1999 Toyota Corolla

Routine

Owners filed 155 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
66,900 milesMedian miles at failure

53 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires13
200
Vehicle Speed Control9
200
Air Bags › Frontal9
807
Unknown or Other6
000
Tires › Tread/Belt6
000
Steering5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control5
000
Air Bags5
402
Suspension4
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch4
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 13, 2023GA

I was T boned at a 4 way stop.The force pushed me thru the intersection. Airbag did not deploy.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 14, 201815 milesCA

UNKNOWN

TiresCrash
Filed Jun 18, 201840,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN DEFENDER TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 2017KY

I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES, DEALER SAYS NO FIX AVAILABLE. WITH ALL THE RECALL NOTICES MY WIFE AND I FELL WE ARE DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE, IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2016135,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND DRIVING AN ADDITIONAL 800 MILES, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 21, 2016315,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER REMOVED HER SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER INADVERTENTLY MISTOOK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO AN ESTIMATED 30 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVEN FACIAL BONE FRACTURES, A FRACTURED NOSE, FREE AIR IN HER SINUS CAVITY, BASILAR SKULL FRACTURES, FRACTURES TO BOTH PATELLAS, BLOOD CLOT IN THE LEFT LEG, PULMONARY EMBOLISM, AND A LACERATION TO THE LOWER LIP. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 315,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF...UPDATED 08/02/16 *BF *AS

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 4, 2016130,000 milesID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, BOTH THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/2016*LJ

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 27, 2015130,000 milesCA

THE BOLT ON THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE OFF INTO THE BLOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED.

Suspension
Filed Jun 2, 201565,000 milesNY

I INSTALLED NEW REAR STRUTS MANUFACTURED BY MONRO--IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE BRAKE LINE HOSE TO THE BRACKET ON THE STRUT IT WAS NECESSARY TO TWIST THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE A QUARTER TURN TO ACCOMMODATE THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STRUT BRACKET- THIS CAUSES THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE TO BE TWISTED A QUARTER TURN AND IS NOT AS IT WAS WHEN ORIGINALLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY- THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE TWISTED LINE AND STRESS

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jul 22, 2013ME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND TRAVELED OVER A CURB. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO BUSHES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 20, 2013112,063 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I CONTINUED HOME APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE, I THEN PARKED THE CAR CHECKED ALL FLUIDS, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING AND UPON ACCELERATION THE CAR HESITATED TO MOVE BUT AT A SLOW SPEED IT WENT ON. ANYHOW, AS I DROVE I NOTICED THAT UPON ACCELERATION IT WOULD QUIET, BUT ONCE I RELEASED THE PEDDLE THERE WAS A LOUD CRACKING SOUND, AND IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING. *TR

Tires
Filed Jul 11, 2013110,400 milesND

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA, EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK H727 TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BECAME FLAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT SOMETHING HAD NOT ALLOWED IT TO SEAL AROUND THE RIM. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 17, 2013OK

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND WENT TO SPEEDS OVER 100 MPH. WHEN THE DRIVER REALIZED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING MORE THAN HE WAS DOING HE RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO GO FASTER. THERE ARE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR TO GET STUCK AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 27, 201231,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Tires
Filed Dec 17, 2011GA

ON 02/17/2011, I OBSERVED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS PARTIALLY DEFLATED. I INFLATED THE TIRE AS I COULD NOT SEE ANY FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE TIRE. ON 02/18/2011, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE WALMART STORE #0548 WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE (4) DOUGLAS(XTRA-TRACII) SIZE:185 65R14 TIRES ON 12-21-2010, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A PIN SIZE CRACK/BREAK IN THE WEAK POINT OF THE TIRE(EDGE OF SIDEWALL WHERE IT MEETS THE TREADS), IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED SINCE THE STORE POLICY IS NOT TO REPAIR SIDEWALLLS, THE MANAGER DID NOT ISSUE ME A NEW TIRE, SO I PLUGGED THE TIRE & IT IS NOW WARPING/DEFORMED. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 16, 2010MD

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FLASHES EVEN WHEN BELT BUCKLE IS PROPERLY ENGAGED. *TR

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Nov 5, 2010135,000 milesTN

ENGINE FIRE. WAS PUT OUT BY EMPLOYEE OF NEARBY RESTAURANT. REVIEWED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE. APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE FUEL LINE AREA. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 6, 2010NY

ERROR CODE #: PO446: EVAPORATIVE EMMISSIONS CONTROL VENT CIRCUIT SYSTEM 1999 TOYOTA CORROLLA VE LICENSE PLATE: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] NY EMMISSION: [XXX]NY REGISTRATION: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 4, 2010119,271 milesNC

1999 TOYOTA COROLLA PURCHASED IN VERMONT JAN. 1999, MOVED TO NC IN JULY, 2008, WITH ABOUT 101,000 MILES. DRIVER WAS AT DOCTOR'S OFFICE PARKING LOT AUG '08-STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARDS, POOL OF BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND. REFILLED RESERVOIR, AND AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED OUT. TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND JUST RUPTURED UNDER PEDAL PRESSURE. HE SPLICED ON A 1-2 FOOT SECTION WHERE THE RUST WAS WORST. ON 6/03/2010, THE SAME HAPPENED ON THE OPPOSITE REAR BRAKE LINE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF NEW BERN, NC. BY AAA, WITH A DETAILED NOTE TO REPLACE THAT RUPTURED LINE. AFTER A $207.00 INFLATED BILL, THAT LINE WAS ALSO SPLICED, AND THE REPAIR INVOICE NOTED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT FROM SEVERE RUST. ASKED THE DEALERSHIP OWNER TO RECONSIDER THE 2 HOUR CHARGE OF $90.00 PER HOUR, BUT HE WAS OBSTINATE STATING HE HAD A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY HE HAD TO PAY FOR, AND WOULD NOT COMPROMISE WITH THE INITIAL $90. ESTIMATE GIVEN THE PREVIOUS DAY. THIS UNDERCARRIAGE RUST RUNS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. NO GARAGE WILL ALIGN THE 4 WHEELS FOR FEAR OF SNAPPING SOMETHING. I'VE REPLACED THE LEAKING GAS TANK AND FILLER NECK TWO YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME MASSIVE CORROSION. THESE CORROSION ISSUES POSE A VERY REAL THREAT TO LIFE SHOULD THE BRAKES FAIL ON THESE NORTHERN VEHICLES DRIVEN ON SALTED WINTER ROADS. TOYOTA OF

Visibility
Filed Jun 2, 201082,000 milesMO

AS DRIVER WINDOW RAISES IT INCREASING MOVES OUT OF TRACK; DOES NOT STOP UNTIL OUT OF THE UPPER TRACK AND GLASS IS TOUCHING THE METAL DOOR FRAME. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE MONTHS. MAKES NOISES. 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA USES SAME POWER WINDOW SYSTEM AS THE RECALLED 2003-2004 COROLLAS, WHICH WERE RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY ISSUES. TOYOTA SAID IF THE WINDOW BOLTS BECOME LOOSE, MOTORISTS MAY HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHILE OPERATING THE POWER WINDOWS AND WINDOW BECOME STUCK. TOYOTA SAID THAT MY 1999, EVEN THOUGH EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS, IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY/RECALL AND REFUSED TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE. TOYOTA CASE # [XXX]. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE POWER WINDOW ISSUES FOR ALL COROLLA YEARS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20 of 155 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202615100Routine
202531010Routine
202463201Fatalities reported
202373310Routine
2022100000Routine
2021185120Routine
2020305311Fatalities reported
2019202511Fatalities reported
2018133351Fatalities reported
2017178310Routine
2016214110High concern
2015219110High concern
2014269231Fatalities reported
2013201510Above average
2012446510Above average
2011584920Above average
20101,24417100High concern
20091,45913122Fatalities reported
2008314611Fatalities reported
2007836673Fatalities reported
20068391080High concern
20058531041Fatalities reported
20044771334Fatalities reported
20037201391Fatalities reported
2002117510Routine
2001133430Routine
2000145531Fatalities reported
1999 — this page155450Routine
1998225480Above average
1997135650Routine
19961296130Routine
19951767121Fatalities reported
1994172851Fatalities reported
1993130651Fatalities reported
199263230Routine
199171130Routine
199027100Routine

Compare every Corolla year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.