1993 Toyota Corolla Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Toyota Corolla, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags4832.7%
- Engine1510.2%
- Seat belts149.5%
- Electrical138.8%
- Body & structure138.8%
- Visibility96.1%
- Driver assistance96.1%
- Tires & wheels42.7%
- Exterior lighting32.0%
- Brakes32.0%
- Heating & air conditioning32.0%
- Suspension32.0%
- Transmission21.4%
- Steering21.4%
- Fuel system21.4%
- Interior & seats21.4%
- Other / unspecified10.7%
- Powertrain (other)10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ON JULY OF 1999, I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 TOYOTO COROLLA WHEN I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER DRIVER, THUS CAUSING ME TO HIT A GUARD RAIL ,AND THE CEMENT HIGHWAY DIVIDER, MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY PASSENGER RECEIVED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO HIS FINGER, I RECEIVED BURNS ON MY STOMACH, ARMS AND 5 FRACTURED RIBS, ALSO WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED THE PLASTIC FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FLEW OFF CUT ME IN MY LIP, CAUSING PERMANENT DAMAGE. I ALSO RECEIVED SEVERE BRUSING AND PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE IN MY CHEST . MY CAR HAD NO WARNING SIGNS ABOUT THE DANGER OF THE AIR BAG, AND I ALONG WITH MY PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. I RETAINED A LAWYER AND I WROTE TOYOTA AND TO THIS DATE NO ONE RESPONDED, I JUST FOUND YOUR WEBSITE TODAY. I ALSO HAVE PICUTURES OF MY INJURIES. I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING SIGNS, AND THE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO GREAT , THUS PREVENTING ME FROM SUSTAINING SO MANY PERMANENT INJURIES. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA NEVER ANSWERED MY LETTER. I RETAINED AN ATTORNEY AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPANIES HAVE GOOD LAWYERS AND I WOULD NOT WIN.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I HAVE REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THREE TIME,THE MATERIAL USE TO MANUFACTURE THIS PART WAS CHEAP CAUSING IT TO CRACK. *NM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR IN STORAGE ENTERED VEHICLE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE WOULD NOT RETRACT. *TR
REAR SEAT BELT HAS A FAILURE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THE BELT TO RETRACT BACK INTO IT'S HOLLISTER. AS A RESULT, THE BELT BECOMES INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES FUSE FAILURES INTERMITTENLY, DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *MJ
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE INSIDED DOOR HANDLE BROKE ON ME AROUND 1997, AND AGAIN A ABOUT A YEAR LATER. THE HANDLE JUST BROKE IN HALF. I DID NOT REPORT THIS AT THE TIME, BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THIS WEBPAGE EXISTED. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS YOU WOULD THINK THAT TOYOTA WOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND ADMIT THEY MADE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES ON THEIR CARS. WHAT IS WORST YET, WAS THAT A PERSON COULD BE TRAPPED IN THEIR CAR, AND NOT GET OUT IF THEY WERE IN A CRASH OR IF SOMETHING HAPPENED. I THOUGHT TOYOTA CARED ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS. YOU WOULD THINK THE NHTSA WOULD HAVE SEEN ALL THE SERVICE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND MADE TOYOTA FIX THE DOOR HANDLES. *AK
I PURCHASED MY 93 TOYOTA COROLLA IN 94 AND MY CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF ON THE DOORS AND BUMPERS. I`VE TALKED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MONTHS BACK AND THEY SAID THAT YEAR WAS A BAD TYPE OF CLEAR COAT. I WAS WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT IT? I CAN`T AFFORD A BRAND NEW PAINT JOB. BUT I WANT SOME TYPE OF CLOSURE OUT OF THIS. THE CLEAR COAT CHIPS OFF LIKE ITS A VERY THIN PIECE OF ICE ON IT. IT JUST LOOKS TERRIBLE. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE , AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
DRIVER'S WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO SEPARATE TIMES AT $500 EACH TIME. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT AT SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES SEPARATING, AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, BUT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I HAD THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS MEANING BRAKE LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ABOUT A COUPLE YEARS LATER MY BRAKE LIGTHS WOULD NOT WORK NOR MY PARKING LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS. WELL I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER, AND ON THE LIGHT BULBS THERE ARE TWO SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BULB AND THEY MELTED TOGETHER CAUSING A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY GOT TOO HOT, AND THEY COULD HAVE EVEN MELTED IN THE SOCKET HARNESS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT REPLACEMENT BULBS THE TOYOTA DEALERS ARE USING BUT BUYER BEWARE. THEY HEATED UP IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND I AM VERY LUCKY THEY DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE. I HOPE THE NHTSA LOOKS AT THE BULBS THAT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ARE USING AND AT LEAST MAKING SURE THEY ARE SPECT OUT FOR HEAT BUILDUP INSIDE THESE PLASTIC SOCKETS WHICH COULD MELT.*AK
TAIL LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT EVERY 5,000 MILES. PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IT COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HA NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I HAD THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS MEANING BRAKE LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ABOUT A COUPLE YEARS LATER MY BRAKE LIGTHS WOULD NOT WORK NOR MY PARKING LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS. WELL I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER, AND ON THE LIGHT BULBS THERE ARE TWO SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BULB AND THEY MELTED TOGETHER CAUSING A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY GOT TOO HOT, AND THEY COULD HAVE EVEN MELTED IN THE SOCKET HARNESS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT REPLACEMENT BULBS THE TOYOTA DEALERS ARE USING BUT BUYER BEWARE. THEY HEATED UP IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND I AM VERY LUCKY THEY DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE. I HOPE THE NHTSA LOOKS AT THE BULBS THAT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ARE USING AND AT LEAST MAKING SURE THEY ARE SPECT OUT FOR HEAT BUILDUP INSIDE THESE PLASTIC SOCKETS WHICH COULD MELT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER. 8MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED TWICE. *AK
OWNER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD FRONT END ALIGNMENT, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION IT GETS STUCK IN BETWEEN GEARS. VEHICLE HAS TO BE PULLED TO THE SIDE, AND SIT BEFORE IT CAN BE PLACED INTO A GEAR. TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CONSUMER STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. THE OTHER VEHICLE STARTED BACKING UP TOWARD CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND SHE TRIED TO REVERSE. BUT, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ANSWER. ALSO, MOVING THE PAWL TO REVERSE, PAWL POPPED OUT OF REVERSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING, IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, SPEED 30 MPH. TT
WHILE ON DRIVING ON HWY VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL LINE THAT COMES FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE ENGINE RUPTURED AT THE CONNECTOR AND STARTED LEAKING WHICH COULD HAVE BLOWN UP MY CAR. TOYOTA HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THEIR FUEL LINES. THERE IS A CONNECTOR WHICH JOINES THE TWO FUEL LINES AND THAT IS WHERE THE LEAK OCCURRED. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN NOW I WILL TRY TO AVOID BUYING A TOYOTA WITH THIS TYPE OF CONNECTOR. THE CONNECTOR IS EXPOSED UNDERNEATH THE CAR, AND IT SEEMS IT CAN EASILY BE BROKEN. TOYOTA DID NOT PUT ANY PROTECTION AROUND THIS COUPLER WHICH SEEMS IT CAN EASILY BE BROKEN AND BECOME A HAZARD. I HAD TO GET IF FIXED AND IT COST ME OVER $1,000.00 WHICH INCLUDED A NEW GAS TANK. WHEN I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THIS, THEY DID NOT EVEN CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY ARE LUCKY THAT MY CAR DID NOT BLOW UP OR CAUSE A FIRE. ONE DAY I CAME OUT AND SAW GASOLINE DRIPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR, IT WAS THE FUEL LINE THAT STARTED LEAKING. THE COUPLER RUSTED OUT. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT.*AK
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS A CRACK IN FUEL TANK NEAR HEAT SHIELD FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR LEAK. REPAIR SHOP WAS REPLACING FUEL TANK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT DOOR HANDLES BROKE.
WIRING UNDER DASH BROAD CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON JULY OF 1999, I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 TOYOTO COROLLA WHEN I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER DRIVER, THUS CAUSING ME TO HIT A GUARD RAIL ,AND THE CEMENT HIGHWAY DIVIDER, MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY PASSENGER RECEIVED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO HIS FINGER, I RECEIVED BURNS ON MY STOMACH, ARMS AND 5 FRACTURED RIBS, ALSO WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED THE PLASTIC FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FLEW OFF CUT ME IN MY LIP, CAUSING PERMANENT DAMAGE. I ALSO RECEIVED SEVERE BRUSING AND PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE IN MY CHEST . MY CAR HAD NO WARNING SIGNS ABOUT THE DANGER OF THE AIR BAG, AND I ALONG WITH MY PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. I RETAINED A LAWYER AND I WROTE TOYOTA AND TO THIS DATE NO ONE RESPONDED, I JUST FOUND YOUR WEBSITE TODAY. I ALSO HAVE PICUTURES OF MY INJURIES. I FEEL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING SIGNS, AND THE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO GREAT , THUS PREVENTING ME FROM SUSTAINING SO MANY PERMANENT INJURIES. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA NEVER ANSWERED MY LETTER. I RETAINED AN ATTORNEY AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPANIES HAVE GOOD LAWYERS AND I WOULD NOT WIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE AXLE BROKE AT THE THREAD AREA THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE THE VEHICLE BEING HELD ON BY ONLY THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BE GOING FASTER THIS COULD OF BEEN A DISASTER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .