NHTSA holds 10,809 complaints about the Toyota Corolla across the 2000 to 2025 model years, and air bags dominate them: the category appears on 4,639 complaints and is the top one in every year from 2002 to 2018. The 2009 (1,533), 2010 (1,264) and 2005 (941) have the most complaints, with steering and vehicle speed control also heavy in 2009 and 2010. Nine of the 55 recall campaigns concern passenger frontal air bag inflators on 2003 to 2013 models, and two NHTSA investigations into air bag inflator rupture, EA15001 and EA21002, are still open.
Toyota Corolla Common Problems and Years to Avoid (NHTSA Data)
By the founder of CarWorthItPublished
Short answer
Toyota Corolla years to avoid, going by NHTSA owner complaints: 2009 (1,533 complaints), 2010 (1,264) and 2005 (941), each at least twice the median model year (288.5). The components owners report most are air bags (4,639), steering (1,137) and vehicle speed control (1,095). NHTSA lists 55 recall campaigns and 10 defect investigations for the 2000 to 2025 model years.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls and defect investigations for the 2000 to 2025 Toyota Corolla, 10,809 complaints in all, pulled September 28, 2026.
Toyota Corolla complaints and recalls by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation and distinct recall campaigns, for every model year with records, counted on September 28, 2026. The median model year up to 2021 drew 288.5 complaints; a year is marked to avoid when it is one of the three highest and drew at least twice that. Years after 2021 have had less time to collect complaints, so they are judged only if they already pass the same line.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Recalls | Crash / fire / injury reports | Most-reported components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Too new to judge | 32 | 0 | 10 / 1 / 5 | Service brakes (8), Air bags (6), Tires (5) |
| 2024 | Too new to judge | 63 | 2 | 11 / 0 / 8 | Forward collision avoidance (13), Steering (11), Service brakes (10) |
| 2023 | Too new to judge | 73 | 3 | 8 / 1 / 1 | Steering (16), Electrical system (13), Engine (13) |
| 2022 | Too new to judge | 102 | 0 | 12 / 0 / 9 | Electrical system (21), Service brakes (17), Power train (17) |
| 2021 | Typical | 185 | 1 | 18 / 2 / 10 | Air bags (52), Engine (40), Electrical system (22) |
| 2020 | Typical | 308 | 3 | 22 / 1 / 15 | Engine (108), Power train (39), Electrical system (31) |
| 2019 | Typical | 203 | 5 | 23 / 1 / 10 | Power train (55), Engine (39), Air bags (31) |
| 2018 | Fewest complaints | 134 | 3 | 26 / 5 / 14 | Air bags (36), Fuel/propulsion system (23), Gasoline (15) |
| 2017 | Typical | 189 | 3 | 47 / 1 / 31 | Air bags (57), Vehicle speed control (30), Service brakes (26) |
| 2016 | Typical | 214 | 1 | 66 / 1 / 43 | Air bags (65), Service brakes (29), Seat belts (26) |
| 2015 | Typical | 219 | 1 | 60 / 1 / 42 | Air bags (56), Structure (32), Power train (30) |
| 2014 | Typical | 269 | 2 | 64 / 3 / 37 | Air bags (69), Electrical system (52), Structure (32) |
| 2013 | Typical | 201 | 5 | 46 / 1 / 34 | Air bags (72), Steering (39), Service brakes (24) |
| 2012 | Above median | 446 | 5 | 41 / 1 / 24 | Air bags (370), Steering (18), Vehicle speed control (16) |
| 2011 | High | 590 | 9 | 44 / 2 / 23 | Air bags (422), Vehicle speed control (47), Steering (43) |
| 2010 | Year to avoid | 1,264 | 17 | 146 / 10 / 86 | Air bags (434), Steering (373), Vehicle speed control (200) |
| 2009 | Year to avoid | 1,533 | 13 | 194 / 13 / 93 | Air bags (592), Steering (388), Vehicle speed control (204) |
| 2008 | Typical | 345 | 6 | 77 / 1 / 36 | Air bags (161), Vehicle speed control (55), Engine and engine cooling (33) |
| 2007 | High | 883 | 6 | 132 / 7 / 70 | Air bags (473), Vehicle speed control (96), Electrical system (92) |
| 2006 | High | 903 | 10 | 120 / 9 / 72 | Air bags (495), Engine and engine cooling (108), Electrical system (88) |
| 2005 | Year to avoid | 941 | 10 | 118 / 6 / 68 | Air bags (527), Engine and engine cooling (94), Electrical system (68) |
| 2004 | Above median | 506 | 13 | 70 / 3 / 39 | Air bags (256), Vehicle speed control (61), Engine and engine cooling (46) |
| 2003 | High | 768 | 13 | 104 / 9 / 65 | Air bags (359), Engine and engine cooling (95), Vehicle speed control (81) |
| 2002 | Typical | 144 | 5 | 30 / 1 / 18 | Air bags (24), Engine and engine cooling (20), Service brakes (13) |
| 2001 | Typical | 138 | 4 | 33 / 3 / 23 | Engine and engine cooling (32), Air bags (24), Vehicle speed control (14) |
| 2000 | Typical | 156 | 5 | 23 / 3 / 13 | Engine and engine cooling (52), Air bags (17), Steering (11) |
Counts are raw totals and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so a big-selling year draws more complaints than a slow one. Crash, fire and injury columns count complaints that report one, as filed by the owner.
Check the value and recall status of a specific Toyota Corolla
Model-year counts cannot tell you about the car in front of you. Enter its 17-character VIN for the free report: the exact year, trim and engine it was built with, the safety recalls NHTSA lists for its year, make and model, its crash-test ratings and running costs. No account. Then, from $2.99, see what that Toyota Corolla is worth at its mileage near your ZIP code, with the listings behind the number, and whether the asking price is fair. The $6.99 Full Report also checks that VIN for recalls still outstanding.
Air bag complaints and inflator recalls
Air bags come up in 4,127 complaints, 38.2% of the total, peaking in the 2005 (484), 2009 (483) and 2006 (467). Under 18V883000 (2003 to 2005), inflators may explode due to propellant degradation, and 19V741000 (2003 to 2013) covers cars whose inflators were already replaced under a prior recall with inflators of the same design. NHTSA's engineering analysis EA15001 into air bag inflator rupture on the 2003 to 2005 has been open since 2015, and EA21002 into desiccated air bag inflator rupture, covering the 2003 to 2018, since 2021. A separate recall, 20V024000, covers the 2011 to 2019 because the air bag electronic control unit may malfunction in certain crashes, possibly disabling the air bags or seat belt pretensioners.
2009 and 2010: steering, speed control and brakes
The 2009 and 2010 have the most complaints, 1,533 and 1,264, against a median of 288.5 per model year. These are raw totals, not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints. Behind air bags, steering is the next category for both years (388 and 373), followed by vehicle speed control (204 and 200). NHTSA's preliminary evaluation PE10008 into steering wander or drift on these two years closed in 2011 without a recall. The same years lead for complaints mentioning brakes (248 and 277) and unintended acceleration (64 and 55). Two recalls cover the accelerator pedal on both years: 10V023000, because the pedal can get stuck in the wide open position when trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat, and 10V017000, for the friction lever inside the pedal sensor assembly.
2005 to 2008: stalling and the engine control module
Complaints describing stalling or loss of power while driving peak in the 2006 (79), 2007 (71) and 2005 (62), and the same three years lead for check-engine light mentions. NHTSA's engine stalling investigations PE09054 (2006) and EA10006 (2005 to 2008) both led to recall 10V384000, which covers 2005 to 2008 cars with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive because the engine control module (ECM) may have been improperly manufactured, with cracks possible at certain solder points.
2020: coolant leaks and overheating
The 2020 has 308 complaints, led by engine (108) and power train (39), and it accounts for 123 of the 286 complaints mentioning coolant leaks or overheating. The 2020 is also covered by 20V682000, because the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
What to check on a used Corolla
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, which lists any recall not yet repaired on that car (see what else a free VIN check shows) and confirm every air bag inflator recall on a 2003 to 2013 car shows as completed, including 19V741000.
- On a 2011 to 2019, confirm 20V024000 for the air bag control unit was done.
- On a 2009 or 2010, confirm 10V023000 and 10V017000, check the driver's floor mat is secured and compatible, and notice on the test drive whether the car wanders or drifts.
- On a 2005 to 2008, confirm 10V384000 and ask whether the car has ever stalled or shown a check-engine light.
- On a 2020, check the coolant level, look for leaks and ask whether it has ever overheated.
- On a 2023 or 2024, confirm 24V878000, for a steering intermediate shaft that may fracture and detach from the steering column.
- Before you settle on a price, check the seller's asking price against the Corollas for sale near you with the used car price check.
Then check what a specific Corolla is worth by VIN: the valuation, from $2.99, prices that VIN at its mileage near your ZIP code against cars for sale.
What Toyota Corolla owners report most
NHTSA files each complaint under one or more component categories. Across all 10,809 Toyota Corolla complaints, these are the most common:
| NHTSA component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4,639 | 42.9% |
| Steering | 1,137 | 10.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1,095 | 10.1% |
| Electrical system | 795 | 7.4% |
| Service brakes | 771 | 7.1% |
| Engine | 634 | 5.9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 618 | 5.7% |
| Power train | 618 | 5.7% |
| Structure | 384 | 3.6% |
| Hydraulic | 336 | 3.1% |
The categories are broad, so the owners' own descriptions were also searched for specific symptoms. These are counts of complaints whose text mentions each one, not diagnoses, and one complaint can mention several.
| What the complaint describes | Complaints | Share | Model years with the most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4,127 | 38.2% | 2005 (484), 2009 (483), 2006 (467) |
| Brakes | 1,475 | 13.6% | 2010 (277), 2009 (248), 2006 (102) |
| Steering | 1,155 | 10.7% | 2009 (362), 2010 (312), 2007 (53) |
| Check-engine light | 476 | 4.4% | 2006 (76), 2005 (68), 2007 (67) |
| Stalling or loss of power while driving | 440 | 4.1% | 2006 (79), 2007 (71), 2005 (62) |
| Transmission problems | 409 | 3.8% | 2003 (44), 2005 (33), 2006 (32) |
| Hesitation, jerking or surging | 370 | 3.4% | 2010 (65), 2009 (45), 2007 (37) |
| Seat belts | 324 | 3.0% | 2003 (44), 2016 (22), 2009 (21) |
| Unintended acceleration | 311 | 2.9% | 2009 (64), 2010 (55), 2007 (36) |
| Coolant leaks or overheating | 286 | 2.6% | 2020 (123), 2021 (35), 2009 (31) |
Toyota Corolla recalls (55 campaigns)
Every recall campaign NHTSA lists for the Toyota Corolla, newest first, with the model years it covers and NHTSA's own description of the defect, shortened. A recall on the model is not proof a given car was affected or left unrepaired: check a specific car by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in the free CarWorthIt VIN report.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V040000 | January 29, 2025 | 2023 | Steering | An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." |
| 24V878000 | November 21, 2024 | 2023 to 2024 | Steering | Due to cracks developed during the manufacturing process, the steering intermediate shaft assembly may fracture and possibly result in the shaft detaching from the steering column. |
| 24V548000 | July 23, 2024 | 2024 | Equipment | The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." |
| 23V865000 | December 20, 2023 | 2020 to 2021 | Air bags | A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. |
| 23V480000 | July 12, 2023 | 2023 | Steering | An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." |
| 20V682000 | November 4, 2020 | 2020 | Fuel system, gasoline | The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V024000 | January 17, 2020 | 2011 to 2019 | Air bags | During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners. |
| 20V012000 | January 13, 2020 | 2018 to 2019 | Fuel system, gasoline | The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V877000 | December 11, 2019 | 2020 | Seat belts | The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended. In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 19V741000 | October 17, 2019 | 2003 to 2013 | Air bags | The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 19V627000 | August 28, 2019 | 2003 to 2008 | Air bags | The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 19V503000 | June 28, 2019 | 2017 to 2019 | Equipment | The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." |
| 19V244000 | March 27, 2019 | 2019 | Equipment | The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." |
| 19V005000 | January 9, 2019 | 2010 to 2013 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. |
| 18V901000 | December 19, 2018 | 2019 | Power train | The pump impeller blades within the torque converter may detach, especially when driven under high load, potentially causing a vehicle stall. A vehicle stall, especially when driving a high rate of speed, can increase the risk of a crash. |
Show the other 40 Toyota Corolla recalls
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18V883000 | December 12, 2018 | 2003 to 2005 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation. |
| 18V024000 | January 9, 2018 | 2009 to 2010, 2013 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 17V295000 | May 2, 2017 | 2017 | Tires | The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label. A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V006000 | January 9, 2017 | 2009, 2012 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 16V396000 | June 2, 2016 | 2009 to 2010 | Seats | The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 16V340000 | May 23, 2016 | 2009 to 2011 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 16V127000 | March 3, 2016 | 2008 | Air bags | This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. |
| 16V128000 | March 2, 2016 | 2008 | Air bags | The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment. |
| 15V689000 | October 22, 2015 | 2009 to 2011 | Visibility | During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts. If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 15V286000 | May 13, 2015 | 2003 to 2007 | Air bags | The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 15V285000 | May 13, 2015 | 2003 to 2007 | Air bags | This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. |
| 15V043000 | January 28, 2015 | 2003 to 2004 | Air bags | Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated. |
| 14V743000 | November 19, 2014 | 2010 to 2011 | Seats | The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant. |
| 14V168000 | April 9, 2014 | 2009 to 2010 | Air bags | In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. |
| 13V505000 | October 17, 2013 | 2014 | Visibility | In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." |
| 13V123000 | April 9, 2013 | 2010 to 2011 | Equipment | These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." |
| 13V029000 | January 30, 2013 | 2003 to 2004 | Air bags | The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. |
| 13V014000 | January 16, 2013 | 2010 to 2013 | Air bags | During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed. |
| 12V491000 | October 10, 2012 | 2009 | Visibility | The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat. |
| 11V566000 | November 22, 2011 | 2010 to 2011 | Structure | There is a possibility that the front a-pillar trim panel retention clip may have been damaged during the installation of the aftermarket accessory. A damaged a-pillar trim panel retention clip may allow the trim panel to come loose and injure an occupant in the event of a crash. |
| 10V384000 | August 26, 2010 | 2005 to 2008 | Engine and engine cooling | The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board. |
| 10E002000 | February 11, 2010 | 2000 to 2002 | Suspension | The affected front strut mounts did not contain a weld joint between the bearing housing and the rate plate. The absence of the weld can allow the strut to come out of its mounting position under certain extreme driving conditions which could cause damage to surrounding vehicle components increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 10V036000 | February 3, 2010 | 2006 to 2010 | Equipment | These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 10V035000 | February 3, 2010 | 2006, 2009 to 2010 | Equipment | These vehicles were sold between September 1, 2005 and June 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. |
| 10V023000 | January 27, 2010 | 2009 to 2010 | Vehicle speed control | The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. This recall is an expansion of a campaign of 3.8 million other Toyota vehicles announced in 2009 for the same issue (see 09v-388). |
| 10V017000 | January 21, 2010 | 2009 to 2010 | Vehicle speed control | Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increas... |
| 09V338000 | August 27, 2009 | 2009 to 2010 | Service brakes, hydraulic | When driving under certain unique conditions in extremely low ambient temperatures, the intake manifold suction port for the brake vacuum can become blocked due to the freezing of condensation resulting from positive crankcase ventilation. |
| 09V332000 | August 19, 2009 | 2010 | Equipment | The air bag label installed on the driver side sun visor can separate from the surface of the visor. |
| 09E025000 | May 11, 2009 | 2001 to 2005 | Exterior lighting | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. |
| 09E012000 | April 7, 2009 | 2000 to 2006 | Exterior lighting | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. |
| 08E050000 | August 11, 2008 | 2000 | Exterior lighting | These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." |
| 08V162000 | April 10, 2008 | 2003 to 2004 | Visibility | The driver and front passenger door glass bolts may loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator. Due to the components becoming loose and possibly rattling, an abnormal noise may be heard from the driver and /or front passenger door when operating the power windows. |
| 06E065000 | July 17, 2006 | 2000 | Exterior lighting | Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. |
| 06E064000 | July 17, 2006 | 2003 to 2006 | Exterior lighting | Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. |
| 06E049000 | May 24, 2006 | 2001 to 2002 | Exterior lighting | Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. |
| 06E026000 | March 23, 2006 | 2000 | Exterior lighting | Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. |
| 06E025000 | March 21, 2006 | 2002 | Exterior lighting | Certain poli-auto combination headlamp assemblies, p/nos. 11-728, 11-728d, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708p, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (p&c), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, and 11-732, sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "Lamps, R... |
| 06E023000 | March 13, 2006 | 2003 to 2006 | Exterior lighting | Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." |
| 03V366000 | October 6, 2003 | 2004 | Wheels | On certain passenger vehicles equipped with factory aluminum alloy wheels, the lug nut(s) may not secure the wheel properly to the hub assembly due to over-drilling of one or more of the five lug nut holes on the alloy wheel. If the vehicle is driven for an extended period in this condition, the lug nut(s) could potentially loosen. |
| 02V074001 | March 11, 2002 | 2003 | Power train | On passenger vehicles with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) starting with 1nx only and built from January 8 through February 13, 2002, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be loose due to insufficient tightening during the assembly process. |
NHTSA defect investigations
Investigations are opened when NHTSA sees a possible safety defect, often from complaints like the ones above. PE is a preliminary evaluation, EA an engineering analysis, RQ a recall query into whether an earlier recall went far enough, DP a defect petition and AQ an audit query.
| Number | Opened | Status | Toyota Corolla years | Subject | Recall campaign linked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | September 17, 2021 | Open | 2003 to 2018 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture | No |
| EA19001 | April 19, 2019 | Closed September 19, 2024 | 2011 to 2019 | Electrical overstress | 20V024 |
| EA15001 | February 24, 2015 | Open | 2003 to 2005 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture | 14V668 |
| DP14003 | September 19, 2014 | Closed April 29, 2015 | 2006 to 2010 | Low-speed surging | No |
| PE14016 | June 11, 2014 | Closed March 2, 2015 | 2002 to 2005 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture | 13V172000 |
| DP11001 | April 7, 2011 | Closed August 19, 2011 | 2008 | Frontal Air Bag Non-deployment | No |
| EA10006 | August 18, 2010 | Closed September 16, 2010 | 2005 to 2008 | Engine Stall | 10V384000 |
| PE10008 | February 18, 2010 | Closed May 4, 2011 | 2009 to 2010 | Steering Wander or Drift | No |
| PE09054 | November 30, 2009 | Closed August 19, 2010 | 2006 | Engine Stalling | 10V384000 |
| EA08004 | February 5, 2008 | Closed May 1, 2008 | 2003 to 2004 | SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS | 08V162000 |
How these numbers were counted
Complaints: NHTSA's complaints API for NHTSA model names COROLLA, COROLLA HATCHBACK, each complaint counted once per model year; hybrid and plug-in versions, which NHTSA files separately, are not included. Recalls: distinct campaign numbers from NHTSA's recalls databasefor the same names and years. Investigations: NHTSA's defect investigation file. All pulled September 28, 2026. These are counts of reports, not failure rates, and they say nothing about any individual car. For that, check the VIN.
What a used Toyota Corolla is worth, by model year
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Corolla?
Air bags are the most cited NHTSA component category, on 4,639 of 10,809 complaints, followed by steering (1,137), vehicle speed control (1,095) and electrical system (795). In the complaint narratives, 4,127 mention air bags, 1,475 mention brakes and 1,155 mention steering.
What Toyota Corolla years should I avoid?
The years to avoid are the 2009 (1,533 complaints), 2010 (1,264) and 2005 (941). The 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2011 are also more than twice the median of 288.5 per model year, while the 2018 has the fewest complaints among years old enough to judge, 134.
How many recalls does the Toyota Corolla have?
NHTSA lists 55 recall campaigns for the Corolla. Nine concern passenger frontal air bag inflators on 2003 to 2013 models, including 18V883000 for the 2003 to 2005, where inflators may explode due to propellant degradation, and 19V741000 for cars whose inflators were already replaced with the same design.
Is NHTSA still investigating Toyota Corolla air bags?
Yes. Engineering analysis EA15001 into air bag inflator rupture on the 2003 to 2005, opened in February 2015, and EA21002 into desiccated air bag inflator rupture on the 2003 to 2018, opened in September 2021, are both still open.
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