2018 Toyota Corolla problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Corolla, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
95
Recalls
3
Crashes
14
Fires
5
Injuries
9
Median mileage
26,284 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 38 of 95 complaints (40%).
  • Airbags (28) and engine (11) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 26,284 mi.
  • Owners reported 14 crashes, 5 fires and 9 injuries.
  • The 2018 Toyota Corolla has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 8th of 22 Toyota Corolla model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2018 Toyota Corolla problems by category

  • 38 complaints
  • Airbags · 9 crashes
    28 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    13 complaints
  • Engine
    11 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    10 complaints
  • Electrical System
    10 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    10 complaints
  • Suspension
    5 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    4 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Air bags28
Fuel/propulsion system23
Fuel system, gasoline15
Unknown or other12
Engine11
Power train10
Electrical system9
Seat belts8

When problems happen (mileage)

8Under 10k1310k–30k1030k–60k660k–100k1100k–150k2150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Toyota Corolla complaints that list mileage.

2018 Toyota Corolla recalls (3)

  • Recall 20V024000Jan 17, 20202,891,976 vehicles
    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.

    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.

    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. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

  • Recall 20V012000Jan 13, 20201,830,752 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

  • Recall 19V503000Jun 28, 20191,325 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

    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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

  • EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024

    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. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

Recent 2018 Toyota Corolla complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 22, 2026GACrashTowedAirbags
    I was driving home from church late Sunday night. A really rough storm hit and it knocked down a huge tree in the road covering the entire road. I did not see the tree until I got up on it and I went straight through it. I was running around 40 mph and total front end impact took the whole bumper off but my airbags did not deploy.
    NHTSA complaint #11766243 · source
  2. Filed Mar 10, 202676,099 miCATowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the tachometer was raised to high levels while exiting the highway. While at a stoplight, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the…
    NHTSA complaint #11723306 · source
  3. Filed Feb 11, 2026FLAcceleration & Cruise ControlSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
    My 2018 Toyota Corolla has problems with acceleration and a very large noise in the front bar that guides the wheels. It also accelerates by itself, which is why I have had to change the brakes many times. It also shakes a lot at the bottom
    NHTSA complaint #11717239 · source
  4. Filed Jan 7, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Due to recent reports of fuel pump recalls, my daughter bought a 2018 Toyota Corolla almost a year ago. Right now that is problem and her car will not start. I need a free replacement of her fuel pump. Thank you.
    NHTSA complaint #11709551 · source
  5. Filed Oct 19, 2025LAAirbags
    On October 17, 2025, a 2018 Toyota Corolla LE was delivered to an authorized Toyota dealership for an airbag recall repair. The recall involved the airbag electronic control unit (ECU), which, according to Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may fail to deploy the airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners during certain types of crashes due to inadequate protection against electrical noise. The vehicle was picked up on October 18, 2025, after…
    NHTSA complaint #11694365 · source
  6. Filed Oct 18, 2025PAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
    After having no indication of any issue, my 2018 Toyota Corolla has stopped re-starting after fueling. The only light that appeared was regarding my battery. My battery is brand new and tested.
    NHTSA complaint #11694221 · source
  7. Filed Aug 25, 2025200,095 miCAElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 85,000. The contact later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 200,095.
    NHTSA complaint #11682844 · source
  8. Filed May 12, 2025FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My 2018 Toyota Corolla has ongoing fuel pump-related issues that mirror those in the official recall, yet my VIN is not included. Every time I refuel, my car shuts off and will not restart for 1–2 hours. I’ve brought the vehicle to five different mechanics, including two full inspections with electronic diagnostics—none could find a fault except one who identified the fuel pump as the likely cause. Even Toyota-certified dealerships could not determine the issue.…
    NHTSA complaint #11660381 · source

Compare the 2018 Toyota Corolla with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology