Toyota Corolla Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Toyota Corolla model years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2020, based on NHTSA complaint index scores of 100, 93, 87, and 80. Best years are 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023, with complaint index scores of 7, 20, 13, and 0. Across all years, airbags account for 38% of the 4,430 total complaints.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2014Avoid 2020Best 2018Best 2019Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 4,430
- Recall campaigns
- 30
- Crashes reported
- 637
- Fires reported
- 31
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Corolla Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota Corolla problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 1,225 | 142 | 10 | 15 | Airbags | 27 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 93 | 584 | 44 | 2 | 9 | Airbags | 27 | 3★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 73 | 446 | 41 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 29 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 53 | 201 | 46 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 29 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 87 | 269 | 64 | 3 | 2 | Airbags | 32 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 60 | 219 | 60 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 31.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 214 | 66 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 31.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 40 | 178 | 44 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 31 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 7 | 134 | 26 | 5 | 3 | Fuel System | 31 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 20 | 202 | 23 | 1 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 306 | 22 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 33 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 33 | 185 | 18 | 2 | 1 | Airbags | 33 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 13 | 100 | 12 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 33 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 73 | 8 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 39.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 47 | 63 | 11 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 39.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 27 | 31 | 10 | 1 | 0 | Brakes | 35 | 5★ |
Corolla years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Toyota Corolla Index 100 · 1,225 complaints · 15 recalls
The 2010 Corolla has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints of any year, 1,225, with 15 recall campaigns. Airbags led at 423 complaints (35%, median mileage 63,865), followed by steering at 361 complaints (29%, median mileage just 1,200 miles). Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure at low mileage, some resulting in crashes. NHTSA lists 142 crashes and 10 fires tied to this year, with 101 injuries reported.
2010 airbags problems →2010 steering problems →2010 engine problems →
2011 Toyota Corolla Index 93 · 584 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2011 Corolla carries a complaint index of 93 with 584 complaints and 9 recalls. Airbags dominate the problem list at 418 complaints, 72% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 57,000. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in crashes and brake pedals behaving unexpectedly. NHTSA records 44 crashes and 2 fires for this year, with 34 injuries reported.
2011 airbags problems →2011 engine problems →2011 steering problems →
2014 Toyota Corolla Index 87 · 269 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2014 Corolla shows a complaint index of 87 across 269 complaints and 2 recall campaigns. Airbags top the list at 69 complaints (26%, median mileage 41,000), followed by electrical system issues at 59 complaints (22%, median mileage 35,000). Owners reported airbags not deploying during crashes and unintended acceleration events. NHTSA lists 64 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 death associated with this model year, with 50 injuries.
2014 airbags problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →
2020 Toyota Corolla Index 80 · 306 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2020 Corolla has a complaint index of 80 from 306 complaints and 3 recall campaigns. Engine problems lead at 113 complaints (37%, median mileage just 10,000), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 39 complaints (13%, median mileage 9,294.5). Owners reported brake failures shortly after purchase and automatic emergency braking systems that failed to activate before crashes. NHTSA records 22 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 death for this year, with 23 injuries.
2020 engine problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 electrical system problems →
Most common Toyota Corolla problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Airbags1,692 (38%)
- Engine766 (17%)
- Steering590 (13%)
- Brakes454 (10%)
- Other448 (10%)
- Electrical System419 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain334 (8%)
- Structure & Body248 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires212 (5%)
- Fuel System181 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Toyota Corolla years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2020 Corolla. These years have the highest complaint index scores (100, 93, 87, and 80) among the 16 model years with data.
- What are the best Toyota Corolla years to buy?
- The 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 Corolla have the lowest complaint index scores (7, 20, 13, and 0) and carry the
- Is the 2010 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- The 2010 Corolla has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 1,225 total complaints and 15 recall campaigns, mostly tied to airbags and steering. This makes it the year to avoid within the Corolla lineup.
- What is the most common problem with the Toyota Corolla?
- Across all model years, airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 1,692 of 4,430 total complaints, or 38%. Engine issues rank second at 766 complaints, or 17%.
- Does the Toyota Corolla have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Several Corolla model years, including 2010, 2011, and 2014, are covered by airbag-related recall campaigns such as 19V741000 and 20V024000 tied to inflator and control-unit issues.