2002 Toyota Corolla Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seats of the 2002 Toyota Corolla, 6% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442872, filed 2012-01, 122,500 miles“The seat did not stay in place and this happened on the passenger and driver side. The manufacturer was contacted and fixed the drivers seat but they did not fix the passenger's seat. There were seat release problems. When the problem was first experienced, the driver's seat made noise after the seat released. (upon acceleration, stopping going up an incline) the noise occurred prior to release. This caused the driver to be thrown away from the brake and gas pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #10032385, filed 2003-09, 13,262 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10326592, filed 2010-04, 40,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10321712, filed 2010-03, 49,000 miles“Driver's seat does not lock into place. When driving along driver's seat will suddenly and without warning slide backwards to the farthest position making it difficult for driver to reach the break and clutch. A number of near accidents have occurred when this happens making the car difficult to stop. The dealer was notified, checked the problem, and recommended that the seat be replaced at the owners expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10161436, filed 2006-07Related service bulletins
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 8 | 1% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% |
| 2006 | 2 | 0% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1989 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 3 | 12% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
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 complaintsTires
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsEngine
5 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 30, 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