CarBrief

NHTSA lists 215 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Corolla, and air bags are the group named most often[1][2]. It has one recall on file, for the air bag control module[3].

215owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
30–34MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 215 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 66 mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 57 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The named parts with the most complaints (an unknown or other group with 24 is left out)[7]:

We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. It is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a flavor of what people write.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. One describes a warning light and steering wheel buttons that stopped working[2].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 complaints, 10 describe brakes that responded slowly, felt soft or did not stop the car as expected[8]. Some also mention grinding or screeching, and some say the dealer found nothing wrong[8].

Seat belts. In a sample of 12 complaints, 3 say a belt did not lock in a crash[9]. Two describe squeaking from the front belts and 2 describe a buckle that is hard to release[9].

Speed control. In a sample of 12 complaints, 6 describe the car lunging or accelerating on its own, often while parking[10]. Three describe a speedometer that read wrong or stuck at zero, and 4 describe slow or missing acceleration[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year.

Before you buy, ask the seller for proof the recall work was done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions of the 1.8L 4-cylinder, all front-wheel drive and regular fuel[13][14][15][16][5][17]. Combined MPG runs from 30 to 34[13][5].

Version City / Hwy / Combined Annual fuel cost
Corolla, Automatic 4-spd[13] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Corolla, Automatic (AV-S7)[14] 28 / 36 / 31 $2,150
Corolla, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[15] 29 / 37 / 32 $2,100
Corolla, Manual 6-spd[16] 28 / 36 / 31 $2,150
Corolla LE Eco, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[5] 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950
Corolla LE Eco, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[17] 30 / 38 / 33 $2,050

EPA bases annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not on prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall[6], 5 stars in frontal tests[6] and 5 stars in side tests[6]. Rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 11.8%[6].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 1.8L 4-cylinder engine at 132 to 140 hp, depending on version[18].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan and can differ slightly from US models[19].

Measure Value
Length[19] 183 in
Width[19] 70 in
Height[19] 57 in
Wheelbase[19] 106 in
Curb weight[19] 2,789 lb

How 2016 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 recalls2015: 220 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 215 complaints, 1 recalls21520162017: 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 2016 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

NHTSA has 215 complaints and 1 recall for 2016[4]. Look at the years from 2013 to 2021. Complaints range from 143 for 2018 to 314 for 2020[4], and 2016 sits in the middle of that stretch. It has fewer than 2014 (269), 2015 (220) and 2020 (314), and more than 2013 (202), 2017 (190), 2018 (143), 2019 (205) and 2021 (187)[4].

Recalls in that stretch: 2015, 2016 and 2021 each have 1[4], the fewest. The others have 2 to 6[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only to compare Corolla years with each other.

Should you buy a used 2016 Corolla?

The numbers show a mid-range complaint count for this stretch of Corolla years and a single recall[4]. The recall is about air bag electronics, so confirm the free inspection was done[3]. Air bags and brakes lead the complaint list, and the small sample we read includes owners who say air bags did not deploy or brakes did not respond[2][8]. Those are unverified reports, so have a mechanic check the brakes on any car you test. The 5-star overall crash rating and the 30 to 34 combined MPG range are points in its favor[6][13][5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
Air bags are the group named most often, with 65 of 215 complaints[1][2]. Brakes follow with 30[8], then seat belts with 26[9].
Does the 2016 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one, 20V024, for the air bag control module. Dealers inspect it and add a noise filter as necessary, free of charge[3].
How many miles per gallon does a 2016 Corolla get?
EPA combined ratings run from 30 to 34 MPG depending on version[13][5]. The LE Eco is rated up to 34 combined[5].
How safe is the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 215 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Corolla (66 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 57 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 65 complaints name the air bags component group (45 crashes, 1 fires, 47 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,900). 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. 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
  7. 24 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 30 complaints name the brakes component group (13 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,809). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 26 complaints name the seat belts component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,533). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 22 complaints name the speed control component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 22 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 22 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 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
  14. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 132 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COROLLA 4DR SEDAN: length 183 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,789 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.