2002 Toyota Corolla CE from North America - Comments

Car was delivered with faulty windshield seal. It took over a month and four tries to get the windshield sealed correctly. This was warranty work.

Serpentine belt had to be replaced after two years. This was warranty work.

Battery had to be replaced after three years. This was NOT covered by warranty.

Headlight switch had to be replaced after three years. This was NOT covered by warranty.

Catalytic converter and oxygen sensor need to be replaced now. This is NOT covered by warranty, and no aftermarket catalytic converters are available. The PART ALONE, from Toyota, costs $1300.

There's a suspicious bearing noise that seems to be coming from my alternator. The alternator is still putting out the proper current, so I'm ignoring it for now...

Gas mileage has been excellent. Until the recent emissions problems, I was getting up to 43 mph for highway driving and 30/40 for mixed.

I'm at 92,500 miles, and I'm on the original brakes. And they're still good - I've had them checked.

The clutch still feels like it did the day I drove it home.

The car maneuvers well and is comfortable for day-to-day commuting.

I am a bit confused because the review is for a 2002 corolla, but in another part of the review it says that the model year is 2003. Which is it?

The catalytic converter most DEFINITELY should have been covered by a warranty. This is federally mandated on this emissions control device... even if the vehicle didn't come with any sort of powertrain warranty whatsoever, your dealership would have been obliged to replace the part on your 2-3 year old car for free.

If they didn't I'd file a complaint with the fta, and start looking for a new dealership.

This is a GREAT example of how Toyota rips off its customers. A catalytic converter for my DOMESTIC costs $150, NOT $1300. It is also AUTOMATICALLY warranted for 100,000 miles. Of course, never having had a problem with a domestic in a mere 100,000 miles I've gotten a bit spoiled. I understand even the ENGINES in many Corollas can't make it to 100,000 miles.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents about catalytic converters. All you need is good muffler shop, and aftermarket cat for 90$ or less. Even if it is odd shaped small cat, muffler shop still can make it fit, and it will pass on emissions test with flying colors. I am doing this myself once a week in shop where I work (Vancouver, Canada). Sometimes we deal with rare or "grey" import cars like Jaguar built in Australia for Europe. There is no chance you can find some parts for such exotic cars even at the dealership, so we just make them up.

All I can say - NEVER GIVE UP. do not part with your hard earned money so easy.

Find some immigrant mechanic without straight forward tonnel vision parts replacing, and he will find the way to save you money.

This is a good example how Toyota rips off it's customers. A catalytic converter is 125 dollars at an aftermarket shop, but it should have been covered by the warranty.