Most common 2007 Toyota Corolla problems
Share of the 836 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 →
2007 Toyota Corolla recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,…
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive May have been improperly manufactured.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2007 Toyota Corolla:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Engine Stall
On August 26, 2010, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with Engine Control Modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2008 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between April 19, 2004 and…
Low-speed surging
The Agency received a petition on September 11, 2014 requesting an investigation into, low-speed surging in the 2006-2010 Toyota Corolla [vehicles] with ETCS-i, in which the brakes fail to stop the vehicle in time to prevent a crash.NHTSA conducted a technical review of the material cited and provided by the petitioner, material Toyota submitted in response to a NHTSA formal request, interviews with complainants and…
What 2007 Toyota Corolla owners say
Air bags all 436 →
The contact owned a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while sitting in their vehicle parked, the passenger air bag exploded independently. The contact confimed that there was no impact for the air bag to explode and there were no warning lights at the time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired the passenger air bag. However, a month later the contact was at a stoplight when the vehicle behind rear-ended the vehicle and caused the contact to rear the vehicle in front of them. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's head hit the steering wheel, which caused injuries to their head, neck, and back. Medical treatment was at the scene and took the contact to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic and then towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle a total loss. …
The contact's roommate owns a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while at 62 MPH, a deer inadvertently crashed on the front of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated they veered to the side of the road. A police report was filed. The contact sought medical assistance the next day and was advised she sustained seat belt burns on the chest and knee injuries. The contact's roommate sustained neck injuries and sought medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Engine & cooling all 99 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while attempting to park with the brake depressed, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was able to stop the unintended acceleration and when parking the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure but advised the unintended acceleration was caused by the throttle body control motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The very next day, the contact was driving at unknown speeds when the vehicle abnormally accelerated approximately twelve feet into a tree and continued to accelerate thereafter. The contact sustained injuries to the neck. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted where he was awaiting assistance. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated on its own in traffic. The contact placed the vehicle in park, shut off, and restarted the engine. Afterwards, the contact was able to drive home safely. Also, while driving 20-40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while shifting gears and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Toyota marietta (750 cobb pkwy s, marietta, ga 30060, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that a computer update needed to be performed. The dealer stated that the contact would be responsible for the repair cost because the VIN was not included in a recall; however, the vehicle experienced the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Speed control & acceleration all 95 →
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an intermittent unintended acceleration without the accelerator pedal being depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle was able to be stopped. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but no cause for the failure was found. The dealer replaced the floor mats. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Uncontrolled maximum acceleration after shifting into gear. Occurred after shifting gears such as parking. It represents a definite safety issue. There is no warning of occurrence. It has happened about 6 times in the past 4 years. I do not drive often. I contacted Toyota who referred me to the dealer. I had it checked by the Toyota dealer, who denied there is a problem. I would welcome a independent inspection. I have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April but have heard nothing from them since.
2007 Toyota Corolla engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 28 / 37 / 31 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 35 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Toyota Corolla a good car?
Based on 836 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 Corolla rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Corolla at the same age. It is one of the Corolla years we suggest avoiding. 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 2007 Toyota Corolla?
The air bags — 436 complaints, 52% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (99) and speed control & acceleration (95).
How many recalls does the 2007 Toyota Corolla have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2007 Toyota Corolla, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2007 Toyota Corolla problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 53% 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.