Most common 2013 Toyota Corolla problems
Share of the 201 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 →
2013 Toyota Corolla recalls (5)
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge.
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 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2013 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.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2013 Toyota Corolla owners say
Air bags all 72 →
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) and 19V005000 (AIR BAGS) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
On Monday, [redacted], I was at the CVS pharmacy drive through when the failure occurred. There was no accident and otherwise no warning before it happened. I attempted to pull out when I noticed the car was drifting and the steering was extremely stiff. I looked down to see that the airbag light and BRAKE light were both on. I coasted into a spot I happened to be aligned with. As I did, I felt the brakes and steering stiffen even more until they were almost 100% seized. (Kind of felt like I was fighting hydraulic fluid.) You guys are welcome to request to inspect the vehicle. I haven't been able to get it inspected, because the Toyota dealership wants me to pay a diagnostic fee to prove the airbag light came on due to the airbag assembly for them to be able to cover the work under the extended warranty for the airbag system. There was no accident. …
Steering all 39 →
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became loose while making left and right turns. As a result, the vehicle overturned without warning No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was first taken to the dealer where the alignment was replaced. Additionally, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to several dealers where the cause of the failure could not be determined and the contact was informed that nothing was wrong with the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
On Monday, [redacted], I was at the CVS pharmacy drive through when the failure occurred. There was no accident and otherwise no warning before it happened. I attempted to pull out when I noticed the car was drifting and the steering was extremely stiff. I looked down to see that the airbag light and BRAKE light were both on. I coasted into a spot I happened to be aligned with. As I did, I felt the brakes and steering stiffen even more until they were almost 100% seized. (Kind of felt like I was fighting hydraulic fluid.) You guys are welcome to request to inspect the vehicle. I haven't been able to get it inspected, because the Toyota dealership wants me to pay a diagnostic fee to prove the airbag light came on due to the airbag assembly for them to be able to cover the work under the extended warranty for the airbag system. There was no accident. …
Brakes all 24 →
ABS and Traction Control not functioning. Indicator light on. Air bag recall due to metal possibly killing driver or passenger is more likely to happen because the ABS and Traction control not working.
On Monday, [redacted], I was at the CVS pharmacy drive through when the failure occurred. There was no accident and otherwise no warning before it happened. I attempted to pull out when I noticed the car was drifting and the steering was extremely stiff. I looked down to see that the airbag light and BRAKE light were both on. I coasted into a spot I happened to be aligned with. As I did, I felt the brakes and steering stiffen even more until they were almost 100% seized. (Kind of felt like I was fighting hydraulic fluid.) You guys are welcome to request to inspect the vehicle. I haven't been able to get it inspected, because the Toyota dealership wants me to pay a diagnostic fee to prove the airbag light came on due to the airbag assembly for them to be able to cover the work under the extended warranty for the airbag system. There was no accident. …
2013 Toyota Corolla engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 33 / 29 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 33 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Corolla a good car?
Based on 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Corolla rates average: 13% 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 2013 Toyota Corolla?
The air bags — 72 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › sensor/control module. Next are the steering (39) and brakes (24).
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Corolla have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Corolla, the most recent from January 17, 2020 (air bag/restraint control 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 2013 Toyota Corolla problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 26,000 miles; 64% 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.