Toyota Corolla Best and Worst Years (Top Picks!)

The 1968 introduction of the Toyota Corolla, an economical and appealing tiny automobile, in the U.S.

It is dependable and has a long history of being so, but some model years are superior to others.

The best and worst years for the Toyota Corolla will be examined in more detail in this article.

VIDEO: Here’s Why The Toyota Corolla Is The Best Selling Car of All Time

Toyota Corolla Best and Worst Years

Before being offered in the United States, the Toyota Corolla made its début in 1966 for the worldwide market.

Since then, it has produced 12 successful generations of vehicles in various models, with an average yearly sales volume of 1.5 million units.

As a result, the Toyota Corolla has developed a reputation for dependability and excellence, and it is now among the best-selling automobiles.

However, only some models have met the brand’s standards due to engine issues and exorbitant service costs.

List Of The Best Years For The Toyota Corolla: Which Years To Purchase 

The Toyota Corolla’s most significant years are the ideal years to buy the model since they were rife with quality and dependability and free of many of the issues later models would encounter.

Toyota Corolla 1997

The Toyota Corolla is the epitome of an outdated and dependable vehicle, so it has little trouble taking the top spot on this list.

The 1997 Corolla is a reliable vehicle that can go hundreds of thousands of miles without repairs. Owners have commended the car for its handling and the quick heating and cooling system even after owning it for more than 20 years.

It is hailed as one of the best cars ever made and is incredibly enjoyable to drive. It also has a well-designed interior and many safety measures.

This automobile is incredibly high-quality and long-lasting. However, the mileage could be better than its competitors’ recent versions.

Toyota Corolla 2020

This model kicked off the current generation of the Toyota Corolla, and it’s off to a strong start.

The Corolla 2020 was introduced with a redesign that improved the vehicle class’s aesthetic appeal and raised the bar for the typical Sedan by providing a reliable interior, more luxuries, exceptional safety technology, and an engaging driving experience.

A pleasant driving experience is provided by the upgraded handling and suspensions, which also have a quiet engine and exceptional fuel efficiency.

Toyota Corolla 2021

The corporation has to keep producing quality vehicles and upholding the reputation of the new generation of automobiles after the success of the Corolla 2020 model.

The Corolla 2021 accomplished this quickly thanks to its extensive list of safety features, good fuel efficiency, plush ride, and simple-to-use controls.

The Apex edition of this year’s model boasts the handling and offers optional performance tires which do the same. This edition represented the company’s endeavor to boost enjoyment, a positive step.

Toyota Corolla 2022

Being the third in the current lineup of the latest generation of Corolla, the 2022 Toyota Corolla boasts the same features that its predecessors had; a plethora of safety features, solid fuel economy, and overall comfortability, both while driving and otherwise.

The model has a hybrid version to save on fuel, an automatic braking system, and various driver-assist tools. Even though there are no new features or distinguishing differences, this car nonetheless managed to make it onto the list.

Toyota Corolla 2008

The 2008 Toyota Corolla was the last of its generation and the least reliable car for some time since the next model.

The Corolla 2009 was infamous for its many problems and heavy criticism. However, despite not going for a redesign, the product was still well ahead of its competitors.

The 2008 Corolla has proven its reliability by providing its drivers with agile handling, linear stopping with optional anti-lock brakes, an excellent transmission that matches the engine it is connected to, and tops it off with solid fuel economy.

2016 Toyota Corolla

The generation of Toyota Corollas before this latest one was mixed. Some models received both high praise and grueling criticism. However, many people can agree that the 2016 Corolla was one of the better ones of the generation.

This 5-seater easily competes with the likes of Ford and Mazda, offering high fuel economy, a lot of legroom despite the car’s small size, user-friendly controls and interfaces, and an overall quality ride that I could not let go unnoticed.

2018 Toyota Corolla

The 2018 Toyota Corolla is your standard 4-wheel drive, five-seater Sedan. Still, it rises onto this list with updated visuals, design, and a solid array of modern features and takes a prominent position.

The Corolla 2018 is a content blend of handling and comfort, offering comforting front seats and good room for the back seat while having excellent gas mileage with a mix of styles.

Safety and technical features like touch screen and app connectivity improve user comfort.

2016 Toyota Corolla

The Corolla 2016 covers all of the basics a typical sedan should have. However, where it lacks in the fun department, it makes up for being a well-rounded crowd-pleaser. In addition, it provides the driver with intelligent fuel consumption and solid fuel economy.

A car of its size offers a lot of legroom and, for the price of purchase, a lot of standard equipment, with a pleasant and user-friendly interface and a smooth ride offering on both the highway and the city streets, remarkable for its price.

Years To Avoid On The List Of The Worst Years For The Toyota Corolla

Despite the excellence of Toyota’s Corolla models, there have been years when they fell short of expectations.

Listed below are a few of them:

Toyota Corolla 2002

The 2001 through 2005 generation of vehicles saw significant changes to the Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, this caused numerous problems for the car.

Notably, the 2002 Toyota Corolla was the subject of numerous complaints to the NHSTA about difficulties ranging from engine troubles to problems with seat belts and airbags.

There have been complaints about the engine’s excessive oil consumption, failure, tapping noises coming from the engine, and buzzing noises coming from the engine when accelerating.

The excessive oil consumption issue is expensive to correct and typically arises after the vehicle has been driven 97,000 miles.

Toyota Corolla 2009

The Toyota Corolla model from 2009 received a lot of harsh criticism. This was necessary because the car had several issues.

Both users and the NHTSA filed a sizable number of complaints about it. The airbags, seat belts, and engine were the subjects of concern.

The engine difficulties included car surging, engine noises, a sudden loss of power, a jammed accelerator, the check engine light being on despite an engine issue, and the car refusing to start.

Toyota Corolla 2014

The 2014 Toyota Corolla model has a lot of issues within a short period. Unfortunately, the issue that first surfaced in the 2001 model was one of the more significant issues to reappear.

This was the EVAP system’s cause of the check engine light issue. The light did not stop functioning entirely, in contrast to the 2001 model. Instead, it provided inaccurate cues.

The EVAP canister needed to be replaced, which was the same fix as the 2001 model.

Toyota Corolla 2010

The 2010 Toyota Corolla was scrutinized, and for a good reason, after seeing the monster that was the 2009 model in terms of problems.

The NHTSA receives several complaints about this model’s airbags and seat belts. In addition, the color and the body of the car received criticism.

However, the issue with the steering wheel was the one that was most obviously wrong with this model. There have been instances of some severe accidents being caused by the steering wheel breaking.

Toyota Corolla 2015

Regarding issues, the 2015 model is less problematic than the 2014 model, which it replaced. But there was still a lot of them. One of them was that the 2015 model’s 1.3 variant had terrible underperformance.

It could have been better than the model had a high fuel consumption of 6.5 to 7 miles per quarter gallon. All other variations of this vehicle lacked traction control. You should be aware of this problem because it is particularly harmful.

Toyota Corolla (2000)

The 1996 to 2000 generation’s final model was the 2000 Toyota Corolla. This model was notorious for its propensity to burn much oil. In addition to using excessive oil, this car had an oil leaking issue.

This problem was so severe that it became a joke that this model consumed more oil than gas. Furthermore, people claim the problem only lasts momentarily after repairs before returning to its original state. Thus, it is not worth it.

Toyota Corolla 2001

Sadly, the Toyota Corolla 2001 had the same issue with excessive oil use as its predecessor, the Corolla 2000. Even though it was better than it was in the 2000 model, this problem made maintaining the car more difficult.

The check engine light’s inactivity was another problem. This was a complicated issue because the light might not come on even if the car had significant issues. Again, this was due to this car’s new EVAP system when purchased.

Toyota Corolla 2003

The transmission problems with the 2003 Toyota Corolla were the primary source of worry. This resulted in the model receiving numerous complaints.

Transmission failure, as well as transmission and differential failure, were the cited issues. Another issue was the transaxle, which was noisy.

After around 116,000 miles of driving, these problems developed and required about $2830 in repairs. There have also been allegations of the airbag and seat belt problems. Airbags were said to have failed in crashes that resulted in 44 reported injuries.

How Safe Is Toyota Corolla?

According to IIHS.org, the Toyota Corolla is a secure automobile. All crashworthiness tests, including the driver-side small overlap front test, moderate overlap front test, side test, roof strength test, and head restraint and seat test, yielded favorable results for the 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan.

It’s crucial to remember that the ratings do not cover the 2019 Corolla sedan. Furthermore, the Toyota Yaris is ranked first out of 21 other subcompact cars by RepairPal and has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0.

According to IIHS.org, the 2020 Toyota Yaris achieved excellent ratings in front crash prevention, outstanding ratings in crashworthiness, and excellent ratings in crash avoidance and mitigation.

It’s important to remember that the Yaris underwent a redesign in 2020, which could have enhanced its performance and safety features.

Owners of the Toyota Corolla and Yaris can support the reliability and safety of their cars by keeping up with routine maintenance and essential repairs.

Reliability of Toyota Corolla

VehicleHistory.com claims that the Toyota Corolla is a dependable automobile. With various features like a backup camera, lane control warning, ABS, digital display, radio, CD, and Bluetooth, the 2019 Toyota Corolla scored top marks for dependability.

Additionally, J.D. Power Quality and Reliability ratings include dependability and quality scores; dependability scores emphasize ownership experiences over three years, while quality scores are based on initial owner reactions and input. It is significant to note that the Toyota Yaris is ranked top of 21 other subcompact cars by RepairPal and has a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating.

However, the 2007 Toyota Yaris has had the most complaints, as seen by its 399 NHTSA complaints and ten recalls for clear coat concerns that are peeling. Stay away from this Yaris year.

Owners of the Toyota Corolla and Yaris can support the reliability and safety of their cars by keeping up with routine maintenance and essential repairs.

How To Find The Best Deals on Toyota Corolla?

It is advised to start by checking Toyota.com for the most recent offers and discounts on new Toyota automobiles to locate the most incredible deals on a Toyota Corolla.

An intelligent location to start your search for a used Toyota Corolla for sale is CarGurus.com. The Toyota Corolla is expected to last at least a quarter of a million kilometers, with well-kept examples often reaching approximately 300,000, according to VehicleHistory.com.

Therefore, Toyota Corolla customers can obtain the most fantastic offers on their vehicles by considering these elements and keeping up with current discounts and incentives. It’s also crucial to know that the Toyota Yaris is ranked #1 out of 21 other subcompact cars in repair pal’s reliability rankings with a 4.5 out of 5.0 rating.

However, the 2007 Toyota Yaris has had the most complaints, as seen by its 399 NHTSA complaints and ten recalls for clear coat concerns that are peeling. So stay away from this Yaris year.

Tips for Maintaining your Toyota Corolla

Regular maintenance and necessary repairs are required to maintain the dependability and safety of a Toyota Corolla.

The Toyota Corolla is expected to last at least a quarter of a million kilometers, with well-kept models often reaching approximately 300,000, per VehicleHistory.com.

Follow the suggested maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer, which calls for frequent oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections.

Furthermore, since letting the battery go entirely flat can harm it, it is crucial to maintain the battery charged. Regular tire pressure checks are also advised because underinflated tires can affect a vehicle’s handling and fuel efficiency.

Owners of Toyota Corollas may contribute to ensuring the safety and dependability of their cars by keeping up with routine maintenance and essential repairs.

It’s also crucial to know that the Toyota Yaris is ranked #1 out of 21 other subcompact cars in repair pal’s reliability rankings with a 4.5 out of 5.0 rating. However, with 399 NHTSA complaints and ten other complaints, the 2007 Toyota Yaris has received the most complaints.

How Can You Tell Whether Something Is a Lemon?

Purchase a vehicle history report.

There is no better initial step when purchasing a used car than to obtain a car history report. Two well-known services offer this information for little money: Anyone looking to purchase a used car will find the information provided by CarFax and AutoCheck extremely helpful.

The reports let you know the number of past owners, whether or not it had any accidents, how frequently it required maintenance, and the current title.

The final section is among the most crucial since it contains the lemon label, which attests that the car followed the correct legal procedures to be designated as a lemon.

However, in some areas, dealers must inform a customer if the vehicle is a manufacturer buyback, which is a reliable way to determine whether a vehicle has a lemon title.

However, it is the responsibility of the buyer to conduct a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history.

Therefore, consumers may need help if they accidentally purchase a secondhand lemon because they must inspect it first.

Owner Background

You can view the owner’s history on the vehicle history report, which should indicate whether the manufacturer has purchased the vehicle back.

While owners can claim a car is a lemon in a legal dispute and ask the automaker to buy back the problematic vehicle, that is a guaranteed technique to determine if the car was labeled a lemon.

You can also determine if the vehicle was sold or traded before it was given a lemon tag if the prior owner may have missed an issue. It also implies that the car’s persistent issue must be apparent.

Repair Record

Look carefully at the vehicle’s repair record and try to identify any recurring issues. Recurring problems in cars with lemon histories are simple to spot.

You can determine whether the issues with the car are minor wear and tear concerns, such as those with the clutch or brakes, or a more severe problem.

Check to discover if the repairs were necessary or carried out even when the car was brand new. It can assist in determining whether the car is a lemon or if an incident like a collision or modification caused a misdiagnosed issue.

Are the repairs significant or minor? A severe repair would deal with the drivetrain or suspension, whereas a superficial one would address non-driving-related issues like window or seat controls.

Severe repairs would be more challenging, but handling a car might not be a hassle if a car was considered a lemon for a less severe cause.

The report also shows whether repairs are being made at a dealership or a general shop. Like you would with any used car, examine the vehicle’s general condition and health and determine whether routine maintenance has also been carried out.

This will assist you in deciding whether or not you should consider purchasing this car.

Inspection before purchase

Is the car still a good investment? You should get a pre-purchase inspection if the flaws are not too concerning or if you believe the automobile may have been incorrectly labeled as a lemon.

A mechanic can determine whether the problems are repairable and why the car was considered a lemon.

A technician can assist you in determining whether or not a recurring issue is indicative of more severe problems or worries about the quality of the vehicle.

Their satisfaction with the car might help determine if it is a worthwhile investment or a lost cause.

Toyota Corolla FAQ’s

Is the Toyota Corolla the most trustworthy vehicle?

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most trustworthy cars on the market, according to millions of car buyers throughout the globe. Discover why the Toyota Corolla is the industry’s most dependable car below, along with how our staff can assist you in making a purchase.

Are 2013 Toyota Corollas reliable vehicles?

The 2013 Toyota Corolla competes successfully in the very competitive compact car segment thanks to user-friendly interior controls, reasonable fuel economy predictions, and one of the highest dependability rankings in its division. However, there are several competitors that are much more enjoyable to drive or have better materials.

Toyota Corolla durability for ten years?

You owe it to yourself to look into the 2021 Toyota Corolla if you want many years of dependable and enjoyable driving. Your Toyota Corolla might have a life expectancy of up to 10 years or 300,000 miles if you stick to the suggested maintenance regimen.

The fastest Toyota Corolla is from what year?

2005 Corolla XRS Toyota: 7.1 seconds

The 2005 Toyota Corolla XRS, with its 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine, is at the top of the list. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder 2ZZ engine will provide you with a high-revving, occasionally thrilling drive.

How reliable is the vintage Toyota Corolla?

It is renowned for being a fantastic used car purchase. Toyota’s renown for quality, dependability, and durability have made the Corolla a highly sought-after used automobile. Let’s face it: The Toyota Corolla has shown to be more reliable in some years than others now that the plaudits have been given.