2018 Toyota COROLLA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11098194 · 2018-05-27 (May 27, 2018)
BLIND SPOT CAN NOT SEE ON COMING MOVING VEHICLES WHEN BACKING IN A PARKING SPACE AND BACKING OUT, HIGHLY POTENTIAL ACCIDENT DESIGN , OF THE REAR SEAT HEAD REST TOO TALL BLOCKING OVER HALF THE HEIGHT OF THE REAR GLASS, HUGE BLIND SPOT FEEL TO TENSE TO TRY TO PARK IT BY BACKING IN.,AND BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR ANOTHER GOOD DEFENSIVE DRIVER THE CAR WOULD HAVE HIT BE, ONLY OWNED THIS CAR LESS THAN A MONTH AND TRIED TO GET DEALER SHIP TO LET ME HAVE A DIFFERENT DESIGNED CAR AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11098194 at NHTSA ↗
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 11113749 · 2018-07-25 (July 25, 2018)
2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INAUDIBLE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST. *LD *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11113749 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 11121820 · 2018-08-23 (August 23, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE REVERSING AND DRIVING FORWARD, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIPTON TOYOTA (1700 W OAKLAND PARK BLVD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33311, [phone removed]) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE THAT NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER A SECOND TIME AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SPACE IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123438 · 2018-08-30 (August 30, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD OR THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADRIEL TOYOTA RO GRANDE (PR-3, RO GRANDE, 00745, PUERTO RICO, [phone removed]), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11129286 · 2018-09-13 (September 13, 2018)
GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND REVERSING IN CAR UNDER 25 MILES ON ODOMETER. HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE BEEN TLDTHAT I AM BRAKING TOO HARD (SERIOUSLY IN A NEW CAR??) & WINDOW PAEENGER SIDE FRONT MAKES NOISE WHILE GOING UP AND DOWN THEY SAID THEY LUBRICATED IT BUT NOW ITS MAKING MORE NOISE..
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11129286 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V503000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2019-06-28 (June 28, 2019)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-01-13 (January 13, 2020)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V024000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
NHTSA campaign record ↗