Toyota Corolla Problems by Year

We compared every Toyota Corolla model year from 1995–2026 using 11,205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 50 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2020, 2009 and 2010, which drew far more complaints than other Corolla years at the same age. The best years are 2018, 2025 and 2023.

32model years
11,205complaints
50recalls
2011, 2012worst years
2018, 2025best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261761291352251551451331177204778548408363141.5k1.2k58444620126922021517813520531318710474653218
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Corolla. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202618typical1BrakeAverage
202532−26%—BrakeAverage
202465−14%2Collision AvoidanceAverage
202374−23%3SteeringAverage
2022104−21%—ElectricalAverage
20211871.3×1AirbagAverage
20203131.8×5EngineCaution
2019205typical6TransmissionAverage
2018135−32%3Fuel SystemAverage
2017178−18%3AirbagAverage
2016215typical1AirbagAverage
2015220typical1AirbagAverage
20142691.2×2AirbagAverage
2013201−13%5AirbagAverage
20124462.1×5AirbagAvoid
20115842.8×9AirbagAvoid
20101,2445.9×17AirbagAvoid
20091,4596.9×13AirbagAvoid
20083141.4×6AirbagCaution
20078363.5×6AirbagAvoid
20068401.9×7AirbagCaution
20058541.8×6AirbagCaution
2004477typical9AirbagAverage
20037201.6×9AirbagCaution
2002117−54%—EngineGood
2001133−48%—EngineGood
2000145−50%—EngineGood
1999155−44%—Wheel & TireGood
1998225−15%—AirbagAverage
1997135−47%1Seat BeltGood
1996129−46%—AirbagGood
1995176−27%2AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Corolla year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Toyota Corolla problems

Latest Toyota Corolla recalls

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 26V-110 · Feb 25, 2026 · 86 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Corolla vehicles. The front headlights may have missing headlight aim markings, which can result in improperly aimed headlights during service.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both front headlight assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 20, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette

NHTSA recall 25V-040 · Jan 29, 2025 · 1,716 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Steering

NHTSA recall 24V-878 · Nov 21, 2024 · 8,057 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles. 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 24V-548 · Jul 23, 2024 · 33,848 vehicles

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra…

Remedy: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 23V-865 · Dec 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024.

All 50 Toyota Corolla recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota Corolla should you avoid?

2011, 2012, 2020, 2009, 2010 and 2007 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Corolla years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the Toyota Corolla?

2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other Corolla years at the same age, followed by 2025 and 2023. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Toyota Corolla problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (4,563), engine & cooling (1,261) and steering (1,170). Airbag complaints peak in the 2009 model year.

How many recalls has the Toyota Corolla had?

50 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2010. See all Toyota Corolla recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.