Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1988 Toyota Corolla
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seat Belts
721.2%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
515.2%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seats
412.1%
4 crashes, 0 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
412.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Body & Structure
39.1%
Electrical System
39.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
39.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13.0%
Brakes
13.0%
Steering
13.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 3Mar 2015
Recalls on the 1988 Toyota Corolla
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
10E002000
SUSPENSION
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Akron, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1988 TOYOTA COROLLA ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0051-91 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10
NHTSA complaint #10312113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WICrash2 injured
SEATS
SITTING AT STOP LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, SEAT BROKE AND NECK REST BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND FOOT WAS ON BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #846088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WICrash2 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
SITTING AT STOP LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, SEAT BROKE AND NECK REST BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND FOOT WAS ON BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #846088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
BUMPER FAILED TO PROTECT VEHICLE AND CONSUMER'S DURING VEHICLE COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURIES DUE TO DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #540893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
BUMPER FAILED TO PROTECT DURING A LOW SPEED (25MPH) CRASH CAUSING REAR END DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #541002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
REAR BUMPER FAILED TO PROTECT VEHICLE IN 25 MPH REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #540534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bennett, CO
ENGINE
VEHICLE DOES NOT PASS COLORADO EMISSIONS DUE TO HIGH CO (CARBON MONOXIDE). VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY TOYOTA SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGNS N03 & NA3 WHICH DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF VEHICLE FAILING EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO HIGH CO. NO EXPIRATION DATE/MILEAGE/AGE GIVEN FOR THESE TWO SERVICE CAMPAIGNS. PARTS FOR REPAIRS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES ABOUT ISSUE. WAS ADVISE TOYOTA WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH SERVICE CAMPAIGN IS STILL ACTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10701138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bennett, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE DOES NOT PASS COLORADO EMISSIONS DUE TO HIGH CO (CARBON MONOXIDE). VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY TOYOTA SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGNS N03 & NA3 WHICH DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF VEHICLE FAILING EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO HIGH CO. NO EXPIRATION DATE/MILEAGE/AGE GIVEN FOR THESE TWO SERVICE CAMPAIGNS. PARTS FOR REPAIRS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES ABOUT ISSUE. WAS ADVISE TOYOTA WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH SERVICE CAMPAIGN IS STILL ACTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10701138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1988 TOYOTA COROLLA ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0051-91 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10
NHTSA complaint #10312113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLenoir, NC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DT: 88 TOYOTA, SAFETY BELT PLASTIC COVER CAME OFF ON DRIVERS' SIDE ,AND WHEN CLIPPED IT WON'T COME OFF UNLESS CONSUMER JABBED A SHARP OBJECT INTO IT TO GET IT TO OPEN. ( IT TAKES ABOUT 2 MINUTES). *AK *SB
NHTSA complaint #10120333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #739957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MUFFLER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR HAVING A HOLE IN IT. ALSO, ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #858333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MUFFLER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR HAVING A HOLE IN IT. ALSO, ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #858333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hewlett, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING ON TURNPIKE 60MPH HEARD A NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE SKIDDED, FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONTACT DEALER THEY EXPLAINED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #855140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hewlett, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE 60MPH HEARD A NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE SKIDDED THEN CAME TO A STOP. CONTACT DEALER, FOUND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD EXPLODED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #854760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hewlett, NY
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE 60MPH HEARD A NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE SKIDDED THEN CAME TO A STOP. CONTACT DEALER, FOUND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD EXPLODED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #854760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mahopac, NY
SEAT BELTS
THE RELEASE BUTTON HAD GOTTEN JAMMED,NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO GET FREE OF SEATBELT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE AND SAID SEAT BELT NEEDS REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #848766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WICrash2 injured
SEATS
SITTING AT STOP LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, SEAT BROKE AND NECK REST BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND FOOT WAS ON BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #846088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WICrash2 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
SITTING AT STOP LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, SEAT BROKE AND NECK REST BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND FOOT WAS ON BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #846088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamestown, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MUFFLER HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN 85,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #835326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
BUMPER FAILED TO PROTECT VEHICLE AND CONSUMER'S DURING VEHICLE COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURIES DUE TO DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #540893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
BUMPER FAILED TO PROTECT DURING A LOW SPEED (25MPH) CRASH CAUSING REAR END DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #541002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Berlin, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND A BANKING TURN THE FORCE OF THE TURN LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FUEL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #828158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
REAR BUMPER FAILED TO PROTECT VEHICLE IN 25 MPH REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #540534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VAN Nuys, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION EXPERIENCED TWICE RESULTING IN TWO COLLISIONS.
NHTSA complaint #535786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Milford, CTCrash1 injured
SEATS
VEHICLE HAD COME TO A STOP AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER FROM THE REAR. ONCE THAT HAPPENED THE SEAT BROKE. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER IN PLACE. THE DRIVER SEAT AND SEAT BELT BROKE WHICH ALLOWED DRIVER TO GO INTO THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #809833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Milford, CTCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE HAD COME TO A STOP AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER FROM THE REAR. ONCE THAT HAPPENED THE SEAT BROKE. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER IN PLACE. THE DRIVER SEAT AND SEAT BELT BROKE WHICH ALLOWED DRIVER TO GO INTO THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #809833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dubuee, IACrash
SEAT BELTS
PASSIVE RESTRAINTS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH, REAR ENDED A VEHICLE AND BOTH SEAT BELTS BROKE. THE BUCKLE STAYED LOCKED BUT THE MALE PART BROKE. FEELS THAT DEALER SHOULD REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE.
NHTSA complaint #808600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS SKIP ACROSS WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #511905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
UPPER PART OF SHOULDER RESTRAINT NOT ADJUSTABLE, SLIDES ACROSS THE NECK.
NHTSA complaint #511905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Gabl, FLCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #506355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.