Overview
- Engines
- 1.8L four-cylinder, 1.8L four-cylinder, XRS
- Came as
- On record
- 3 warnings, 13 recalls
The story
The North American 9th gen was larger than Japan's Corolla, based on the Corolla Altis sold in Southeast Asia. Unveiled at the Detroit show in January 2002, it went on sale that month as a 2003 model, and production ended in December 2007. A published reference
Toyota made it longer and taller, with the roomiest cabin yet, and the S added a sport-tuned suspension. Toyota
Rare and special
Colors
- Sandrift Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)3M5, 2003
- Lunar Mist Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)1C8, 2003–2004
- Moonshadow Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)1E6, 2003–2004
- Mineral Green Opal An owners' registry (unofficial)6R6, 2003–2004
- Speedway Blue An owners' registry (unofficial)8P1, 2007–2008
Show all 13 colors
- Cactus Mica775, 2005–2007
- Silver Streak Mica1E7, 2005–2008
- Phantom Gray Pearl1E3, 2005–2008
- Desert Sand Mica4Q2, 2004–2008
- Super White040, 2003–2008
- Black Sand Pearl209, 2003–2008
- Impulse Red Pearl3P1, 2003–2008
- Indigo Ink Pearl8P4, 2003–2008
Interiors
- Pebble Beigeyears not known
- Light Grayyears not known
Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Specs
Engines
-
1.8L four-cylinder 1ZZ-FE engine page Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference
130 hp, rated 126 hp under SAE's new method from 2006
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1.8L four-cylinder, XRS 2ZZ-GE engine page Edmunds, a published reference
170 hp at 7,600 rpm with an 8,200 rpm redline, rated 164 hp under SAE's new method · 2005–2006
Transmissions
- 5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference
- 4-speed automatic Edmunds
- 6-speed manual (2005–2006) Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
- Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
- Sedan A published reference
Trims
- CE A published reference
- LE Edmunds, a published reference
- S Toyota, a published reference
- XRS (2005–2006) A published reference
Packages
- Side curtain airbags and stability control (2005–2008) Edmunds
- JBL audio (2005–2008) Edmunds
- TRD supercharger A published reference
Figures
- Model codes: ZZE130, and ZZE131 for the XRS; a published reference files the generation under E120 A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Wheelbase: 102.4 in A published reference
- Wheels: 15-inch, larger than before A published reference
- XRS chassis: No traction or stability control, and rear seats that do not fold because of the rear brace A published reference
Rare trims and options
-
Rare
TRD supercharger Package
A TRD kit, not a factory option A published reference
Years and what changed
- 2003
New generation, the biggest Corolla yet, in CE, LE and S trims with a 130 hp 1.8L and a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Edmunds, a published reference
- 2004
Carries over unchanged. Edmunds
- 2005
Refresh
Facelift with a new front bumper and grille and clear rear turn signal lenses. The XRS arrives, the LE gets Optitron gauges, and side curtain airbags, stability control and JBL audio become options. Edmunds, a published reference
- 2006
No significant changes, but SAE's new rating method lowers the quoted output to 126 hp, and 164 hp for the XRS. Edmunds
- 2007
The XRS is dropped, and leather is no longer offered on the LE. Edmunds
- 2008
No significant changes. Edmunds
Watch out
Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.
-
Manual gearbox and differential, 2003
One source so far
Check: Listen for grinding or whine from the gearbox and differential on a test drive, and ask whether the transmission or clutch has been replaced.
On CarComplaints.com's page, an unofficial source, 12 of the 17 reports ended with the transmission and clutch replaced, seven describe grinding noises, and five name the differential. Owners' reports (unofficial)
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Engine computer, 2005–2008
Check: Ask whether recall 10V384000 was done. A stall, hard start or rough running can point to the engine computer.
Toyota recalled 2005–2008 front-drive Corollas with the 1ZZ-FE because cracks could form on the engine computer's circuit board, and the engine could run poorly or shut off. NHTSA
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Intake manifold gasket All years
One source so far
Check: Look for a check-engine light, and listen for a hiss of a vacuum leak at the intake.
Two owners in the same BobIsTheOilGuy thread, an unofficial source, report a leaking intake manifold gasket. Owners' reports (unofficial)
Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.
Open the checklistRecalls
Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.
2003–2013 Recall 19V741000
Inflators fitted under an earlier recall were of the same design, and can still explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. NHTSA
2003–2008 Recall 19V627000
In high heat the passenger front airbag may not unfold as designed, and may not inflate properly. NHTSA
2003–2005 Recall 18V883000
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode after its propellant degrades, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA
2008 Recall 16V127000
The passenger front airbag inflator may build up too much pressure and rupture when the airbag deploys. Replacement airbags fitted in service are covered too. NHTSA
2008 Recall 16V128000
Moisture can get into the passenger front airbag inflator, which may then rupture when the airbag deploys. NHTSA
Show all 13 recalls
2003–2007 Recall 15V286000
The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture when the airbag deploys, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA
2003–2007 Recall 15V285000
The passenger front airbag inflator may build up too much pressure and rupture when the airbag deploys. NHTSA
2003–2004 Recall 15V043000
Electrical noise can make a part of the airbag computer fail, setting off the airbags or seat belt pretensioners while driving. NHTSA
2003–2004 Recall 13V029000
The airbag circuits can short inside and overheat, which could set off the front airbags or seat belt pretensioners. NHTSA
2005–2008 Recall 10V384000
The engine computer may have been made with flaws, and cracks can form on its circuit board. The engine may run poorly, fail to start or shut off. NHTSA
2003–2004 Recall 08V162000
The front door glass bolts may loosen and come off, letting the glass drop away from the window regulator. NHTSA
2004 Recall 03V366000
A lug nut hole may have been drilled too large, so the nut can loosen, and in the worst case the studs can break and the wheel come off. NHTSA
2003 Recall 02V074001
The bolts holding the rear brake and hub to the axle carrier may not have been tightened enough. NHTSA
Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.
Owning
What owners and buyers say
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Sought after
High-mileage durability All years
One source so far
In a BobIsTheOilGuy thread on high-mileage 2003–2008 Corollas, an unofficial source, five of seven owners praise their cars' durability, including one at 174,000 miles and a 2003 that reached about 290,000. Owners' reports (unofficial)
-
Sought after
2007–2008
One source so far
SlashGear picks 2007 and 2008 among the best used Corolla years, for top IIHS marks in nearly every category and fewer recalls and complaints. SlashGear
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Avoid
The 2003 manual gearbox
Less sought after
CarComplaints.com, a complaints site and an unofficial source, ranks transmission failure on the 2003 among the Corolla's three worst problems. On its page for the fault, 16 of 17 reports are manuals, failing at about 96,000 miles on average. Owners' reports (unofficial)
Maintenance
Engine oil and filter 2008
Replace every 5,000 miles or 6 months Toyota
Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.
Cabin air filter 2008
Replace every 20,000 miles or 2 years Toyota
Engine air filter 2008
Replace every 30,000 miles or 3 years Toyota
Engine coolant 2008
Replace first at 100,000 miles or 10 years, then every 50,000 miles or 5 years Toyota
Spark plugs 2008
Replace at 120,000 miles or 12 years Toyota
Valve clearance 2008
Inspect first at 60,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles Toyota
Drive belts 2008
Inspect first at 60,000 miles or 6 years, then every 15,000 miles or 18 months Toyota
Warranty when new
| Basic | 36,000 miles or 3 years Edmunds |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 60,000 miles or 5 years Edmunds |
| Rust | 5 years EdmundsAny miles |
Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.
Open the checklist