Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Toyota Corolla problems
Owners filed 1,264 complaints about the 2010 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA between Aug 2009 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (434).
Complaints
1,264
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
146
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
105
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags434
- Steering373
- Vehicle speed control200
- Service brakes, hydraulic104
- Electrical system75
- Power train50
- Service brakes46
- Suspension39
- Engine33
- Structure29
- Electronic stability control (esc)25
- Service brakes, electric19
- Visibility/wiper17
- Tires14
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 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
19
493
54
32
39
65
50
178
236
28
18
14
13
6
2
3
3
11
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 493 |
| 2011 | 54 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2014 | 65 |
| 2015 | 50 |
| 2016 | 178 |
| 2017 | 236 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 11 |
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
434 reports52 crashes6 related recalls
“While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, simultaneous failure of multiple electrical and safety systems. Without warning, the Check Engine light, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) light, Traction Control light, and SRS Airbag light all illuminated simultaneously on the dashboard. Immediately upon illumination of these fault lights, the vehicle lost computer-assisted stability control, began swerving violently, spun out of control, and collided with another vehicle, suffering severe front and rear impact damage. The vehicle was declared a total loss. Despite severe impact forces to both the front and rear structure, the SRS airbags completely failed to deploy. Both occupants sustained injuries due to the impact and lack of airbag protection. The simultaneous illumination of the airbag and VSC lights prior to impact strongly points to a sudden failure of the steering column spiral cable (clock spring) assembly—a known safety defect under NHTSA Recall Campaign 14V-168 (Recall E0M). The illumination of the airbag fault light appears to have deactivated the SRS system prior to impact, leaving occupants unprotected during a major collision. The…”
Steering
373 reports19 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds and also vibrating. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal gradually, the steering wheel and brake pedal would vibrate. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the traction control warning light would illuminate intermittently and would cause the vehicle to shut off inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where all four ignition coils were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer losing motive power and stalling; however, the steering failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Vehicle speed control
200 reports57 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle kept rolling forward, and the contact was forced to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted, but the contact was unsure whether the dealer had diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,457.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
104 reports19 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated despite the brakes being applied, causing the driver to crash into a parked vehicle. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployments, or police reports filed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.”
Electrical system
75 reports4 crashes6 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer purchase. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 160,080. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 320,197.”
Power train
50 reports9 crashes
“The car that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replace Ac don’t blow any cool air To be driving with a minor child it put he’s health in a bad risky situation”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.