NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 157 owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota Corolla. Most complaints involve tires (22) and engine and engine cooling (20). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Corolla model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 133 |
| 1997 | 138 |
| 1998 | 233 |
| 1999 | 157 |
| 2000 | 156 |
| 2001 | 138 |
| 2002 | 144 |
| 2003 | 769 |
| 2004 | 506 |
| 2005 | 943 |
| 2006 | 904 |
| 2007 | 883 |
| 2008 | 345 |
| 2009 | 1,533 |
| 2010 | 1,264 |
| 2011 | 590 |
| 2012 | 446 |
| 2013 | 202 |
| 2014 | 271 |
| 2015 | 220 |
| 2016 | 215 |
| 2017 | 189 |
| 2018 | 136 |
| 2019 | 206 |
| 2020 | 313 |
| 2021 | 188 |
| 2022 | 104 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2024 | 66 |
| 2025 | 32 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN DEFENDER TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
“MY CAR IS 9 YRS OLD, 109,000 MILES IT'S ON THE LOWER END OF THE RECOMMENDATION MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR OF THE CAR. ON 9/3/08 FIRST DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON. I GOT NERVOUS WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS AND THEY CHECKED THE LIGHT, IT SHOWED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR FLOW. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT AFTER 3 DAYS. BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA FOR REPAIRS OF SOME OTHER ITEMS AND MENTIONED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON AND THEN OFF. THEY CHECKED IT BUT WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS READING CORRECTLY. 4 DAYS LATER CAME BACK ON AGAIN AND WENT OUT 3 DAYS LATER. 2 DAYS PASSED AND THEN IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN AND REMAINED ON EVER SINCE. I BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILURE AND IT WOULD COST $450, I WAS UPSET BECAUSE I JUST GOT $968 WORTH OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE DONE. I ALWAYS KEEP UP ON MY MAINTENANCE WORK/OIL CHANGES. IS THIS A FAULTY PART FROM TOYOTA? I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS GOING AND IF IT IS NORMAL AFTER SO MANY YEARS/MILES THEN WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE AND HARD TO FIND OR REPAIR? I HEARD ONLY TOYOTA HAS THE PART WHICH WAS QUOTED TO ME AS $232. SO IF I DON'T PAY $450 MY VEHICLE WON'T PASS INSPECTION/EMISSION TEST. CAN SOMEONE HELP! *TR”
“I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES, DEALER SAYS NO FIX AVAILABLE. WITH ALL THE RECALL NOTICES MY WIFE AND I FELL WE ARE DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE, IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,150 | 296 |
| Corolla Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 317 |
| Corolla Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 157 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (22), engine and engine cooling (20), air bags (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Toyota Corolla at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).