Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Toyota Corolla, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 17% |
| Power train | 14 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 9% |
| Structure | 8 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 6% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Visibility | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WANT TO LET SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2005 TO MY 1992 COROLLA. I WAS WAITING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD/ I IMMED
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I OWN A 92 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2009 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE STARTER ON MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION TO TURN ON MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE HEAT AND SAW S
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULER BELT BECOMES FRAID AND STARTS TO UNRAVEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING ON OTHER CORROLLAS WITH THIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM. (92'S HAVE TWO BELTS; A LAP BELT AND A SHOULDER BELT) IS THERE A RETRO- FIT AVAILA
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
ON 3/29/03 I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT WORLDTOYOTA ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD. I HAD AN OIL & FILTER CHANGE, 19 PT. INSPECTION, SPRING SERVICE AND BRAKES FOR A WHOPPING $488. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST DONE ON MY VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
RETRACTOR ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER CANNOT PULL OUT THE BELT AND LOCK IT INTO PLACE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
WHILE GOING AT 20-25 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT. CONSUMER RAN INTO STEERING WHEEL. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *YH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION WILL STICK IN FIRST GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.
DUE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM ERROR, CERTAIN DIGITS OF THE GVWR AND THE GAWR APPEARED IN INCORRECT LOCATIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Risk: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH THESTANDARDS OF 49 CFR PART 576.
Fix: RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.
| Reliability | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 85 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 23 of them (22%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 85/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 79/100. 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.