2005 Toyota Corolla Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Toyota Corolla has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 53% of its 853 complaints, with 6 recalls filed, mostly for airbag inflators.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Corolla years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 853
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 114
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 89
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 89 / 1
Top 2005 Toyota Corolla problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags456 (53%)
- Engine185 (22%)
- Electrical System66 (8%)
- Brakes49 (6%)
- Other38 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (4%)
- Fuel System36 (4%)
- Structure & Body25 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (3%)
- Steering22 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Frontal and side airbags failed to deploy in multiple reported collisions, including one at 65 mph and one side impact at 40 mph.
- Drivers reported sudden forward surges while parking with a foot on the brake, sometimes striking walls or other vehicles.
- Owners described brake failure or lockup during low-speed parking maneuvers, in some cases paired with a loss of power steering.
- One owner reported anti-lock brakes not engaging during a 60-65 mph crash where airbags also failed to deploy.
- A seat belt reportedly disconnected during a crash while the steering wheel locked in a lowered position, causing injury.
2005 Toyota Corolla recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
- NHTSA 19V627000Aug 28, 2019Airbags229,460 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
- NHTSA 18V883000Dec 12, 2018Airbags168,993 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.
2005 Toyota Corolla fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2005 Corolla 5th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict driven largely by airbag complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 456 of 853 complaints (53%), including failures to deploy in crashes, at a median mileage of 93,124.
- Does the 2005 Toyota Corolla have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Corolla, five related to airbags and one for the engine control module on 1ZZ-FE engines.
- How does the 2005 Corolla compare to other Corolla years?
- With a complaint index of 80, the 2005 model ranks worse than most other Corolla years; only the 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010 model years scored higher (worse).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
- The EPA rates the 2005 Corolla at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.