Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 6 | 9% | 27,000 miles |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% | — |
| 2022 | 15 | 14% | 40,000 miles |
| 2021 | 41 | 22% | 30,000 miles |
| 2020 | 112 | 36% | 10,000 miles |
| 2019 | 39 | 19% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 16 | 12% | 20,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 6% | 39,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 17 | 8% | 12,000 miles |
| 2014 | 20 | 7% | 25,000 miles |
| 2013 | 19 | 9% | 22,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% | 13,000 miles |
| 2010 | 43 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2009 | 133 | 9% | 59,000 miles |
| 2008 | 53 | 17% | 53,000 miles |
| 2007 | 99 | 12% | 36,000 miles |
| 2006 | 128 | 15% | 55,000 miles |
| 2005 | 120 | 14% | 69,000 miles |
| 2004 | 55 | 12% | 23,000 miles |
| 2003 | 108 | 15% | 48,000 miles |
| 2002 | 24 | 21% | 62,000 miles |
| 2001 | 33 | 25% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 50 | 34% | 67,000 miles |
| 1999 | 21 | 14% | 64,000 miles |
| 1998 | 19 | 8% | 75,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1996 | 9 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% | 204,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and decelerating, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure and a case was filed; however, the contact had not received any communication from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 27,000.
Car has broke down a total of 4 times since I have gotten it from Toyota back in December of 2023. I have a dash-cam now that has footage of the car breaking down. Toyota fails to acknowledge my concerns and comes up with excuses and tells me to wait until it happens more frequently. I would love to have this car inspected, but as Toyota has stated they cannot get the issue to repeat. My safety for others and myself feel uneasy with the whole ordeal as it happens at the most random times. The first few times my car has broke down, the steering wheel locked up and forced itself all the way to the left on its own causing me to hit a curb and median. Manual control over the steering wheel was not possible. Luckily with this occurring both times I was going a slow speed. …
The automatic engine shut off failed. Normally when stopped the engine shuts off and restarts when pressing the gas. It did not do that and instead turned the vehicle completely off. I was waiting for traffic at an intersection to make a left hand turn when my vehicles engine shut off. Interior lights flashed and alarm sounded. Dashboard said engine was off and to press break firmly to restart. It did not work. Also had a power steering warning. I had to put the car in park and restart the vehicle. In the mean time the light had turned red and I was in the middle of the intersection at night, in the rain with a stalled vehicle that I bought last week and has less than 500 miles. A car nearly hit us as I put my hazard lights on and restarted the vehicle. My kids were in the car, it put not only ourselves in danger but also other vehicles on the road. …
To start, on [redacted], I was going through an intersection on a country road and my automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. My car stopped despite no other vehicle or object being in my way or anywhere close to me. I found it really weird but did not think much about after the fact. I have also heard a rattling noise under my hood since [redacted] and have reported this to Toyota and tried to have it fixed multiple times (and showed them videos) but they were never able to duplicate the noise so it has not been remedied. On [redacted] I was traveling on a highway during rush hour and the traffic in front of me came to a sudden stop. I braked as hard as I could; my automatic emergency braking did not engage and I rear ended the car in front of me (minimal damage to that car). …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering power low and the engine stop warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the road. The contact's infant child was an occupant in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was almost rear-ended. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was started and driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 39,547.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine failure was intermittent but had recurred at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was drained, and needed to be jumpstart the vehicle more than twice. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while his granddaughter was driving approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the Parking Brake and Lane Tracing Assist malfunction indicators were illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine control unit software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000.
The engine coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open and lower hose - Trouble Code - DTC: P268115. The error message "Engine Maintenance Required - Visit Your Dealer" was consistently popping up and I couldn't see my speed or dash or how many miles I had till empty even after acknowledging the message and pressing ok & back. It would stay on while my car was on no matter what. I couldn't use or see any of my information on my dash. The problem has come up multiple times by different people in the auto forum and I was warned that I would have to replace it again in 15 months. There was no light that came on on my dash just the message that would pop up and block my speed so I couldn't see how fast I was going or when I was going to be out of gas. I'm not sure if it's been inspected by the manufacturer. It first appeared after 3 years of owning my brand new car. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Engine Stalling
On November 30, 2009, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation (PE09-054) to investigate alleged engine stalling, while driving in model year (MY) 2006 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles .In its response to ODI's information request submitted on March 2, 2010, Toyota indicated that it had identified two possible causes of production defects of the engine control units (ECU)…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Corolla years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (133), 2006 (128), 2005 (120), 2020 (112) and 2003 (108) model years. Engine complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Toyota Corolla engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-384 (engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Corolla engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (163 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (55).
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.