Before you buy a 2016 Corolla
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Open investigation
NHTSA has one open investigation covering this year: EA21002 (engineering analysis into the air bags since Sep 2021). An open investigation is a question NHTSA is asking, not a finding of a defect.
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Recalls vs. other years
Its single recall campaign ties for the fewest of the six model years we cover (2016–2021); the busiest has 5.
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Where complaints cluster
Complaints concentrate on the air bags: 26% of the 215 on file. The top components are air bags (56, of which 39 mention a crash and 32 an injury), steering (22, of which 5 mention a crash and 3 an injury) and power train (20, of which 1 mentions a crash). Across all 215 reports, 66 describe a crash, 2 a fire and 44 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
10 complaints (5% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, a slow but steady flow of new reports, most often about the power train (3).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (1.8-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 34 mpg combined, better than most for the 2016 sedans we cover (median 30 mpg across 19 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 30 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $1,890 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,140 in the thirstiest.
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive
Complaint trends
215 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Visibility & lighting
15 (7%)
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
Air bags — 32 complaints (15%)
Power train — 13 complaints (6%)
Service brakes — 13 complaints (6%)
Vehicle speed control — 12 complaints (6%)
Unknown or other — 11 complaints (5%)
Air bags,seat belts — 11 complaints (5%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“In 2024, my 2016 Toyota Corolla was involved in a collision. The airbags did not deploy. I went to the emergency room following the crash and later required additional medical treatment, including rehabilitation.”
Air bags · received Dec 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with no warning light illuminated.”
Steering · received Mar 2025
“The CVT transmission on my 2016 Toyota Corolla initially suffered a complete mechanical failure and was repaired on 01/08/2024, forcing me to pay $3,696 out of pocket for a replacement at an independent shop.”
Power train · received Jul 2026
Recalls
1 campaign on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check .
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
· 20V024000 · 2020-01-17
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.
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.
Investigations
EA21002 (EA)
Open
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module, air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Opened 2021-09-17
NHTSA summary From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.…
EA19001 (EA)
Closed
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
NHTSA summary The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors moun…
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Equipment
53 documents
(2015-03-28 – 2023-05-30)
Date Type Component
2023-05-30
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system
2022-04-28
service bulletin
Equipment
2022-04-28
service bulletin
Equipment, structure
2021-02-03
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-08-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-05-15
service bulletin
Equipment, structure
2020-04-07
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-04-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-03-10
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system, equipment adaptive/mobility
2020-02-12
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-02-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-02-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-02-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-02-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-01-27
service bulletin
Equipment
2020-01-23
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-12-12
service bulletin
Equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility
2019-11-25
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system:software, equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment:e…
2019-10-23
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-10-23
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-10-23
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-10-23
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-10-23
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-09-18
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system
2019-02-28
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system, equipment:electrical
2019-01-04
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-01-04
service bulletin
Equipment
2019-01-04
service bulletin
Equipment
2018-08-31
service bulletin
Equipment, equipment:other:labels
2018-08-20
service bulletin
Equipment, power train
2018-08-13
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system:software, electrical system
2018-07-31
service bulletin
Equipment
2018-07-20
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system:software
2018-07-06
service bulletin
Equipment
2018-02-21
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system:software
2018-02-06
service bulletin
Equipment, service brakes, hydraulic
2018-02-02
service bulletin
Equipment
2018-01-11
service bulletin
Equipment
2016-05-04
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system
2016-03-11
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system
2016-03-08
service bulletin
Equipment
2016-02-18
service bulletin
Equipment
2016-01-11
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-12-07
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-12-07
service bulletin
Equipment, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2015-12-07
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-12-07
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-12-01
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-12-01
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-10-15
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-09-15
service bulletin
Equipment
2015-09-14
service bulletin
Equipment, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2015-03-28
service bulletin
Equipment, electrical system:software
Structure
31 documents
(2015-07-29 – 2022-12-14)
Date Type Component
2022-12-14
service bulletin
Structure
2022-12-14
service bulletin
Structure
2022-12-14
service bulletin
Structure
2022-11-18
service bulletin
Structure
2022-11-18
service bulletin
Structure
2022-11-18
service bulletin
Structure
2022-11-17
service bulletin
Structure
2022-11-17
service bulletin
Structure
2022-11-17
service bulletin
Structure
2022-06-14
service bulletin
Structure
2022-06-14
service bulletin
Structure
2022-05-18
service bulletin
Structure
2022-04-28
service bulletin
Structure, equipment
2021-11-23
service bulletin
Structure
2021-10-28
service bulletin
Structure
2021-10-27
service bulletin
Structure
2020-10-27
service bulletin
Structure
2020-10-27
service bulletin
Structure
2020-02-06
service bulletin
Structure
2020-02-06
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2019-12-04
service bulletin
Structure
2018-06-13
service bulletin
Structure
2015-07-29
service bulletin
Structure, electrical system, equipment:mechanical
2015-07-29
service bulletin
Structure, equipment:mechanical, electrical system
Structure:body
29 documents
(2016-05-19 – 2024-07-29)
Date Type Component
2024-07-29
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-29
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-12
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-12
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-12
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-12
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-12
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-07-12
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-06-21
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-06-21
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-05-17
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-05-15
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-04-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-04-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-04-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-04-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-04-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
2024-04-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
2022-11-17
service bulletin
Structure:body
2022-11-17
service bulletin
Structure:body
2020-08-06
service bulletin
Structure:body, equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment
2020-05-15
service bulletin
Structure:body, equipment
2019-08-09
service bulletin
Structure:body
2019-08-09
service bulletin
Structure:body
2019-08-09
service bulletin
Structure:body
2019-08-08
service bulletin
Structure:body
2019-08-08
service bulletin
Structure:body
2017-03-07
service bulletin
Structure:body
2016-05-19
service bulletin
Structure:body
Electrical system
18 documents
(2015-01-15 – 2019-09-16)
Date Type Component
2019-09-16
service bulletin
Electrical system
2018-08-28
service bulletin
Electrical system, power train
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Electrical system, power train, exterior lighting
2018-05-07
service bulletin
Electrical system, power train
2017-11-22
service bulletin
Electrical system
2017-01-06
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-10-03
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-09-14
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-07-18
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-06-09
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-03-11
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-03-08
service bulletin
Electrical system
2016-02-25
service bulletin
Electrical system, equipment
2015-12-14
service bulletin
Electrical system, electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2015-12-14
service bulletin
Electrical system
2015-09-15
service bulletin
Electrical system, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2015-05-19
service bulletin
Electrical system, electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2015-01-15
service bulletin
Electrical system
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
15 documents
(1991-01-18 – 2024-01-22)
Date Type Component
2024-01-22
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2022-05-26
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2021-05-24
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2021-03-18
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2019-07-09
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2019-03-28
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2019-02-07
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, electrical system:software
2018-05-07
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2017-10-30
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2017-07-20
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, air bags
2016-07-21
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, equipment
2015-10-15
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2001-05-04
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
1991-01-18
service bulletin
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Electrical system:software
13 documents
(2015-01-15 – 2020-03-10)
Date Type Component
2020-03-10
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2018-09-17
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2018-08-21
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2018-08-20
service bulletin
Electrical system:software, power train:automatic transmission
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Electrical system:software, power train
2016-11-29
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2016-05-04
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2016-04-04
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2016-02-25
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2016-01-11
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2015-03-28
service bulletin
Electrical system:software
2015-01-15
service bulletin
Electrical system:software, engine
Equipment:electrical
11 documents
(2015-07-23 – 2021-10-01)
Date Type Component
2021-10-01
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical
2018-09-12
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical, equipment
2017-11-28
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical, equipment
2017-07-12
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2017-02-28
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical
2016-08-30
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2016-04-26
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical
2015-10-13
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical
2015-10-13
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical, equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioni…
2015-07-23
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical
2015-07-23
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical
Equipment adaptive/mobility
11 documents
(2015-08-19 – 2020-10-12)
Date Type Component
2020-10-12
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system, steering, equipment
2020-09-14
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment
2020-09-14
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment
2019-12-19
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility
2019-12-12
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment
2018-03-28
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system:software, power train:automatic …
2017-11-28
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility
2016-05-19
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, structure
2015-08-19
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment:electrical, equipment:electrical:anti-th…
2015-08-19
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility
2015-08-19
service bulletin
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Show all 41 categories
Power train
10 documents
(2015-03-28 – 2019-09-03)
Date Type Component
2019-09-03
service bulletin
Power train
2019-07-01
service bulletin
Power train, electrical system, engine
2019-01-25
service bulletin
Power train
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Power train, exterior lighting, electrical system
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Power train, electrical system:software
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Power train, electrical system:software
2017-10-05
service bulletin
Power train
2015-03-28
service bulletin
Power train
2015-03-28
service bulletin
Power train
2015-03-28
service bulletin
Power train
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
9 documents
(2015-05-13 – 2021-07-26)
Date Type Component
2021-07-26
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2019-07-09
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, equipment adaptive/mobility
2019-02-25
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2018-12-03
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2017-04-12
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2017-03-08
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2016-11-10
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2015-05-13
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2015-05-13
service bulletin
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Engine
7 documents
(2016-07-18 – 2024-06-19)
Date Type Component
2024-06-19
service bulletin
Engine
2024-06-19
service bulletin
Engine
2018-08-02
service bulletin
Engine, electrical system:software, power train
2017-12-21
service bulletin
Engine
2017-09-11
service bulletin
Engine, electrical system
2016-09-14
service bulletin
Engine
2016-07-18
service bulletin
Engine, hybrid propulsion system
Service brakes
7 documents
(2016-07-25 – 2022-03-17)
Date Type Component
2022-03-17
service bulletin
Service brakes, hydraulic, back over prevention
2020-12-14
service bulletin
Service brakes, hydraulic
2020-12-14
service bulletin
Service brakes, back over prevention
2017-11-14
service bulletin
Service brakes
2017-01-26
service bulletin
Service brakes
2016-07-25
service bulletin
Service brakes
2016-07-25
service bulletin
Service brakes
Wheels
4 documents
(2015-09-15 – 2022-11-21)
Date Type Component
2022-11-21
service bulletin
Wheels, back over prevention, engine and engine cooling, steering
2016-03-22
service bulletin
Wheels
2016-03-22
service bulletin
Wheels, structure:frame and members
2015-09-15
service bulletin
Wheels, trailer hitches, equipment:mechanical
Tires
4 documents
(2015-09-15 – 2022-01-12)
Date Type Component
2022-01-12
service bulletin
Tires, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, wheels
2018-02-12
service bulletin
Tires
2018-02-12
service bulletin
Tires
2015-09-15
service bulletin
Tires
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
4 documents
(2015-06-17 – 2017-07-07)
Date Type Component
2017-07-07
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc., electrical system:software
2015-09-14
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc., electrical system
2015-06-17
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc., electrical system:software, equip…
2015-06-17
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc., equipment:electrical
Air bags
3 documents
(2021-03-17 – 2023-12-14)
Date Type Component
2023-12-14
service bulletin
Air bags
2022-11-23
service bulletin
Air bags
2021-03-17
service bulletin
Air bags
Seats
3 documents
(2018-02-02 – 2022-02-01)
Date Type Component
2022-02-01
service bulletin
Seats
2021-03-05
service bulletin
Seats
2018-02-02
service bulletin
Seats, equipment
Back over prevention
2 documents
(2020-10-16 – 2021-03-12)
Date Type Component
2021-03-12
service bulletin
Back over prevention, service brakes
2020-10-16
service bulletin
Back over prevention
Steering
2 documents
(2019-10-21 – 2020-10-21)
Date Type Component
2020-10-21
service bulletin
Steering, wheels, back over prevention, engine and engine cooling
2019-10-21
service bulletin
Steering
Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
2 documents
(2015-08-19 – 2017-03-23)
Date Type Component
2017-03-23
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
2015-08-19
service bulletin
Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
Fuel system
2 documents
(2016-07-28)
Date Type Component
2016-07-28
service bulletin
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap, fuel/propulsio…
2016-07-28
service bulletin
Fuel system, gasoline
Equipment:mechanical
2 documents
(2015-07-29)
Date Type Component
2015-07-29
service bulletin
Equipment:mechanical, electrical system, structure
2015-07-29
service bulletin
Equipment:mechanical, structure, electrical system
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
1 document
(2024-03-04)
Date Type Component
2024-03-04
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication, engine and engine cooling
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:refrigerant hoses and fittings
1 document
(2023-08-21)
Date Type Component
2023-08-21
service bulletin
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:refrigerant hoses and fittings
Vehicle speed control
1 document
(2023-08-17)
Date Type Component
2023-08-17
service bulletin
Vehicle speed control, equipment, air bags
Electrical system:wiring
1 document
(2022-01-28)
Date Type Component
2022-01-28
service bulletin
Electrical system:wiring
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
1 document
(2020-10-21)
Date Type Component
2020-10-21
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump
1 document
(2020-10-16)
Date Type Component
2020-10-16
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump, equipment
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
1 document
(2020-07-30)
Date Type Component
2020-07-30
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Suspension:front:control arm
1 document
(2020-07-09)
Date Type Component
2020-07-09
service bulletin
Suspension:front:control arm, electronic stability control:automatic (asc)
Equipment:other:labels
1 document
(2018-08-31)
Date Type Component
2018-08-31
service bulletin
Equipment:other:labels, equipment
Power train:automatic transmission:internal:CVT
1 document
(2018-08-28)
Date Type Component
2018-08-28
service bulletin
Power train:automatic transmission:internal:CVT, electrical system:software
Power train:automatic transmission
1 document
(2018-08-13)
Date Type Component
2018-08-13
service bulletin
Power train:automatic transmission, power train, electrical system:software
Engine and engine cooling
1 document
(2018-06-06)
Date Type Component
2018-06-06
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling, power train
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control
1 document
(2018-02-06)
Date Type Component
2018-02-06
service bulletin
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control, engine
Structure:body:door
1 document
(2017-10-27)
Date Type Component
2017-10-27
service bulletin
Structure:body:door
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
1 document
(2016-10-25)
Date Type Component
2016-10-25
service bulletin
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
1 document
(2016-10-20)
Date Type Component
2016-10-20
service bulletin
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
1 document
(2016-07-18)
Date Type Component
2016-07-18
service bulletin
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), electrical sy…
Unknown or other
1 document
(2016-02-18)
Date Type Component
2016-02-18
service bulletin
Unknown or other
Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
1 document
(2015-05-19)
Date Type Component
2015-05-19
service bulletin
Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery, electrical system
261 communications on file, grouped into 41 categories.
Fuel economy
Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined
Corolla LE Eco
1.8L 4cyl
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Front-Wheel Drive
30
40
34
Corolla LE Eco
1.8L 4cyl
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Front-Wheel Drive
30
38
33
Corolla
1.8L 4cyl
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Front-Wheel Drive
29
37
32
Corolla
1.8L 4cyl
Automatic (AV-S7)
Front-Wheel Drive
28
36
31
Corolla
1.8L 4cyl
Manual 6-spd
Front-Wheel Drive
28
36
31
Corolla
1.8L 4cyl
Automatic 4-spd
Front-Wheel Drive
27
35
30
Fuel cost calculator
Safety ratings
Configuration Overall Frontal Side Rollover
2016 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD
★★★★★ 5/5
5/5
5/5
4/5