RoadVitals

1999 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.
155
Latest Jun 13, 2023
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.
4
Latest Apr 7, 2009
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.
0
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.
29
20 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 155 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Toyota Corolla, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, engine and airbags categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 69 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView 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
06E065000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 17, 2006
3,593 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
AJ MOTORSPORTView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 155
Airbags
Filed Jun 13, 2023
Crash reported

I was T boned at a 4 way stop.The force pushed me thru the intersection. Airbag did not deploy.

NHTSA ID
11526764
Incident
May 31, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Jul 14, 2018

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID
11111357
Incident
Jul 13, 2018
Mileage
15 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 18, 2018
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN DEFENDER TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11102395
Incident
May 31, 2018
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 12, 2017

I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES, DEALER SAYS NO FIX AVAILABLE. WITH ALL THE RECALL NOTICES MY WIFE AND I FELL WE ARE DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE, IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
11033070
Incident
Oct 2, 2017
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND DRIVING AN ADDITIONAL 800 MILES, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10885509
Incident
Dec 26, 2015
Mileage
135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 21, 2016
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER REMOVED HER SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER INADVERTENTLY MISTOOK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO AN ESTIMATED 30 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVEN FACIAL BONE FRACTURES, A FRACTURED NOSE, FREE AIR IN HER SINUS CAVITY, BASILAR SKULL FRACTURES, FRACTURES TO BOTH PATELLAS, BLOOD CLOT IN THE LEFT LEG, PULMONARY EMBOLISM, AND A LACERATION TO THE LOWER LIP. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 315,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF...UPDATED 08/02/16 *BF *AS

NHTSA ID
10860760
Incident
Apr 13, 2016
Mileage
315,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, BOTH THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/2016*LJ

NHTSA ID
10853278
Incident
Mar 23, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Filed Dec 27, 2015

THE BOLT ON THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE OFF INTO THE BLOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED.

NHTSA ID
10816339
Incident
Nov 20, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

T-SB-0043-14

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.

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.

TTT063620

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

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.

Toyota Safety Re

AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

T-TT-0636-20 Rev

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

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
1999Viewing1554055.4
19982254056.3
19971356059.0
19961296167.4
19951767269.8
19941728169.7
19931306167.7
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.