YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota Corolla Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Toyota Corolla has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 65 complaints and 45 crashes, alongside brake complaints tied to unintended stopping failures.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
65/100
#8 of 21 Corolla years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
214
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
66
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
56
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
31.5
28.5 city / 36.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
56 / 0

Top 2016 Toyota Corolla problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags65 (30%)
  2. Engine33 (15%)
  3. Brakes32 (15%)
  4. Seat Belts26 (12%)
  5. Other24 (11%)
  6. Electrical System23 (11%)
  7. Steering22 (10%)
  8. Structure & Body22 (10%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain22 (10%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (10%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or deployed improperly during crashes, sometimes leaving occupants without protection despite multiple vehicle impacts.
  • Owners describe sudden brake failure or long brake delay while parking or driving at low speed, resulting in collisions with buildings or other vehicles.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle unexpectedly moved on its own while shifting between reverse and drive, striking other vehicles in parking lots.
  • Brake pedal response was described as inconsistent, requiring hard or repeated pressing before the car would stop, even on wet or icy pavement.
  • Seat belts reportedly failed to lock properly during a crash, letting a passenger move forward and strike the interior.
2016 Toyota Corolla complaints: complaints filed per quarter252015 Q42017 Q22018 Q42020 Q22021 Q42023 Q32025 Q2
214 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q1 (25).

2016 Toyota Corolla recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V024000Jan 17, 2020Airbags2,891,976 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

2016 Toyota Corolla fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28.5 MPG
Highway
36.5 MPG
Combined
31.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,075
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.

2016 compared with other Corolla years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution50269232
2015Good45219131.5
2016Caution65214131.5
2017Good35178331
2018Best5134331

All Toyota Corolla years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Corolla reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Corolla a Complaint Index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years. Airbags and brakes are the leading complaint areas.
What problems does the 2016 Toyota Corolla have?
Owners most often reported airbag issues (65 complaints, 45 crashes), followed by engine, brake, and seat belt complaints. The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints was 34,900 miles.
Does the 2016 Toyota Corolla have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 20V024000, covering an airbag electronic control unit issue where Toyota installs a noise filter between the airbag control module and related wiring.
How does the 2016 Corolla compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 65 is worse than the 2018 Corolla's index of 5 (Best verdict) but better than the 2009 Corolla's index of 100 (Avoid verdict).
What is the top problem area for the 2016 Corolla?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 30% of complaints and involved in 45 crashes and 1 fire.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.