Reliable Auto DB

2012 Toyota Corolla reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Toyota Corolla holds 446 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 16 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Corolla years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Air bag control module, Inflator, and Inactive sensor control module.

2012 Toyota Corolla
Photo by Just a Man, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0
Complaints

446

Per year

16

Recalls

5

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (370 of 446), then Steering (18) and Speed control (16). The most filings arrived in 2017 (313 of 446). Those filings include 41 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 24 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Corolla has 201 complaints, 29 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Toyota Corolla. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

Recall air bags, air bag control module 2020-01-17 · NHTSA campaign 20V024000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-10-17 · NHTSA campaign 19V741000
Summary Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-01-09 · NHTSA campaign 19V005000
Summary Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2017-01-09 · NHTSA campaign 17V006000
Summary Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Recall air bags, frontal, inactive sensor control module 2013-01-16 · NHTSA campaign 13V014000
Summary Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Remedy Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Complaints by component (446 total)

Air bags
370
Steering
18
Speed control
16
Structure
14
Electrical system
13
Service brakes
11
Powertrain
8
Seat belts
7
Seats
5
Engine
4
Suspension
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Exterior lighting
2
Visibility
2
Wheels
2
Equipment
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

41

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

24

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

152012152013192014132015720163132017142018920191220208202132022132023220241202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The paint on my Corolla is And has been for years been bubbling up on the hood. Tried taking it to Middletown Toyota twice and twice paid money to try to get it fixed and it didn't work. Also contacted my insurance…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-16
  • "I turned my car on and every light on the dashboard is practically on. It’s saying my (EPS) has failed and now it’s become hard to steer the vehicle. And none of my electrics as far as cruise control work and my…"
    Steering, Electrical system · filed 2026-03-07
  • "The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while parking in a post office parking lot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration, crashed into a…"
    Speed control · filed 2025-12-09
  • "I got a car accident on Oct 30,2024. The air bag didn't deployed and my head has been injured."
    Air bags, Seat belts · filed 2024-12-09
  • "There was a paint recall for my car that expired in 2022. My car’s paint didn’t start peeling until 2023 and I wasn’t informed of the recall. I found out through a Reddit post. The paint peeling is not my fault and I…"
    Structure · filed 2024-08-02

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Corolla 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 4-speed Front-wheel drive 26 34 29 MPG $2250
Corolla 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 27 33 29 MPG $2250

Specs and fitment

10th generation, 2009–2013
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 , 4.4 qt capacity
Tire size 195/65R15 (L), 205/55R16 (LE/S/XLE), 215/45R17 (XRS 2.4L)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-024 covers certain 2011-2019 Toyota Corolla vehicles, along with other Toyota and Lexus models: during certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit may malfunction, possibly disabling deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners. Toyota dealers inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness when needed. Recall 17V-006 covers certain 2012 Toyota Corolla vehicles originally sold or ever registered in states Toyota identified as high humidity, plus Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Saipan, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: the front passenger air bag inflator may rupture. Toyota's remedy replaces the inflator.

Compare

Next year 2013 Toyota Corolla See every Toyota Corolla model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Corolla reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Toyota Corolla holds 446 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 16 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Corolla years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Air bag control module, Inflator, and Inactive sensor control module.

What are common problems with a 2012 Toyota Corolla?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (370 of 446), then Steering (18) and Speed control (16). The most filings arrived in 2017 (313 of 446). Those filings include 41 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 24 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Toyota Corolla more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Corolla has 201 complaints, 29 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Toyota Corolla been recalled?

The 2012 Toyota Corolla has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Toyota Corolla?

Owners have filed 446 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Toyota Corolla get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Toyota Corolla is 29 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2018 Toyota Corolla?

11th generation (2014-2019 in the US).

What oil does a Toyota Corolla use?

Recent US Corolla generations specify 0W-20; capacity is typically about 4.4 qt with filter on the 1.8L, but always check the owner manual for your engine.

Does the Toyota Corolla come as a hatchback?

In the US, the Corolla Hatchback joined the sedan starting with the 12th generation (2020 model year onward); earlier US Corollas were sedan only.