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1994 Toyota CorollaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 172 owner complaints about the 1994 Toyota Corolla, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

48
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Corolla median · #16 of 38 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints172108 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage159kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Toyota Corolla has problems

172 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags6956
Seat belts252
Electrical system124
Fuel system, gasoline101
Visibility100
Steering101
Vehicle speed control85
Structure81
Exterior lighting62
10 other systems298

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1994 Toyota Corolla recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 96V-107 · Jun 20, 1996 · 627,858 vehicles

Risk. THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 94V-220 · Nov 8, 1994 · 16,497 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

1994 vs. every other Corolla year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Corolla median. How we score

'69'70'71'73'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1994 Toyota Corolla safety ratings

1994 Toyota Corolla 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Toyota Corolla, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TURN SIGNAL FAILURESEA97015 · closed Sep 21, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Corolla owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.
Complaint 10723704 · Jun 5, 2015 · 170,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER RECEIVED ABRASIONS TO THE FACE AND CHEST AREA, AND HAD DIFFICULTY BREATHING. THE NEXT DAY, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. *AK
Complaint 10054079 · Jan 14, 2004 · 147,052 miles
FRONTAL COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR. THE IMPACT WAS SO BAD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. TOYOTA STATED THAT THE IMPACT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH DEPLOYMENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T…
Complaint 10021735 · Jun 4, 2003

Own a 1994 Corolla?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.