Which Years Of Used Toyota Corollas Are Most Reliable?
We've narrowed down the Toyota Corolla's most reliable years, so you know where to focus your attention when evaluating used vehicles.
The venerable Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling car models of all time and has recently celebrated 50 million units sold over its 55 years of history. Besides being one of the market’s most popular and recognizable models, the Corolla is also a go-to option for used car buyers in the U.S. Considering Toyota’s legendary reliability and value-filled offerings; this is hardly a surprise.
While the Corolla’s popularity is warranted and well-deserved, the lineup itself is far from perfect. In other words, some Corolla model years are better than others in terms of durability, reliability, longevity, and value proposition.
If you want to buy a used model, you’ll want to invest in the most reliable Toyota Corolla year to get your money’s worth. So for today, we round up some of the most reliable Toyota Corolla years to help you out.
Most Reliable Toyota Corolla Years
If you’re in the market for a used Corolla, you can start your search with the following model generations:
2004-2008 Toyota Corolla
Consumer Reports (CR) recommends the 2008-2008 Corolla model years if you buy an older model. This generation is part of the 2003 redesign year, but the 2003 model year is best avoided due to its significant mechanical woes, including transmission failure and oil sludge issues. In addition, CR flagged the 2003 Corolla for its significant engine (major and minor) trouble spots, which scored a dismal 1 out of 5 rating.
With that said, the rest of this generation is all rated highly by CR. For instance, the 2004 Corolla received the Seal of Awesome award from CarComplaints.com. Although it did have 500+ NHTSA complaints, its overall reliability and durability stand the test of time. According to CR, a used 2004 Corolla has an average retail price of $4,125 - $4,500.
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Another most reliable Toyota Corolla year in this batch is the 2007 model year. According to CR, the 2007 Corolla has a reliability rating of 5 out of 5 and an owner satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5 – all excellent scores indicating that this is one reliable Corolla you can safely buy as used. With an average retail price range of $6,125 - $6,700m and 30 combined mpg, the 2007 Corolla is an excellent used vehicle.
Overall, this Corolla generation offers a sweet spot of practicality, good performance, and excellent fuel efficiency.
2010-2013 Toyota Corolla
The 2009-2013 Corolla generation received a full recommendation from CR. This generation brought another redesign and also made the sedan larger, significantly quieter, and more fuel efficient with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Although all cars in this batch received the coveted “CR Recommended” seal, only the 2009 Corolla was rated 4 out of 5 in reliability, while the rest had a perfect 5⁄5 rating.
The 2009 Corolla also didn’t fare too well in customer satisfaction with its 2 out of 5 rating, when all the other sedans have 3 out of 5. CarComplaints also flagged the 2009 Corolla as a “Beware of the Clunker” unit with many mechanical issues like excessive oil consumption and water pump failure. If you’re going to skip one model from this generation, the 2009 Corolla is definitely it.
HERE ARE THE TOYOTA COROLLA YEARS TO AVOID
If you’re in the market for a used Toyota Corolla, we’ll run through which Corolla year models to avoid in order to make the best purchasing decision.
Meanwhile, the rest of this Corolla generation are excellent choices for buying a used car. We highly recommend checking out the 2011 model year due to its high reliability ratings and excellent owner feedback, and it comes with Stability Control (which became standard in 2010). It also received the CarComplaints’ “Seal of Awesome” award, and most of its issues are considered minor (e.g., faulty AC, paint issues, etc.). A used 2011 Corolla has a price range of $8,525 - $9,325.
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2014-2019 Toyota Corolla
2014 is another redesign year for the Corolla, where it got larger in size, had a competitive interior space, and even better fuel economy of 32 mpg combined. Like the previous generation, CR also recommends the entire 2014-2019 Corolla generation lineup. All models from this generation have received a Reliability Verdict of 5 out of 5 and an Owner Satisfaction rating of 3 out of 5 across the board. It’s safe to say, all models from this generation are reliable.
However, out of this lineup, the 2014 is the least reliable of the bunch and received more complaints than the rest of the lineup. While the 2004 Corolla does have its problems, they’re primarily minor issues like faulty climate system, malfunctioning radio, and rattling from the dashboard. Although it’s the worst of this generation, we’re hesitant to recommend that you avoid the 2004 Corolla altogether.
For the most reliable Toyota Corolla year in this generation, we have to go with the 2019 model year. The 2019 Toyota Corolla is one of the best compact sedans you can buy. Thanks to its wealth of standard driver-assistance features, spacious rear seats, and value-oriented pricing. J.D. Power ranked the 2019 Corolla as its top compact car during its year and has a Quality & Reliability score of 92 out of 100.
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2020-2022 Toyota Corolla
The 2020 model marks another redesign year for the Corolla sedan. This current gen also received the “CR Recommended” award across all models, including the current 2023 model. While the new styling of the Corolla is quite handsome, it compromised the space of the rear seats, making it difficult to get in and out of the sedan. In terms of reliability, the 2020 received a 4 out of 5 reliability score, while the 2021 and 2022 received a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. With that said, the 2020 Corolla is evidently the least reliable model in this lineup, so feel free to write it off your list.
In this lineup, the 2021 is the most reliable Toyota Corolla year with high scores across the board, including its engine, electric system, body integrity, and transmission. Even the areas where it received complaints are rated highly by CR. In 2021, the Corolla was the second most reliable sedan for that year (only bested by the VW Jetta), beating the likes of the Honda Civic, Kia Soul, and Subaru Impreza.
Common Toyota Corolla Reliability Problems
Although the Corolla is legendary for its reliability, it has many reliability woes that potential buyers should know:
- Excessive Oil Consumption: The 2002 and 2009 models, and to a lesser extent the 2000, 2001, and 2014 models, have had issues with excessive oil consumption. Solutions include replacing piston rings, using thicker oil, or the more expensive option of replacing the engine, which can cost between $2,600 to $5,000.
- Transmission Failure: The 2003 model is particularly known for transmission failure, characterized by unusual grinding and clunking noises before the car stops. The typical solution involves rebuilding or replacing the transmission, costing around $1,200 to $2,500.
- Slow Engine Start-Up: Some owners have reported slow start-up issues, particularly at around 100,000 to 125,000 miles. The common cause is starter failure, requiring replacement of the starter solenoid or the entire starter.
- Check Engine Light Triggered by EVAP System Issues: Toyota Corolla models ranging from 1998 to 2016 frequently exhibit the check engine light. This is typically a result of problems in the evaporative emission (EVAP) system, often stemming from a blocked charcoal canister or a malfunctioning gas cap.
- Faulty Airbags: There have been multiple recalls for airbag issues, affecting models from 2003 to 2019. Problems include potential airbag inflator explosion, improperly placed Flexible Flat Cables (FFC), and faulty supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits.
FAQs: Most Reliable Toyota Corolla Year
Q: What is the major problem of Toyota Corolla?
A: The major problems reported for various Toyota Corolla models include excessive oil consumption, especially in the 2002 and 2009 models, and transmission failure, particularly prevalent in the 2003 model year.
Q: Which year Toyota Corolla is the best?
A: Among the most reliable years, the 2004-2008 and 2010-2013 Corolla models stand out. Specifically, the 2004 and 2007 models are highly recommended for their durability and fewer reported issues.
Q: What is the best Toyota to buy second hand?
A: While the best Toyota to buy second hand depends on your needs and preferences, the Toyota Corolla consistently ranks high for reliability. The 2011 and 2013 models, in particular, are excellent choices due to their high reliability ratings and positive owner feedback.
Q: Are there any specific Corolla models known for electrical issues?
A: While Corollas are generally reliable, some model years like the early 2000s have reported minor electrical issues, including problems with the dashboard lights and power windows.
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