NHTSA has 6,231 owner complaints and 40 recall campaigns on file for the Toyota Corolla from 2008 to 2024, and the EPA has rated every one of those model years for fuel economy.
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Toyota Corolla problems by year
Measured as complaints per year on sale, the 2009 Corolla stands out with 81 a year, ahead of the 2010 (73) and 2020 (44). The 2013 has the fewest, at 14 a year. Counting complaints per year on sale keeps older model years, which have had longer to collect complaints, comparable with newer ones; it does not adjust for how many of each were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Per year on sale | Top component | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 314 | 16 | Air bags | 6 |
| 2009 | 1,459 | 81 | Air bags | 13 |
| 2010 | 1,244 | 73 | Air bags | 17 |
| 2011 | 584 | 36 | Air bags | 9 |
| 2012 | 446 | 30 | Air bags | 5 |
| 2013 | 201 | 14 | Air bags | 5 |
| 2014 | 269 | 21 | Air bags | 2 |
| 2015 | 220 | 18 | Air bags | 1 |
| 2016 | 215 | 19 | Air bags | 1 |
| 2017 | 178 | 18 | Air bags | 3 |
| 2018 | 135 | 15 | Air bags | 3 |
| 2019 | 204 | 25 | Power train | 5 |
| 2020 | 312 | 44 | Engine | 4 |
| 2021 | 188 | 31 | Air bags | 1 |
| 2022 | 103 | 20 | Electrical system | 0 |
| 2023 | 85 | 21 | Steering | 6 |
| 2024 | 74 | 24 | Forward collision avoidance | 4 |
Most common Corolla problems
Across all years, owners mention the air bags, steering and vehicle speed control most often; air bags complaints peak in the 2009 model year.
| Component | Mentions | Peak year |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2,387 | 2009 |
| Steering | 997 | 2009 |
| Vehicle speed control | 674 | 2010 |
| Engine | 485 | 2020 |
| Electrical system | 467 | 2009 |
| Power train | 403 | 2019 |
| Service brakes | 309 | 2010 |
| Structure | 251 | 2009 |
Toyota Corolla MPG by year
The most efficient gasoline Toyota Corolla is the 2019 model, rated 36 mpg combined by the EPA.
| Year | Best gasoline | Best any version |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 31 | 31 |
| 2009 | 30 | 30 |
| 2010 | 30 | 30 |
| 2011 | 30 | 30 |
| 2012 | 29 | 29 |
| 2013 | 29 | 29 |
| 2014 | 34 | 34 |
| 2015 | 34 | 34 |
| 2016 | 34 | 34 |
| 2017 | 34 | 34 |
| 2018 | 34 | 34 |
| 2019 | 36 | 36 |
| 2020 | 35 | 52 |
| 2021 | 35 | 52 |
| 2022 | 35 | 52 |
| 2023 | 35 | 50 |
| 2024 | 35 | 50 |
Toyota Corolla recalls
The Toyota Corolla has been covered by 40 recall campaigns for 2008–2024 models. The busiest model year is 2010, with 17 campaigns.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V595000 | September 11, 2025 | Electrical system | 2023, 2024 |
| 25V040000 | January 29, 2025 | Air bags, Steering | 2023 |
| 24V878000 | November 21, 2024 | Steering | 2023, 2024 |
| 24V708000 | September 20, 2024 | Hydraulic service brakes, Electric service brakes | 2023, 2024 |
| 24V548000 | July 23, 2024 | Equipment | 2023, 2024 |
| 23V865000 | December 20, 2023 | Air bags | 2020, 2021 |
| 23V480000 | July 12, 2023 | Air bags, Steering | 2023 |
| 20V682000 | November 4, 2020 | Gasoline fuel system | 2020 |
| 20V024000 | January 17, 2020 | Air bags | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| 20V012000 | January 13, 2020 | Gasoline fuel system | 2018, 2019 |
Corolla years with the most complaints
- 2009: 1,459 complaints (81 per year on sale), most about the air bags.
- 2010: 1,244 complaints (73 per year on sale), most about the air bags.
- 2020: 312 complaints (44 per year on sale), most about the engine.
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many of each model year were sold. More complaints per year on sale is a signal to look closer, not a verdict on a particular car.
FAQ
Which Corolla years should I avoid?
We don't label model years good or bad. By NHTSA's figures, the 2009, 2010 and 2020 Corolla have the most owner complaints per year on sale, and the 2013 the fewest. Whatever the year, check a specific car's recall status and history before buying.
What are the most common Corolla problems?
Across 2008–2024, owners report the air bags (2,387 mentions), steering (997 mentions) and vehicle speed control (674 mentions) most often to NHTSA.
How many recalls has the Toyota Corolla had?
40 recall campaigns cover 2008–2024 Corolla models, with 2010 the most-recalled year. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for open recalls.
What gas mileage does the Corolla get by year?
The best gasoline version ranges from 29 to 36 mpg combined across 2008–2024, first reached in 2019. The table above lists every year.