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Toyota Corolla — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Toyota Corolla model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
59
Years to Avoid
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003
Best Years
1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969
2027
0 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2026
31 complaints1 recalls25 TSBs
2025
51 complaints0 recalls40 TSBs
2024
106 complaints2 recalls78 TSBs
2023
120 complaints3 recalls123 TSBs
2022
141 complaints0 recalls109 TSBs
2021
259 complaints1 recalls170 TSBs
2020
410 complaints3 recalls201 TSBs
2019
297 complaints5 recalls1 invest.204 TSBs
2018
201 complaints3 recalls2 invest.183 TSBs
2017
279 complaints3 recalls2 invest.242 TSBs
2016
314 complaints1 recalls2 invest.268 TSBs
2015Avoid
310 complaints1 recalls2 invest.323 TSBs
2014Avoid
384 complaints2 recalls2 invest.440 TSBs
2013Avoid
269 complaints5 recalls2 invest.353 TSBs
2012Avoid
497 complaints5 recalls2 invest.350 TSBs
2011Avoid
690 complaints9 recalls2 invest.356 TSBs
2010Avoid
1,582 complaints17 recalls3 invest.395 TSBs
2009Avoid
1,770 complaints13 recalls3 invest.372 TSBs
2008
379 complaints6 recalls4 invest.156 TSBs
2007Avoid
984 complaints6 recalls3 invest.143 TSBs
2006Avoid
973 complaints10 recalls4 invest.143 TSBs
2005Avoid
974 complaints10 recalls4 invest.165 TSBs
2004
560 complaints13 recalls4 invest.143 TSBs
2003Avoid
861 complaints13 recalls4 invest.153 TSBs
2002
141 complaints5 recalls1 invest.96 TSBs
2001
163 complaints4 recalls94 TSBs
2000
177 complaints5 recalls83 TSBs
1999
188 complaints4 recalls69 TSBs
1998
278 complaints4 recalls74 TSBs
1997
149 complaints6 recalls46 TSBs
1996
151 complaints6 recalls1 invest.41 TSBs
1995
226 complaints7 recalls2 invest.46 TSBs
1994
199 complaints8 recalls1 invest.44 TSBs
1993
154 complaints6 recalls1 invest.38 TSBs
1992
115 complaints2 recalls28 TSBs
1991
96 complaints1 recalls27 TSBs
1990
31 complaints1 recalls27 TSBs
1989
30 complaints2 recalls19 TSBs
1988
33 complaints1 recalls19 TSBs
1987
15 complaints0 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1986
3 complaints0 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1985
5 complaints0 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1984
8 complaints2 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1983
1 complaints0 recalls2 invest.15 TSBs
1982Best Year
5 complaints0 recalls15 TSBs
1981Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls15 TSBs
1980Best Year
2 complaints1 recalls15 TSBs
1979Best Year
3 complaints1 recalls15 TSBs
1978Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1977Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1976Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1973Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1971Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1970Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1969Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls4 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Toyota Corolla Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003 Toyota Corolla are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Toyota Corolla, consider the 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

59 model years analyzed