NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 136 owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Corolla. Most complaints involve air bags (36) and fuel/propulsion system (23). The EPA rates it 30–34 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
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 |
“I was driving home from church late Sunday night. A really rough storm hit and it knocked down a huge tree in the road covering the entire road. I did not see the tree until I got up on it and I went straight through it. I was running around 40 mph and total front end impact took the whole bumper off but my airbags did not deploy.”
“Due to recent reports of fuel pump recalls, my daughter bought a 2018 Toyota Corolla almost a year ago. Right now that is problem and her car will not start. I need a free replacement of her fuel pump. Thank you.”
“I was driving the car and expressway. The car was making a sound. The car did not have an engine light on it. Also, the car just switched gears. I pulled over and II was driving the car and expressway. The car was making a sound. The car did not have a engine light on it. Also, the car just switched gears. I pulled over and I tried to park the car, but it wouldn’t allow me to park the car. Which it is left in drive with the emergency brake still in place .and if you let the break down the car will roll . . I got it looked at and now they are saying it’s the transmission, but it never had a light on to identify what was wrong with the car. There was no codes on the car.”
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 LE Eco Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 40 | 34 | $1,900 | 263 |
| Corolla LE Eco Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, 2-mode (Normal/Eco) Transmission · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 38 | 33 | $1,950 | 271 |
| Corolla Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 32 | $2,000 | 281 |
| Corolla Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 31 | $2,050 | 286 |
| Corolla Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,150 | 289 |
| 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 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 136 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (36), fuel/propulsion system (23), engine (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Corolla at 30–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Toyota Corolla 5 out of 5 stars overall.