Is the 2016 Toyota Corolla a bad year?
215 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Corolla years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Toyota Corolla are in line with other Corolla years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Corolla owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 35,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 65 (30%) | 22k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 30 (14%) | 9k–35k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Seat belts | 26 (12%) | 23k–58k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 22 (10%) | 3k–50k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 22 (10%) | 6k–50k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (10%) | 18k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 15 (7%) | 8k–49k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 14 (7%) | 10k–48k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 13 (6%) | 9k–68k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (5%) | 0k–34k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 35,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 215 complaints: 66 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 44 report an injury · 48 say the car was towed.
10 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2016 Toyota Corolla: 1
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 132
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Toyota Corolla. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a high-pitched hiss or whine noise after the vehicle has reached normal operating temperature
Some 2014-2018 model year Corollas may experience a dark red or black colored fluid leak between the engine and transmission bell housing
Some vehicles may exhibit a MIL "ON" condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2610 (Engine Off Timer Performance) present
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2015 Corolla: 220 complaints, keep it · 2017 Corolla: 178 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Corolla year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Corolla years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Corolla a bad year?
215 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Corolla years. At 35,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (65), brakes (30), seat belts (26), speed control (22), steering (22).
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Corolla have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 20V-024). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.