NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1018.5%
Engine
916.7%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
814.8%
Door
814.8%
Automatic Transmission
611.1%
12V/24V/48V Battery
59.3%
Starter Assembly
47.4%
Retractor
47.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1992 Toyota Corolla 4-DR.
—
—
—
—
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.
Jan 1995peak 30Mar 2010
Recalls on the 1992 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.
91V168000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
DUE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM ERROR, CERTAIN DIGITS OF THE GVWR AND THE GAWR APPEARED IN INCORRECT LOCATIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Risk: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH THESTANDARDS OF 49 CFR PART 576.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Poretland, ORFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 92 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2009 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE STARTER ON MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION TO TURN ON MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE HEAT AND SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD AND WITNESSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I PUT OUT THE FIRE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER OVERHEATED AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10298147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesTemple City, CA15 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULER BELT BECOMES FRAID AND STARTS TO UNRAVEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING ON OTHER CORROLLAS WITH THIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM. (92'S HAVE TWO BELTS; A LAP BELT AND A SHOULDER BELT) IS THERE A RETRO- FIT AVAILABLE? THIS PROBLEM SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10080798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE GOING AT 20-25 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT. CONSUMER RAN INTO STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #8006822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dauphin, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER STEPPED ON BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF HER, AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT SPEED OF 35 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HURT HER NECK AND BACK.
NHTSA complaint #862702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Missouri City, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
A FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ENGINE BY THE BATTERY AND POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #854948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bremerton, WACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
11 YR OLD GIRL CUT HER HEAD ON THE HEAD REST OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BECAUSE HER SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RESTRAIN HER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AT ABOUT 35 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #708549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 97,000 milesTampa, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WANT TO LET SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2005 TO MY 1992 COROLLA. I WAS WAITING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD/ I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED AS HARD AS I COULD. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BEFORE I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BUT IT TOOK EVERY BIT OF STRENGTH I HAD TO DO IT. I NEVER REPORTED IT BECAUSE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW CAR WHICH I HAVE NOW. A 2005 COROLLA. I REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA WHEN I HEARD ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD KNOW. THIS WAS A 1992 CAR. MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN IT HAPPENED. I NEVER HEARD A RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA.
NHTSA complaint #10320076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poretland, ORFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 92 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2009 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE STARTER ON MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION TO TURN ON MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE HEAT AND SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD AND WITNESSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I PUT OUT THE FIRE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER OVERHEATED AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10298147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesST Louis, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT IS PEELING. ALSO HAS HEADLINER FALLING DOWN
NHTSA complaint #10232512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesTemple City, CA15 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULER BELT BECOMES FRAID AND STARTS TO UNRAVEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING ON OTHER CORROLLAS WITH THIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM. (92'S HAVE TWO BELTS; A LAP BELT AND A SHOULDER BELT) IS THERE A RETRO- FIT AVAILABLE? THIS PROBLEM SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10080798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
RETRACTOR ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER CANNOT PULL OUT THE BELT AND LOCK IT INTO PLACE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8014823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE GOING AT 20-25 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT. CONSUMER RAN INTO STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #8006822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #8006867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION WILL STICK IN FIRST GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8002402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonsville, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL GAUGE WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, NOT REGISTERING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK THE HEAD LIGHTS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WERE FLICKING.
NHTSA complaint #881964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonsville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, NOT REGISTERING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK THE HEAD LIGHTS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WERE FLICKING.
NHTSA complaint #881964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonsville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FUEL GAUGE WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, NOT REGISTERING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK THE HEAD LIGHTS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WERE FLICKING.
NHTSA complaint #881964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DE Leon SP, FL
TIRES
TIRE FAILED WHILE DRIVING (FIRESTONE 175/70/13). NLM
NHTSA complaint #558369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES THAT OPEN THE DOORS, THE PLASTIC HANDLES HAVE BROKEN & UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDES NOW.
NHTSA complaint #733481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aliso Viejo, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A UNDETERMINED PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN TRANSMISSION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aliso Viejo, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A UNDETERMINED PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN TRANSMISSION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aliso Viejo, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A UNDETERMINED PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN TRANSMISSION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dauphin, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER STEPPED ON BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF HER, AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT SPEED OF 35 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HURT HER NECK AND BACK.
NHTSA complaint #862702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARMS AND BLADES FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY DIED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TRANAXLE GASKET FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PAN GASKET LEAK CAUSING THE FIPG OIL PAN TO FAIL. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST PIPE GASKET FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL SHORT. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
RIGHT FRONT SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.