VehicleVerdict

2003 Toyota Corolla transmission problems

The 2003 Toyota Corolla has 64 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

64

Transmission complaints

7%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

02V074001TransmissionMarch 11, 2002 · 8,483 units

Defect

ON PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (VIN) STARTING WITH 1NX ONLY AND BUILT FROM JANUARY 8 THROUGH FEBRUARY 13, 2002, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE BOLTS THAT JOIN THE REAR BRAKE AND HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE CARRIER TO BE LOOSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR BOLTS COULD COME LOOSE, CAUSING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA. IN THE EVENT THAT ALL FOUR BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, SEPARATION OF THE REAR BRAKE AND HUB ASSEMBLY FROM THE REAR AXLE CARRIER COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 27, 2010 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2003 Toyota Corolla have?

NHTSA has 64 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Corolla transmission — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Toyota Corolla transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 02V074001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.