2003 Toyota Mr2 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Power Train:manual Transmission (1) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Mr2 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (41)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 41 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-02-26 · Electrical System · 41,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota mr2. while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and the steering and gears seized. the vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and towed to the contact's residence. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was invalid. the approximate failure mileage w…”
2014-03-24 · Power Train · 28,000 mi“the design of the computer controlled power train makes throttle, transmission and starter inter-dependent. my vehicle has repeatedly lost power and coasted to a stop. the vehicle has been recently inspected by a toyota dealer, who says there's nothing wrong with it. but the vehicle operator's manual anticipates stalling while underway and gives…”
2013-12-29 · Power Train · 53,000 mi · 💥 crash“the car was parked with engine running and parking brake on. i released the brake on and the car lurched forward crossing a curb and hitting a aluminum guard rail. the service seq transmisame light came on . after being towed to the dealer. it was found a hydraulic line had broken from corroding. the dealer put in a new unit but the old comp…”
2013-05-21 · Power Train · 67,800 mi“purchased used from carmax and within 100 miles the transmission light came on, it would not shift out of first gear. i had it delivered to have the vehicle looked at, and it refused to go into reverse gear next. when they attempted to drive it only 1 st and 2nd gear would work. after having a brand new transmission installed from toyota by aamco t…”
2007-04-19 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) · 2,005 mi“the drain tubes in the car does not work so, rain and snow will make the car fill with water . if the car is full of water the computer in the car doesn't read causing the car to fail which happened to me on the freeway. i could have been killed. the first time this happened they replaced all wet things in car . it did not fix the drain tube pro…”
2006-07-20 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 23,900 mi“3/15 05 1st problem came to a stop and would not recognize gears had it towed. toyota replaced computer transmission. 6/7/06 2nd time came to a stop in 3 lane road in heavy traffic and couldn't recognize gears. toyota replaced computer engine. 6/10 3rd time car wouldn't shift out of 2nd. toyota couldn't find a problem. 6/21/06 4th time transmiss…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.