CarBrief

NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Corolla, along with 3 recalls[1][2]. Air bags are the largest complaint group, and one of the recalls covers the air bag control unit[3][4].

190owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
30–34MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Owner complaints

NHTSA lists 190 owner complaints for the 2017 Corolla[1]. Of these, 47 mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 44 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Air bags[3] 57 35 37
Unknown or other[7] 33 4 4
Speed control[8] 30 3 3
Brakes[9] 26 8 4
Electrical system[10] 21 2 0
Power train[11] 17 2 2
Steering[12] 13 2 1
Engine[13] 13 1 0

Air bags. This is the largest group, with a median mileage at failure of 29,500[3]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 7 say the air bags did not deploy in a collision[3]. Two describe air bags going off unexpectedly or hurting someone[3]. The air bag control unit recall is covered below.

Speed control. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 7 describe cruise control, often the adaptive kind, letting the engine revs climb or the speed rise above the set speed, and 5 of those mention downhill roads[8]. Three describe radar cruise reacting to a vehicle that was not in the car's path[8].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 say the car did not slow or stop when the pedal was pressed[9]. Two doubt that automatic emergency braking acts as expected, and 2 mention a soft pedal or brakes that seem to wear early[9].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 4 are from owners waiting for a recall repair that was not yet available[10]. Three describe the car losing power or shutting off with warning lights[10]. Two describe a driver-assist sensor not working as expected[10].

We have no complaint texts for the other groups, so we do not describe what owners say about them[7][11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA has 3 recalls for the 2017 Corolla[2]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists seven versions. Combined ratings run from 30 to 34 mpg[16][5]. The two Corolla LE Eco versions are at the top, at 34 and 33 mpg combined[17][16][18][19][20][5][21].

Version Transmission City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
Corolla LE Eco[5] Automatic (variable gear ratios) 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950
Corolla LE Eco[21] Automatic (variable gear ratios) 29 / 38 / 33 $2,050
Corolla[19] Automatic (variable gear ratios) 28 / 36 / 32 $2,100
Corolla[20] Automatic (AV-S7) 28 / 35 / 31 $2,150
Corolla iM[17] Automatic (AV-S7) 28 / 36 / 31 $2,150
Corolla[18] Manual 6-spd 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Corolla iM[16] Manual 6-spd 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250

All seven use a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, regular fuel and front-wheel drive[17][16][18][19][20][5][21]. EPA's annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 4 DR FWD version at 5 stars overall[6]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[6]. The rollover risk is 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[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, converted to inches and pounds, and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Corolla 4DR sedan[23] 183 in 70 in 57 in 106 in 2,789 lb
Corolla iM 5DR hatchback[24] 170 in 69 in 56 in 102 in 2,943 lb

How 2017 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 recalls2017: 190 complaints, 3 recalls19020172018: 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 2017 is highlighted[2].
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 2017 Corolla has 190 complaints and 3 recalls on file[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are only useful for comparing years of the same model.

Should you buy a used 2017 Corolla?

The 2017 Corolla has fewer complaints on file than most of the years from 2013 to 2021, and NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall[2][6]. The main item to check is air bag recall 20V024, since air bags are also the largest complaint group[4][3]. Ask a Toyota dealer whether the repair has been done on the specific car, because our data cannot tell you. Some owners in the complaint samples also describe cruise control speeding up on downhill roads, so it is worth testing on a hill if the car has it[8]. If fuel cost matters, the LE Eco versions have the best EPA ratings listed[5][21].

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2017 Toyota Corolla have?
NHTSA has 190 complaints on file[1]. Air bags lead with 57, followed by unknown or other with 33, speed control with 30 and brakes with 26[3][7][8][9]. In small samples we read, owners describe cruise control speeding up downhill and air bags not deploying[8][3].
Are there recalls on the 2017 Toyota Corolla?
Yes, 3: an air bag control module recall (20V024), a load label recall (19V503) and a spare tire pressure recall (17V295)[4][14][15].
How many mpg does the 2017 Toyota Corolla get?
EPA combined ratings range from 30 to 34 mpg depending on version[16][5]. The LE Eco versions rate 34 and 33 combined[5][21].
What is the 2017 Toyota Corolla safety rating?
NHTSA rates the 4 DR FWD version 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[6].
Is 2017 a good year for the Toyota Corolla?
By NHTSA counts, 2017 has 190 complaints, fewer than 2013 through 2016, 2019 and 2020, but more than 2018 and 2021[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Corolla (47 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 44 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Corolla model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 57 complaints name the air bags component group (35 crashes, 0 fires, 37 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 20V024, filed January 17, 2020: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. 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 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 33 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 30 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 26 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 21 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,192). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,282). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 13 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 13 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 19V503, filed June 28, 2019: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V295, filed May 2, 2017: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Corolla iM, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Corolla iM, 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
  18. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 36 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Corolla, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 35 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Corolla LE Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 38 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Toyota Corolla with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 132 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. 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
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COROLLA iM 5DR HATCHBACK: length 170 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,943 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.