CarBrief

The 2014 Corolla earned 5 stars overall in NHTSA crash tests[1], but owners filed 269 complaints and the car has two recalls, including one for the air bag control unit[2][3]. Check that the recall work was done before you buy.

269owner complaints[2]
2recalls[4]
30–34MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[1]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 269 owner complaints for this model year[2]. Of those, 64 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 50 injuries and 1 a death[2]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Here are the biggest groups.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Air bags[6] 69 44 40
Electrical system[7] 52 4 5
Unknown or other[8] 38 2 1
Structure[9] 32 8 2
Speed control[10] 29 13 4
Power train[11] 26 2 0
Engine[12] 20 3 0
Steering[13] 18 4 1

We read a small sample of complaint texts in four groups. This is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a flavor of what people report.

Air bags. In the sample we read, owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash, including front and side impacts. The group has the most complaints and a median mileage at failure of 41,000[6]. We cannot tell from the sample whether these reports relate to the air bag recall below.

Speed control. In the sample, owners describe the car surging or speeding up on its own, often while parking. Several say the brakes did not stop it. The group has 29 complaints, 13 of them with a crash, and a median mileage at failure of 12,881[10].

Electrical system. In the sample, owners describe stalling or lost power that a dealer fixed with a software update, door locks that stick, and lights that did not work as expected[7]. One report describes a burning wiring harness near a tail light. The group has 3 fires on file[7].

Structure. In the sample, owners describe cracked windshields and a speedometer that is hard to read when sun reflects off the instrument panel[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[3][14].

Fuel economy

EPA lists six ratings for the 2014 Corolla[15][16][17][18][5][19]. All have a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, regular gas and front-wheel drive[15]. Your number depends on the version.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd[15] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Manual 6-spd[18] 28 / 36 / 31 $2,150
Automatic (variable gear ratios)[16] 29 / 37 / 32 $2,100
Automatic (AV-S7)[17] 29 / 36 / 32 $2,100
LE Eco, automatic (variable gear ratios)[19] 30 / 38 / 33 $2,050
LE Eco, automatic (variable gear ratios)[5] 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950

EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD version at 5 stars overall[1]. Frontal and side crash ratings are also 5 stars each, and the rollover rating is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 11.8%[1].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine rated at 132 to 140 hp, depending on version[20].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan (CE, LE and S) and can differ slightly from US models[21].

Measure Value
Length 183 in
Width 70 in
Height 57 in
Wheelbase 106 in
Curb weight 2,844 lb

All values are from[21].

How 2014 compares with other years

1995: 176 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 129 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 135 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 225 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 155 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 145 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 133 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 117 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 756 complaints, 10 recalls20032004: 506 complaints, 10 recalls2005: 943 complaints, 7 recalls2006: 904 complaints, 8 recalls2007: 884 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 345 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 1,533 complaints, 13 recalls2010: 1,264 complaints, 17 recalls2011: 590 complaints, 9 recalls20112012: 446 complaints, 5 recalls2013: 202 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 269 complaints, 2 recalls26920142015: 220 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 215 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 190 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 143 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 205 complaints, 6 recalls20192020: 314 complaints, 6 recalls2021: 187 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 105 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 85 complaints, 6 recalls20232024: 73 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 42 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 18 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Corolla model year. The 2014 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951762
19961290
19971351
19982250
19991550
20001450
20011330
20021170
200375610
200450610
20059437
20069048
20078847
20083457
20091,53313
20101,26417
20115909
20124465
20132025
20142692
20152201
20162151
20171903
20181433
20192056
20203146
20211871
20221050
2023856
2024734
2025422
2026181

The 2014 model year has 269 complaints and 2 recalls on file[4]. Next to its neighbors, 2013 has 202 complaints and 5 recalls, and 2015 has 220 complaints and 1 recall[4].

From 2013 through 2019, 2014 has the most complaints. Later and earlier years go higher. 2020 has 314, 2012 has 446 and 2011 has 590[4].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales. They show how much owners reported, not how likely a car is to fail.

Should you buy a used 2014 Corolla?

The crash ratings are strong at 5 stars overall[1], and EPA fuel economy runs up to 34 mpg combined for one LE Eco version[5]. Against that, owners filed 269 complaints, and the largest group is air bags[2][6]. Ask for proof that the air bag control unit recall (20V024) and the wiper switch recall (13V505) were done[3][14]. Test drive for any surging when you park, since speed control complaints describe that[10]. Complaints are unverified, so use them as a checklist and not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Toyota Corolla?
Air bags have the most complaints at 69 out of 269 total[2][6]. Electrical system follows with 52[7]. Speed control has 29 complaints, 13 with a crash[10].
Does the 2014 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
Yes, two. One is for the air bag control unit (20V024) and one is for the wiper switch (13V505)[3][14]. The notices say the repairs are free of charge.
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Toyota Corolla?
EPA combined ratings run from 30 to 34 mpg depending on version[15][5]. The 4-speed automatic is rated 30 and one LE Eco version is rated 34[15][5].
How safe is the 2014 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall and a 4 star rollover rating[1].
Is the 2014 Corolla better than other Corolla years?
Complaints on file are 269 for 2014, against 202 for 2013 and 220 for 2015[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are not a ranking of quality.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 269 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Toyota Corolla (64 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 50 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 20V024, filed January 17, 2020: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Corolla model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Corolla LE Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 69 complaints name the air bags component group (44 crashes, 0 fires, 40 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 52 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 38 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 32 complaints name the structure component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 29 complaints name the speed control component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,881). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 26 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 20 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,177). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 18 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 13V505, filed October 17, 2013: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Switch / Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 36 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Corolla LE Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 38 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 132 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COROLLA 4DR SEDAN CE/LE/S: length 183 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,844 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.