Transport CanadaHigh Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel spiral cable assembly may disconnect, disabling the driver-side airbag, turning on the SRS warning light, and affecting the horn and steering wheel controls.
This page covers 5 recalls, 71 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Toyota Corolla.
34–50 mpg combined
4.7–6.9 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 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering complaints dominate what 2023 Corolla owners report, with electric power steering drawing the most attention. Owners describe the steering feeling unexpectedly heavy, pulling to one side, or behaving erratically at various speeds. Exterior lighting is the second most-reported area, with complaints centered on headlights, owners note premature failures, unexpected shutoffs, or lights that don't perform as expected in low-visibility conditions. Engine complaints, while fewer in number, include reports of sudden high-rev surges, rough running, and stalling. A handful of owners also mention infotainment issues, particularly the display cycling on and off or CarPlay overriding driver display settings after manual adjustments. Sun visor failures, both sides dropping out of position during normal use, appear in more than one report as well.
71
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Toyota Corolla has 5 recalls, the most serious involving the steering intermediate shaft, which can fracture and detach from the steering column, leaving the driver with no steering control.
The driver's front airbag accounts for three of the remaining recalls, all tied to the same spiral cable assembly inside the steering wheel. If the cable disconnects, the airbag warning light turns on and the driver-facing airbag will not deploy in a crash. The horn and other steering wheel controls may stop working as well. Prior repair attempts under an earlier recall did not fully resolve this issue for some vehicles, which is why multiple filings exist. One recall also covers vehicles that may have received an incomplete fix under a previous campaign, so owners who had earlier airbag work done should verify their repairs are up to date.
The fifth recall applies only to Corolla Hybrid models and concerns a software error in the brake control computer. When the error surfaces, the power brake assist can cut out while cornering, meaning the driver has to press the pedal much harder than expected to slow the car, and stopping distances can increase noticeably.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel spiral cable assembly may disconnect, disabling the driver-side airbag, turning on the SRS warning light, and affecting the horn and steering wheel controls.
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Driver Assistance
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 →
What the fix does
Toyota will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will check the spiral cable assembly production date and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A weld inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be incomplete, causing an electrical connection to separate and disable the driver's air bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering intermediate shaft can develop cracks during manufacturing, which may cause it to fracture and detach from the steering column.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the skid control system may cause power brake assist to stop working when turning a corner.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the skid control software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A weak weld inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may fail, causing the electrical connection to break and disable the driver's air bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the spiral cable assembly and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
