Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Toyota Corolla, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 21 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | 11% |
| Air bags | 15 | 9% |
| Suspension | 10 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 4% |
| Structure | 6 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 4% |
| Visibility | 6 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was T boned at a 4 way stop.The force pushed me thru the intersection. Airbag did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN DEFENDER TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES, DEALER SAYS NO FIX AVAILABLE. WITH ALL THE RECALL NOTICES MY WIFE AND I FELL WE ARE DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE, IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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. T
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER REMOVED HER SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER INADVERTENTLY MISTOOK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT,
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, BOTH THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUF
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THE BOLT ON THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE OFF INTO THE BLOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I INSTALLED NEW REAR STRUTS MANUFACTURED BY MONRO--IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE BRAKE LINE HOSE TO THE BRACKET ON THE STRUT IT WAS NECESSARY TO TWIST THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE A QUARTER TURN TO ACCOMMODATE THE IMPROPERLY MANUF
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
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 A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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 ASSOCIAT
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 21 of them (13%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) 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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 76/100. 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.