1992 Toyota Corolla

▲ Better than typical
1992 Toyota Corolla
RENDERED 2026-09-16T06:42:12.311Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Corolla Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1992 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 5 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 26 complaints 1989: 23 complaints 1990: 27 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 65 complaints 1992 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 129 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 145 complaints 2001: 133 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2004 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 839 complaints 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 1459 complaints 2010: 1244 complaints 2010 2011: 584 complaints 2012: 445 complaints 2013: 201 complaints 2014: 268 complaints 2015: 219 complaints 2016: 214 complaints 2016 2017: 178 complaints 2018: 133 complaints 2019: 201 complaints 2020: 304 complaints 2021: 185 complaints 2022: 98 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 63 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 15 complaints 2026
1992: 65 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19813
19825
19831
19846
19853
19863
198714
198826
198923
199027
199173
199265
1993134
1994184
1995176
1996129
1997135
1998225
1999155
2000145
2001133
2002117
2003720
2004477
2005853
2006839
2007836
2008314
20091459
20101244
2011584
2012445
2013201
2014268
2015219
2016214
2017178
2018133
2019201
2020304
2021185
202298
202373
202463
202531
202615

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 37%

37% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I OWN A 92 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2009 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE STARTER ON MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION TO TURN ON MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE HEAT AND SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100104

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 31%

31% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950130

ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19941208

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and constant velocity joint.

SEAT BELTS 14%

14% of complaints: seat belts — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULER BELT BECOMES FRAID AND STARTS TO UNRAVEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING ON OTHER CORROLLAS WITH THIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM. (92'S HAVE TWO BELTS; A LAP BELT AND A SHOULDER BELT) IS THERE A RETRO- FIT AVAILABLE?

NHTSA ODI report, 20040711

STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and hood.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19911127 — equipment

DUE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM ERROR, CERTAIN DIGITS OF THE GVWR AND THE GAWR APPEARED IN INCORRECT LOCATIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Remedy: RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Campaign 91V168000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100315 — suspension

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE

Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Campaign 10E002000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1992 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V168000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E002000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1992 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Toyota Corolla is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Toyota Corolla?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1992 Toyota Corolla have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.