Common Toyota Corolla Failures
The Toyota Corolla is a benchmark model in the United States that prioritize fuel economy and good acceleration. It is a reliable vehicle model that provides competent handling without compromising overall ride quality. Although it can present certain problems. Read to the end and find out what are the common Toyota Corolla faults .
If you want reliability, you can always opt for a Toyota. It is one of the strongest vehicles in its entire range. Compared to some of the other cars we’ve profiled in our articles, this one is a true legend with a history dating back to 1966.
How good is the Toyota Corolla?
The Corolla is considered a vehicle with an above average reputation. Its performance holds up well through years of regular use, making it a popular and affordable choice for first-time car owners or used car buyers.
The vehicle has a standard Toyota 5-year/100,000-mile warranty. But even after your warranty expires, your Corolla can stay in good shape as long as you maintain it regularly. If you keep your regular maintenance up to date, your Corolla can last 10 years and get 300,000 miles.
How much does a used Toyota Corolla cost?
It typically has excellent resale value, depreciating only 40% after five years, outperforming other Toyota models with similar features and capabilities.
Common faults of the Toyota Corolla
Despite its reliability, the Toyota Corolla can present multiple problems, depending on the model year. Here are common Toyota Corolla failures for different model years:
1- Suspension problems
A known point of vulnerability in the Toyota Corolla’s suspension is the front McPherson strut bushings and stabilizer bar, which can age prematurely and cause a knocking noise from the front of the vehicle when driving.
2- Failures in the fuel pump
The Corolla’s engine is known for being especially smooth and refined. But this does not mean that it is completely free of tricks and problems. One of the most prominent problems is harsh acceleration.
This is a more noticeable problem when starting at stoplights and junctions, indicating a bad fuel pump . As with suspension problems, this won’t cost much to fix.
3- Transmission failure
The 2003 Toyota Corolla is known for transmission failure. Despite regular maintenance, some owners have reported that their transmission gave up in the middle of the road. With this problem you may hear unusual screeching and rattling noises before the car comes to a sudden stop.
This is a very annoying problem that can be dangerous, so it is important to fix it immediately to avoid crashes or collisions. Reported fixes for this problem involve rebuilding or complete replacement of the transmission.
4- Problems with clutch discs
One of the common failures of the Toyota Corolla lies in the clutch discs. Poor driving could cause problems with the clutch. The alarm signal is high revs before starting and a tendency for the clutch to slip . This is one of the most serious problems on our list.
5- Slow engine start
If you wonder why my Toyota Corolla has no power? You should know that Toyota Corolla starting problems are quite common, as owners have reported that their vehicles are slow to start or won’t start at all. This can occur when the car reaches 100,000-125,000 miles.
The most common cause is starter motor failure , which may require replacement of the starter solenoid or the entire starter, so it would be best to consult a mechanic on this matter.
Other things that cause misfiring in a Toyota Corolla are a corroded or weak battery, even a clogged fuel filter, which can prevent your vehicle from starting normally. This is one of the common 2015 Toyota Corolla failures, but you can also experience this problem with other model years from 1990 to 2014.
6- Failures in the water pump
There is a well known fault with the water pump in the 10th Gen Corolla. This problem could cause damage to the entire engine if left unchecked. The main symptom is a temperature light on and there might even be steam coming out of the front of the car.
7- Brake problems
The Corolla has been the subject of recalls since 2000 due to the brakes, in 2002 and 2005. Check the service history to see if your Corolla may have or has had these types of problems to make sure the repair is done. you have done correctly in case you bought the used car.
8- Defective airbags
Toyota Corollas have had their fair share of airbag recalls. There was a 2019 recall for 2003 through 2013 Corollas over a possible exploding airbag inflator, which could shoot pieces of metal at car occupants, causing injury or damage.
In 2014, some units of the 2009-2010 Corolla were recalled for a misplaced Flexible Flat Cable (FFC), which made them susceptible to damage. If damaged, the cable could cause the driver’s airbag to deactivate completely and prevent its operation.
In 2013, Toyota also had to recall some 2010-2013 Corollas for frontal airbags not deploying when needed due to an untested passenger occupant sensing system calibration. During the same year, they also had to recall some 2003-2004 Corollas for faulty supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits, which could unnecessarily activate the airbags.
9- Deviated from the direction
Some problems with the 2010 and 2009 Toyota Corolla include steering drift, which even prompted an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many owners have complained that the vehicle’s on-center steering was inadequate.
Extra effort was needed to effectively drive the Corolla. According to the investigation, this was due to stock calibration within the electronic power steering system which affected on-center steering. There were no recalls for this issue, but Toyota issued a technical service bulletin for an optional recalibrated EPS electronic control unit that improved on-center steering feel, helping to resolve the issue.
10- Problems with the MAF Sensor
The Mass Air Flow Sensor on 1998-2010 Corollas may need to be cleaned or replaced to maintain normal acceleration. Otherwise, acceleration can negatively affect the overall performance of the vehicle .
Aside from acceleration issues, these common MAF sensor related Toyota Corolla faults can also cause your check engine light to illuminate.
