Most common 1999 Toyota Corolla problems
Share of the 155 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Corolla complaints by model year
Best Corolla years: 2018, 2025, 2023. Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2020, 2009, 2010. Compare all years →
What 1999 Toyota Corolla owners say
Wheels & tires all 22 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Corolla equipped with Michelin defender tires, size: 185/65/r14 (na). While driving 67 MPH, the rear passenger tire blew out. As a result, the vehicle drifted to the right and collided with another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle failure mileage was 40,000 and the tire failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle has cooper tires, size p175/65/r14. While driving 60 MPH, the contact suddenly heard a noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. She exited the highway and noticed that the rear passenger side tire was completely flat and destroyed. The tires had been on the vehicle for less than a year. The contact returned to the place where the tires were bought and the tires were replaced with the same brand. Within a year, the failure recurred. She believed that the performance of the tires was unacceptable and that a recall should be issued. The dot number was unknown. The failure mileage was 61,000 and current mileage was 64,000. Updated 07/01/09 updated 07/02/09.
Engine & cooling all 21 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for an oil change and driving an additional 800 miles, the contact discovered that the vehicle was burning oil rapidly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Purchased my car used on 2002. The car never had any problems until in January 2004, the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. This was at the same time the A/C system needing to be replaced. The A/C system was covered under an extended warranty, however the emission problems were not. I have had problems with the check engine light continually going on and off since this has been replaced. I have taken it back to be checked, the mechanic tells me there is nothing wrong with my car. However, the light continues to arise. The light stayed off for approximately 2-3 months and has now started its on and off again show. The research I have begun has opened my eyes to a whole new world of charcoal canisters being replaced as fast as people change underwear. This replacement cost about $467-/ with labor. As far as I can tell this is the going rate for this job. …
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Toyota Corolla. While the driver was parking the vehicle, the front passenger removed her seat belt. The driver inadvertently mistook the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal. As a result, the vehicle accelerated to an estimated 30 MPH and crashed into a pole. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured sternum. The front passenger sustained seven facial bone fractures, a fractured nose, free air in her sinus cavity, basilar skull fractures, fractures to both patellas, blood clot in the left leg, pulmonary embolism, and a laceration to the lower lip. Medical attention was required for both the driver and the passenger. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an insurance facility. The failure mileage was approximately 315,000. ....updated 07/05/16..updated 08/02/16
I was T boned at a 4 way stop.The force pushed me thru the intersection. Airbag did not deploy.
1999 Toyota Corolla engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 34 / 30 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 30 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Toyota Corolla a good car?
Based on 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Corolla rates better than average: 44% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Corolla at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Toyota Corolla?
The wheels & tires — 22 complaints, 14% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the engine & cooling (21) and air bags (19).
How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota Corolla have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Toyota Corolla. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Corolla?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2025 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2012, 2020, 2009 and 2010. See the full Toyota Corolla years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Corolla problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.