Research · Compact Cars

2019 Toyota CorollaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 206 owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota Corolla. Most complaints involve power train (56) and engine (39). The EPA rates it 30–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
30–36mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
206
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 13, 2020NHTSA 20V012000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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."

EquipmentReported Jun 28, 2019NHTSA 19V503000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

206 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train56
  2. Engine39
  3. Air bags33
  4. Fuel/propulsion system31
  5. Service brakes16
  6. Electrical system15
  7. Vehicle speed control13
  8. Fuel system, gasoline12
  9. Steering9

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
24
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
16
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

Power train

56 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was depressed; however, the clutch system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the clutch was stuck to the floorboard. The contact stated that due to the failure, there was an excessive amount of clutch fluid leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Power trainODI 11766729

Engine

39 reports1 crash
“Error message that said 'drive start control malfunction. Took 6 mos and numerous attempts to resolve. Replaced numerous parts including the fuel pump because the plastic it's made out of was just disintegrating and and cracking. This has cost thousands of dollars in parts and labor. Also getting a msg on info screen 'connected device not supported' now. Apparently toyota did an update and there was a bug in the program yet I have to pay to fix their error to the dcm.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11724036

Air bags

33 reports13 crashes
“Cruise Contol Quit. Discovered: The Air bag - Clockspring Assembly/Spiral Cable: R&R clock spring assembly has developed an open circuit causing the SRS light to illuminate as well as loss of function of the steering wheel buttons per Heyward Allen Toyota, Athens, Georgia. Diagnostic completed 10/27/26. I see that this has been a recall on prior Toyota Corolla models. Because they have not recalled this ... I must pay $1137 to have it repaired! It's my understanding that when this is not working, the airbag may not engage during an accident and other issues of braking, steering, and the collision assistance mechanisms may also fail.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Steering, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11774275
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S10) · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-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 Hatchback
Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
324236$1,800249
Corolla LE Eco
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
304034$1,900263
Corolla Hatchback XSE
Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950266
Corolla LE Eco
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, 2-mode (Normal/Eco) Transmission · Front-Wheel Drive
293833$1,950271
Corolla
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283632$2,000281
Corolla
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283531$2,050286
Corolla Hatchback
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283731$2,050280
Corolla
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150289
  • Corolla Hatchback
    Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    32 city · 42 hwy · $1,800/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla LE Eco
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    30 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla Hatchback XSE
    Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla LE Eco
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, 2-mode (Normal/Eco) Transmission
    29 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla Hatchback
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Man 6-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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota Corolla 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 13202Vehicle 13040
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

2019 Corolla questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Corolla have?

5 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 2019 Toyota Corolla problems?

Owners filed 206 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (56), engine (39), air bags (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Toyota Corolla get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Toyota Corolla at 30–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Toyota Corolla 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026