VehicleVerdict

1991 Toyota Corolla problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1991 Toyota Corolla sits mid-pack among Corolla years: 96 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 150, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (16), engine (16), and seat belts (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

96

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Corolla years?

Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted1,770 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 15 complaints1988: 33 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 31 complaints1991: 96 complaints1992: 115 complaints1993: 154 complaints1994: 199 complaints1995: 226 complaints1996: 151 complaints1997: 149 complaints1998: 278 complaints1999: 188 complaints2000: 176 complaints2001: 163 complaints2002: 141 complaints2003: 860 complaints2004: 560 complaints2005: 972 complaints2006: 971 complaints2007: 983 complaints2008: 378 complaints2009: 1,770 complaints2010: 1,573 complaints2011: 690 complaints2012: 496 complaints2013: 269 complaints2014: 381 complaints2015: 308 complaints2016: 309 complaints2017: 275 complaints2018: 196 complaints2019: 289 complaints2020: 391 complaints2021: 249 complaints2022: 128 complaints2023: 116 complaints2024: 94 complaints2025: 40 complaints2026: 18 complaints
Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corolla years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Toyota Corolla problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1617%
Engine1617%
Seat Belts1516%
Electrical System1010%
Transmission99%
Tires & Wheels66%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Fuel System33%
Latches & Locks33%
Speed Control33%
Suspension33%
Steering22%
Seats22%
Brakes22%
Other11%
Airbags11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1991 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E002000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2010 · 12,657 units

Defect

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Consequence

THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAVE A TOYOTA COROLLA. I WAS PULLED OVER ONE TIME BY THE NASHUA POLICE IN 2007 ALLEGING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SWERVING. I COULDN'T FEEL IF IT DOES..BUT COUPLE WEEKS AGO I OBSERVED IT VERY CLOSELY.AND YES IT DOES SWERVED. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE LIST OF MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THAT THE SECOND TIME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 11, 2010 · crash

“THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH COST ABOUT $400. FROM THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE FOUND, THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FOR THIS MODEL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 19, 1999

“THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT BECAME UNLATCHED DURING AN ACCIDENT, NOT RESTRAINING THE DRIVER.*AK CONSUMER WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRAPPED IN SEAT BELT, WHEN HE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, THE SEAT BELT THAT GOES ACROSS CONSUMER'S CHECT BECAME UNLATCHED SENDING CONSUMER TO HITTING THE STEERING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 19, 1996 · crash

“ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE RADIO. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 24, 1996 · fire

“MY CAR ACCELERATED ON REVERSE WHEREIN INSTEAD OF MAKING A 90 DEGREES ANGLE THE CAR WENT SWIPING IN 180 DEGREES. BOTH TIMES WAS RAINY. BOTH TIMES THE HEADLIGHTS & THE WINDSHIELD WIPER & THE BACK WINDOW DEFOGGER IS ON. DURING THIS BACK UP WHEN I TURN MY HEAD , THE REAR BACK WINDSHIELD WAS VERY BLURRY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 19, 2007 · crash

1991 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 1991 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 96 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Corolla year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1991 Corolla problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (16 complaints), engine (16 complaints), seat belts (15 complaints).

Does the 1991 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Corolla years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Corolla years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2007, 2005, 2006, 2003, 2011, 2004, 2012, 2020, 2014, 2008, 2016, 2015, 2019, 1998, 2017, 2013, 2021, 1995, 2018. The cleanest record among Corolla years belongs to 1978.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.