2002 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,047miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,047 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11413552, filed 2021-04, 74,047 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11269404, filed 2019-10“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10807455, filed 2015-11, 50,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10480661, filed 2012-10, 78,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11286750, filed 2019-12Related service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10149217Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134128Jan 15, 2015TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10096036Jan 15, 2015"tsb: flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix…
- 10132812May 1, 2014Tech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 14 | 14% |
| 2021 | 41 | 22% |
| 2020 | 111 | 36% |
| 2019 | 39 | 19% |
| 2018 | 16 | 12% |
| 2017 | 10 | 6% |
| 2016 | 13 | 6% |
| 2015 | 17 | 8% |
| 2014 | 18 | 7% |
| 2013 | 16 | 8% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% |
| 2010 | 33 | 3% |
| 2009 | 91 | 6% |
| 2008 | 21 | 7% |
| 2007 | 33 | 4% |
| 2006 | 24 | 3% |
| 2005 | 29 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 2% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Corolla
23 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology