2002 Toyota Corolla Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 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.
“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!”
NHTSA complaint #10444506, filed 2012-01, 75,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10374130, filed 2011-01, 75,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10311779, filed 2010-02, 36,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 3 | 10% |
| 2024 | 12 | 18% |
| 2023 | 16 | 22% |
| 2022 | 5 | 5% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 8 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 4% |
| 2018 | 5 | 4% |
| 2017 | 13 | 7% |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% |
| 2015 | 15 | 7% |
| 2014 | 18 | 7% |
| 2013 | 39 | 19% |
| 2012 | 18 | 4% |
| 2011 | 43 | 7% |
| 2010 | 371 | 30% |
| 2009 | 382 | 26% |
| 2008 | 12 | 4% |
| 2007 | 43 | 5% |
| 2006 | 22 | 3% |
| 2005 | 22 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 11 | 8% |
| 1999 | 9 | 6% |
| 1998 | 17 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1994 | 10 | 6% |
| 1993 | 2 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 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 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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