2003 Toyota Corolla Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 61about this part
- Share
- 8%of 721 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 61 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 8% of the 721 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car is a 5 speed and had an increasing growl in transmission in 2,3,and 5th gear. After research, this appears to be a common problem in 5 speed Corolla's, matrix, and pontiac vibe which all use the c59 5 speed transmissions. Over $1000 to repair if caught early enough. This is/was my 5th Toyota, and will be my last also!!”
NHTSA complaint #10434876, filed 2011-11, 140,000 miles“I was driving and heard loud noise. Pull into a gas station and called husband. When he got to me he tried to put car in reverse and it just made a grinding noise. It wouldn't do anything. I had the transmission rebuilt. Now just 3 years later june 4, 2012 I was driving and heard same noise. I got home turned off car and when tried to put car in reverse it just made a grinding noise and wouldn't move.”
NHTSA complaint #10462217, filed 2012-06, 100,000 miles“I was stopped at a red light. When it turned green I started to accelerate and turn the transmission blew. Subsequently, I was read ended. I started to do research and found that the 2003 Toyota Corolla has excessive transmission issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10667591, filed 2014-12, 16,000 miles“Today, as I was very slowly pulling into my parking spot at work , it felt like a jet engine took off and my car accelerated into the building. I was stuck on cement parking borders and the wheels were spining. I did not have any control over this. I do have witneses to his.the care was towed to Toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #10302650, filed 2010-01, 94,000 miles“One year ago my 2003 Toyota Corolla began to make a high-pitched whirring noise when the transmission was engaged. The sound continued to become louder until while driving down the street my car began to make a crunching noise. After I pulled to the side of the road I was unable to put the car back into gear. I had the transmission rebuilt in nov. 2010. I began hearing the same high-pitched whirring noise again recently (nov. 2011).”
NHTSA complaint #10437272, filed 2011-11, 96,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V074001Mar 11, 2002On passenger vehicles with vehicle identification numbers (vin) starting with 1nx only and built from january 8 through february 13, 2002, it is possible for…Covers: Toyota Corolla 2003
Related 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…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 10061578Jun 13, 2011Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10017613Sep 1, 2005Whistle/hoot noise from automatic transaxle.
- 10015608Feb 14, 2005Humming noise from rear hub axle bearing. *tt update
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 17 | 17% |
| 2021 | 19 | 10% |
| 2020 | 40 | 13% |
| 2019 | 55 | 27% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 15 | 8% |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% |
| 2015 | 30 | 14% |
| 2014 | 27 | 10% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 49 | 4% |
| 2009 | 45 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% |
| 2007 | 26 | 3% |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% |
| 2005 | 37 | 4% |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% |
| 2003 | 61 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 13 | 7% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 19% |
| 1989 | 4 | 17% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Corolla
333 complaintsEngine cooling
92 complaintsVehicle speed control
77 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 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 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