Toyota Corolla: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
10,375 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Corolla, model years 2000 to 2026. 5 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2005 (engine 7.1×); 2006 (engine 7.9×); 2008 (engine 3.3×); 2020 (engine 6.9×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2002, 2001, 2018. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 142 | quiet: 4 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2001 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 133 | quiet: 2 of 20 | 4 | |
| 2002 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 117 | quiet: 1 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2003 Corolla | 720 | — | 13 | |
| 2004 Corolla | 476 | — | 13 | |
| 2005 Corolla | 853 | engine 7.1× | 10 | |
| 2006 Corolla | 840 | engine 7.9× | 10 | |
| 2007 Corolla | 834 | — | 6 | |
| 2008 Corolla | 313 | engine 3.3× | 6 | |
| 2009 Corolla | 1,458 | — | 13 | |
| 2010 Corolla | 1,242 | — | 17 | |
| 2011 Corolla | 583 | — | 9 | |
| 2012 Corolla | 444 | — | 5 | |
| 2013 Corolla | 201 | quiet: 6 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2014 Corolla | 271 | — | 2 | |
| 2015 Corolla | 220 | — | 1 | |
| 2016 Corolla | 215 | — | 1 | |
| 2017 Corolla | 178 | quiet: 5 of 20 | 3 | |
| 2018 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 136 | quiet: 3 of 20 | 3 | |
| 2019 Corolla | 205 | transmission 5.5× | 5 | |
| 2020 Corolla | 313 | engine 6.9× | 3 | |
| 2021 Corolla | 188 | — | 1 | |
| 2022 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 103 | — | 0 | |
| 2023 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 74 | — | 3 | |
| 2024 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 66 | — | 2 | |
| 2025 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 32 | — | 0 | |
| 2026 CorollaFEW REPORTS | 18 | — | 1 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Corolla at your mileage
The verdict depends on where your mileage sits against the mileages owners reported. Pick your year and mileage: free, no sign-up.
Other Toyota models
Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201920202021