The Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular and best-selling cars worldwide. First introduced in 1966, the Corolla has gone through many generations and revisions over the decades.
Known for its affordability, fuel efficiency, and reliability, the Corolla appeals to a wide range of drivers. However, like any car model that’s been around for over 50 years, there have been some model years of the Corolla that have had more problems and issues than others.
As a savvy used car buyer, it pays to know these problem years for the Corolla so you can avoid them in your search. Read on for an overview of the most notorious model years of the Toyota Corolla that are best to steer clear of.
Worst Toyota Corolla Model Years to Avoid
| Model Year | Main Issues |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Excessive oil consumption, transmission problems |
| 2012 | Excessive oil consumption, engine problems |
| 2011 | Engine problems, transmission issues |
| 2010 | Engine problems, unintended acceleration concerns |
| 2009 | Excessive oil consumption, engine problems |
| 2007 | Engine issues, transmission problems |
| 2006 | Engine problems, transmission issues |
| 2005 | Transmission problems |
| 2003 | Faulty power steering, transmission issues |
Based on consumer reports, recalls, and frequency of repair records, these model years stand out as the ones to avoid if you’re shopping for a used Toyota Corolla. Let’s take a more detailed look at the problems for each model year.
2014 Toyota Corolla Problems
The 2014 model year of the Toyota Corolla suffered from some engine and transmission issues:
Excessive Oil Consumption
One of the most common problems reported on 2014 Corollas was excessive oil consumption. Some drivers reported having to add a quart of oil every 600-1000 miles, much more often than normal.
The cause was traced to defective piston rings, which allowed oil to seep through into the combustion chamber where it would burn off. This not only required topping off the oil frequently, but could lead to higher emissions and engine damage if left unchecked.
Transmission Issues
Some 2014 Corollas were prone to transmission problems, including jerky gear shifts, transmission slippage, and even complete transmission failure in some cases. Most of the reported issues were with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) models.
Problems stemmed from a faulty transmission valve body, which controls gear shifts and hydraulic pressure. Fixing this issue required a transmission rebuild or replacement.
2012 Toyota Corolla Problems
Owners of 2012 Toyota Corollas also reported issues with high oil consumption as well as engine problems:
Excessive Oil Consumption
Like the 2014 model year, the 2012 Corolla suffered from the same problem with defective piston rings allowing too much oil to be burned in the combustion chamber. This led to the need for frequent oil top-offs.
Engine Problems
Some 2012 Corollas had widespread engine issues related to excessive oil consumption. Oil starvation can cause the engine to seize up and fail completely.
Other engine problems were related to the valve springs and tensioner. This could lead to rough idling, engine noise, and CHECK ENGINE light coming on due to misfire codes.
2011 Toyota Corolla Problems
The 2011 model year of the Corolla saw both engine and transmission problems:
Engine Issues
Engine complaints on the 2011 model focused on excessive oil consumption due to the defective piston rings, similar to the 2012 and 2014 model years. This was a major headache for drivers as oil needed constant topping off.
Other engine issues had to do with the valve springs, which could break and cause the engine to fail. This seemed to affect mainly the 2.4L four-cylinder engines.
Transmission Problems
Several drivers of 2011 Corollas reported problems with the automatic transmission, hesitating and jerkily shifting gears. Check Engine lights come on, displaying fault codes related to the transmission control module.
Replacement of the valve body or software update could help fix the issue. But some drivers ended up needing to replace the whole transmission if it failed completely.
2010 Toyota Corolla Problems
Model year 2010 brought more of the same engine and transmission troubles:
Engine Issues
Again, excessive oil consumption was a prevalent problem with the 2010 Corolla due to the defective piston rings not maintaining proper seal. This allowed oil to be burned off rapidly, requiring constant top-offs.
Other engine problems had to do with stalling, hesitation, rough idling, and no-starts. The culprit was usually a dirty Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor affecting airflow and fuel delivery.
Unintended Acceleration
Some 2010 Toyota models including the Corolla were part of massive recall due to issues with unintended acceleration. It was traced to faulty floor mats and problematic accelerator pedals.
This was a serious safety issue as it caused loss of control and increased risk of crashes. Toyota fixed it by replacing pedals and adding brake override software.
2009 Toyota Corolla Problems
The 2009 Corolla was plagued by familiar engine issues:
Excessive Oil Consumption
Like the surrounding model years, the 2009 Corolla suffered from the ongoing piston ring defect and oil consumption issues requiring frequent top-offs.
Engine Problems
In addition to high oil consumption, some 2009 Corolla owners experienced complete engine failure. This was found to be due to faulty valve springs that could fracture and break without warning. Metallic debris would then be sent through the engine, causing catastrophic damage.
2007 Toyota Corolla Problems
Engine issues were most prominent on 2007 models:
Oil Consumption
While not as pervasive as in later models, the 2007 Corolla did have some reports of higher than normal oil consumption leading to low oil levels.
Engine Failure
Some 2007 Corollas had problems with unexpected engine failure. This was traced back to issues with the piston rings, bearings, and head gaskets which could all fail prematurely.
Replacement of the head gasket and piston rings could fix oil consumption and restore proper engine function. But the repairs were costly.
Transmission Issues
A small percentage of 2007 Corollas had issues with the automatic transmission harshly shifting or even failing completely. Most of these problems occurred in vehicles with over 100k miles.
2006 Toyota Corolla Problems
The 2006 Corolla had its share of engine and transmission problems:
Oil Consumption
Excess oil consumption began to be a problem on 2006 models as well. While not as widespread as later years, it still required frequent oil top-offs.
Check Engine Light
Many 2006 Corollas had issues with the Check Engine light coming on frequently. The culprit was usually a faulty O2 sensor triggering error codes and engine warning lights.
Transmission Failure
Some drivers reported complete transmission failure on 2006 Corollas usually after 100k miles or more. Replacement was required to restore proper shifting functionality.
2005 Toyota Corolla Problems
For 2005 models, transmission issues were most common:
Transmission Slipping
The automatic transmission in 2005 Corollas was prone to delayed shifting and slipping between gears. This resulted in loss of power when accelerating.
Transmission Failure
In severe cases, the transmission could fail completely. This was often preceded by transmission slippage, jerky shifts and hesitation between gears.
Fixing the issue required either repair or replacement of the defective transmission if it was too far gone. Costs ranged from $2000-4000 in most cases.
2003 Toyota Corolla Problems
Owners of 2003 Corollas reported problems with the power steering system as well as transmission issues:
Faulty Power Steering
Some 2003 models had issues with the power steering pump and gear assembly failing prematurely. This made the steering very difficult at low speeds.
Transmission Problems
Similar to later models, the 2003 Corolla had problems with the automatic transmission slipping, hesitating when shifting, and harsh gear changes. In the worst cases, the transmission needed to be replaced entirely.
Buying a Used Toyota Corolla: What to Look For
If you’re in the market for a used Toyota Corolla, the model years to treat most cautiously are 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2003 based on frequency of reported issues.
That said, not every Corolla from those years will necessarily have problems. Here are some tips for your used car inspection to help identify issues:
Check Oil Level and Consumption
Look at the oil level on the dipstick. If it’s low, ask the owner about oil consumption. Topping off more than once between changes could indicate an issue.
Look for Engine Issues
Listen for any odd noises or knocking sounds from the engine. Rough idling or engine vibration may indicate issues internally.
Test Acceleration
Accelerate gently from 0-30 mph listening for hesitation or lack of power. Sluggish acceleration could point to engine or transmission problems.
Check Transmission Shifting
Go on a short test drive checking that the transmission shifts smoothly between gears without delay or jerkiness. This signals issues internally.
Inspect Maintenance Records
Ask to see maintenance records to understand the service history and if any major repairs were done. Lack of records raises concerns.
Get a Professional Inspection
Always get any used Corolla inspected by a trusted mechanic before purchase. They can spot issues you might miss as an amateur inspector.
The Bottom Line on Corolla Reliability
While certain model years have stood out with more prevalent issues, the Toyota Corolla still maintains a reputation as an affordable, fuel efficient and generally reliable used car.
By arming yourself with knowledge of the most problematic years, inspecting any car thoroughly and following maintenance best practices, you can maximize your chances of finding a sound used Corolla that will serve you well for years.
When he’s not working his magic under the hood, Ethan Wilson is usually sharing his love for Toyota cars through his writing. Ethan’s got a special talent for breaking down complex car topics into easy-to-understand articles, making him a go-to source for Toyota enthusiasts everywhere.
