2011 Toyota Corolla

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Toyota Corolla
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Corolla Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 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: 71 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 130 complaints 1994: 172 complaints 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 129 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 144 complaints 2001: 133 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2004 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 839 complaints 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 313 complaints 2009: 1459 complaints 2010: 1240 complaints 2010 2011: 584 complaints 2011 2012: 445 complaints 2013: 201 complaints 2014: 267 complaints 2015: 218 complaints 2016: 211 complaints 2016 2017: 176 complaints 2018: 133 complaints 2019: 199 complaints 2020: 300 complaints 2021: 182 complaints 2022: 94 complaints 2022 2023: 71 complaints 2024: 59 complaints 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 11 complaints 2026
2011: 584 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19813
19825
19831
19846
19853
19863
198714
198826
198923
199027
199171
199263
1993130
1994172
1995176
1996129
1997135
1998225
1999155
2000144
2001133
2002117
2003720
2004477
2005853
2006839
2007836
2008313
20091459
20101240
2011584
2012445
2013201
2014267
2015218
2016211
2017176
2018133
2019199
2020300
2021182
202294
202371
202459
202525
202611

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 72%

72% of complaints: air bags — 418 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I am submitting a safety concern regarding airbag non-deployment involving my former vehicle, a 2011 Toyota Corolla LE (VIN: [XXX] ).

NHTSA ODI report, 20260104

1.- Bolsa de aire. Si me lo solicita, por supuesto puedo llevarlo a inspección. 2.- Se puso en riesgo ya que pudo haber sido otro tipo de accidente y las bolsas de aire no se activaron. Yo usaba el cinturón de seguridad.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240201

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180112

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE-ATTACHED GARAGE. I ALREADY ENTERED THE GARAGE, AND THE CAR IS ALMOST STOPPED. THEN I NEED TO HIT THE BRAKE THOROUGHLY TO FULLY STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180319

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. STEERING VERY HARD TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. WANDERS AND JERKS WHEEL VERY HARD AND TURNS BY ITSELF IN THE WIND.. LOSS OF CONTROL.. UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE SAME LANE AS IT STEERS WHEREVER IT WANTS TO GO.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110404

STRUCTURE 3%

3% of complaints: structure — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 3%

3% of complaints: engine — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120814

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AS BLACK SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120619

SAFETY TIMELINE

2011 — complaint volume: 584
R 20111230 — structure

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 COROLLA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NON-TOYOTA, BLUE TOOTH HANDS FREE DEVICE OR NAVIGATION UNIT AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHIC

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL RETENTION CLIP AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301

Campaign 11V566000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130321 — air bags, seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, an

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contac

Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130528 — equipment

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toy

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still be

Campaign 13V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

Campaign 14V743000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151125 — visibility

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4,...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.

Campaign 15V689000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161118 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus...

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190215 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

Campaign 19V005000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

R 20191120 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200316 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020.

Campaign 20V024000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (418 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V566000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V123000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V743000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V689000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V005000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V024000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Toyota Corolla is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Corolla?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 72% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Corolla have?

9 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.