Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The timing chain broke while the vehicle was in motion. Per multiple online sources, many of reported that the VVTi malfunction can cause premature wearing of the timing chain. There were only 140K miles on the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by two Toyota dealerships. There were no warning signs of this happening. The car stopped running in the middle of an intersection.
Engine problem Toyota corolla 2010 S vvt-I gear rattle when I started and by the time goes by the timing change maybe get broken while I'm driving and may cause and accident This problem is coming from manufacture cause my son in law got the same car as mine and he got hte same problem
The car that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replace Ac don't blow any cool air To be driving with a minor child it put he's health in a bad risky situation
Failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards occupant crash protection the air bag label installed on the driver side sun visor can separate from the surface visor
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an insurance lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
I was driving my car yesterday and as I went to accelerate the car didn't move so I pushed the gas pedal again and it went real slow. Then the car jerked and began to smoke really bad so I pulled over and open the hood and flames began to shoot out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 to 3 MPH into a driveway, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle shut off completely smoke and sparks were present in the engine; the vehicle caught fire and the vehicle exploded. The police and fire department were contacted and a report was filed. The manufacturer offered to pick up the vehicle and investigate the failure. They also advised her that it would take 30 days at which time she would receive a letter regarding their findings. Approximately a month later she received a letter from the manufacturer stating that there were no defective parts and her claim was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
When applying the brakes, my car will rev up. Especially when I'm going down hill. Another concern is that my car will make a 2-3 second rattling noise upon starting up. It only makes this noise once in a while and it is coming from the engine. Another issue I'm having is the car's check engine light, track light and vsc off light coming on simultaneously on any rainy day and staying on for several days after it has stopped raining. I avoid driving at fast speeds when its rainy because obviously the car is very unstable. My driver side window wont open or close and very cold days and other days it makes a weird noise. I just bought this car used and it has about 79K miles on it.
Once gain after getting a new engine put into this car 3 months back, our car experienced yet another problem - the oxygen gauge in the exhaust system which is attached to the engine's exhaust manifold has gone bad. While driving the car to work, the engine light and vsc illuminates again. I was under the impression, this is the dealership's fault since it dealing with the engine, or under warranty, but nope. I ended up paying for the repair again. I have never dealt with so many problems in a single car. This car is accident free and never had any major damages done. I believe this car is a faulty car and could be a risk factor to myself, my family and others on the road.
I purchased a Toyota Corolla in 2010 and it apparently had a potential cam gear issue. They had put out a TSB alert on the vehicle, however they never disclosed to me that this issue could accur. I've taken it in to their dealership and the cost of repair is $1150. If they would have told me at the time of the purchase that the cam gear could have been an issue I wouldn't have purchased it. They failed to disclose to me any potential issues at the time of sale. This practice is fraudulent and highly unethical. I would like this issue resolved with me and it be corrected for future purschases of others.
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the model year's 1,244 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Toyota Corolla, though it has 17 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Toyota Corolla engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.