I totally agree with you! It seems like the transmissions of the newer generation Corolla suck really bad. I own a 99 model Corolla with about 70K miles on it, and I haven't encountered any problem with the tranny just yet (I'm not really looking forward to it though.)

--------------------
toyota parts.com

2003 toyot corolla manual transmission is making weird noises. I have to replace the transmission which is $2500. Toyota should step up and pay us for this nonsense. Class action suit should be brought upon them. Anyone willing to do this email me.

Got the same issue. Bought my 03 Corolla S from a dealer about 3 months ago, but ran over the 3,000 mile warrenty on it. The car has about 130,000 miles on it, unfortunatly only 5,000 of it is from me. The car has only been a problem for me. First the check engine light came on, the day after i bought it. Turns out there are 4 codes that are showing up. After all of this, and as soon as i pay the car off, my next vehicle will be my 6th Honda/Acura. I should have known better bying a Vehicle that shares parts with Pontiac. Ung. :-(

Well I am now experiencing exactly what you all are describing. Bought my 2004 corolla 6 months ago with 57,000 miles, now has 70,000. After the rattling noise began I brought it to the dealer. They told me I need a new clutch, at the cost of $1500.

Just got a call from the dealership that the clutch is replaced, but the sound is still ocurring. They think it is the transmission.

Question now is, will this repair make the car worth keeping or should I dump it while I can?

Hmm, I too have the dreaded Manual transmission gremlin at 80K miles on my 2003 Corolla. I think that adds up to 40 incidents so far just on this BB.
If any of you have had a failure that you feel created a safety problem then I would urge you to file a complaint here. Totota won't listen to there customers, but they have to listen to the Guberment boys.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
So as anyone started a class action?

Hello everyone.........and now its my turn to add to this long list of Corolla manual transmission issues......the 5 speed manual transmission in my 2003 Corolla blew up last week, and at only 135000 km (84000 miles) on the odometer. And being just past the warranty, no sympathy or help from Toyota, just a kind offer to replace my transmission for oh, about $3500! So much for the vaunted Toyota longevity. The Corolla is going to sit in my driveway until I figure out what to do about this situation.

Another one bites the dust, I have a 2003 Corolla Sport. On wednesday i drove the car a few km, when i backed in the driveway the right CV joint started clunking, this being friday on my way to work as i was making a right hand turn the car started whining, the drive to work was only another 4 km, i took the car to the dealer right after work, after i parked the car at toyota they informed me that the transmission had locked up, i told them not to bother touching it, i had a friend of mine at a transmission shop pick it up, i haven't heard the verdict yet, but there is no doubt im my mind i will be another statistic... f*ing toyota!

I just had my clutch replaced in hopes to solve whatever was making the knocking sound in my 2003 Toyota Corolla CE. I kept telling everyone that I could still hear it but no one listened. 2 weeks ago, Im driving down the road with my daughter, sister, and friend. A puff of smoke goes by and my car starts smelling.. my battery light comes on and the car start stalling out. I am, luckily, right next to an advance auto parts... pull over and pop the hood to find FLAMES. My battery is on fire. Its replaced and wires that were burnt are fixed and the bolt that was digging a hole in the battery is no longer an issue. Yay.. everything is great again.
NOT SO MUCH!
Today, Im excitedly driving from Birmingham, AL to Macon, GA after receiving news that my deployed hubby will be home soon.. when my car starts making a weird sound.. like a drawn out beep. No lights are on so I check my phone, GPS, radio.. and while Im turning the radio down to check it, my transmission locks up. I guess thats what happened when it felt like someone had suddenly yanked my E brake up. Nearly got slammed into because it began fishtailing a bit..but luckily got off the road in time. I needed to move it further, but when I would try to go, it acted like i wasnt in gear. It finally sort of "popped" and took off (felt like I was trying to drive with a boot on my car, if that make since).. then locked again. I was able to coast down towards the median, luckily.
Now Im hearing the same thing as most here.. that NO ONE seems to have the transmission I need.. and that its going to cost me about $3000 to have it fixed.
Personally, I HATE IT. It has tried to kill me TWICE IN 3 WEEKS. Im done with it. I still owe more on it than the POS is worth.. so I dont know what the hell to do.

If any sort of class action lawsuit goes forth, feel free to email me as well. I have 2 toddlers.. one was with me when it caught fire.. fortunately neither were with me today, seeing as I was NEARLY SMASHED BECAUSE OF THE CAR'S FAILURE.

So, after much patience, two unanswered letters to Toyota, and a *complete* lack of customer service from the dealership, I've traded the car in on another make; it will be a long time before I again consider a Toyota, or recommend one to anyone. Grenading a transmission with 106,000k on the clock is ridiculous. But spending $2k on a used unit, just to have the same sound return at about 130,000k is too much for me. Was it an imminent transmission failure, or just my paranoia - who knows, but it's now the dealer/auction's problem. I don't know if it'll help, but I'm logging my problem here:

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Coroll...l_failure.shtml