Owners have reported 27 crashes, 5 fires, 20 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Corolla. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints32
AIR BAGS
Owners report frequent issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Toyota Corolla, particularly concerning non-deployment during crashes. Complaints commonly describe situations where the airbags fail to deploy in front-end collisions, even at speeds of 20-60 MPH, with some instances involving significant vehicle damage and injuries. Several reports involve airbag recall services that did not resolve the issues, as well as persistent warning lights indicating the passenger airbag is off despite occupancy. These problems are often noted in vehicles with various mileages, including some with over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with 17 complaints involving crashes, 14 injuries, and one instance of fire reported. This information is crucial for potential buyers considering a used model, as unresolved airbag issues could pose a risk.
Severity signals: 17 crash, 1 fire, 14 injury reports
Owner complaints15
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues related to the fuel system, particularly involving stalling and unexpected engine shutdowns. Common symptoms include the vehicle stalling at various speeds, difficulty starting after refueling, and the check engine light illuminating. These issues are often associated with fuel pump failures and occur across a wide range of mileages, with some reports noting failures as early as 11,000 miles. Safety implications include one reported crash due to stalling and a separate incident involving a vehicle fire. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring fuel system problems and consider the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2018 Toyota Corolla, including problems with the check engine light, cruise control, and battery-related starting issues. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle not restarting after fueling, with some noting a new battery and fuel pressure pump concerns around 33,000 miles. Multiple owners describe incidents involving smoke or fire, with at least one vehicle fire occurring while parked, resulting in property damage. A crash involving the lane departure system is reported, leading to a loss of vehicle control and injury. These issues suggest potential safety risks, particularly with electrical faults leading to fires and system malfunctions during operation.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla report several issues under the "UNKNOWN OR OTHER" category. Common problems include the CVT transmission making loud noises and causing a jerking motion during acceleration, as well as the driver door failing to open from the inside due to a malfunctioning handle mechanism. Some owners also describe dashboard paint bubbling, which obscures warning lights, and a significant blind spot caused by the rear seat headrest. One report involves a crash where the vehicle rolled while in park, raising potential safety concerns. These issues are reported without specific mileage ranges, and buyers should be aware of these potential defects.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues related to the power train, with several complaints focusing on transmission problems. Common symptoms include the vehicle not shifting properly, driving at high RPMs, and failing to accelerate past a certain speed, often described as "slippery" or "noisy" transmission behavior. These issues typically arise around 25,000 to 90,000 miles. Some owners also describe the car surging forward unexpectedly when stopped and the RPM fluctuating drastically, which can lead to stalling. Safety concerns are noted, including one incident involving a crash and injury, highlighting potential risks of power loss while driving. This information is particularly relevant for used car buyers considering a 2018 Toyota Corolla.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints7
STEERING
Owners report several issues with the steering of the 2018 Toyota Corolla, including steering wheel seizing and unusual noises. Complaints frequently mention steering wheel lock-up, with two incidents leading to crashes, one of which resulted in an injury. Symptoms such as rattling or creaking sounds are noted, particularly when going over speed bumps or making turns, often at mileages around 35,000 to 78,000. The presence of warning lights, such as the power steering indicator, is also reported by some owners. These issues, especially those involving loss of steering control, underscore potential safety risks for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues with the cruise control system, particularly when driving downhill. Common symptoms include the vehicle accelerating beyond the set speed, often increasing by 10-15 mph, and the engine revving to over 4000 RPMs as the transmission downshifts. This behavior is reported to cause sudden and forceful braking to return to the set speed, which some owners describe as difficult to control and potentially leading to near-collisions. One complaint involves an unintended acceleration incident resulting in a crash, although no injuries were reported. These issues are noted at various mileages, with one specific case occurring at approximately 15,438 miles. Buyers considering a used model should be aware of these reported cruise control behaviors and the associated safety implications.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
SEAT BELTS
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues with seat belts, particularly involving malfunctioning retraction and securing mechanisms. Several complaints describe front seat belts that fail to retract properly, with one noting the belts do not lock when brakes are applied, which has reportedly resulted in an injury. Additionally, rear passenger seat belts are mentioned as snapping or tearing, with some owners attributing this to belts getting caught in doors. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with one complaint specifying the problem occurring as early as 100 miles. Safety implications include the potential for increased risk during stops or accidents, particularly for passengers in seats with compromised belts.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints6
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla report several brake-related issues, with some leading to crashes. Complaints frequently mention brake failure, including the brake pedal traveling to the floor and delayed stopping, often at low mileage, around 300 to 3,000 miles. Two incidents involve crashes, one with injuries, where brakes failed to engage at speeds as low as parking maneuvers or as high as 40 mph. Additional symptoms include abnormal noises and vibrations during braking, with some owners noting these issues shortly after vehicle purchase. Safety implications are significant, as brake failures have resulted in total vehicle loss and bodily injuries, which potential buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Toyota Corolla experiences issues related to stalling and engine shut down, often without warning lights. Complaints frequently mention these problems occurring at highway speeds, leading to a sudden loss of power and requiring towing. Several reports indicate that these issues occur around the 24,000-mile mark. One complaint involves a fire incident following a recall repair related to the fuel system, resulting in the vehicle being destroyed. These problems may have implications for safety due to the potential for unexpected vehicle shutdowns in traffic.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
