Is the 2016 Toyota COROLLA reliable?

The 2016 Toyota COROLLA has 308 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota COROLLA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (65 complaints, avg repair $500); SEATS/RESTRAINTS (33 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (29 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Toyota COROLLA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota COROLLA?

The 2016 Toyota COROLLA gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Toyota COROLLA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Toyota COROLLA is approximately $1,518/year (sedan-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Toyota COROLLA

Q: Is the 2016 Toyota COROLLA often stolen?

The Toyota COROLLA was the #12 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 8,100 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Toyota COROLLA has 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 289. The most common issue is air bags problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: i was making a left-hand turn on a two-lane highway. the individual behind me was not paying attention and did not stop. instead of swerving to the right to miss me, she swerved into the oncoming traffic lane just as i was turning left. her gmc 2500 heavy duty pick-up impacted my car at the driver d. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 91 crash reports 85 injuries

308

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

65 complaints

21%

• I WAS MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. THE INDIVIDUAL BEHIND ME WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND DID NOT STOP. INSTEAD OF SWERVING TO THE RIGHT TO MISS ME, SHE SWERVED INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE JUST AS I WAS TURNING LEFT. HER GMC 2500 HEAVY DUTY PICK-UP IMPACTED MY CAR AT THE DRIVER D
• AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT TIME OF CRASH WHICH THEY SHOULD HAVE.
• THIS IS A REPORT OF BRAKE FAILURE THAT CAUSED A VEHICLE COLLISION WITH INJURIES. ON OCTOBER 29, 2016, I RENTED A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM A BETTERWAY RENT-ACAR, INC. D/BA BUDGET RENT A CAR OF ATLANTA, AT 6509 ROSWELL RD, ATLANTA, GA 30328. THE TOYOTA HAD 21,619 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE RENTAL.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 45 crashes

“I WAS MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. THE INDIVIDUAL BEHIND ME WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND DID NOT STOP. INSTEAD OF SWERVING TO THE RIGHT TO MISS ME, SHE SWERVED INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE JUST AS I WAS TURNING LEFT. HER GMC 2500 HEAVY DUTY PICK-UP IMPACTED MY CAR AT THE DRIVER D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Toyota COROLLA

Based on 203 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

116

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 44 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE17/01/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

Above-average theft risk

#12 most stolen in 2025

The Toyota COROLLA was the #12 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 8,100 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: One of the most common cars on US roads

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Toyota COROLLA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Toyota COROLLA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,518

Full coverage / month

$127

Liability only / year

$601

vs US avg

-9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-compact)0.93x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1518

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota COROLLA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2016 COROLLA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 308 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. THE INDIVIDUAL BEHIND ME WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND DID NOT STOP. INSTEAD OF SWERVING TO THE RIGHT TO MISS ME, SHE SWERVED INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE JUST AS I WAS TURNING LEFT. HER GMC 2500 HEAVY DUTY PICK-UP IMPACTED MY CAR AT THE DRIVER D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: HEAD RESTRAINT/HEADREST IS SO EXTREMELY PAINFUL THAT IT HAS TO BE REMOVED OR REVERSED TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND PREPARED TO PARK. STEPPED ON BRAKES, CAR DIDN'T STOP HIT BUILDING. I PUT IN REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE, SWERVING AWAY FROM BUILDING, BUT CAR KEPT GOING ALL WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE. PULLED KEYS FROM THE IGNITION TO STOP THE CAR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HEAD RESTRAINT/HEADREST IS SO EXTREMELY PAINFUL THAT IT HAS TO BE REMOVED OR REVERSED TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)