Comments: 1-15, 16-20
When I first picked up the car:
The driver's door handle had a scratch.
The driver's door was off alignment.
The wheel alignment is off.
The driver's side visor is broken.
There is a scratch on the dash.
The dome light switch is deformed.
The molding in the trunk sticks up.
The temperature gauge does not read correctly.
The 3rd brake light was loose.
The tires were all under inflated.
The battery was not charged.
The center seat belt buckle was scratched.
I work in the auto industry and I am insulted to have seen a brand new vehicle in this kind of condition and neither the dealer nor Toyota has yet made good on the vehicle.
I fight with the steering wheel to keep my car straight. I will never buy another Toyota again!
What does this have to do with Toyota?
My Corolla was 2 years old when I got it with 25000 miles on it and it did not have all those scratches, etc. I am pretty sure that it wasn't the factory that scratched up your new car!
Interesting is to notice that I experience the same difficulties with the steering on my 2001 Corolla LE. This steering problem is horrible, if not dangerous. Dealers pretend the tires are culprit, but this does not seem to be right.
But I got my 2001 Corolla S 10 months ago, after the first two months I felt the same as you and went back to the dealer to check it, but they said that is normal, so I kept driving and after two months, I feel better...!
So I think the tire or steering wheel were not run-in very well, that's why...
So don't worry about it...!!
My Toyota 2002 LE steering acts like the 2001. Have to also fight/work the steering to keep it straight on some roads. Just did a 1700 miles round trip to Nova Scotia, mostly highways at 65-70 MPH. It feels like the old cars when you had too much play in the steering wheel. Talked to the service manager on the phone when I got back and he said this is normal because of the sporty low to the ground Toyota 2002 LE. It looks like they did not change anything to the steering for 2002.
With 4 speed Auto and Air Running most of the time, I got 39.9 miles to the gallon. Otherwise I'm pleased with the car so far.
I own a 2001 CE Corolla and have had problems from day one. Two weeks after I bought the car, I found rust on the roof. Toyota had to repaint the roof. A few weeks ago the paint on my bumper had cracked. Now I have problems with my clutch, temperature gauge, air con vent, and LOTS OF RUST!!! Because of these types of problems, I will not buy another Corolla again and my car is only 10 months old. The service department is really horrible. I get no service from them.
Why the heck did you take the car if it was so scratched? Was the vehicle brand new from the dealership?
I know that none of the scratches could have been from yourself. It's always someone else's fault. Boo hoo. Like others have said, you're so observant that you bought the car even though it had scratches on it. It's your own fault.
Perhaps the car wasn't new. I live in nNrth Fl. where we had cases of dealers lending cars to golf pros during the Players Championships, then replacing the speedometers. They were then selling the cars as new (a new car should have clear oil that looks like honey). It took people complaining to get an investigation going to uncover this scam. Good luck with your car.
I have a 2yr old Corolla and it pulls heavily to the left. Is this what you mean by fighting to keep it straight? I've had two geometry adjustments (on the first, all wheels were out, and less than 500 miles later, 3 wheels were out - and it still pulls to the left especially under acceleration.
Toyota don't give a damn and say all cars do this - which is a complete lie. If you drive on a level (ie zero camber) road and take your hand off the wheel, you hit the curb in 3 seconds. That is not normal - there is a serious fault with Corollas like that reported for the Ford Mondeo.
Are your Corolla's built in North America?
The steering on my 2001 Corolla suddenly got harder to turn. This only happens sometimes. The dealership says this is not a problem. I don't get why it only happens sometimes and not at other times.
My 3rd brake light in my 2001 CE is not working. Is this a light bulb problem or something that is common with Toyota Corolla? I never had any problems before with the 3rd light. Can I fix it or do I have to go to Toyota to get it repaired?
I have a 2001 model Corolla, same model platform as the current model. I'm amazed that this car could have come from the same factory as mine. Maybe it didn't! Mine was built in Japan (bought in Singapore) and it's been brilliant. I've experienced none of the problems described. The only thing I would say is that the standard size wheels and tires were a bit small. I've upsized to alloys with 196/60-R15. It improved the handling significantly and made no difference to steering effort when parking (power steering easily able to cope). After 30,000 miles (50,000km) the car remains pretty much faultless. The performance is sufficient, if a little undergeared, and economy (gas mileage) great.
My 2001 Corolla also had that steering issue. Took it back to local dealership for scheduled maintenance, they took care of it, not sure how, but works fine now.
Strange to hear so many problems. A friend and I both bought 2001 Corollas (strange coincidence). We are delivery drivers and drive the hell out of them on short and long trips. Mine is an S model his is a CE, both black, mine is LOADED. We both have over 70,000 miles with ZERO PROBLEMS. The stock tires REALLY SUCK, but once we put some good Firestone tires on there, perfect handling.
I guess no matter how good some are, there is always an exception. But the fact that it WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT in bad shape is a big clue to it's incomplete past. It sounds like it's already been in an accident and passed off as new.