TOYOTA COROLLA · model year

1999 TOYOTA COROLLA

188 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999TOYOTACOROLLA carries 188 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 5 fires, 28 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 COROLLA is tires with 13 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (12) and vehicle speed control (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1999 COROLLA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

188
Complaints
30
Crashes
5
Fires
28
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

188 filings

Crashes Reported

30 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES13
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
TIRES:TREAD/BELT7
SUSPENSION6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
AIR BAGS6
STEERING6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR4
SUSPENSION:REAR4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3

Recent Complaints

20230613CrashAIR BAGS

I was T boned at a 4 way stop.The force pushed me thru the intersection. Airbag did not deploy.

20180714STRUCTURE:BODY

UNKNOWN

Mileage: 15

20180618CrashTIRES

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 WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 40,000

20171012AIR BAGS

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.

20160718ENGINE

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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20160421CrashAIR BAGS

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, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO AN ESTIMATED 30 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVEN FACIAL BONE FRACTURES, A FRACTURED NOSE, FREE AIR IN HER SINUS CAVITY, BASILAR SKULL FRACTURES, FRACTURES TO BOTH PATELLAS, BLOOD CLOT IN THE LEFT LEG, PULMONARY EMBOLISM, AND A LACERATION TO THE LOWER LIP. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 315,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF...UPDATED 08/02/16 *BF *AS

Mileage: 315,000

20160404EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/2016*LJ

Mileage: 130,000

20151227UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BOLT ON THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE OFF INTO THE BLOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED.

Mileage: 130,000

20150602SUSPENSION

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 MANUFACTURED STRUT BRACKET- THIS CAUSES THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE TO BE TWISTED A QUARTER TURN AND IS NOT AS IT WAS WHEN ORIGINALLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY- THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE TWISTED LINE AND STRESS

Mileage: 65,000

20130722CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND TRAVELED OVER A CURB. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO BUSHES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR

20130720POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I CONTINUED HOME APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE, I THEN PARKED THE CAR CHECKED ALL FLUIDS, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING AND UPON ACCELERATION THE CAR HESITATED TO MOVE BUT AT A SLOW SPEED IT WENT ON. ANYHOW, AS I DROVE I NOTICED THAT UPON ACCELERATION IT WOULD QUIET, BUT ONCE I RELEASED THE PEDDLE THERE WAS A LOUD CRACKING SOUND, AND IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING. *TR

Mileage: 112,063

20130711TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA, EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK H727 TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BECAME FLAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT SOMETHING HAD NOT ALLOWED IT TO SEAL AROUND THE RIM. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 110,400

20130217VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND WENT TO SPEEDS OVER 100 MPH. WHEN THE DRIVER REALIZED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING MORE THAN HE WAS DOING HE RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO GO FASTER. THERE ARE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR TO GET STUCK AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *TR

20121227VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 31,000

20111217TIRES

ON 02/17/2011, I OBSERVED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS PARTIALLY DEFLATED. I INFLATED THE TIRE AS I COULD NOT SEE ANY FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE TIRE. ON 02/18/2011, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE WALMART STORE #0548 WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE (4) DOUGLAS(XTRA-TRACII) SIZE:185 65R14 TIRES ON 12-21-2010, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A PIN SIZE CRACK/BREAK IN THE WEAK POINT OF THE TIRE(EDGE OF SIDEWALL WHERE IT MEETS THE TREADS), IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED SINCE THE STORE POLICY IS NOT TO REPAIR SIDEWALLLS, THE MANAGER DID NOT ISSUE ME A NEW TIRE, SO I PLUGGED THE TIRE & IT IS NOW WARPING/DEFORMED. *TR

20101116SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FLASHES EVEN WHEN BELT BUCKLE IS PROPERLY ENGAGED. *TR

20101105FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE. WAS PUT OUT BY EMPLOYEE OF NEARBY RESTAURANT. REVIEWED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE. APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE FUEL LINE AREA. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

20100906UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ERROR CODE #: PO446: EVAPORATIVE EMMISSIONS CONTROL VENT CIRCUIT SYSTEM 1999 TOYOTA CORROLLA VE LICENSE PLATE: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] NY EMMISSION: [XXX]NY REGISTRATION: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20100604SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1999 TOYOTA COROLLA PURCHASED IN VERMONT JAN. 1999, MOVED TO NC IN JULY, 2008, WITH ABOUT 101,000 MILES. DRIVER WAS AT DOCTOR'S OFFICE PARKING LOT AUG '08-STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARDS, POOL OF BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND. REFILLED RESERVOIR, AND AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED OUT. TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND JUST RUPTURED UNDER PEDAL PRESSURE. HE SPLICED ON A 1-2 FOOT SECTION WHERE THE RUST WAS WORST. ON 6/03/2010, THE SAME HAPPENED ON THE OPPOSITE REAR BRAKE LINE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF NEW BERN, NC. BY AAA, WITH A DETAILED NOTE TO REPLACE THAT RUPTURED LINE. AFTER A $207.00 INFLATED BILL, THAT LINE WAS ALSO SPLICED, AND THE REPAIR INVOICE NOTED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT FROM SEVERE RUST. ASKED THE DEALERSHIP OWNER TO RECONSIDER THE 2 HOUR CHARGE OF $90.00 PER HOUR, BUT HE WAS OBSTINATE STATING HE HAD A M

Mileage: 119,271

20100604STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1999 TOYOTA COROLLA PURCHASED IN VERMONT JAN. 1999, MOVED TO NC IN JULY, 2008, WITH ABOUT 101,000 MILES. DRIVER WAS AT DOCTOR'S OFFICE PARKING LOT AUG '08-STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARDS, POOL OF BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND. REFILLED RESERVOIR, AND AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED OUT. TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND JUST RUPTURED UNDER PEDAL PRESSURE. HE SPLICED ON A 1-2 FOOT SECTION WHERE THE RUST WAS WORST. ON 6/03/2010, THE SAME HAPPENED ON THE OPPOSITE REAR BRAKE LINE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF NEW BERN, NC. BY AAA, WITH A DETAILED NOTE TO REPLACE THAT RUPTURED LINE. AFTER A $207.00 INFLATED BILL, THAT LINE WAS ALSO SPLICED, AND THE REPAIR INVOICE NOTED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT FROM SEVERE RUST. ASKED THE DEALERSHIP OWNER TO RECONSIDER THE 2 HOUR CHARGE OF $90.00 PER HOUR, BUT HE WAS OBSTINATE STATING HE HAD A M

Mileage: 119,271

Compare 1999TOYOTACOROLLA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA have?
The 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA has 188 NHTSA complaints, 30 crashes, 5 fires, 28 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA?
The most-complained component for the 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA is TIRES with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.