2003 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews

was good until after a year

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

i had the car for a year with 80,000 mile on it and everything was excellent for the first year. after the year past, my mpg just tanked on me and i was only getting 12 mpg. it got loud when i am driving on the highway, the rear speakers had static sounds. the brakes just sucked with the crappy ABS in it. then i got into my accident. the passenger seat belt didn't lock when my passenger side got hit, the airbag blew. then when they went back the seat belt lock. good car, but not good in accidents.
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Not As Dependable As Is Widely Believed

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased my Corolla in March 2002. At this time (June 2011) there are 49800 miles on it. Here is every problem I've ever had with it over 9 years in chronological order: - steering wheel was slightly out of alignment, tilting to the left a bit; Toyota straightened it under warranty - AC cut out while I took a 600 mile road trip; only happened once, didn't need to fix it - squealing started off and on from the engine/belt; had belt replaced but squealing continued; sources online say it's a belt tensioner problem; happens inconsistently; haven't fixed it yet - crackling distortion began from rear speakers - rear wheel bearings needed replacing, $1260 for parts + labor
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Wheel Bearings

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My brother talked me into buying a Toyota and I do love it. However, I had to replace the drivers side wheel bearing in July of last year, no problem - I expect to have to pay for this type of maintenance. I had about 110,000 miles on it. A year later and 25,000 miles later - the same wheel bearing goes. I explain to the dealer that it doesn't make sense that I have to replace it yet again. The other one has never been replaced. They simply said its normal wear and tear because of the amount of miles I have put on it. We even called Toyota directly and we are waiting for some answers. Hopefully they will make it right. I was sold on Toyota, but may not be now. Will depend on how they respond.
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I love this car

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I put about 10,000 miles a year on this car with no major problems, keep the oil changed and do the maintenance on required basis and this car will last forever.
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Awesome

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought the car new in 2002 and now have 98,000 miles on it. It required front brake pads due to squealing brakes at 25,000 miles and was done free. Have performed routine maintenance - battery 60,000 miles, tires 60,000 miles, brakes 85,000 miles. After the brakes at 85,000 there was a persistent squeal and the car needed 2 more trips back to the dealer. Was given a free loaner car for the 2 returns and it was handled very professionally. Other than that I routinely get 34-35 mpg with about 65% highway driving. The car is actually fun to drive and I am always the first "out of the blocks". Minimal road noise at cruising speed and very smooth highway manners.
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Rock Solid and efficient

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Had my car for almost 7 years now and I can say it has been great. Yeah, it's not a BMW, but its a easy drive, fuel efficient and has good room for the size. I recently upgraded to a high end VW Passat wagon, and even though it is classier I miss my Toyotas efficiency (wife drives it now).
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Excellent reliability

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I am the original owner of this car, I used to drive 1000 miles + per month in this car for about 2 years. I have not had one thing need maintenance, it is even on the original AC coolant. The only problems have been from other people dinging my car. Everything in the car still works great, just needs a tune up to improve power. With regular oil services and tire rotations, I have never had this car in any shop at all. Great purchase for reliability.
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Great Car - decided to keep driving it

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I purchased my !st Corolla in 1989 (a 1984 for 3K with 45k miles on it) That car lasted me for 7 years with no problems. It finally died in 1996. I would have been happy if it lasted 3 years. Then I owned a Honda Accord from 1996 to 2004. I can not remember the problems but I was not nearly as satisfied with my Honda. I went back to the Toyota Corolla in 2004 and have been happy ever since. I purchased the car used with 12k miles. It now has 123k and I have not had a single problem. Just routine maintenance, replaced tires, oil, transmission fluid, batteries. I just love the great gas mileage. With gas at 3.00/gal, I fill it up for about 25 and go almost all week.
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Thought it was reliable

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I had no trouble with this car and felt it was highly reliable, like the Toyota reputation suggested. I bought the car new and always took car of the maintenance. Then at 59,000 miles, the transmission completely failed. No warning, no symptoms, just stop at a light and when the light turned green, the car would not move. Turned it off and turned it back on, and when I put the car in drive, the car made a horrible grinding sound. Called Toyota and they would do nothing for me. 6/60000 miles was the warranty. Guess they had it figured out just right. I'll never buy a Toyota again.
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Not as good gas mileage

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I traded in my Jeep Cherokee for better gas mileage only to find that I'm getting between 19 and 23 miles per gal. around the city on my 2003 corolla 1.8. By the way it is an automatic transmission.
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