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Exterior lightingPart report

2003 Toyota Corolla Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
1%of 721 total for the year
Median mileage
83,460miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 1% of the 721 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,460 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.

“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

“I bought a 2003 Toyota Corolla from a certified car dealership, and was sold a car that was involved in a major accident and was not reported. The whole front of the car has none of the original parts to the car which depreciated the value of the car, but it was still sold to me as slightly used in great condition,low mileage and suppose to have never been in an any accidents, I also found out the this car did not pass inspection at the time of purchase, I had to bring the car back to the dealership numerous times starting five days after I bought it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10165532, filed 2006-08, 29,919 miles

“Transmission went out, according to repair shop was defect from company. Less than 115 miles later the engine goes. According to service manager and master technician, engine looked great and could find no problem until discovered the cylinder head was warped and was a common problem . Engine and transimission gone within 115 miles of each other.”

NHTSA complaint #10126176, filed 2005-06, 137,000 miles

“Consumer stated had problem with driver's side sun visor. Due to its location and/or design the visor moved the rear view mirror from the adjusted position whenever moved. Consumer can not properly adjust rear view mirror when visor is down. Ts consumer stated that the day time running lights cannot be turned off which is required by law when boarding or debarking the washington state ferry. Also when driver's floor mat is removed from the movable hooks, dirt and debris is spilled onto the carpet.”

NHTSA complaint #8022801, filed 2002-11, 400 miles

“Airbag light still on after Toyota dealer replace the airbag inflator module and they refused to repair. Report receipt date: jun 20, 2014 NHTSA campaign number: 14v350000 component(s): air bags”

NHTSA complaint #10627332, filed 2014-08

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202616%
202446%
20231115%
202299%
202184%
202031%
201952%
201811%
201763%
2016105%
2015136%
201493%
201220%
201120%
201030%
200960%
200810%
200710%
200661%
200591%
200471%
200391%
200265%
200197%
200064%
199975%
199863%
199711%
1996129%
199585%
199463%
199332%
199212%
1987214%

Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Corolla

Air bags
333 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
Engine
16 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Fuel system
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Corolla

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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