Skip to content
EnginePart report

2003 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
2%of 720 total for the year
Median mileage
158,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 2% of the 720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 158,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I am writing with concern to see if the recall on my daughters 2003 Toyota air bag issue was truly fixed, she was involved in a traffic accident where according to everyone's opinion the airbags should have went off however they did not. Is there any way to see if the recall work was actually done by the company who states they did the repair ??”

NHTSA complaint #11395728, filed 2021-02, 190,000 miles

“P0446- evaporate system vent control circuit I was driving normally like any other day when I noticed the check engine light turned on. I went to a mechanic they told me that the vapor canistor had an issue but that, thats completely the car manufactures problem because the part# vc4079 is under lifetime warranty so it shouldn't be damaged.”

NHTSA complaint #11190106, filed 2019-03, 168,000 miles

“I was driving at a track event and my engine started to knock, my oil pressure light came on. I drove it back to my parking spot, loaded it on a friends trailer and got it home. I checked and topped off my oil before leaving but we found out it was due to oil starvation.”

NHTSA complaint #11058538, filed 2018-01, 177,000 miles

“I was driving to go to school and I noticed my engine making a loud knocking sound. I took it to a mechanic and they told me that the engine is burning oil due a ring or rings torn up. One mechanics mentioned that he has had several corollas 2003 coming with the same problem and now I am stuck with a car that burns a lot of oil and the engine is in critical condition.”

NHTSA complaint #10648690, filed 2014-10, 105,000 miles

“Catalytic converter failed and replaced by dealership under service campaign at 69,811 miles has now failed again at 152,000 miles. Toyota notified at they declined to provide repair again at there expense. I had a honda go 250,000 and never have a problem with the converter. There has to be an inherent problem in the one in my Toyota Corolla !! Also other recall on airbags they do not have parts to fix.”

NHTSA complaint #10780907, filed 2015-10, 152,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202616%
202526%
202469%
20231318%
20221414%
20214122%
202011136%
20193919%
20181612%
2017106%
2016136%
2015178%
2014187%
2013168%
201241%
2011193%
2010333%
2009916%
2008217%
2007334%
2006243%
2005293%
200492%
2003162%
200254%
200122%
200032%
199911%
199821%
198814%

Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Corolla

Air bags
332 complaints
Engine cooling
92 complaints
Vehicle speed control
77 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
61 complaints
Seat belts
38 complaints
Electrical system
34 complaints
Brakes
32 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaints
Body and structure
31 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Fuel system
14 complaints
Tires
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 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