2013 Toyota Corolla Problems
What owners have reported about the 2013 Toyota Corolla, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2013 Toyota Corolla a good year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA, the 11th most of 18 Corolla model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, steering and brakes.
201 complaints 5 recalls, 1 injury risk 11th worst of 18 Corolla years
Top 2013 Toyota Corolla problems
Airbag problems
72 complaints (36%) name the airbags, most often the sensor / control module and inflator module.
Steering problems
39 complaints (19%) name the steering, most often the steering wheel / handle bar.
Brake problems
24 complaints (12%) name the brakes, most often the pedals and linkages.
Engine problems
19 complaints (10%) name the engine.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (127 of 201). The amber line is the middle value, about 34,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2013 Toyota Corolla recalls
Air bags may fail to deploy in crash
Injury riskAfter certain crashes, the air bag control unit can malfunction and may stop the air bags or seat belt pretensioners from deploying. In a crash, this could leave you with greater risk of injury.
Fix: The dealer will inspect the air bag control unit and install a noise filter where needed, free of charge.
Recall 20V024000 · Jan 2020Inflator module
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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Recall 19V741000 · Oct 2019Inflator module
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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly.
Recall 19V005000 · Jan 2019Inflator module
S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly.
Recall 18V024000 · Jan 2018Sensor / control module-inactive
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. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary.
Recall 13V014000 · Jan 2013Get an email when your 2013 Toyota Corolla gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2013 Toyota Corolla, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Corolla years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Corolla a reliable year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA, the 11th most of 18 Corolla model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, steering and brakes.
What are the most common 2013 Toyota Corolla problems?
Owners most often report problems with the airbags, steering, brakes and engine. 72 complaints (36%) name the airbags, most often the sensor / control module and inflator module.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Corolla airbags problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 15,000–72,000 miles, with a middle value near 39,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Corolla have?
5. Air bags may fail to deploy in crash (20V024000); Inflator module (19V741000); Inflator module (19V005000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2013 Toyota Corolla?
Ask for service records covering the airbags, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2024 and 2023 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.