NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 5 recalls, 201 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Toyota Corolla.
29 mpg combined
8.1 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2012 to 2013 Toyota Corolla received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The sedan earned five stars in side crash protection, four stars in frontal crash and rollover resistance, and three stars in side pole crash testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a major redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2012 to 2013 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2013 Corolla, the dominant complaint pattern centers on airbags and steering. On the airbag side, owners most commonly report warning lights illuminating and systems they believe are not functioning correctly, with concerns about whether the airbag would deploy as expected. Steering complaints focus on stiffness, pulling, or unexpected behavior at various speeds, with some owners describing the electric power steering feeling inconsistent or unresponsive. Vehicle speed control draws a smaller but notable cluster of reports, where owners describe cruise control or throttle response behaving erratically. Outside these top systems, a recurring thread involves paint peeling on the hood, roof, trunk, and door pillars, particularly on white and blue vehicles, often with relatively low mileage and garage-kept cars describing loss of the top coat down to primer.
201
Total Complaints
46
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
34
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Toyota Corolla has 5 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator issue accounts for three separate recall filings, but they all describe the same hazard. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist. Note that some of these filings apply only to vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories, so geographic location determines whether a specific Corolla falls within scope.
A fourth recall involves the airbag control module, which can malfunction during certain crashes and prevent the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying when needed. In a collision where this failure occurs, occupants lose the protection both systems are designed to provide, raising the risk of injury.
On the visibility side, the windshield wiper switch assembly can develop an internal short circuit, causing the wipers to stop working entirely. Losing wipers in rain or snow removes the driver's ability to see the road clearly, which can lead to a crash. Note that this recall applies to 2014 Corolla model year vehicles, so owners should confirm their specific vehicle's applicability by checking their VIN.
At a glance
What can fail
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
During certain crashes, the air bag control unit may malfunction, which could prevent air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and install a noise filter on the wiring, if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly depending on your vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during deployment due to degradation from humidity and temperature exposure over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit, causing the wipers to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.