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2003 Toyota MR2 SpyderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints123 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage31kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 30, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder has problems

12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system41
Power train41
Vehicle speed control31
Engine21
Exterior lighting10
Service brakes11
Service brakes, hydraulic11
Structure10
Tires10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other MR2 Spyder year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MR2 Spyder median. How we score

'00'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What MR2 Spyder owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10640007 · Sep 29, 2014 · 30,800 miles
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…
Complaint 10632785 · Sep 12, 2014
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…
Complaint 10251987 · Dec 16, 2008

Own a 2003 MR2 Spyder?

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