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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
33%of 12 total for the year
Median mileage
30,800miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder, 33% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,800 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.

“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

“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

“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota MR2 SPYDER. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the gear warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the computer chip and hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,800. Updated 12/2/14 the consumer stated the actuator assembly was repaired under warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10640007, filed 2014-09, 30,800 miles

“2003 Toyota MR2 SPYDER 6-speed transmission/ shifting malfunction - while at traffic light, the car jerked forcefully forward when attempting to proceed from stopped position, then turned itself off. The car became incapable of shifting and had to be towed. Ecu was replaced. Similar problems resurfaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10632785, filed 2014-09

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003433%

Other parts of the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Electrical system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder

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