Model year record

1994 Toyota Corolla recalls & problems

The 1994 Toyota Corolla has 8 safety recalls and 172 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (76 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls

Complaints172filed by owners

Crashes · fires65 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths46 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionFeb 11, 2010

Suspension

Recall 10E00200012,657 vehicles

Problem: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.

Air bagsJun 20, 1996

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 96V107000627,858 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Risk: THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.

Electrical systemNov 8, 1994

Wiring

Recall 94V22000016,497 vehicles

Problem: AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED, THE SALT WATER OR SNOW CARRIED INTO THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER'S SHOES CAN PENETRATE THE CARPET AND DRIP ONTO THE CONNECTOR RESULTING IN THE FORMATION OF A SALT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS.
Risk: THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Seat beltsAug 8, 1994

Front › Anchorage

Recall 94E02100168,725 vehicles

Problem: THE ANCHOR STRAPS INSTALLED IN THE BELT ASSEMBLIES (FRONT INNER, LEFT AND RIGHT HAND SIDES) WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND CAN BREAK, WHICH WILL NOT SUFFICIENTLY RESTRAIN SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Fix: THE MANUFACTURER WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT SAFETY BELT ANCHOR STRAPS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Toyota Corolla 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Corolla

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Corolla

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Corolla Wagon

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Corolla

25mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Corolla Wagon

25mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Corolla

24mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	76	58	0	47	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	26	2	0	2	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Wiring › Interior/under dash	12	0	4	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage	11	0	1	0	205,531 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Power window devices and controls	10	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	10	1	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	8	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Cruise control	8	5	0	2	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal › Switch; Tail lights	6	2	0	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	6	2	0	1	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	4	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	4	3	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AT ALL. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 1996 AND IS HAS LESS THAN 114,000 MILES ON IT.
Oct 12, 2018 · 114,000 miles
Air bags1 injury
THE AIR BAG EXPLOTE WITHOUT NO REASON IN FRONT OF ME. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE A MONTH AND THEY DON'T ANSWER NOTHING PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.
May 3, 2015 · 170,000 miles
Structure › Body › Door
THIS CAR HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT AND RESIDES IN FL. ABOUT 4 YRS. AGO THE DRIVERS SIDE HANDLE TO OPEN THE CAR STARTING TO ACTUALLY FALL APART. I HAD THAT ONE REPLACED BUT THE OTHERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING NOW. I NEVER KNEW THIS TO HAPPEN ON A CAR, REGARDLESS OF AGE. A NEIGHBOR OF MINE DOWN THERE ALSO SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER CAR, ALSO THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR, AS I KEEP IT IN FLORIDA FOR USE WHEN I GO DOWN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. *TR
Nov 2, 2014
Vehicle speed controlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO BUSHES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jun 17, 2014
Fuel/propulsion system
IN JULY 2013, I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. SMELL GOT STRONGER AND MORE NOTICEABLE AFTER GASSING THE CAR UP. THEN THE SMELL BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE DAY BY DAY. EVEN JUST SITTING IN THE CAR OR AS YOU WALKED PAST IT. CAR DID NOT HAVE TO BE ON AND YOU WOULD STILL SMELL IT. THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE LEAKS UNTIL RECENTLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS OIL AT FIRST BUT THEN I FIGURED IT COULD BE GASOLINE. HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY NOTICED A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK THAT SEEMED TO BE BLOWN OUTWARDS. I'M GOING TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEN THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS & LABOR. *TR
Jul 31, 2013 · 155,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REMOVED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND WHAT WAS FOUND UNDERNEATH THE HEAT SHIELD WAS A BUBBLE WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS WHERE THE GAS LEAK WAS COMING FROM. IT APPEARED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. IF THE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED, T HEN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INWARD DENT IN THE TANK, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,097. UPDATED 11/10/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/12
Jun 28, 2006 · 307,097 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash
I TOOK MY 1994 COROLLA TO THE CAR WASH IN CROMWELL CT. AFTER I WAS DONE I PUT BACK THE MATS AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MOVED FORWARD TO LEAVE THE STALL. AFTER A FEW FEET AND OUT OF THE STALL , I TRIED TO PUT THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING I KEPT BRAKING BUT NOTHING HAPPENED AND THE CAR WAS HEADING TOWARD THE ROAD (RTE 3), I MUST'VE PANICKED BECAUSE I TRIED TO SHIFT OUT OF THE DRIVE WHEN THE CAR ZOOMED BACKWARDS (I'VE NEVER KNEW THE COROLLA HAD THAT MUCH POWER) I DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO COMPREHEND WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR SLAMMED IN SUCH FORCE IN THE CORNER WALL OF THE STALL. THE CAR WAS IN SUCH A SHAPE NO ONE COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT…
Mar 10, 2009 · 80,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO SPIN AROUND AND LUNGE FORWARD ONTO THE LAWN. THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 9/29/11*CW
Feb 4, 2000 · 50,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TURN SIGNAL FAILURESClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA97015 · opened Jul 22, 1997 · closed Sep 21, 1998