2001 Toyota Corolla
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 | 73 |
| 1992 | 65 |
| 1993 | 134 |
| 1994 | 184 |
| 1995 | 176 |
| 1996 | 129 |
| 1997 | 135 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 155 |
| 2000 | 145 |
| 2001 | 133 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 720 |
| 2004 | 477 |
| 2005 | 853 |
| 2006 | 839 |
| 2007 | 836 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 1459 |
| 2010 | 1244 |
| 2011 | 584 |
| 2012 | 445 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 268 |
| 2015 | 219 |
| 2016 | 214 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 133 |
| 2019 | 201 |
| 2020 | 304 |
| 2021 | 185 |
| 2022 | 98 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 63 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 15 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and emission control.
CRASH17% of complaints: air bags — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
MY DAUGHTER HIT A STOPPED CAR AT APPROX 30 MPH. SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOO LATE. SHE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. SHE WAS GOING STRAIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190412
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED AND MOVED BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171117
Also filed under SEATS
MY 20YO DAUGHTER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT COMPLETELY STOPPED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130303
11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I HAD BEEN DRIVING NORTH ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. IT WAS A CLEAR NIGHT AND THE ROADS WERE DRY. AS I APPROACHED THE TOLL BOTH I TRIED TO TURN MY CRUISE CONTROL OFF, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND.
NHTSA ODI report, 20021105
11% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: structure — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — 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
2001 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (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 2001 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Toyota Corolla is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Corolla?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Corolla have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.