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Toyota MR2 SpyderModel year report

2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,900miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and vehicle speed control (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,900 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 79 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My car has a hard shift problem. It stops at every traffic light and I have to start it again. Also when I shift the stick it changes so hard, it pushes me and shake it itself so hard. I was going to crash when it happened first time. I took it to repair shop. They said transmission control computer needs to be replaced and reprogrammed sequential manual transmission (smt) harsh shift this is a bulletin of Toyota, I took it to Toyota dealer, they said they will charge for it. It s not under warranty. But it is manufacturing mistake, it s not my mistake. They have to take care of this. …”

NHTSA complaint #10251987, filed 2008-12

Transmission and drivetrain: “Sequential manual transmission clutch failed to completely disengage leaving the car in gear with potential crash results. Transmission computer was replaced after 3 separate times in the shop.”

NHTSA complaint #10355396, filed 2010-09, 76,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “The contact owns a 2003 Toyota MR2 SPYDER. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle spun out of control and crashed into a curb. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10778822, filed 2015-09, 55,000 miles

Brakes: “Problem 1: transmission will at random times during driving go into neutral without warning and lose power slowing the vehicle until it dies. The car will then not have power steering making it difficult to control. This has happened four times while driving in traffic twice causing a near serious accident. It has left my wife stranded and requiring the dealer to tow the vehicle as it would not re-start. It happened one time where there was room to pull to the roadside without incident. The car ran roughly and would not idle for a period of time as well as not go into forward or reverse gear. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070899, filed 2004-01, 1,100 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,400 and 66,000 miles.

25%0–1013%10–2513%25–5025%50–7513%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2003200420052006200820092010201432015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 79 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 79 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota MR2 Spyder

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031242,9000———Not enough data

All Toyota MR2 Spyder model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.

Has the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,900 miles and the middle half falls between 19,400 and 66,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.