2003 Toyota Corolla Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 5%of 721 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,005miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 5% of the 721 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,005 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Camelback Toyota took care of a recall on the wiring harness and since that date I have had numerous problems - lost my keyless entry, lost my speedometer, lost my horn. D & b auto found some problems at the tune of $428.70 (got my horn, speedometer and keyless entry working again - this was 8/12/13). …”
NHTSA complaint #10702997, filed 2015-03, 81,766 miles“I've tried to report both items to tysons Toyota in the past. The driver side window has exploded in, once while I was in the car. I'm on my third window and it rattles when the window is partially open. I fear another explosion. Second, the paint on this blue car has rusted and peeled on the roof and trunk. When I googled the year, make, model, and color, there are thousands of 2003-04 cars experiencing the same defect. Despite being an older car, there are many still on the road. Toyota claims there was no problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11374642, filed 2020-11, 90,000 miles“My smog light keeps going on even after I have it repaired. I know someone who has the same exact car that I have and she got the recall on the ECM and they replaced it and she did not have to replace the catalytic converter to pass the ca smog. I replaced it already and it is super expensive...1,600!! Last year I had my car service for the check engine light and it cost me 1,000. Afterwards the check engine light went on again. They are saying I have to have the catalytic converter replaced again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11002877, filed 2017-07, 163,000 miles“Was driving 20mph on a side street with my toddler in the car when I smelt strong electrical fire. Window switch got stuck on driver side window and instead of blowing fuse my door caught on fire. Called the dealership etc and they wouldn't do anything about what happened because no recall for my year. Just received a recall letter today. Two months after! This is my second recall on this car and I'm not sure how much longer I can handle this. I will never own a Toyota again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10505112, filed 2013-03, 185,000 miles“Took my car into Toyota dealer jim coleman Toyota - because of the 2003 supplemental restraint system (srs) electronic control module (ECM) safety recall notice that I received 2 weeks ago, made an appointment 2 days ago with the dealer for this recall - said to come in today at 2:00 pm for the repair. One hour and 45 minutes later - fix was not completed because they said that Toyota corporation only allows for 12 sub-wire harness (filters) to be installed each day at each dealer through out the united states of america. …”
NHTSA complaint #10507153, filed 2013-04, 80,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 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…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 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…
- 10132762Jun 12, 2014TSB: 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 14 | 19% |
| 2022 | 21 | 21% |
| 2021 | 23 | 12% |
| 2020 | 34 | 11% |
| 2019 | 15 | 7% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 21 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 7% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 52 | 19% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 75 | 6% |
| 2009 | 89 | 6% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 89 | 11% |
| 2006 | 85 | 10% |
| 2005 | 59 | 7% |
| 2004 | 24 | 5% |
| 2003 | 34 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 18 | 10% |
| 1994 | 12 | 7% |
| 1993 | 14 | 11% |
| 1992 | 12 | 19% |
| 1991 | 7 | 10% |
| 1989 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Corolla
333 complaintsEngine cooling
92 complaintsVehicle speed control
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
61 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsTires
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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