2007 Toyota Corolla Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2007 Toyota Corolla ranks 3rd worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 836 complaints, driven mainly by airbag non-deployment (52% of complaints) and unintended acceleration reports. It carries 6 recalls and is rated Avoid relative to other Corolla years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Corolla years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 836
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 129
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 84
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 36 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 84 / 3
Top 2007 Toyota Corolla problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags436 (52%)
- Engine191 (23%)
- Electrical System90 (11%)
- Brakes53 (6%)
- Steering43 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (4%)
- Fuel System28 (3%)
- Other28 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (3%)
- Structure & Body21 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in front-end and rear-end crashes at speeds around 40 mph, resulting in injuries.
- Vehicle surged or continued moving forward unexpectedly after the driver released the accelerator or applied the brake, leading to low-speed crashes.
- Tires reportedly blew out or lost traction unexpectedly, in one case during a turn causing a crash.
- Trunk lid and plastic body panels came loose or would not stay shut after repairs.
- Owners described hydroplaning and loss of control they attributed to poor tire performance in wet conditions.
2007 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 15V286000May 13, 2015Airbags1,069,055 vehicles
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.
2007 Toyota Corolla fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,175
- 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.
2007 compared with other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- Compared with other Corolla model years, the 2007 ranks 3rd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and 836 NHTSA complaints, most involving airbags.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2007 Toyota Corolla?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 52% of complaints (436 of 836), including reports of failure to deploy in crashes, with a median failure mileage of 85,000.
- Does the 2007 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this year, most involving airbag inflators, plus one covering the engine control module and one tire labeling recall.
- How does the 2007 Corolla compare to nearby model years?
- The 2007 (complaint index 90) sits between the 2006 (85) and 2009 (100), all rated Avoid, while later years like 2013 and 2018 score far lower and earn Good or Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2007 Toyota Corolla?
- EPA rates it at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,175.