2005 Toyota Corolla
This year had more than double the complaints 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
- 853
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2005
Opened by NHTSA
54% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 853 complaints
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 | 840 |
| 2007 | 836 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 1,459 |
| 2010 | 1,244 |
| 2011 | 584 |
| 2012 | 446 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 268 |
| 2015 | 220 |
| 2016 | 214 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 134 |
| 2019 | 203 |
| 2020 | 308 |
| 2021 | 186 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 64 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
54% · 458 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
Unknown - The airbag light has been on for a while. Check engine light is also on, and after a few repairs/replacements of diagnosed issues the light remains.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-25
Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system
2005 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to front passenger airbag inflator safety recall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-06
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While stopped behind a vehicle making a left turn at a traffic light, the contact's vehicle was struck from the rear by another vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-07
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 92 reportsMost commonly citing engine and cooling system.
Show complaint excerpts
2005 Toyota Corolla.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-24
Vehicle speed control
8% · 66 reportsShow complaint excerpts
While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle surged forward causing the vehicle to crash into a building. The consumer's foot was rested firmly on the brake when the incident occurred. *sc the consumer and passenger were injured.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-08
Electrical system
7% · 58 reportsMost commonly citing speedometer/odometer and ignition.
Power train
5% · 39 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Car was running with the shift in the park position for approximately 5 or 6 minutes. Suddenly it starting rolling fast in reverse.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-21
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
▮
2005Complaint volume 853 complaints filed for this model year.
-
R
2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…
Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.
-
R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
-
R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
-
I
2010-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2010-09-16 Engine Stall
-
R
2010-11-29Engine and engine cooling10V384000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1ZZ-fe engine and two-wheel drive may…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of…
-
I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
-
I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
-
R
2015-07-13Air bags15V285000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.
-
R
2015-07-13Air bags15V286000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.
-
R
2019-01-23Air bags18V883000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.
-
R
2019-10-18Air bags19V627000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
-
R
2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
-
I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
-
R
Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.
Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 458 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 92 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 66 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 10V384000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 15V285000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V286000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V883000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V627000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Toyota Corolla is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Corolla have?
- 10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.