Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Toyota Corolla problems

Owners filed 883 complaints about the 2007 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA between Mar 2007 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (473).

Complaints
883
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
132
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
89
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags473
  2. Vehicle speed control96
  3. Electrical system92
  4. Engine and engine cooling71
  5. Steering44
  6. Engine33
  7. Power train27
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic27
  9. Structure20
  10. Fuel system, gasoline17
  11. Service brakes16
  12. Tires12
  13. Suspension11
  14. Seat belts11

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200718
200817
200937
2010191
201135
201224
201324
201423
2015253
2016146
201726
201816
201924
202022
202110
20226
20232
20244
20254
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

473 reports55 crashes4 related recalls
“The contact's mother owned a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at approximately 35 - 45 MPH, she rear-ended another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's mother was transported by ambulance to the hospital with a broken vertebra and fractured sternum. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11448044

Vehicle speed control

96 reports47 crashes
“Uncontrolled maximum acceleration after shifting into gear. Occurred after shifting gears such as parking. It represents a definite safety issue. There is no warning of occurrence. It has happened about 6 times in the past 4 years. I do not drive often. I contacted Toyota who referred me to the dealer. I had it checked by the Toyota dealer, who denied there is a problem. I would welcome a independent inspection. I have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April but have heard nothing from them since.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2025Vehicle speed controlODI 11667454

Electrical system

92 reports5 crashes3 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact's aunt purchased a 2007 Toyota Corolla. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 180,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 195,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2025Electrical systemODI 11701578

Engine and engine cooling

71 reports2 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights started flashing and the RPM gauge fluctuated from a low RPM to high RPM. The contact stated that he pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had a voltmeter and checked the battery and noticed that the battery was low on charge. The contact had recently installed a new battery. The contact jump started the vehicle and was able to shift into drive (D) however, the vehicle was hesitating and not responsive while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had requested vehicle history from the manufacturer and determined that the Electronic Control Unit had been replaced in 2011 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V384000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2023Engine and engine coolingODI 11523485

Steering

44 reports14 crashes
“MY STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED ON ME A COUPLE OF TIMES IT JUST DID IT AGAIN AS I WAS ON A RED LIGHT ALSO AS I WAS PARKING. CAN U LET ME KNOW ANY INFO. MY NUMBER IS [XXX].”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2018Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11154444

Engine

33 reports1 crash
“STARTED CAR THIS MORNING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO PARTS STORE AND HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND FOUND CODES (P2401, P043E, P043F, P2402, P2419) EVERYTHING I HAVE RESEARCHED COMES BACK TO EVAP CANISTER FAILURE, AND POSSIBLE WIRING FAILURE. MORE RESEARCH SHOWS THESE ISSUES CAUSING PEOPLE GETTING STRANDED AND OTHERS WITH NO PROBLEM OTHER THEN LIGHT, AND OTHERS WITH A STRONG GAS SMELL. IF THIS CAUSES A GAS SMELL, THEN A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IS FORMED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11387241
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.