1994 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 1994 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
- Airbags6936.5%
- Seat belts2513.2%
- Fuel system115.8%
- Visibility105.3%
- Electrical105.3%
- Steering105.3%
- Interior & seats94.8%
- Body & structure84.2%
- Driver assistance84.2%
- Exterior lighting73.7%
- Engine42.1%
- Powertrain (other)42.1%
- Tires & wheels42.1%
- Suspension31.6%
- Other / unspecified31.6%
- Transmission21.1%
- Brakes21.1%
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
THE AIR BAG EXPLOTE WITHOUT NO REASON IN FRONT OF ME. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE A MONTH AND THEY DON'T ANSWER NOTHING PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER RECEIVED ABRASIONS TO THE FACE AND CHEST AREA, AND HAD DIFFICULTY BREATHING. THE NEXT DAY, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AT ALL. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 1996 AND IS HAS LESS THAN 114,000 MILES ON IT.
AFTER BUYING 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA IN 2003 FROM A USED CAR DEALER THE SEAT BELTS APPEARED TO BE LOOSE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS BACK INTO THE HOLDER. SMALL PASSENGERS ARE NOT PROTECTED AS THE SEATBELT WILL NOT HOLD THEM TIGHT. THE DRIVERS SIDE BELT IS DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT, AND IS BEGINNING TO NOT RETRACT AS WELL. WHAT CAN I DO? THE DEALER WANTS $140.00 FOR EACH REPLACEMENT BELT.*AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN JULY 2013, I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. SMELL GOT STRONGER AND MORE NOTICEABLE AFTER GASSING THE CAR UP. THEN THE SMELL BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE DAY BY DAY. EVEN JUST SITTING IN THE CAR OR AS YOU WALKED PAST IT. CAR DID NOT HAVE TO BE ON AND YOU WOULD STILL SMELL IT. THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE LEAKS UNTIL RECENTLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS OIL AT FIRST BUT THEN I FIGURED IT COULD BE GASOLINE. HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY NOTICED A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK THAT SEEMED TO BE BLOWN OUTWARDS. I'M GOING TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEN THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS & LABOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REMOVED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND WHAT WAS FOUND UNDERNEATH THE HEAT SHIELD WAS A BUBBLE WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS WHERE THE GAS LEAK WAS COMING FROM. IT APPEARED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. IF THE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED, T HEN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INWARD DENT IN THE TANK, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,097. UPDATED 11/10/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/12
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDOW REGULATOR ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE BROKEN, CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL INTO DOOR PANEL/SEATBELT ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE LOCKS IN PLACE FOR NO REASON/GAS PEDAL STICKS ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT/REAR , AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE GONE BAD, CAUSING WINDOWS TO DROP DOWN INTO THE INNER PANEL, PREVENTING WINDOWS FROM ROLLING UP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED REGULATORS. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES HIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAILING, HIS BRAKES LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, HORN IS NOT WORKING. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN HIS AUTO TO THE DEALER AND HIS RECALL WAS HONORED. HE IS AFRAID HIS WIFE WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE TAIL LIGHTS. TS
THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS, ONE IN ME AND ONE IN NJ AND NEITHER HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG. WHEN IT SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, YOU CAN SOMETIMES RESTART IT JUST BY PRESSING/PUMPING THE GAS. OTHER TIMES YOU MUST COAST OFF TO THE SHOULDER , WAIT AND RESTART. THAT CAN TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I REMEMBER A RECENT RECALL, UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT REMEMBER THE MAKE OR MODEL, REGARDING A SIMILAR SITUATION AND WAS WONDERING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SINCE THE SYMPTOM WAS THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MIKE RILEY. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 TOYOTA COROLLA STEERING PROBLEM*CW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS EXPERIENCED A STEERING PROBLEM FOR YEARS. SHE HAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERY FEW MONTHS TO HAVE IT RE-ALIGNED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIFT INTO OTHER LANES. *JB
I HAVE THE COROLLA STEERING ISSUE ON MY 1994 COROLLA EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE, AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO HOLD DOWN ON MY STEERING WHEEL AT AN ANGLE, AND IT STILL FLOATS NEAR OTHER LANES. I HAVE THE ALIGNMENT WORKED ON EVERY FEW MONTHS, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT IT. IT GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR MOST OF THE YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
3 INTERIOR AND 1 EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN. FRONT PASSENGER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN AND HAS CAUSED YOU TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR HANDLE IS BROKEN AND EXTERIOR HANDLE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF SO YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE.
DOOR LATCHES ARE CRACKING, BEING UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT AND RESIDES IN FL. ABOUT 4 YRS. AGO THE DRIVERS SIDE HANDLE TO OPEN THE CAR STARTING TO ACTUALLY FALL APART. I HAD THAT ONE REPLACED BUT THE OTHERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING NOW. I NEVER KNEW THIS TO HAPPEN ON A CAR, REGARDLESS OF AGE. A NEIGHBOR OF MINE DOWN THERE ALSO SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER CAR, ALSO THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR, AS I KEEP IT IN FLORIDA FOR USE WHEN I GO DOWN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. *TR
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE EXAMINED DOZENS OF WHITE 1994 COROLLAS IDENTICAL TO MINE: THEY ALL HAVE MAJOR PAINT DEFECTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THEIR FRONT HOODS. I AM A PHYSICIST. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. (MY COROLLA WAS MADE IN CANADA.) IT AFFECTS ALL CARS MADE IN THE SAME YEAR AT THE SAME PLANT. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AS THEIR FAULT. THE FAULT DOES NOT SHOW UP UNTIL _AFTER_ WARRANTIES HAVE RUN OUT - SO I CANNOT BE REPORTED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *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 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO BUSHES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I TOOK MY 1994 COROLLA TO THE CAR WASH IN CROMWELL CT. AFTER I WAS DONE I PUT BACK THE MATS AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MOVED FORWARD TO LEAVE THE STALL. AFTER A FEW FEET AND OUT OF THE STALL , I TRIED TO PUT THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING I KEPT BRAKING BUT NOTHING HAPPENED AND THE CAR WAS HEADING TOWARD THE ROAD (RTE 3), I MUST'VE PANICKED BECAUSE I TRIED TO SHIFT OUT OF THE DRIVE WHEN THE CAR ZOOMED BACKWARDS (I'VE NEVER KNEW THE COROLLA HAD THAT MUCH POWER) I DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO COMPREHEND WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR SLAMMED IN SUCH FORCE IN THE CORNER WALL OF THE STALL. THE CAR WAS IN SUCH A SHAPE NO ONE COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED, IT WILL NO LONGER STAND UPRIGHT. I REALLY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. NO SERIOUS INJURIES HAPPENED TO ME AND THANK THE LORD I DIDN'T HURT ANYBODY. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I DONATED THE CAR TO AMERIC CAN! CARS FOR KIDS ON JULY 13 2009. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 80,000 MILES. IT BELONGED TO MY WIFE'S GRAND FATHER WHO RARELY USED IT. AFTER HIS DEATH, WE TOOK THE CAR FOR A TUNEUP BEFORE WE PUT IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE TUNE UP. I AM NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR INVESTIGATION FOR OLDER CARS. AGAIN, I COULDN'T MAKE SENSE OF WHAT HAPPENED BUT WHEN I READ ABOUT THE MATS THAT'S WHEN EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS CALLED TO SAY I NEEDED TO LET YOU KNOW. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THE VEHICLE A FEW HUNDRED FEET IN FRONT ME AND I REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I WENT THROUGH MANY BULBS WHICH KEPT BLOWING OUT. I REALIZED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE HEADLIGHTS. INSIDE THE LENS IT IS BROWN THEREFORE DIMMING THE HEADLIGHT. *NM
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT WENT OVER A CLIFF AFTER COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP ON AN INCLINE. REAR TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILUMINATE PROPERLY. AFTER GOING OVER A CLIFF, VEHICLE HIT A TREE, AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES, AND HAD EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 94 COROLLA SEEMS TO HAVE A POWER FAILURE PROBLEM WHEN A WATER PUDDLE IS RUN THROUGH. MY STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER AND MY BRAKES RESPOND VERY WEAK. THIS EFFECT LASTS AROUND 4 MIN. ANY IDEAS? *TR
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING. STOPPED & CHECKED. NOTICED COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT. PURCHASED MORE COOLANT & PUT IT IN, AND IT LEAKED OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC INDICATED FREEZE PLUG IN ENGINE WAS GONE, POPPED OUT OR CAME OUT. THIS CAUSED ENGINE TO SUSTAIN A HOLE. MECHANIC REPAIRED PROBLEM.*AK
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
WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH WHICH DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE READING. DEALER CLAIMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER HEAD OR THE SPEED SENSOR. *AK
AXLE BOOT FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM BJ'S WAREHOUSE CLUB ON 08/09/07 AND WERE MOUNTED ON A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE INSTALLATION INCLUDED NEW VALVE STEMS AND BALANCING. ON 09/25/08 ONE OF THE VALVE STEMS FAILED CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED TO STOP, BUT THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER WAS PLACED IN JEOPARDY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE NEAREST BJ'S TIRE CENTER AFTER A SPACE SAVER SPARE WAS INSTALLED. THE BJ'S TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE TIRE AND COMMENTED THAT THE STEM HAD FAILED RESULTING IN DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES HAD APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON THEM AND ABOUT 13 MONTHS OF TIME. THE TECHNICIAN COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL. A REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS NOT IN STOCK AND WAS ORDERED. ANOTHER FULL SIZE TIRE HAD TO BE PURCHASED FROM ANOTHER TIRE DEALER (PEP BOYS) TO TEMPORARILY REPAIR THE VEHICLE, SINCE THE SPACE SAVER SPARE CANNOT BE USED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 60 MILES FROM MY HOME WHILE COMMUTING. INVESTIGATION OF TIRE STEMS SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT DEFECTIVE STEMS WERE SOLD BY DILL IN 2006 AND 2007 TO SOME DEALERS. MY CONCERN IS THAT HOW DO I KNOW IF THE THREE REMAINING TIRE STEMS ARE NOT DEFECTIVE? SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL BY BJ'S? *TR
WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE, THEN A FLAPPING NOISE NEAR THE FRONT BUMPER. DRIVER PULLED OVER. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TIRE . THESE WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FLY OFF, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, WAS HIT FROM DRIVER FRONT END. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
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
MY 1994 COROLLA WAGON DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC (IMPORT MOTORS SERVICE INC, 303-422-9654, SEPP OR MIKE.) AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW FUEL TANK WHICH CARRIED A WARRANTY OF 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FINANCIALLY FOR BOTH THE PART AND LABOR. IN APRIL OF 2003 THE NEW TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE SAME AREA AS THE ORIGINAL, ABOVE THE HEAT SHIELD OF THE EXHAUST. LUCKILY NO FIRE OCCURRED. THAT SECOND TANK WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY SO I HAD A THIRD TANK PUT IN AND IT LASTED SIX MONTHS BEFORE DEVELOPING A LEAK IN THE SAME AREA AGAIN. I HAVE JUST HAD A FOURTH TANK PUT IN AND ONLY HAVE 2000 MORE MILES ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY FROM THE FIRST REPLACEMENT TANK, THEN I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TANK AS WELL AS THE LABOR IF THIS ONE LEAKS. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE LABOR ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH TANKS. THANKFULLY IMPORT MOTORS GAVE ME A SYMPATHY DISCOUNT ON THE LAST JOB, BUT THIS IS GETTING TO BE EXPENSIVE. TOYOTA HAS SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THEIR TANKS WHEN WE TRIED TO ADDRESS IT WITH THEM OVER THE INTERNET, THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE. CHECK OUT COMPLAINTS OID ID NUMBERS: 878860 AND 755159. WHAT IS UP WITH TOYOTA'S REPLACEMENT GAS TANKS AND DO THEY POSE A FIRE AND SEAFTY RISK? SINCERELY, EDD HAMILTON
THREE OUT OF FOUR LUGS: NUTS HAVE TWIISTED OFF WHILE CHANGING A TIRE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
TRANSMISSION RELEASE BEARING FAILURE. *AK
UNDRDASH FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. TT
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
IN AN FRONTAL COLLISION DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE EXPAIN. TT
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE/LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
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 .