What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Corolla?

Owners name air bags, steering and speed control most often. Brakes come next.

Does the 2010 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists the recall count, and each one is shown in the Recalls section of this page.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Toyota Corolla get?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2010 Toyota Corolla reliable?

The complaint groups above show where owners report trouble. The year comparison section shows how 2010 sits next to other years.

2010 Toyota Corolla Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there for the 2010 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA has 1,264 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 1,264 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Toyota Corolla^[1]. Air bags, steering and speed control are the biggest groups^[2]^[3]^[4].

1,264owner complaints^[1]

17recalls^[5]

25–30MPG combined (EPA)^[6]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Air Bags. 434 complaints^[2]. Owners describe warning lights that stay on, and some stories involve a crash where the front air bag did not go off.
Steering. 373 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, the car wanders at highway speed and needs constant small corrections. Owners say the dealer found the alignment fine, and long drives feel tiring.
Speed Control. 200 complaints^[4]. Owners describe the car surging forward when they slow down or pull away, and some mention an engine speed gauge that climbs on its own.
Brakes. 153 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a long pedal travel before the car responds, a brake warning light, and a pulsing feel when stopping.
Electrical System. 75 complaints^[8].
Power Train. 50 complaints^[9].
Engine. 43 complaints^[10].
Suspension. 39 complaints^[11].

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name more than one group.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Corolla is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V005), January 2019. About 1,299,448 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V024), January 2018. About 628,018 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[14]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (16V396), June 2016. About 7,749 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V340), May 2016. About 1,754,517 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls (15V689), October 2015. About 1,814,284 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (14V743), November 2014. About 3,233 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, burns. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (14V168), April 2014. About 1,486,413 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[19]
Equipment › Other › Labels (13V123), April 2013. About 7,525 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[20]
Seats (13V014), January 2013. About 3,235 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[21]
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars (11V566), November 2011. About 518 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V036), February 2010. About 153,418 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[23]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V035), February 2010. About 271,417 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[24]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (10V023), January 2010. About 1,126,915 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[25]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (10V017), January 2010. About 2,230,661 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[26]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum (09V338), August 2009. About 95,705 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[27]
Equipment › Other › Labels (09V332), August 2009. About 1,309 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[28]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[29]	26 / 34 / 29	$2,300
Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[6]	26 / 35 / 30	$2,250
Corolla, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[30]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
Corolla, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[31]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[32].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Toyota Corolla with electric motor^[33]	132 hp
2010 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[34]	132 hp
2010 Toyota Corolla with electric motor^[35]	158 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
COROLLA 4DR SEDAN FWD CE/LE/S/XRS^[36]	179 in	69 in	58 in	102 in	2,820 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Corolla model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[5].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	176	2
1996	129	0
1997	135	1
1998	225	0
1999	155	0
2000	145	0
2001	133	0
2002	117	0
2003	756	10
2004	506	10
2005	943	7
2006	904	8
2007	884	7
2008	345	7
2009	1,533	13
2010	1,264	17
2011	590	9
2012	446	5
2013	202	5
2014	269	2
2015	220	1
2016	215	1
2017	190	3
2018	143	3
2019	205	6
2020	314	6
2021	187	1
2022	105	0
2023	85	6
2024	73	4
2025	42	2
2026	18	1

NHTSA's counts for the Corolla show 1,264 complaints and 17 recalls for 2010^[5]. Among the 33 model years listed, 31 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 1 have more^[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2009 (1,533)^[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Corolla?

The 2010 Corolla has a sizable file of owner complaints^[1]. The air bag, steering and speed control groups lead the list^[2]^[3]^[4]. Owners describe steering that needs constant attention and brakes that feel slow to respond^[3]^[7]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a guide to what owners talk about. Check the recalls section above and have a mechanic look over any car you plan to buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Corolla?: Owners name air bags, steering and speed control most often^[2]^[3]^[4]. Brakes come next^[7].
Does the 2010 Toyota Corolla have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists the recall count^[5], and each one is shown in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints are there for the 2010 Toyota Corolla?: NHTSA has 1,264 owner complaints on file^[1].
What gas mileage does the 2010 Toyota Corolla get?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2010 Toyota Corolla reliable?: The complaint groups above show where owners report trouble^[1]. The year comparison section shows how 2010 sits next to other years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Corolla

2010 this page
2013 202 complaints, 5 recalls
2014 269 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 215 complaints, 1 recall
2017 190 complaints, 3 recalls
2025 42 complaints, 2 recalls
2026 18 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Toyota Corolla

Other Toyota models from 2010

2010 Toyota 4Runner 147 complaints, 12 recalls
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 66 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser 3 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Toyota Prius 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Toyota Tacoma 294 complaints, 13 recalls
2010 Toyota Yaris 90 complaints, 9 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2010: compact cars

2010 Chevrolet Camaro 295 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 583 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Chrysler Sebring 104 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Dodge Challenger 299 complaints, 7 recalls
2010 Ford Focus 287 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 Honda Accord 641 complaints, 13 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,264 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Toyota Corolla (146 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 105 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
434 complaints name the air bags component group (52 crashes, 0 fires, 49 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,865). NHTSA vehicle records
373 complaints name the steering component group (19 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,000). NHTSA vehicle records
200 complaints name the speed control component group (57 crashes, 1 fires, 37 injuries, median mileage at failure 6,301). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Corolla model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
153 complaints name the brakes component group (34 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,250). NHTSA vehicle records
75 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,421). NHTSA vehicle records
50 complaints name the power train component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V024, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V689, filed October 22, 2015: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V743, filed November 19, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V168, filed April 9, 2014: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V123, filed April 9, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V014, filed January 16, 2013: Seats. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V566, filed November 22, 2011: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V023, filed January 27, 2010: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V017, filed January 21, 2010: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V338, filed August 27, 2009: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V332, filed August 19, 2009: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Corolla, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Corolla, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Toyota Corolla with electric motor: rated 132 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 132 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Toyota Corolla with electric motor: rated 158 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COROLLA 4DR SEDAN FWD CE/LE/S/XRS: length 179 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,820 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Toyota Corolla: problems, recalls and fuel economy