2018 Toyota Corolla MPG
EPA ratings for the 2018 Toyota Corolla run from 27–30 mpg in town to 35–40 on the highway, or 30–34 combined, depending on which of its 5 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 34 mpg combined. At the other end, the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 30 mpg combined, 4 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2017 model.
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| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla LE Eco | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 40 | 34 | Regular · 263 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla LE Eco | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 38 | 33 | Regular · 271 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 32 | Regular · 281 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 31 | Regular · 286 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | Regular · 289 g CO₂/mi |
2018 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 2018 Toyota Corolla costs about $1,920 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (34 mpg combined), or roughly 13 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (30 mpg combined) comes to about $2,180 a year, $260 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.
2018 Toyota Corolla specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2018 Toyota Corolla: a 1.8 L 4-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Midsize Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Automatic (AV-S7); Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 5 |
2018 Toyota Corolla problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 135 owner complaints about the 2018 Toyota Corolla.
Air bags are the most-reported area (18% of component mentions), followed by fuel/propulsion system (12%) and engine (8%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 15 complaints a year: fewer than the 2017 (18 a year) and the 2019 (25 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Toyota Corolla model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 135, 26 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 14 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 36 | 18% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 23 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 18 | 9% |
| Engine | 16 | 8% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 15 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 6% |
| Power train | 12 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 6% |
| Steering | 5 | 3% |
| Suspension | 5 | 3% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 2% |
| Structure | 4 | 2% |
| Lane departure | 3 | 2% |
| Seats | 3 | 2% |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Shell carry handle | 1 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Tires | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
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. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …
2018 Toyota Corolla recalls
The 2018 Toyota Corolla has been the subject of 3 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V024000 from January 2020, concerns air bags.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Corolla years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V024000 | January 17, 2020 | Air bags | 2011–2019 |
| 20V012000 | January 13, 2020 | Gasoline fuel system | 2018–2019 |
| 19V503000 | June 28, 2019 | Equipment | 2017–2019 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2018 Toyota Corolla; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
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 2018 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2018 Toyota Camry (34 mpg), 2018 Hyundai Elantra (35 mpg) and 2018 Honda Civic (36 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 34 | 220 | 18 | 1 |
| 2016 | 34 | 215 | 19 | 1 |
| 2017 | 34 | 178 | 18 | 3 |
| 2018 | 34 | 135 | 15 | 3 |
| 2019 | 36 | 204 | 25 | 5 |
| 2020 | 52 | 312 | 44 | 4 |
| 2021 | 52 | 188 | 31 | 1 |
Every Toyota Corolla model year compared →
Similar 2018 models
FAQ
Is the 2018 Corolla a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2018 Toyota Corolla has 15 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 3 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 34 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2018 Corolla problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (36), fuel/propulsion system (23) and engine (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2018 Corolla have?
NHTSA lists 3 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 2018 Corolla get?
The EPA rates the versions at 30–34 mpg combined (27–30 city, 35–40 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Corolla per year?
About $1,920 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,180 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).