Toyota Corolla Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 637 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Toyota Corolla across 32 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (61). The words owners use most often: “slave cylinder” (7% of reports).
- 637power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 50mention a crash
- 15mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $4,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 35%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.
- Slave cylinder: mentioned in 43 of 637 complaints (7%)
- Manual transmission: mentioned in 35 of 637 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Toyota Corolla at $4,850, and half of them between $2,450 and $5,850.
Based on 28 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2026), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 412 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 637 complaints, 50 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 15 an injury.
Toyota Corolla power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Corolla | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2025 Corolla | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2024 Corolla | 8 | 13% | 27,000 |
| 2023 Corolla | 6 | 8% | 55,000 |
| 2022 Corolla | 17 | 17% | 81,000 |
| 2021 Corolla | 19 | 10% | 61,500 |
| 2020 Corolla | 40 | 13% | 9,295 |
| 2019 Corolla | 55 | 27% | 9,040 |
| 2018 Corolla | 12 | 9% | 25,000 |
| 2017 Corolla | 15 | 8% | 2,464 |
| 2016 Corolla | 22 | 10% | 54,500 |
| 2015 Corolla | 30 | 14% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Corolla | 26 | 10% | 47,000 |
| 2013 Corolla | 9 | 4% | 57,600 |
| 2012 Corolla | 8 | 2% | 18,000 |
| 2011 Corolla | 18 | 3% | 4,000 |
| 2010 Corolla | 49 | 4% | 30,000 |
| 2009 Corolla | 45 | 3% | 42,000 |
| 2008 Corolla | 13 | 4% | 61,522 |
| 2007 Corolla | 26 | 3% | 38,948 |
| 2006 Corolla | 43 | 5% | 54,425 |
| 2005 Corolla | 37 | 4% | 94,800 |
| 2004 Corolla | 16 | 3% | 90,500 |
| 2003 Corolla | 61 | 8% | 96,000 |
| 2002 Corolla | 5 | 4% | 44,000 |
| 2001 Corolla | 9 | 7% | 45,000 |
| 2000 Corolla | 7 | 5% | 110,000 |
| 1999 Corolla | 6 | 4% | 55,950 |
| 1998 Corolla | 9 | 4% | — |
| 1997 Corolla | 6 | 4% | 99,350 |
| 1996 Corolla | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1995 Corolla | 13 | 7% | 215,850 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Model years: 2019
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback vehicles equipped with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT). The pump impeller blades within the torque converter may detach, especially when driven under high load, potentially causing a vehicle stall.
Risk: A vehicle stall, especially when driving a high rate of speed, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota has notified owners, and dealers will replace the CVT and torque converter, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J17/J07.
Power train:axle assembly
Model years: 2003
Problem: On passenger vehicles with vehicle identification numbers (vin) starting with 1nx only and built from january 8 through february 13, 2002, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be loose due to insufficient tightening during the assembly process.
Risk: If the vehicle is operated in this condition, one or more of the four bolts could come loose, causing an abnormal noise from the rear axle area. In the event that all four bolts loosen completely, separation of the rear brake and hub assembly from the rear axle carrier could occur, which could lead to a loss of vehicle control.
Fix: Dealers will properly tighten the bolts. Owner notification began march 21, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should 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.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned: complete slave cylinder failure resulting in loss of braking and ability to shift. Luckily I was traveling at a low rate of speed when this happened, but if this happens to anyone on the freeway or while turning against traffic for example they…
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was depressed; however, the clutch system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the clutch was stuck to the floorboard. The contact stated that due to the failure…
The concentric slave cylinder in my vehicle is a big issue with these cars. There has been so many reports of issues happening with these cars manual transmission Corolla's. This can cause fluid to spew, brakes to stop working, and no longer able to drive the vehicle safely. This part should be…
Component that failed was the CSC Concentric Slave Cylinder. I went to press the clutch and it stuck to the floor. I checked for leaks in the cabin beneath the clutch and it was dry. I then proceeded to check the reservoir and saw that it needed fluid. I managed to get it to a nearby convenience…
The CV joint, there is a clicking sound when sharp turns are make to include U-turns. Spoke with a mechanic and was instructed to reach out to the dealership and check for recall on it. I did see any but I see a Technical Service Bulletin ( TSB-0106-20) for 2015- 2021 Corolla models regarding a…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Corollas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 637 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Toyota Corolla?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,850 (half paid between $2,450 and $5,850), from 28 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Toyota Corolla?
The most frequent phrase is “slave cylinder”, in 43 of 637 complaints, followed by “manual transmission” (35).
Other Toyota Corolla problems
- Air Bags problems (4,559)
- Steering problems (1,169)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,127)
- Electrical System problems (828)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (656)
- Engine problems (608)
- Structure problems (417)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (385)
See all Toyota Corolla problems.