Model year 2010 · Compact Cars

2010 Toyota Corolla

2010 Toyota Corolla MPG

Across its 4 EPA-rated versions, the 2010 Toyota Corolla returns 22–26 mpg city, 30–35 highway and 25–30 combined.

The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive, at 30 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 25 mpg combined, 5 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2009 model.

Toyota Corolla, 10th generation (E140) (2009–2013 model years)
Toyota Corolla, 10th generation (E140) (2009–2013 model years). Photo: IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
EPA fuel economy for every 2010 Toyota Corolla version, best combined first
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
Corolla1.8 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive263530Regular · 296 g CO₂/mi
Corolla1.8 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive263429Regular · 306 g CO₂/mi
Corolla2.4 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive223025Regular · 355 g CO₂/mi
Corolla2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive223025Regular · 355 g CO₂/mi

2010 Toyota Corolla fuel cost per year

Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2010 Toyota Corolla costs about $2,180 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (30 mpg combined), or roughly 15 cents a mile.

The thirstiest priced version (25 mpg combined) comes to about $2,610 a year, $440 more.

This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.

2010 Toyota Corolla specs

The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2010 Toyota Corolla: 1.8 L 4-cyl and 2.4 L 4-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Compact Cars" class.

Engines and drivetrains (EPA)
Engine size (L)CylindersTransmissionsDriveVersions
1.8 L4Manual 5-spd; Automatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive2
2.4 L4Manual 5-spd; Automatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive2

2010 Toyota Corolla problems

As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 1,244 owner complaints about the 2010 Toyota Corolla.

Air bags are the most-reported area (27% of component mentions), followed by steering (23%) and vehicle speed control (13%).

Spread over its time on sale, that is 73 complaints a year: about as many as the 2009 (81 a year) and more than the 2011 (36 a year).

That ranks 2nd of 17 Toyota Corolla model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.

Of the 1,244, 145 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 85 an injury.

Air bags425 (27%)Steering371 (23%)Vehicle speed control199 (13%)Hydraulic service brakes101 (6%)Electrical system75 (5%)Power train50 (3%)Service brakes45 (3%)Suspension39 (2%)
Component mentions in NHTSA owner complaints (one complaint can name several components)
NHTSA complaints by component
ComponentMentionsShare
Air bags42527%
Steering37123%
Vehicle speed control19913%
Hydraulic service brakes1016%
Electrical system755%
Power train503%
Service brakes453%
Suspension392%
Unknown or other392%
Engine332%
Structure282%
Electronic stability control (esc)252%
Electric service brakes181%
Visibility/wiper171%
Tires15<1%
Seat belts13<1%
Wheels12<1%
Engine and engine cooling10<1%
Gasoline fuel system10<1%
Fuel/propulsion system10<1%
Visibility9<1%
Seats8<1%
Traction control system8<1%
Equipment7<1%
Equipment adaptive/mobility4<1%
Exterior lighting3<1%
Air service brakes3<1%
Latches/locks/linkages2<1%
Parking brake2<1%
Other fuel system1<1%

What owners told NHTSA

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, simultaneous failure of multiple electrical and safety systems. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), July 2026 · Air bags, Electrical system, Steering · complaint 11752255
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds and also vibrating. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), July 2022 · Steering, Traction control system, Electrical system · complaint 11476297
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), August 2026 · Vehicle speed control · complaint 11756518

2010 Toyota Corolla recalls

The 2010 Toyota Corolla has been the subject of 17 recall campaigns.

The most recent, campaign 19V741000 from October 2019, concerns air bags.

Air bags account for 6 of the 17 campaigns, more than any other area.

Is a recall still open on your car? This list covers every 2010 Toyota Corolla. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls still need a repair on your car.
09V332000 · August 19, 2009 · Equipment

Problem: THE AIR BAG LABEL INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR CAN SEPARATE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE VISOR.

Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LABEL AND EXCHANGE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FREE OF CHARGE.

Full recall notice on nhtsa.gov

Campaigns that also cover other model years (details on nhtsa.gov and the model overview)
CampaignReportedComponentCorolla years covered
19V741000October 17, 2019Air bags2008–2013
19V005000January 9, 2019Air bags2010–2013
18V024000January 9, 2018Air bags2009–2010, 2013
16V396000June 2, 2016Seats2009–2010
16V340000May 23, 2016Air bags2009–2011
15V689000October 22, 2015Visibility2009–2011
14V743000November 19, 2014Seats2010–2011
14V168000April 9, 2014Air bags2009–2010
13V123000April 9, 2013Equipment2010–2011
13V014000January 16, 2013Seats, Air bags2010–2013
11V566000November 22, 2011Structure2010–2011
10V035000February 3, 2010Equipment2009–2010
10V036000February 3, 2010Equipment2008–2010
10V023000January 27, 2010Vehicle speed control2009–2010
10V017000January 21, 2010Vehicle speed control2009–2010
09V338000August 27, 2009Hydraulic service brakes2009–2010

Safety ratings

NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2010 Toyota Corolla.

Compared with other years

Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota Corollas can be compared fairly. Among other 2010 models in the EPA's compact cars class, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta (32 mpg) and 2010 Honda Accord (25 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.

Toyota Corolla, 2008–2013 (EPA and NHTSA)
YearBest mpgComplaintsPer year on saleRecalls
200831314166
2009301,4598113
2010301,2447317
201130584369
201229446305
201329201145

Every Toyota Corolla model year compared →

Similar 2010 models

FAQ

Is the 2010 Corolla a good car?

We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2010 Toyota Corolla has 73 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (2nd most of 17 model years), 17 recall campaigns and up to 30 mpg combined from the EPA.

What are common 2010 Corolla problems?

The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (425), steering (371) and vehicle speed control (199). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many recalls does the 2010 Corolla have?

NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Corolla get?

The EPA rates the versions at 25–30 mpg combined (22–26 city, 30–35 highway).

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Corolla per year?

About $2,180 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,610 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).