Toyota Corolla Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 656 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Toyota Corolla across 21 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (104). The words owners use most often: “engine control” (5% of reports).
- 656engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 17mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine control: mentioned in 34 of 656 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Toyota Corolla at $1,200, and half of them between $790 and $2,250.
Based on 66 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2013), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 469 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 656 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 10 an injury.
Toyota Corolla engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Corolla | 1 | 0% | 1,500 |
| 2015 Corolla | 1 | 0% | 125,000 |
| 2014 Corolla | 2 | 1% | 990 |
| 2013 Corolla | 3 | 1% | 188,000 |
| 2011 Corolla | 7 | 1% | 175 |
| 2010 Corolla | 10 | 1% | 9,020 |
| 2009 Corolla | 42 | 3% | 13,500 |
| 2008 Corolla | 33 | 11% | 36,500 |
| 2007 Corolla | 68 | 8% | 30,000 |
| 2006 Corolla | 104 | 12% | 50,748 |
| 2005 Corolla | 92 | 11% | 59,500 |
| 2004 Corolla | 46 | 10% | 5,611 |
| 2003 Corolla | 92 | 13% | 29,285 |
| 2002 Corolla | 19 | 16% | 60,000 |
| 2001 Corolla | 31 | 23% | 66,725 |
| 2000 Corolla | 47 | 32% | 62,000 |
| 1999 Corolla | 20 | 13% | 62,000 |
| 1998 Corolla | 17 | 8% | 67,500 |
| 1997 Corolla | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1996 Corolla | 9 | 7% | 49,393 |
| 1995 Corolla | 8 | 5% | 198,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ecm) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
Risk: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ecm and replace the ecm if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of september 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners that they will receive a future notification when parts become available to have the free remedy performed on their vehicle. The safety recall began on november 29, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that when the outside temperature was hot, the vehicle was not working correctly. The vehicle was difficult to start, and there was an abnormal ticking sound while starting the vehicle. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down before…
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. While driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle became sluggish and lost motive power. The contact stated that the oil level was 3-quarts low. The contact added oil as…
I was going to work, my check engine light came on as well as my track off light came on and I noticed that my engine smelled burning, it was not holding my coolant in my radiator. The dealership said I bought the car as is. I had only had the car for only 7 months. I feel like the sold a car that…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota corolla. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced hard shifting with the check engine warning light illuminated, prior to the vehicle inadvertently shutting off. On another occasion while driving approximately 45 mph, the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 toyota corolla. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was manufactured without a heat shield. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that it was possible for the exhaust to get hot enough to cause a vehicle fire. The vehicle was taken to the bill page…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Corollas have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 656 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Toyota Corolla. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Corolla engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Toyota Corolla?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,200 (half paid between $790 and $2,250), from 66 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Toyota Corolla?
The most frequent phrase is “engine control”, in 34 of 656 complaints.
Other Toyota Corolla problems
- Air Bags problems (4,560)
- Steering problems (1,169)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,127)
- Electrical System problems (828)
- Power Train problems (637)
- Engine problems (609)
- Structure problems (417)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (385)
See all Toyota Corolla problems.