VehicleVerdict

1999 Toyota Corolla problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1999 Toyota Corolla sits mid-pack among Corolla years: 188 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 149, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (23), engine (21), and airbags (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

188

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Corolla years?

Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corolla years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Toyota Corolla problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2312%
Engine2111%
Airbags2011%
Suspension169%
Speed Control147%
Lighting105%
Body & Structure105%
Visibility & Wipers95%
Seat Belts95%
Steering95%
Other84%
Fuel System84%
Latches & Locks74%
Brakes74%
Transmission63%
Electrical System63%
Seats42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1999 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE TIRES POPPED HOLES ALL OVER IT AS THOUGH IT EXPLODED. THEY RIPPED APART LIKE THEY WERE TIRES THAT HAD RETREADS PUT ON THEM. WE HAD TO PAY FOR NEW ONES AND FIRESTONE AND TOYOTA SAID SINCE THEY WERE NOT THE WILDERNESS TIRES THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THEM. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W18J TIRESIZE:…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 22, 1999 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND DRIVING AN ADDITIONAL 800 MILES, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 26, 2015

“WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP 25-30 MPH AND HIT A TREE. UPON FRONTAL IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT. PREVOUISLY HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMSWHICH CAUSED THE DOOR LOCKS/ WINDOWS AND THE RADIO TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 24, 1999 · crash

“REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. CONSUMER HIT AN DIP IN THE HIGHWAY, JUST BEFORE CONTROL ARM BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 28, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP 25-30 MPH AND HIT A TREE. UPON FRONTAL IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT. PREVOUISLY HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMSWHICH CAUSED THE DOOR LOCKS/ WINDOWS AND THE RADIO TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 24, 1999 · crash

1999 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 1999 Toyota Corolla reliable?

It is close to typical for the Corolla: 188 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Corolla problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (23 complaints), engine (21 complaints), airbags (20 complaints).

Does the 1999 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.