Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Toyota Corolla problems
Owners filed 943 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA between Jul 2004 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (529).
Complaints
943
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
118
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
93
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags529
- Engine and engine cooling94
- Electrical system69
- Vehicle speed control67
- Power train40
- Engine35
- Service brakes, hydraulic28
- Fuel system, gasoline26
- Steering23
- Structure18
- Visibility16
- Equipment16
- Electronic stability control (esc)15
- Service brakes12
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
23
18
21
22
29
160
47
23
21
41
263
151
25
15
25
22
3
5
3
8
5
7
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2010 | 160 |
| 2011 | 47 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 263 |
| 2016 | 151 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
529 reports62 crashes1 fire5 related recalls
“II own a 2005 Toyota Corolla. Since XXX, I have repeatedly asked Keating Toyota in [XXX], to complete the airbag and engine control module (ECM) recall repairs. As of XXX, the repairs remain incomplete. The dealership has either not obtained the needed parts or had parts available without calling me to schedule the repair. Despite my repeated requests, these issues remain unresolved after approximately nine months. I've also asked then to keep me updated and they don't. They also told me they had the parts at one time and they sent them back because I did not get them. They never called me and if they did, they did not leave a message. The car will stop moving and I will have to pull to side of road. I keep shutting car off and on until it will drive. It goes into some kind of limp mode. Please review this failure to complete the recall repairs and assist in obtaining a written response from Toyota identifying the parts availability and a firm repair appointment.”
Engine and engine cooling
94 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON MY 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. I HAVE READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN NUMEROUS COROLLAS FROM THE SAME YEAR. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED OR I WILL SELL MY CAR AND NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. I WILL ALSO POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT TOYOTA'S NEGLIGENCE AND MISTREATMENT OF CUSTOMERS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT NEEDS AIR CONDITIONING, SO I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT JUST AN "INCONVIENENCE" AS IT WAS CALLED BY TOYOTA'S "CUSTOMER SERVICE". PLEASE SORT THIS ISSUE. *TR”
Electrical system
69 reports3 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving, the odometer failed to exceed 299,999. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 299,999.”
Vehicle speed control
67 reports36 crashes
“These 3 things may be related to each other because they all are connected to the steering wheel. My car can be scheduled for an inspection regarding these safety problems. 1. The Airbag warning light is sometimes on when I drive the car. I'm worried it won't work if I'm in a wreck. 2. The horn doesn't work when I press on the part of the steering wheel that should make it work. It does make a loud sound when I press the panic button on my key fob, but only when the car is turned off. I had to stick my head out of the window and yell at a driver who was getting close to hitting my car in a parking lot. I was parked, and they were backing out of their parking stall. They stopped inches away from my car. 3. The cruise control does not work in the car. I think by using this feature, and maintaining a steady speed, it reduces the chances of accidents. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? See answers #1, 2 and 3 above. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? #1. No. A dealer told me it would cost me $100 to have them check the airbag light. #2. The horn was checked by an independent service center. #3. No. Has it been inspected? #1. This…”
Power train
40 reports3 crashes
“MY TOYODA CORROLLA HAD TWO RECALLS ONE IS THE DEFECTIVE ECM WHICH CAUSES THE CAE TO BE UN RISK OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT CAN STALL WHILE DRIVING, THIS PROBLEMAS DAMAGED MY CAR TRANSMISIN AFTER THEY SUPPOSEDLY CHANGED THE PART, THEY EITHER DIDNT FIXED IT OR REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART, NOW MY CAR HESITATES ABD CHEK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON DUE TO THE ECM AGAIN NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, I CONTACTES TOYOTA CORPORATE AND AL THEY DID WAS TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND I CONTACTES THE CEO AND HE REJECTED MY EMAILS, I WANT THIS TO BE REPORTES UN CASE ME ABD MY CHILD CAN GET INJURED DUE TO THAT DEFECT TOYOTA DIDNT FIXED PROPERLY.ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED.”
Engine
35 reports5 crashes1 fire
“These are the Dealers notes: ~INSPECTION ONLY HAS NEW PART NUMBER. This is the current SKU installed in my vehicle: 28113693 89661-02K41 Does this Part ECM require remedy?”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.