2023 Toyota Corolla problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2023 Toyota Corolla sits mid-pack among Corolla years: 116 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 149, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (18), driver assistance (17), and steering (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

116

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Corolla years?

Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corolla years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Toyota Corolla problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Other	18	16%	▲ up
Driver Assistance	17	15%	▲ up
Steering	16	14%	▲ up
Electrical System	14	12%	▼ down
Engine	13	11%	— flat
Lighting	11	9%	— flat
Airbags	6	5%	▼ down
Brakes	6	5%	▼ down
Transmission	5	4%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	5	4%	▼ down
Fuel System	2	2%	— flat
Seat Belts	1	1%	— flat
Speed Control	1	1%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 2023 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

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

25V040000AirbagsJanuary 29, 2025 · 1,716 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

24V878000SteeringNovember 21, 2024 · 8,057 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles. Due to cracks developed during the manufacturing process, the steering intermediate shaft assembly may fracture and possibly result in the shaft detaching from the steering column.

Consequence

A steering shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24TB13/24TA13.

23V480000AirbagsJuly 12, 2023 · 152,927 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“While driving my vehicle Southbound on [XXX] in the Simpsonville/Fountain Inn area of South Carolina, my vehicle suffered some sort of catastrophic failure while driving and became completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle had been serviced a little over a month prior…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 28, 2025 · fire

“Just today, I was driving my 2023 corolla when I accidentally rear ended someone. We were getting off the highway and they were taking a right turn and second guessed themselves while I was focusing on the oncoming traffic. Usually my car would notify me of there being an obstacle in front of me as…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 6, 2023 · crash

“I was Useing the lane keeping assist and steering assist. i was driving down the hyw and parts of the solid white line to the right of me was faded or missing with no sholders. a wide truck that was about to pass me going the opposite direction had crossed over the center lane line and the stearing…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 22, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen unexpectedly turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the infotainment system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2025

“Multiple malfunctions causing the engine to misfire and eventually seize completely. Toyota never found out the issue but the engine failed. The suspect poor build quality. The engine, brake collision system, fuel pump all went out. Car was rough idling for about two weeks before the engine…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2024

2023 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 2023 Toyota Corolla reliable?

It is close to typical for the Corolla: 116 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2023 Corolla problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (18 complaints), driver assistance (17 complaints), steering (16 complaints).

Does the 2023 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 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.

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Toyota Corolla earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2023 compare to other Corolla years?

What are the most common 2023 Toyota Corolla problems?

Does the 2023 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2023 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 2023 Toyota Corolla reliable?

What are the most common 2023 Corolla problems?

Does the 2023 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Which Toyota Corolla years should you avoid?

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

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