Research · Midsize Cars

2014 Toyota CorollaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 271 owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota Corolla. Most complaints involve air bags (69) and electrical system (52). The EPA rates it 30–34 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
30–34mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
271
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V024000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Camry and Camry HV, model year 2013 Avalon and Avalon HV and model year 2014 Corolla vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

VisibilityReported Oct 17, 2013NHTSA 13V505000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

271 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags69
  2. Electrical system52
  3. Structure32
  4. Vehicle speed control29
  5. Power train28
  6. Engine18
  7. Steering18
  8. Service brakes16
  9. Seat belts15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Corolla model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996133
1997138
1998233
1999157
2000156
2001138
2002144
2003769
2004506
2005943
2006904
2007883
2008345
20091,533
20101,264
2011590
2012446
2013202
2014271
2015220
2016215
2017189
2018136
2019206
2020313
2021188
2022104
202374
202466
202532
Crashes reported
64
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
50
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

69 reports44 crashes
“On March 12, 2025, I was involved in a frontal collision when another vehicle unexpectedly pulled out in front of me. Impact occurred to the front-left area of my vehicle. Despite the nature of the collision, the front airbags did not deploy. The vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 20TA03, which addresses incomplete or non-deployment of airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners due to ECU susceptibility to electrical noise in certain crash scenarios. The vehicle was declared a total loss by my insurance company and is no longer available for inspection. The manufacturer was notified in May 2025 and again in November 2025. The manufacturer closed the case citing inability to inspect the vehicle and later relied on photographs only to rule out airbag deployment concerns. No warning lights or messages related to the airbag system were observed prior to the collision. The non-deployment of the airbags placed my safety at risk during a frontal impact.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11710098

Electrical system

52 reports4 crashes3 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 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 109,000, but upon contacting the dealer to trade the vehicle in, it was discovered via a Carfax report that the mileage was 260,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11759805

Structure

32 reports8 crashes
“I am reporting a severe manufacturing defect involving the Blizzard Pearl paint (Paint Code 070) on my 2014 Toyota Corolla. The exterior paint is actively peeling and delaminating from the vehicle body panels in large, brittle chunks, exposing the bare metal underneath.This issue presents a distinct safety hazard to both myself and other drivers on the road. The paint detaches unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds, causing flying debris that can distract or impact the windshields of trailing vehicles. Furthermore, the structural degradation and exposed metal can lead to premature rust, compromising the integrity of the body panels over time.Toyota has previously acknowledged this specific adhesive failure between the factory primer layer and the metal sheet body under a prior Warranty Enhancement Program (Customer Support Program 19N01). However, the peeling continues to spread to new panels, creating an ongoing road hazard. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this widespread defect as a structural safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026StructureODI 11756992
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corolla LE Eco
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
304034$1,900263
Corolla LE Eco
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, 2-mode (Normal/Eco) Transmission · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950266
Corolla
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,000280
Corolla
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293732$2,000281
Corolla
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283631$2,050285
Corolla
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150291
  • Corolla LE Eco
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    30 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla LE Eco
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, 2-mode (Normal/Eco) Transmission
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    29 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 36 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 8579
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Corolla questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota Corolla have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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.

What are the most common 2014 Toyota Corolla problems?

Owners filed 271 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (69), electrical system (52), structure (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Toyota Corolla get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Toyota Corolla at 30–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Toyota Corolla 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026