RoadVitals

1993 Toyota Corolla

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
130
Latest Mar 31, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Feb 11, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
45
35 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 130 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Toyota Corolla, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and seat belts categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 38 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10E002000

SUSPENSION

Feb 11, 2010
12,657 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
RIDE CONTROL, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA97015ClosedEngineering Analysis

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

Opened Jul 22, 1997
Closed Sep 21, 1998

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 130
Airbags
Filed Mar 31, 2015

ACCORDING TO YOU, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A KILLER CAR SINCE 2013. CONTACTING MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES AND BRING IN MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR HAS FAILED. YOU REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE? DOES THAT COVER INJURY OR DEATH? I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA VEHICLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10702999
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Seat belts
Filed May 27, 2012

CAR IN STORAGE ENTERED VEHICLE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE WOULD NOT RETRACT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10459779
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
112,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2011
Fire reported

CAR WAS PERFECT JUST CAME HOME FROM PICKING MY MOTHER UP..SON CAME HOME A FEW MINUTES LATER, LESS THAN FIVE MINS. AND TOLD ME MY HORN WAS MAKING A FUNNY SOUND AND CAR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, I THEN WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE AND NOTICED LIGHTS WERE ON , AND WHEN I WENT TO SEE IF I LEFT THEM ON, I OPENED THE DOOR AND NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. AS I RAN INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET WATER TO PUT FIRE OUT, I HAD MY WIFE CALL THE FIRE DEPT. AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES I CAME OUTSIDE AND SAW THE VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND SNOWING WITH SALT ON THE GROUND . *TR

NHTSA ID
10373756
Incident
Dec 20, 2010
Mileage
123,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 27, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME STUCK. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PLATE IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SITTING ON WAS BENT ABNORMALLY AND BELIEVED IT TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10352357
Incident
Aug 19, 1996
Mileage
40,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 23, 2010
Crash reported1 death reported

TL* 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM ONE PARKING SPACE TO ANOTHER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING INTERNAL INJURIES THAT KILLED THE DRIVER ON IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLES SUDDEN ACCELERATION MILEAGE WAS 18 MPH WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE TREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 03/14/10 *BF UPDATED04/16/10. *LJ DOCUMENT WRITTEN IN SPANISH. UPDATED 10/12/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW

NHTSA ID
10313063
Incident
Sep 26, 2004
Mileage
40,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2006

EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD A LATENT DEFECT IN THE FORM OF A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AS TIME PROCEEDED, THE CRACK BECAME AN ENTIRE SEPARATION OF THE MANIFOLD NEAR THE CENTER. THIS SITUATION ALLOWS POISONOUS EXHAUST GASES TO ESCAPE WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. THESE GASES ARE PRIMARILY CARBON MONOXIDE -- AN UNSCENTED AND DEADLY GAS -- ALONG WITH OTHERS LESS HAZARDOUS. SINCE THIS IS AN INHERENT DEFECT, EITHER IN THE DESIGN OF THE MANIFOLD OR IN THE QUALITY OF THE MANIFOLD (OR BOTH), I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THE 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES WITH 1.6 LITER ENGINES AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JB

NHTSA ID
10159939
Incident
Jan 1, 1993
Mileage
123,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2005

I HAVE REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THREE TIME,THE MATERIAL USE TO MANUFACTURE THIS PART WAS CHEAP CAUSING IT TO CRACK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10139564
Incident
Jul 6, 2005
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 2, 2005

DT: 1993 TOYOTA COROLA. THE CONSUMER TOOKV EHICLE TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK. THE MECHANIC TOOK A WIRE THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND ATTACHED IT TO THE SECONDARY FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE ON 7-17-05. *AJK

NHTSA ID
10131040
Incident
Jul 17, 2005
Mileage
229,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB003220

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

T-SB-0032-20 Rev

EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

T-SB-0304-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

T-SB-0032-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

PG004-97-Obsolet

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Corolla by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026151063.7
2025270058.1
2024612060.5
2023723057.9
2022950049.1
20211841052.4
20203043055.6
20192005165.8
20181333266.1
20171773267.9
20162121260.9
20152191261.0
20142672263.8
20132015266.5
20124455264.2
20115849262.2
20101,24217365.7
20091,45913364.8
20083136467.4
20078366366.0
200683910466.8
200585310467.3
200447713466.9
200372013467.0
20021175162.0
20011334058.0
20001455056.7
19991554055.4
19982254056.3
19971356059.0
19961296167.4
19951767269.8
19941728169.7
1993Viewing1306167.7
1992632053.5
1991711047.2
1990271043.3
1989232056.7
1988261054.8
1987140133.0
1986301—
1985301—
1984621—
1983102—
1982500—
1981300—
1980210—
1979210—
1978010—
1977110—
1976101—
1975000—
1974000—
1973100—
1972000—
1971021—
1970010—
1969020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.