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO A SNOW BANK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 07/27/10

Crash

ONCE UPON A TIME, IT 'S ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, I DROVE MY CAR IN HIGHWAY, MY CAR HOOD FLIP OVER AND BEND MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS SHOCK AND SCARED TO DEATH. MY EYE VISION WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY FLIP OVER HOOD WHICH COVER ALL MY WIND SHIELD. I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE FRONT. IT'S LUCKY THAT NO OTHERS NEAR BY, I WAS ABLE TO MANAGE DROVE SLOWLY OVER ON THE SIDE AND STOP MY CAR. THERE WAS NO SIGNAL NOR ALARMS IN MY DASHBOARD TO INDICATED THAT MY HOOD WAS NOT TIGHTLY CLOSED SO IT WAS FLIPPED OVER TO BEND MY WINDSHIELD AND MY WINDSHIELD WAS STROKE BY HOOD AND BROKEN. BUT I WAS IN DANGER TO DEATH BECAUSE THERE WAS NO INDICATION AND THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AND I WAS MANAGE SURVIVED LIVED. *TR

WE HAVE A 2002 MODEL TOYOTA COROLLA LE. IN THREE INSTANCES THE CAR SPED UP. THE CAR ALSO LEAPS FORWARD ONCE IN A WHILE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCLERATED, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS IMPACTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT DID NOT HAVE SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN OWN IT'S OWN AND CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR AND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKEN. THE HANDLES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY ADDITIONAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE 50MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE LATE TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FISH TAIL AND CRASH INTO A MAIL BOX POST. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000.

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MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT HANDLE CAN BE SHIFTED BY ACCIDENTALLY TOUCH. THERE IS NO NEED TO PUSH DOWN THE LOCK BUTTON FOR CHANGING THE GEAR FROM "D" TO "N" OR OTHERS. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA COROLLA NORMALLY WHEN SHE SUDDENLY FOUND THAT SHE COULD NOT REDUCE SPEED AND TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE CAR WENT FAR OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A POST. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR INVOLVED; IT WAS DAY TIME; THERE WERE NO EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT AFFECTED THE ROAD CONDITION, SUCH AS SNOW OR RAIN. MY WIFE WAS (AND IS) IN GOOD HEALTH, SHE WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS (NOR DOES SHE DRINK ALCOHOL OR USE DRUGS); SHE HAS A FLAWLESS DRIVING RECORD, AND SHE HAS NEVER RECEIVED TICKETS OR GOTTEN INTO ANY OTHER ACCIDENTS SINCE SHE HAS GOTTEN HER DRIVERS LICENSE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP DURING BRAKE APPLICATION AT 25 MPH. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, AND THUS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $1400.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,995.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE, AND THEN TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED, AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SHE FILED REPORT NUMBER 091113338 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

MY 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT A FEW YEARS AGO. THE PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. I CALLED TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. MY MECHANIC NEVER FOUND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT I HAVE LIVED IN FEAR THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA IS BLAMING IT ON FAULTY FLOOR MATS. THIS IS PATENTLY FALSE AND THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WAS ALMOST KILLED AND OTHER DRIVERS APPARENTLY WEREN'T AS LUCKY AS I WAS TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. I EMAILED TOYOTA RECENTLY AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE OTHER THAN AN AUTOMATED NOTICE OF RECEIVING MY EMAIL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY RECOURSE I HAVE IN THIS MATTER. *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