Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: it scores well across the board with no single weak engine.
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Toyota Corolla, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 15 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 17% |
| Seat belts | 13 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 9% |
| Power train | 7 | 8% |
| Tires | 6 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING THE COLD WEATHER, SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK HER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT STATED DUE TO THE COLD, AND THAT THE DOOR LOCK DID NOT HAVE RIDG
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA DX SEDAN. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AT 3 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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. DU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
AFTER BUYING A USED 1991 TOYOTA COROLA I NOTICED 3 OUT OF 5 SEAT BELTS IN THIS CAR WERE DEFECTIVE. THE RETRACTOR ON THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LATCH WHEN I PULLED ON IT QUICKLY. MY WIFE AND I DID NOT EVEN NOTICE WHEN WE W
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DOOR MOUNTED SEAT BELT. THE SHOULDER BELT COMES TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND CONNECTS TO THE DOOR. THE DOOR OPENS UP, AND CONSUMER IS NOT BELTED IN.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ACCELERATOR CONTROLS. VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DRIVER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND IT WAS CHECKED ON 3
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Toyota Corolla. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
| Reliability | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 87 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 15 of them (17%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 87/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: buy, because it scores well across the board with no single weak engine. Its overall ownership score is 80/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.