1993 Toyota Corolla
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1989 | 23 |
| 1990 | 27 |
| 1991 | 71 |
| 1992 | 63 |
| 1993 | 130 |
| 1994 | 172 |
| 1995 | 176 |
| 1996 | 129 |
| 1997 | 135 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 155 |
| 2000 | 144 |
| 2001 | 133 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 720 |
| 2004 | 477 |
| 2005 | 853 |
| 2006 | 839 |
| 2007 | 836 |
| 2008 | 313 |
| 2009 | 1459 |
| 2010 | 1240 |
| 2011 | 584 |
| 2012 | 445 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 267 |
| 2015 | 218 |
| 2016 | 211 |
| 2017 | 176 |
| 2018 | 133 |
| 2019 | 199 |
| 2020 | 300 |
| 2021 | 182 |
| 2022 | 94 |
| 2023 | 71 |
| 2024 | 59 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
25% of complaints: air bags — 33 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IT COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050310
I OWN TOYOTA CAROLLA (1994 MODEL) AND MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT - FRONT IMPACT. SHE MUST BE TRAVELLING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCUR AND STILL THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040810
UPON IMPACT, DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 40MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, SHOULDER/LAP BELT FAILED TO RETRACT, HITTING STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA ODI report, 19950112
8% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ACCORDING TO YOU, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A KILLER CAR SINCE 2013. CONTACTING MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES AND BRING IN MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR HAS FAILED. YOU REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE? DOES THAT COVER INJURY OR DEATH?
NHTSA ODI report, 20150331
7% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS W
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.
Campaign 94V220000 — check if this car was fixed
IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SP
Campaign 96V107000 — check if this car was fixed
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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
1993 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 94V220000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V107000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E002000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1993 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Toyota Corolla is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Toyota Corolla?
The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Toyota Corolla have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.