Toyota Corolla common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 16 faults the Toyota Corolla is known for (2006–2012), 16 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Toyota Corolla
Fuel pump failure causing stalling
Safety risk
2013–2020 · petrol · Engine
What to look for: Drive it, restart it fully hot, and feel for rough idle, hesitation or stalling, and ask for the fuel pump recall record.
Why it matters: Both the US and Australian recall documents describe a fuel pump that may stop operating, with warning lights, rough running, stalling and a possible failure to restart. A car that stalls on a test drive with a retail customer aboard costs you the sale, and the campaign fix is free at a Toyota dealer if the VIN is covered.
What to look for: Check the airbag warning light comes on at key-on and then goes out, and ask for the airbag recall record.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states that during certain crashes the airbag electronic control unit may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners. The remedy is a dealer inspection of the ECU and a noise filter fitted between the airbag control module and its wire harness at no charge, so an open campaign on a car you are buying is a cost-free fix you should book before you…
What to look for: Feel for a sticky or notchy driver's window switch, and smell and look for burnt or melted plastic around it.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states that grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the switch's sliding electrical contacts, and that unprotected contacts can let debris and moisture cause a short circuit so the switch assembly overheats and melts, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect the switch, apply lubricant if nothing is wrong and replace the circuit board if it is.
What to look for: Ask for a VIN recall check showing no Takata airbag recall is outstanding, and for an import, any Japanese recall work.
Why it matters: This campaign covers vehicles whose driver or passenger frontal inflators were already replaced under an earlier recall using inflators of the same design; Toyota states those inflators may explode due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature and temperature cycling, with sharp metal fragments striking occupants. A prior repair stamp is therefore not the end of the question.
What to look for: Look for a 3696 recall sticker in the driver's door opening and an 'airbag not working' label on the passenger sun visor.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that on the single-stage passenger airbag inflator the inflator housing can rupture and scatter when the airbag deploys, causing fire or injury to occupants. The remedy is a new inflator, and where parts were short Toyota disabled the passenger airbag and labelled the visor.
What to look for: Check the airbag light comes on then goes out, and look for a 4363 recall sticker in the driver's door opening.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that electrical noise immunity of the airbag control unit was inadequately assessed, so noise from the vehicle's electrical components can damage an IC chip inside the unit in service and, in the worst case, deploy the airbags while the vehicle is moving. An airbag firing unprompted at speed is a crash cause in itself.
What to look for: Check for a low dipstick level on a recently serviced car and for blue exhaust smoke at cold start.
Why it matters: Toyota published a warranty enhancement programme extending cover for excessive engine oil consumption on 2AZ-engined cars, with a parts replacement phase whose parts list includes pistons, piston rings and short blocks, gated on a dealer-performed oil consumption test.
What to look for: Check every wiper speed, each intermittent step, the washer and rear wiper work at the right speed with the screen wet.
Why it matters: Toyota recalled these because the windscreen wiper switch assembly may short circuit, which NHTSA records as a non-conformance with the US windscreen wiping standard; the remedy is a free switch replacement. Wipers that do not work across all settings are a warrant of fitness item, so this becomes your cost between purchase and retail.
What to look for: Look for a 3055 recall sticker in the driver's door opening, and for hybrid warning lights while it sits in READY.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the winding process for the inverter electric water pump coil was inadequate, so coil wire could be damaged; corrosion then breaks the wire, stopping the pump and producing a warning lamp or output-limited running, and a short between windings blows the supply fuse and leaves the car unable to be driven.
What to look for: Drive it cold and fully warm (20+ minutes).
Why it matters: Weak points named for this family are fluid contamination, overheating, bearing wear and seal leaks. A failing box is usually replaced with a used one in NZ. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Pull the dipstick: low oil, or very black thick oil on a car with a recent service sticker, is a warning.
Why it matters: The cause is carbon-stuck or worn oil control rings, sometimes valve stem seals; it gets worse with long high-rev motorway running and stretched oil changes. Owners who never check the dipstick run it low, which then wears the chain, VVT gear and bearings. Usual NZ fix is a good used engine; a ring and seal rebuild costs more. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Torch on the water pump at the belt end of the engine.
Why it matters: A seized pump can throw the drive belt. Toyota later released a modified pump (16100-09502) for ongoing leaks. An aluminium engine overheated by a failed pump can warp the head. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Torch on the water pump at the belt end of the engine.
Why it matters: A seized pump can throw the drive belt. Toyota later released a modified pump (16100-09502) for ongoing leaks. An aluminium engine overheated by a failed pump can warp the head. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Drive it cold and fully warm (20+ minutes).
Why it matters: Weak points named for this family are fluid contamination, overheating, bearing wear and seal leaks. A failing box is usually replaced with a used one in NZ. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Look along the roof, bonnet and boot lid for raised edges, flaking paint or a patched colour.
Why it matters: Any extended cover Toyota offered has ended for a car this age, so the buyer pays: a proper fix is stripping and repainting whole panels, and spot touch-ups usually lift again.
What to look for: Look along the roof, bonnet and boot lid for raised edges, flaking paint or a patched colour.
Why it matters: Any extended cover Toyota offered has ended for a car this age, so the buyer pays: a proper fix is stripping and repainting whole panels, and spot touch-ups usually lift again.
Got a question about a Toyota Corolla? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.