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1970-2027 · 54 model years

Toyota Corolla Problems by year

Owners have filed 12,265 complaints about the Toyota Corolla across 54 model years, and it has 68 recalls. The 2009 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (1,533), while 1973, 1976, 1977 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the airbags, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age20091,533 complaints · 13 recallsSee the 2009
Complaints
12,265
Recalls
68
Crashes
1,857
Fires
159
Injuries
1,503
Deaths
24

Corolla complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20271000Body, doors & structureA
2025320111BrakesC
2024662110Driver assistanceD
202374382SteeringC
20221030140Electrical systemC
20211881182AirbagsD
20203163221Engine & coolingD
20192075241Transmission & drivetrainD
20181363265Fuel systemC
20171893471AirbagsC
20162161662AirbagsD
20152211601AirbagsD
20142712643AirbagsD
20132015461AirbagsD
20124465411AirbagsD
20115919442AirbagsF
20101,2641714610AirbagsF
20091,5331319413AirbagsF
20083456771AirbagsF
200788361327AirbagsF
2006904101209AirbagsF
2005944101186AirbagsF
200450613703AirbagsF
2003769131049AirbagsF
20021445301Engine & coolingC
20011384333Engine & coolingC
20001565233Engine & coolingC
19991574246Wheels & tiresC
19982334378AirbagsD
19971386225Seats & seat beltsC
199613363113AirbagsC
199517975312AirbagsD
19941868675AirbagsD
19931356416AirbagsC
199268294Engine & coolingA
1991731103Body, doors & structureA
199028130Engine & coolingA
198923226Engine & coolingA
198826153Seats & seat beltsA
198714000Seats & seat beltsA
19863000Seats & seat beltsA
19853000Electrical systemA
19846210Seats & seat beltsA
19831000Wheels & tiresA
19825010Acceleration & cruise controlA
19813010BrakesA
19802100Acceleration & cruise controlA
19792100Electrical systemA
19780100-A
19771100Engine & coolingA
19761010Seats & seat beltsA
19731000Electrical systemA
19710200-A
19700100-A

Most common Corolla problems

Toyota Corolla recalls 68

Air bags: air bag / restraint control module

20V0240002,891,976 vehicles affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly...

Latest Corolla complaints

2015 Toyota CorollaVisibility & wipers

Pulled car out of garage and parked in driveway for a few hours, came out to go. Windshield cracked from top to middle. No signs of impact, weather is in the low 70s overnight in the upper 50s. Car is always garaged at night.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11777364
2020 Toyota CorollaFuel system

I was driving down [[redacted]] and my car just died . During rush hour and in traffic . I put it in neutral and tried to restart it . It turned over but it wouldn't fire . I pulled into an apartment parking lot & tried to start it again . Wouldn't start . I didn't want to kill the battery so I waited about a half hour and tried again. Still no start . No money and 35 miles from home . I called maplewood bc I thought it was the recall with the fuel pump assembly. But they never called me back so I called Toyota...

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Corporate and the woman was amazing ! She helped me get a tow to the dealership. First they said I had bad gas . Now they say the gas is fine but the fuel filter failed and since that's not serviceable , I need a need fuel assembly. Now we're at $1660 that I can't afford . What happened to me sounds exactly like the recall with the defective fuel pump assembly on some 2020 TOYOTA Corollas and Lexus . However my vin isn't covered . But what happened is exactly the same as that recall described. Toyota won't help me . I'm on SSI Disability . I need the car but can't afford to get it out . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11777089
2019 Toyota CorollaTransmission & drivetrain

I am writing to report a transmission issue with my 2019 Toyota sedan. The vehicle is producing a high-pitched noise from the transmission, identical to the issue described in Campaign J17. Although that recall was specified for hatchbacks, my sedan is experiencing the exact same problem. Currently, there are no open recalls listed for my specific VIN, and no warning lights have appeared on the dashboard. An independent service center inspected the vehicle and confirmed that internal transmission components...

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(bearings or blades) are causing the noise. However, local dealerships have declined to inspect or assist because the issue is not officially listed under the recall for my body style. Since the manufacturer has not yet inspected this vehicle, I request that this issue be reviewed for potential coverage or extended assistance. Please let me know how we can proceed with having my vehicle officially evaluated.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11776940
2011 Toyota CorollaBody, doors & structure

FORMAL VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT - REQUEST FOR CORPORATE INVESTIGATION Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Corolla VIN: [[redacted]] Date of Incident: [redacted] Speed: Approximately 60 MPH I am writing to formally report an extremely serious safety incident involving my 2011 Toyota Corolla on [redacted]. While driving approximately 60 miles per hour, the entire hood of my vehicle suddenly detached. The hood completely separated from the vehicle and blew toward the left side, causing significant damage. The impact resulted in...

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the following damage: Shattered windshield. Damaged side-view mirror. Dented fender. Broken lines and components connected to the windshield wiper system. I want to emphasize that the hood had not been opened recently. There had been no recent work involving the hood that I am aware of. This was an incredibly frightening experience. Fortunately, because it was a Saturday and traffic was relatively light, there were no other vehicles immediately near me when this happened. Had another vehicle been nearby, the consequences could have been catastrophic. I am extremely concerned about how an entire hood could detach from a vehicle traveling at approximately 60 MPH. This incident raises serious questions about the reliability of the hood latch, secondary safety latch, hinges, and overall hood retention system. I am requesting that Toyota take immediate action to: Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this incident. Determine whether a manufacturing defect or component failure contributed to the hood detachment. Review any previous complaints involving similar incidents with 2011 Toyota Corolla vehicles. Determine whether this issue presents a broader safety concern for other Toyota owners. Address the extensive vehicle damage resulting from this incident and consider appropriate compensation. Provide a written explanation of the investigation findings and Toyota's proposed resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11776628
2005 Toyota CorollaWheels & tires

At approximately a year of age on an elderly owned 2005 Toyota Corolla, the front right Arizonian Silver edition tire (185/65/R15 Size) developed an approximate 1 inch wide crack along the tread molding seam wide enough to fit in two credit cards stacked on top of eachother. Crack was approximately 3mm deep. The other 3 tires have poor/uneven molding seams as well. Crack is too uneven and suspiciously close to the tread molding seam to be caused by a cut/damage from hitting something. We believe these tires may...

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have suffered a manufacturing defect. We intend to ask America's Tire in Northridge, CA (the original shop where the tires were purchased/installed), to replace it under the road hazard warranty. Tires were fresh upon initial installation with a date code within 2 months of the installation date.

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 11776591
2016 Toyota CorollaTransmission & drivetrain

Failed Component: CVT transmission Safety was put at risk: Vehicle has a humming sound that varies pitch with speed, issue was first noticed on the freeway requiring us to stop on the side of the road with vehicles passing next to us at 70mph. Has the problem been reproduced and confirmed by dealer: Yes, vehicle was taken to Arlington Toyota in Jacksonville Florida and they confirmed CVT transmission needs replaced. The cost to replace the transmission was quoted at $11,124.97. Has the vehicle or component...

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been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?... Vehicle has only been checked by Arlington Toyota in Jacksonville Florida which is an authorized Toyota service center. Where there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem: No warning lamps or messages, only humming sound from drive train was noticed.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11776320

Questions about the Toyota Corolla

Which Toyota Corolla years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2009 (1,533), 2010 (1,264), 2005 (944). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2009 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Toyota Corolla years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1970, 1971, 1973 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Corolla years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Toyota Corolla problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the airbags (4,964), engine & cooling (1,383), steering (1,200) most often.

How many recalls does the Toyota Corolla have?

NHTSA lists 68 recalls across all Toyota Corolla model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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