Toyota Corolla problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 1,707 owner complaints and 39 recalls on file for the Toyota Corolla (2005–2026). The 2020 Corolla has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints: 1,707
Recalls: 39
Model years: 22
Worst year: 2020

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Toyota Corolla model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Toyota Corolla years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2020 Toyota Corolla — 296 complaints, 18 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
2017 Toyota Corolla — 97 complaints, 30 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Airbags
2016 Toyota Corolla — 94 complaints, 31 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Airbags
2019 Toyota Corolla — 179 complaints, 18 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 Toyota Corolla — 186 complaints, 18 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Airbags

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2011 (31 complaints).

Every Toyota Corolla model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2026 Corolla	17	6	0	4	1	Brakes
2025 Corolla	31	10	1	7	0	Brakes
2024 Corolla	64	11	0	12	2	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2023 Corolla	73	8	1	4	3	Steering
2022 Corolla	101	12	0	10	0	Electrical System
2021 Corolla	186	18	2	13	1	Airbags
2020 Corolla	296	18	1	21	3	Engine
2019 Corolla	179	18	1	13	5	Transmission & Drivetrain
2018 Corolla	95	14	5	9	3	Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2017 Corolla	97	30	1	33	3	Airbags
2016 Corolla	94	31	1	29	1	Airbags
2015 Corolla	82	18	0	19	1	Airbags
2014 Corolla	88	20	1	20	2	Airbags
2013 Corolla	37	3	0	1	5	Airbags
2012 Corolla	41	9	1	8	5	Airbags
2011 Corolla	31	4	0	1	9	Airbags
2010 Corolla	50	7	0	6	15	Airbags
2009 Corolla	40	11	0	8	12	Airbags
2008 Corolla	14	3	0	4	6	Airbags
2007 Corolla	32	8	0	6	6	Airbags
2006 Corolla	25	8	2	9	7	Airbags
2005 Corolla	34	5	0	2	6	Airbags

Most common Toyota Corolla problem areas (all years)

Airbags
425 complaints
Engine
289 complaints
Electrical System
201 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
188 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
142 complaints
Brakes
129 complaints
Steering
103 complaints
Seats & Seat Belts
96 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
96 complaints
Body & Structure
91 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Toyota Corolla received by NHTSA each month.

Toyota Corolla recalls

Recall 26V110000Feb 25, 202686 vehiclesModel years 2026
Risk: Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce driver visibility or create a glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 25V040000Jan 29, 20251,716 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 24V878000Nov 21, 20248,057 vehiclesModel years 2023–2024
Risk: A steering shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 24V548000Jul 23, 202433,848 vehiclesModel years 2024
Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Recall 23V480000Jul 12, 2023152,927 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 20V682000Nov 4, 20201,525,742 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 20V024000Jan 17, 20202,891,976 vehiclesModel years 2011–2019
Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Recall 20V012000Jan 13, 20201,830,752 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V877000Dec 11, 20199,468 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V741000Oct 17, 2019928,220 vehiclesModel years 2005–2013
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V627000Aug 28, 2019229,460 vehiclesModel years 2005–2008
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 19V503000Jun 28, 20191,325 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V244000Mar 27, 20193,634 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V005000Jan 9, 20191,299,448 vehiclesModel years 2010–2013
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V901000Dec 19, 20183,424 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: A vehicle stall, especially when driving a high rate of speed, can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V883000Dec 12, 2018168,993 vehiclesModel years 2005
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V024000Jan 9, 2018628,018 vehiclesModel years 2009–2013
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 17V295000May 2, 2017409 vehiclesModel years 2017
Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 17V006000Jan 9, 2017577,875 vehiclesModel years 2009–2012
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 16V396000Jun 2, 20167,749 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Recall 16V340000May 23, 20161,754,517 vehiclesModel years 2009–2011
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 16V127000Mar 3, 2016147,242 vehiclesModel years 2008
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 16V128000Mar 2, 201671,163 vehiclesModel years 2008
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 15V689000Oct 22, 20151,814,284 vehiclesModel years 2009–2011
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Other Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology