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Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

3844 messages,  Last post on Sep 23, 2012 at 10:12 AM

You are in the Toyota Corolla Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Sedan

Messages Page 58 of 385

#564 of 3844 KFO by x082483

Nov 25, 1999 (11:08 am)

I own a 1999 Corolla LE, too. I currently have about 17,000 miles. I had a pull to the right, which was caused by the alignment being out of wack after just 4,000. I do most of my driving on the highway and the engine has been starting to make a lot of noise when going over 60 miles per hour (just recently). I never had this problem in the beginning. Also, when I drive the car for more than 10 miles, I start to here a creaking sound from the suspension when turning at a low speed (below 20 mph). This usually only occurs when turning right. They assume because the car is a Toyota Corolla, that it should never have any problems. I don't know if this is normal or not for this car. Any ideas or suggestions out there????? I have not been satisfied with this car nor the service I have received from the dealership and Toyota itself. They assume because the car is a Toyota Corolla, that it should never have any problems. I don't know what to do.

#565 of 3844 Hope this helps A Little by bjonesy

Nov 26, 1999 (4:29 am)

I am sorry you two are having problems. I am going through hell with Toyota myself and am in the midst of a lemon law law suit. First, make sure you document ALL problems and keep all work orders done on the car. If you don't have them now, go to the dealer and get them. Second go to the website www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Report the problem either on line or call their hotline. They are the people who decide if a recall should be issued and it doesn't hurt to let them know. Third, forget the dealer, go straight to the factory. I received little attention from the dealer, and while I didn't get the solution I wanted (YET) at least I felt like I had done something.


In most states Toyota has a minimum number of repair attempts they are allowed, usually 3 or 4. In cases of safety it doesn't really have to be that many. After 3 or 4 attempts at fixing the same problem, you can request arbitration or go to court. Arbitration is only "binding" to the manufacturer, so if you don't like the solution you can usually still pursue the court action.


Finally, realize they probably don't care. You bought the car already, they have your money and they don't want to fix the problem. I have a seat belt that hasn't worked in the 3 years I have owned it and they don't care. It usually takes a year to go to court. You have the right after the car is deemed a lemon, to get all your payments, downpayments and dmv costs, as well as some affiliated costs.


This is all based on California law and I am not a lawyer, but I am getting a very complete education on the process.


I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you don't have to go through the problems I did.


Also you may want to ask that Weyun (spelling?) guy, he seems to work for Toyota (He has all the answers and seems to take the manufacturers point of view alot) whathe thinks might work when contacting the manufacturer.


Bryan Jones

#566 of 3844 99 Corolla - very satisfied by pmartin3

Nov 28, 1999 (5:43 am)

I had a problem w/ my Toyota - the paint on one door did not match the other side. I had to go back and forth a few times with Toyota Cust. Svc. and the dlr. but I explained to them that I was very understanding and demonstrated patience with all parties involved - this will make the world of difference. If you don't have the demanding type of personality and "you owe me" type of attitude the manufacturer will respond in a much better way. I guess I come from the old school - but what goes around comes around. My advice is to be very patient and understanding. My next door neighbor works for Mercedes - even Mercedes has problems on the assembly line according to him. Good luck with the allignment issues as I know it's frustrating - just try to keep your cool.

#567 of 3844 99 corolla - perfect so far by wenyue

Nov 29, 1999 (8:19 pm)

My 99 corolla LE is a solid piece of machinary. Almost a year since I bought it, I still haven't found any thing wrong with the car at all. I did managed to back my car into a pole in a dark alley. I was scared to death about how much damage I had caused to my car, knowing running into poles are the most costly low speed accidents. But when I looked at the bumper, there was almost nothing at all there. Only 3 points where the paint got chipped or scratched. I then remembered that Corolla has one of the best bumper in the class, something I would never even think about until this happened. Still runs smoothly and quietly as ever, now I wouldn't trade my corolla for anything else in the class.

#568 of 3844 '98 Corolla Problems by mano2

Nov 30, 1999 (2:28 am)

I had the following problems:
1) After only two months of ownership the closing hinge of the middle console door fell off
2) Driver side door is inoperable from the inside. Had lock replaced - still keeps happening about once a month.
3) Trunk is difficult to close.
4) Had both front tie rods replaced at 20,000 miles.
5) Had clutch problem at 22,000 miles. Got pressure plate and throw bearing replaced. car was in shop for 3 days.
Re. problems 1 to 3: Toyota knows about it. Service bulletins were issued to dealers.
Re. problems 4 and 5: I am very disappointed.
I did not expect all this from a Toyota.

#569 of 3844 '98 Corolla Problems by mano2

Nov 30, 1999 (2:34 am)

Sorry about the description of problem #2. I was not clear enough. What I wanted to say is this: I cannot get out of my car about once a month because the door would not open when I try it from the inside. I have to roll down my window to rescue myself by popping the door open from the outside. After having the door lock replaced by the dealer, I still have this problem about once a month.
I hope I sound a lot clearer this time.

#570 of 3844 To "KFO" by mano2

Nov 30, 1999 (2:44 am)

Have your tie rods checked. My car made similar noises before tie rod replacement.

#571 of 3844 Gas Caps and Engine Check sensor by severns

Dec 01, 1999 (5:57 am)

Just bought a 2000 Carolla in the last two weeks and had the engine sensor light pop up on me. The manual says that it may be a serious problem with the engine or just the gas cap not secured tightly enough.


Checked the cap. Sure enough, had to give it a quarter turn to start "hearing the clicks," but light stayed on thoughout the day. Took it into the dealer and asked "what's up with that?"


They said it may be a real problem or the sensor just needed resetting after tightening the cap. They said it would cost me money to check the engine after a 2-hour wait or they would reset it on the spot for nothing and said to bring it in if the light comes on again in the meantime.


Since the car drove and sounded fine, I had them reset it and am now watching to make sure it was just that-- a loose cap.


But... Can't the car self-correct the sensor if that's all it really is? It should go off after tightening it down again, shouldn't it? The manual said I need to drive the car "several times" (how many is that? How does it know?) for the sensor to "turn off."


Is this a real problem or am I being unneccesarily concerned?

#572 of 3844 severns by wenyue

Dec 01, 1999 (8:10 pm)

My guess is that you are overly concerned. If the manual said that you need to drive the car several times before the sensor correct itself, then the sensor is probably not meant to be off right after you tighten the cap. I will just drive it like normal from now on, but keep an eye out for the check engine light and keep an ear on the engine noise. Just precautions I would take, but most probably it was just the cap. If there is something seriously wrong with the engine, you will probably hear it, and the check engine light will come back on very soon. If you don't see any of that happening again within a week, I think you are home free.


I can understand how you might be very concerned about your new car. I was that way too when I first got my 99 Corolla LE. I was scared to death when I heard a clicking noise coming from the engine shortly after I got the car. I am actually the person who started this subject. (Check out my name on the first first post). Anyway, that "clicking noise" turn out just to be engine cooling in the cold winter air. Very normal to every car. But I thought I heard what I thought was a rattle coming from the window/door everytime I go over rough pavement. Well, it turned out, to my embarassment, to be overly loose wrist watch chain shaking. DOH! It's all understandable that we all lean towards the side of caution when we just paid $15K for our new car. Keep an eye out for any signs of problems, but relax a bit as well. The corolla is a good and powerful little car, have fun with it.

#573 of 3844 noise by hakuna109

Dec 01, 1999 (9:35 pm)

Well, I just brought my Corolla 00 for about 2 months. I mostly drove local, since then I heard the noise as I accelerated and to be honest, i dont know when it started to make that noise cause I used to listen to the music as i drives, so is that normal or my car engine had the problems....

Messages Page 58 of 385

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