NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 6 recalls, 198 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Toyota Corolla.
30–32 mpg combined
7.4–7.8 L/100km
Midsize 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 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2017 to 2019 Toyota Corolla received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The rating applies across these model years until a redesign. In frontal crash testing, the Corolla earned four stars. Side crash protection received five stars, while rollover resistance was rated at four stars. Side pole crash testing resulted in a five-star rating. NHTSA's star ratings reflect performance in standardized crash tests and provide consumers with comparative safety information for this vehicle class.
5/5 Overall
The dominant pattern among 2019 Toyota Corolla complaints centers on the powertrain, with a notable concentration on the manual transmission's clutch system in the hatchback variant. Owners repeatedly report concentric slave cylinder failures, often with little or no warning, that cause the clutch to stop functioning mid-drive, typically leaving the vehicle unable to shift gears. Several owners describe the clutch pedal dropping to the floor or becoming inoperable, sometimes accompanied by brake fluid loss from the slave cylinder. Failures are reported across a range of mileages, from under 30,000 to around 80,000 miles. Engine and fuel/propulsion complaints round out the most-reported categories, though the clutch and slave cylinder issue is the clearest recurring pattern in this model year's complaint data.
198
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Toyota Corolla has 6 recalls, the most serious being two separate defects that can cause the engine to stall while driving: a torque converter that can shed internal blades and fail, and a fuel pump that can stop delivering fuel entirely.
Both stall-related issues raise the risk of a crash, particularly at highway speeds. The torque converter concern is specific to hatchback models equipped with the continuously variable transmission, where the failure is more likely under hard acceleration. The fuel pump defect is a broader issue shared across many Toyota and Lexus models from this era.
On the safety equipment side, the airbag control module can malfunction during certain crash types, potentially preventing the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying when needed. If neither the airbags nor the pretensioners fire in a serious collision, occupants face significantly less protection than the system is designed to provide.
The remaining two recalls both involve load capacity labels. In one case, vehicles with factory-installed floor mats carry an incorrect load capacity figure, and in the other, the label text can fade until it becomes unreadable. Either situation can lead a driver to carry more weight than the tires and rims are rated for, which affects handling and can cause a tire failure.
At a glance
What can fail
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NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially affecting fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The load carrying capacity label on the vehicle may show incorrect information, which means the vehicle does not meet federal tire and rim safety standards.
What the fix does
Toyota will provide a corrected label to place over the incorrect one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The load capacity label text on the driver's door jamb may fade or become unreadable, preventing owners from seeing the maximum safe weight their vehicle can carry.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a corrected load capacity label at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The torque converter in the CVT transmission may not be properly assembled. Under heavy driving conditions like rapid acceleration, it could fail and cause loss of power.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the transmission and torque converter.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The pump impeller blades inside the torque converter can detach, especially during high-load driving, which may cause the vehicle to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the CVT and torque converter at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
