2018 Toyota COROLLA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
17,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 133 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 16.5% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 12.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 11.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 35 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Seat Belts | 11 |
Air Bags: 35; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23; Unknown Or Other: 18; Engine: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline: 15; Power Train: 12; Electrical System: 11; Seat Belts: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 48 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 48; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (48). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2018: 17; 2019: 22; 2020: 45; 2021: 7; 2022: 12; 2023: 12; 2024: 7; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11104645 · 2018-06-29 (June 29, 2018)
WHEN USING THE RADAR CONTROLLED CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES REV TO OVER 4000 RPM. A TOYOTA FIELD ENGINEER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS ENGINE BRAKING, BUT THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS ON A LEVEL STRETCH OF HIGHWAY AT THE SET SPEED AND NO OTHER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURS WITH MY WIFE'S 2017 COROLLA. I'VE READ A NUMBER OF COMMENTS ON THE TOYOTA OWNERS WEBSITE (HTTPS://WWW.TOYOTA.COM/OWNERS/COMMUNITY/ASK-AN-OWNER/QUESTION-DETAILS/ID/62752030). SOME HAVE EVEN SAID THEIR CARS SPEED UP WHEN THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENS. THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119695 · 2018-08-13 (August 13, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WAS ASSIGNED TO THE CASE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11320062 · 2020-04-02 (April 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF LAREDO LOCATED AT (6324 BOB BULLOCK LOOP, LAREDO, TX 78041) WHERE THE MECHANIC FOUND NO DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11320062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11322045 · 2020-04-23 (April 23, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE RPM FLUCTUATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGIN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11322045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300125 · 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
I NOTEST A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF IN THE GARAGE FOR 5 1/2 HOURS I START THE CAR & SHUT IT THE SOUND WENT AWAY HAPPENED ONE WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IM KEEPING MY EYE ON IT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11300125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300741 · 2020-01-21 (January 21, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP STARTED ITSELF WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PRESTIGE TOYOTA DEALER [phone removed], LOCATED AT 1096 NJ-17, RAMSEY, NJ 07446) AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THE CONTAC INSTEAD SENT A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE HALTERMAN'S TOYOTA DEALER [phone removed], LOCATED AT 1741 PARADIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11088789 · 2018-04-18 (April 18, 2018)
THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS DESIGNED SO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED AND GOING DOWN HILLS. THIS PUTS MUCH MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON BOTH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION TO THE DOWN SHIFT THE RPM GOES TO OVER 4000 IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE CAR. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND DRASTICALLY REDUCES GAS MILEAGE, WHICH IS EXACTLY OPPOSITE OF THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH WAS BETTER GAS MILEAGE AND PEACE OF MIND TO NOT SPEED. THE SPEED DOES GO UP 5 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. BOTTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11190123 · 2019-03-19 (March 19, 2019)
THE 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA CRUISE CONTROL IS DANGEROUS. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON, GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS BUT THROTTLE DOES NOT REDUCE CAUSING CAR TO INCREASE SPEED 10-15 MPH WITH HIGH RPMS. AT BOTTOM OF INCLINE TRANSMISSION GOES TO HIGHER GEAR AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED VERY HARD CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY SLOWDOWN 15-20 MPH. IN THIS SITUATION IF CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT DISENGAGED THE CAR WILL GO WELL OVER THE SPEED LIMIT AND TO AN UNSAFE SPEED FOR THE ROADWAY. THE BRAKING ACTION IS SO SUDDEN AND VIOLENT …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,890 miles reported. Look up ODI 11190123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496639 · 2022-12-08 (December 8, 2022)
On the morning of 12/7 I tried starting my car, and the engine wouldn't start. There were no warning lights. Finally late afternoon it started up and I immediately drove to Toyota in town. They said my battery was probably dead and replaced it for $160. I then drove to Costco, parked, and then started the car up and went to Hyvee. When driving out of Hyvee, my car's big red battery light popped up, my car started shaking, and then it shut off and would not turn back on. I had to pay for a tow back to Toyota ($196). Today, 12/8, Toyota in town c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554139 · 2023-11-08 (November 8, 2023)
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the driveway, approximately 12 hours later while the contact was sleeping, a sound woke the contact and it was discovered that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and the fire also caused damage to the garage door, the side of the home, and the concrete driveway. The contact mentioned that the battery was replaced by AAA 3 weeks after the inc…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11554139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196619 · 2019-04-16 (April 16, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (STONE MOUNTAIN TOYOTA, 4400 STONE MOUNTAIN HWY, MELBOURNE, GA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11196619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465793 · 2022-05-23 (May 23, 2022)
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized and she depressed on the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into a traffic sign in the middle of the street. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive to her residence but continue to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicl…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11465793 at NHTSA ↗