Last updated: 2026-03-04
Toyota Corolla Reliability by Year
The Toyota Corolla averages 79/100 across 8 model years, rated good.
Toyota Corolla Reliability Overview
The Toyota Corolla, covering model years 2018 to 2026, averages a reliability score of 77 out of 100, classified as "Good" on the Auto Reliability Index. Data indicates frequent issues with the engine coolant bypass valve, airbag systems, and electrical components, particularly in earlier models, with complaint rates peaking in 2023 at 186.2 per 10,000 sold. Despite these concerns, the Corolla maintains a high reliability rating of 4.5/5 and a lower-than-average estimated annual repair cost of $362, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing cost-effective maintenance in a compact vehicle.
Current generation: 8th gen (2020–2023).
Best & Worst Toyota Corolla Years
Best Toyota Corolla Years to Buy
The best Toyota Corolla year is 2025 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2021 (83/100) and 2022 (82/100).
Toyota Corolla Years to Avoid
The worst Toyota Corolla year is 2023 with a score of 73/100, primarily due to steering (60) issues. Also avoid 2020 (74/100).
2023
15 recalls · 243 complaints
2020
7 recalls · 290 complaints
Toyota Corolla Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Corolla reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 79/100.
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 |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Toyota Corolla
0 recalls · 0 complaints
The 2026 Toyota Corolla has excellent reliability. There are 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Toyota Corolla.
2025 Toyota Corolla
2 recalls · 37 complaints
The 2025 Toyota Corolla has excellent reliability. There are 2 recalls and 37 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 2 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Unknown Or Other (6), Electrical System (5), Power Train (4).
2024 Toyota Corolla
8 recalls · 97 complaints
The 2024 Toyota Corolla has excellent reliability. There are 8 recalls and 97 owner complaints on file for the 2024 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 14 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Unknown Or Other (17), Electrical System (13), Steering (11).
2023 Toyota Corolla
15 recalls · 243 complaints
The 2023 Toyota Corolla has good reliability. There are 15 recalls and 243 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 14 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Steering (60), Electrical System (45), Engine (29).
2022 Toyota Corolla
2 recalls · 120 complaints
The 2022 Toyota Corolla has excellent reliability. There are 2 recalls and 120 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 14 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (18), Power Train (15), Unknown Or Other (13).
2021 Toyota Corolla
1 recalls · 160 complaints
The 2021 Toyota Corolla has excellent reliability. There are 1 recall and 160 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 16 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Air Bags (48), Engine (25), Unknown Or Other (19).
2020 Toyota Corolla
7 recalls · 290 complaints
The 2020 Toyota Corolla has good reliability. There are 7 recalls and 290 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 22 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Engine (82), Unknown Or Other (62), Power Train (32).
2019 Toyota Corolla
6 recalls · 190 complaints
The 2019 Toyota Corolla has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 190 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 22 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (46), Engine (23), Unknown Or Other (22).
2018 Toyota Corolla
3 recalls · 137 complaints
The 2018 Toyota Corolla has excellent reliability. There are 3 recalls and 137 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota Corolla. Severity signals include 27 crash-related complaints and 5 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Air Bags (32), Fuel System, Gasoline (15), Electrical System (13).
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 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 Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, and Honda Civic.
Nissan Sentra reliability
9 years tracked · 829 complaints
Hyundai Elantra reliability
9 years tracked · 1219 complaints
Honda Civic reliability
9 years tracked · 2921 complaints
Nissan Rogue reliability
9 years tracked · 2539 complaints
Hyundai Tucson reliability
9 years tracked · 1838 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Toyota Corolla reliable?
- The Toyota Corolla has good reliability with an average score of 79/100. Some model years are stronger than others — check individual years before buying.
- What is the best year for the Toyota Corolla?
- The best year for the Toyota Corolla is 2025 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. It has 2 recalls and 37 owner complaints on record. See full 2025 Toyota Corolla analysis →
- What are the Toyota Corolla years to avoid?
- The Toyota Corolla years to avoid include 2023 (73/100), 2020 (74/100). These model years score significantly below the model average due to higher recall and complaint volumes. See the full years-to-avoid analysis for details. See full years-to-avoid analysis →
- How much does it cost to maintain a Toyota Corolla?
- The Toyota Corolla has an estimated annual repair cost of $362, which is $164 below the compact cars average of $526. This includes both scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs based on independent repair data.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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