Skip to content
Toyota MR2Model year report

2003 Toyota MR2 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
34,750miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 23 city / 29 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2003 Toyota MR2. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 5 complaints (83% of the total), followed by engine (2) and fuel system (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 34,750 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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

Transmission and drivetrain: “The design of the computer controlled power train makes throttle, transmission and starter inter-dependent. My vehicle has repeatedly lost power and coasted to a stop. The vehicle has been recently inspected by a Toyota dealer, who says there's nothing wrong with it. But the vehicle operator's manual anticipates stalling while underway and gives directions to re-start - sometimes successful, sometimes not and the vehicle has to be towed, in my experience. Manual directions (page 153): if your engine stalls while driving ... Reduce speed gradually, keeping a straight line. …”

NHTSA complaint #10574607, filed 2014-03, 28,000 miles

Engine: “Purchased used from carmax and within 100 miles the transmission light came on, it would not shift out of first gear. I had it delivered to have the vehicle looked at, and it refused to go into reverse gear next. When they attempted to drive it only 1 st and 2nd gear would work. After having a brand new transmission installed from Toyota by aamco transmission as soon as the vehicle made it back to the car dealer, it started leaking fluids all over the lot. The transmission solenoid had quit working and starting spraying hot fluids all over the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10513052, filed 2013-05, 67,800 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2003 Toyota MR2. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering and gears seized. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 41,500.”

NHTSA complaint #10838668, filed 2016-02, 41,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,900 and 53,000 miles.

17%0–1017%10–2533%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 34,750 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200620072013220142016
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Toyota MR2 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MR2 RWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual232925$2,700
MR2 RWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual223025$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Toyota MR2 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. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 41 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota MR2

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2003634,7500—25—Not enough data
2002645,0000—24—Not enough data
199112130,0001—22—Not enough data
19875—0—25—Not enough data
19866250,0000—25—Not enough data

All Toyota MR2 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Toyota MR2 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2003 Toyota MR2 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 5 complaints (83% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2003 Toyota MR2 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.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota MR2 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Toyota MR2 (MR2, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 34,750 miles and the middle half falls between 23,900 and 53,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.