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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2016 Toyota Corolla
Common Problems

Ranked from 87 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

5
Safety
1
High severity
5
Medium
5 problems on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

11 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Airbag Malfunction

    20complaints
    Safety riskElectrical

    Airbags fail to deploy during collisions, increasing the risk of injury or death.

  2. 2

    Brake System Failure

    20complaints
    Safety riskBrakes

    The brake system fails to engage properly, causing the car to not stop as expected.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  3. 3

    Electrical System Faults

    10complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    Various electrical issues cause the check engine light to come on and other systems to malfunction.

  4. 4

    Steering System Malfunction

    9complaints
    Safety riskSteering

    The power steering system becomes stiff and the warning light stays on, making it difficult to control the vehicle.

  5. 5

    Vehicle Speed Control Issues

    8complaints
    Safety riskOther

    The vehicle accelerates uncontrollably, posing a risk of collision and injury.

  6. 6

    Recall issues with airbags and seat belts

    6complaints
    Safety riskOther

    Recall issues with airbags and seat belts led to non-deployment during accidents, increasing injury risk.

  7. 7

    Suspension Problems

    5complaints
    Medium severitySuspension

    Suspension issues lead to loss of control and increased risk of accidents.

    $150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  8. 8

    Transmission failure with no warning

    5complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission suddenly fails without warning, leading to potential loss of power and control.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  9. 9

    Paint peeling from exterior body panels

    4complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Factory-applied paint peels off the exterior body panels, exposing the underlying metal.

  10. 10

    Transmission Issues

    4complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    The transmission shifts improperly and causes the engine to rev excessively while accelerating.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  11. 11

    Headlight Malfunction

    2complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    Headlights do not illuminate properly, leading to reduced visibility and potential safety issues.

    $100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

Other years & sources

2011 Toyota Corolla2017 Toyota Corolla2018 Toyota Corolla2019 Toyota Corolla2020 Toyota Corolla2021 Toyota CorollaAll NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.