Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2003 Toyota Mr2

The Verdict

93 Smooth Ride

The 2003 Toyota Mr2 has 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (10 complaints) and body (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 93/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Mr2, consider the 2001 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2001 has 93% fewer complaints

View the 2001 Toyota Mr2 dashboard →

93

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2003 Toyota Mr2. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200000130
200110010
2002147245
2003805810
200400002
200520001

By Category

Transmission
10
Body
8
Engine
8
Electrical
5

By Severity

1
17
2
8
4
6

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 1

Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much

5mo ago
Electrical 1

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 WAS 41,500.

126mo ago
Engine 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

131mo ago
Transmission 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE GEAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP AND HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,800. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

143mo ago
Engine 2

2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION/ SHIFTING MALFUNCTION - WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FROM STOPPED POSITION, THEN TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE CAR BECAME INCAPABLE OF SHIFTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. ECU WAS REPLACED. SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESURFACED. *TR

144mo ago
Body 1

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BECAME INTERMITTENT IN OPERATION, WITH POTENTIAL OF BEING UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT. *TR

149mo ago
Engine 2

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 DIRECTIONS TO RE-START - SOMETIMES SUCCESSFUL, SOMETIMES NOT AND THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED, IN MY EXPERIENCE. MANUAL DIRECTIONS (PAGE 153): IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING ... REDUCE SPEED GRADUALLY, KEEPING A STRAIGHT LINE. MOVE CAUTIOUSLY OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE PLACE... MANUAL TRANSMISSION, NA SEQUENTIAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION: TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE ?ACC? OR ?LOCK? POSITION. APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER, TRY STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN. IF YOUR ENGINE WILL NOT START, SEE ?IF YOU ENGINE WILL NOT START -? ON PAGE 150 OF THIS MANUAL. HOW CAN ONE "MOVE CAUTIOUSLY OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE PLACE", IF THE ENGINE WON'T RUN? THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AS MANUFACTURED, IMO. *TR

149mo ago
Transmission 4

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 COMPUTER WOULD NOT WORK AND IS NOW PUTTING A NEW COMPUTER ABOUT 6600.00 AT THE THIS POINT. SO FAR TOYOTA DOESN'T KNOW US. *TR

152mo ago
Engine 2

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 TRANSMISSION AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE MADE IT BACK TO THE CAR DEALER, IT STARTED LEAKING FLUIDS ALL OVER THE LOT. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID HAD QUIT WORKING AND STARTING SPRAYING HOT FLUIDS ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TOWED BACK FOR FOLLOWUP REPAIRS AND THEY ARE CONSIDERING REFUNDING DUE TO EXCESSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE. *TR

160mo ago
Transmission 1

SEQUENTIAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH FAILED TO COMPLETELY DISENGAGE LEAVING THE CAR IN GEAR WITH POTENTIAL CRASH RESULTS. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AFTER 3 SEPARATE TIMES IN THE SHOP. *TR

192mo ago
Body 4

2003 TOYOTA 4DR. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A FENCE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. *JB

197mo ago
Body 1

PLATE UNDER ENGINE COMES LOOSE, HANGING UNDER CAR AND EXPOSING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE ROAD. THIS PLATE HAD COME LOOSE SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE REPLACED SCREWS TO PUT IT BACK IN PLACE, BUT THIS TIME IT COMPLETELY FAILED AND BROKE. *TR

204mo ago
Electrical 1

MY CAR HAS A HARD SHIFT PROBLEM. IT STOPS AT EVERY TRAFFIC LIGHT AND I HAVE TO START IT AGAIN. ALSO WHEN I SHIFT THE STICK IT CHANGES SO HARD, IT PUSHES ME AND SHAKE IT ITSELF SO HARD. I WAS GOING TO CRASH WHEN IT HAPPENED FIRST TIME. I TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID "TRANSMISSION CONTROL COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED" "SEQUENTIAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION (SMT) HARSH SHIFT" THIS IS A BULLETIN OF TOYOTA, I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WILL CHARGE FOR IT. IT S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BUT IT IS MANUFACTURING MISTAKE, IT S NOT MY MISTAKE. THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? PLEASE HELP. *TR

214mo ago
Transmission 1

REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK, LARGE AMOUNT. *TR

223mo ago
Transmission 1

I HAVE A 2003 4RUNNER THAT HAS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND THAT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT 3 TIMES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR STARTING FROM A STOP. IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND NOT VERY COMFORTING. IF THE DRIVESHAFT IS SLAMMING AND MAKING THIS NOISE, I CAN'T IMAGING ANYONE THINKING THAT IS VERY SAFE. THE THING COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT. WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THE SLAMMING DOES TO IT! TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOME GETS HURT FROM IT. *TR

227mo ago
Body 2

BACK HATCH UNLOCKED AND FLEW OPEN ON HIGHWAY WHILE I HAD CUSTOMERS IN MY 4 RUNNER. PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHUT...WOULD NOT SHUT. HAVING TO DRIVE NOW WITH BACK TAILGATE TIED SHUT. EXHAUST COMES IN THROUGH BACK OF VEHICLE. HAVING REPAIRED ON 10/24 FOR A COST OF OVER $400! *TR

228mo ago
Engine 1

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD TICKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

229mo ago
Transmission 2

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 PROBLEM BECAUSE AFTER THE RAIN MY CAR IS FULL OF WATER AGAIN. SAME FAILURE WITH OTHER CARS. I THINK THEY WANT TO PUT DRY PARTS IN THE CAR AGAIN AT WHO'S COST THEIRS OR MINE? WITH ALL THE WATER IN MY CAR AGAIN THERE HAS TO BE CORROSION AND OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR THAT IS NOT BEING FIXED. I WOULD LIKE THE CAR REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE SINCE I AM PAYING FIFTY THOUSAND FOR MY CAR . I DID NOT BY A FISH TANK. THAT IS WHAT I GOT . PLEASE HELP! NEW CAR NIGHTMARE. THANKS *TR

234mo ago
Body 1

POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM

237mo ago
Transmission 1

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 TRANSMISSION WENT INTO "N" WHILE IN 4TH GEAR. TOYOTA REPLACED PUMP ASSY. SEQEN. 7/20/06 5TH TIME AS I WAS TAKING A TURN OFF MAJOR ROAD COMPUTER FAILED TO RECOGNIZE GEAR. PULLED TO THE SIDE AND CAR DIED. I MADE IT HOME AND NOW WAITING ON A TOW. THIS IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME THE CAR ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES. THE LAST 3 TIMES ITS GONE IN THE SHOP HAS ONLY BEEN ABOUT 400 MILES IN BETWEEN SERVICE. I'VE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR ON THE BREAKDOWNS. BUT, I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT GIVES ME NO WARNING. IT COULD BE FATAL. *NM

243mo ago

31 total

1/ 2
Report a Klunk