2003 Toyota Corolla Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 721 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 1% of the 721 complaints for this model year. 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 just bought this car, and unfortunately can't return it. The rear headrests are huge, blocking about 1/3 of the view out the rear window and making backing up and lane-changing risky. Similar comments are found by others on internet car review sites. Relying exclusively on mirrors should not be required. Can they issue smaller rear headrests? I am very concerned about hitting someone. If I had a big box in my rear view area, blocking a similar space, I probably would get ticketed by the cops for a safety violation. Why is this no different? …”
NHTSA complaint #763369, filed 2002-06“1. Our son was in an end-over-end rollover crash, with his seat belt fastened. 2. The driver's seat bent, ejecting him into the back seat, where his neck was broken. 3. The car was totaled, and he died 20 days later.”
NHTSA complaint #10138203, filed 2005-09“When snapping the driver side back to normal, upright position, the consumer noticed that the latch was not centered in the back of the seat. Also, the seat can be pulled on the side without the latch and the seat easily moves out.”
NHTSA complaint #10072071, filed 2004-04“Rear head rests too big and block view in the rear window. I need to remove the rear headrests to drive the car in the summer time when air condition is on. Car seats are not comfortable.”
NHTSA complaint #10111866, filed 2005-02Related 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 2003 Toyota Corolla
333 complaintsEngine cooling
92 complaintsVehicle speed control
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
61 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsFuel 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 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