2013 Toyota Corolla Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Corolla. Part of Generation 11 (E140) — 2009–2013.

20122014
Complaints
269
per 10K Sold
8.9
US Sales
302,180
Crashes
62
Fires
1
Injuries
74
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2013 Toyota Corolla Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#171 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:43,458 mi
Crash-related:31
Fires:1
#238 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:17,899 mi
Crash-related:2
#323 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:47,286 mi
Crash-related:5
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Toyota Corolla.

Airbags
71
complaints
Crashes
31
Fires
1
Avg Miles
43,458
Steering Defects
38
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
17,899
Brakes
23
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
47,286
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
38,886
Engine Problems
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
45,611
Seat Belt Issues
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
31,638
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,976
Transmission / Drivetrain
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
64,838
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
35,500
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
15,873
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
30,816
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Corolla. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Toyota Corolla

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,750,897 vehicles.

20V024000Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
~2,891,976 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

19V741000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~928,220 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V005000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,299,448 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

18V024000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~628,018 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

13V014000Seats · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~3,235 affected

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Other Toyota Corolla Years

2013 Toyota Corolla — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2013 Toyota Corolla has 269 NHTSA complaints, 62 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 71 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Toyota Corolla?
Top reported problems: Airbags (71 complaints, avg 43,458 mi); Steering Defects (38 complaints, avg 17,899 mi); Brakes (23 complaints, avg 47,286 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Toyota Corolla?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 38,563 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Toyota Corolla include 62 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 74 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,750,897 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Toyota Corolla?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Corolla reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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