Last updated: 2026-10-10
Toyota Corolla Reliability by Year
Toyota Corolla repairs run about $362 a year, below the compact average. The 2021 is the pick; 2020 and 2023 are the weaker years.
Toyota Corolla Reliability Overview
Low repair costs and an excellent overall standing make this compact sedan a strong used buy, with the 2021 the pick among proven years. Skip the 2020 and 2023. The 2020 shows a warning message that will not clear, and the 2023 can shut off at stops with auto start/stop on. Owner complaints of air bags not deploying in crashes appear across many years.
Current generation: 8th gen (2020–2023).
Best & Worst Toyota Corolla Years
Best Toyota Corolla Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2021 has one recall in federal records and far fewer complaints per car sold than the 2020 or 2023. It has also been on the road long enough to show its faults. Coolant bypass valve and air bag complaints exist, so check open recalls by VIN before buying.
Toyota Corolla Years to Avoid
Owners describe the engine shutting off at a stop with auto start/stop on, usually in rain with the wipers running. A low power steering warning appears, the wheel locks, and the car will not restart until shifted to park. Federal recall records list 15 recalls, the most of any year, and dealers often find no codes.
Toyota Corolla Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Corolla reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 81/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 94/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Toyota Corolla
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Ranks first among the nine scored Corolla years, with no complaints or recalls on file and a 5-star federal crash rating.
2025 Toyota Corolla
2 recalls · 37 complaints
Rated excellent with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2024, though early transmission and infotainment problems stand out among owner reports.
2024 Toyota Corolla
8 recalls · 97 complaints
Excellent standing and a 5-star crash rating, with more complaints than the 2025 but far fewer than the 2023.
2023 Toyota Corolla
15 recalls · 243 complaints
The weakest of nine scored Corolla years, with start/stop stalling in rain and shadowy LED low beams, though its overall standing is still good.
2022 Toyota Corolla
2 recalls · 120 complaints
Excellent reliability and low repair costs, with the main complaint being stalling at a stop or when pulling away, sometimes with locked steering.
2021 Toyota Corolla
1 recalls · 160 complaints
Rates excellent and well above other 2021 sedans, with one air bag recall and coolant bypass valve failures as the main worries.
2020 Toyota Corolla
7 recalls · 290 complaints
First year of the twelfth generation, with good reliability and low repair costs, but a recurring coolant bypass valve warning and seven recalls.
2019 Toyota Corolla
6 recalls · 190 complaints
Last of the eleventh generation, it rates good but trails the best Corolla years, with air bag, transmission, and coolant bypass valve complaints.
2018 Toyota Corolla
3 recalls · 137 complaints
Mid-pack among Corolla years, with low repair costs and a 5-star crash rating, but owners report air bags failing to deploy in crashes.
Found Your Toyota Corolla? Check Its History
Electrical system (5) problems come up most in Toyota Corolla owner complaints, and 44 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Toyota Corolla Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$362
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
7%
$164 below the compact cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #1 of 36 among compact cars.
Toyota Corolla Resale Value
The Toyota Corolla is estimated to retain about 85.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 85.4%
- Depreciation
- 14.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Toyota Corolla depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comToyota Corolla Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Toyota Models
Compare all Toyota models by reliability
Compare Toyota Corolla With Similar Sedans
The Toyota Corolla competes with other compact sedans such as Honda Civic, Nissan Versa, and Nissan Sentra.
Corolla vs Honda Civic
9 years tracked · 2921 complaints
Corolla vs Nissan Versa
5 years tracked · 244 complaints
Corolla vs Nissan Sentra
9 years tracked · 829 complaints
Corolla vs Hyundai Elantra
9 years tracked · 1219 complaints
Corolla vs Volkswagen Golf
9 years tracked · 394 complaints
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- Corolla vs Volkswagen Tiguan
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Toyota Corolla reliable?
- Yes, the Corolla holds an excellent overall standing and sits well above the average sedan on this site. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs below the compact average. Reliability varies by year, though, so avoid the 2020 and 2023 and check recall work on any car you consider.
- What is the best year for a used Toyota Corolla?
- The 2021 is our pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has one recall and a moderate complaint load. The 2025 and 2026 look clean, but they have had little time to collect complaints, so that does not make them better.
- What are the most common Toyota Corolla problems?
- Air bags not deploying in serious crashes is the most common complaint. Next come sudden stalling at speed, surging or unstable idle at stops, and scattered electrical faults such as false warnings. Dealers often find no fault code on the stalling and electrical reports.
- How much does it cost to repair a Toyota Corolla?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates about $362 a year for the Corolla. The average for compact cars is $526. Individual repairs can cost far more, such as coolant bypass valve quotes up to $1,200 on out-of-warranty cars.
- Does the Toyota Corolla have air bag problems?
- Owner complaints say yes. Air bags draw 145 complaints, and 62 are linked to crashes. Most describe air bags failing to deploy in head-on, side, and curb or wall impacts. Some owners had already received air bag recall work, so confirm the recall status by VIN.
How we score the Toyota Corolla
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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