2018 Toyota Corolla Safety Report
2018 Toyota Corolla Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Toyota Corolla. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (131) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Toyota Corolla with 168 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Toyota Corolla before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Corolla Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Corolla years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Corolla | 193 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Toyota Corolla | 185 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Corolla | 293 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | 208 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Toyota Corolla | 168 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Toyota Corolla | 213 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Toyota Corolla Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Toyota Corolla, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyFuel System, Gasoline
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Toyota onlyAir Bags,Fuel/Propulsion System
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
Reliability Score
The 2018 Toyota Corolla receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Corolla:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag/Restraint Control Module Recalled by Toyota for potential failure, which could lead to air bags not deploying in a crash. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel Pump Recalled by Toyota for potential failure, which could lead to fuel starvation and engine stalling. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Shutdown Reported by multiple owners, this issue can be dangerous as it may occur at high speeds. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Abnormal Noise Owners report hearing unusual noises, which can be distracting and may indicate a mechanical issue. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Toyota Corolla:
Recalled by Toyota for potential failure, which could lead to air bags not deploying in a crash.
Recalled by Toyota for potential failure, which could lead to fuel starvation and engine stalling.
Reported by multiple owners, this issue can be dangerous as it may occur at high speeds.
Owners report hearing unusual noises, which can be distracting and may indicate a mechanical issue.
Recall Details for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Toyota Corolla by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: 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.
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...
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna...
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. 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 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Toyota Corolla with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the tachometer was raised to high levels while exiting the highway. While at a stoplight, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with the check engine...
My 2018 Toyota Corolla has problems with acceleration and a very large noise in the front bar that guides the wheels. It also accelerates by itself, which is why I have had to change the brakes many times. It also shakes a lot at the bottom
Due to recent reports of fuel pump recalls, my daughter bought a 2018 Toyota Corolla almost a year ago. Right now that is problem and her car will not start. I need a free replacement of her fuel pump. Thank you.
On October 17, 2025, a 2018 Toyota Corolla LE was delivered to an authorized Toyota dealership for an airbag recall repair. The recall involved the airbag electronic control unit (ECU), which, according to Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may fail to deploy the airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners during certain types of crashes due to inadequate protection a...
After having no indication of any issue, my 2018 Toyota Corolla has stopped re-starting after fueling. The only light that appeared was regarding my battery. My battery is brand new and tested.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 85,000. The contact later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 200,095.
CVT transmission is making a loud noise and undrivable due to jerking motion every time I accelerate.
My 2018 Toyota Corolla has ongoing fuel pump-related issues that mirror those in the official recall, yet my VIN is not included. Every time I refuel, my car shuts off and will not restart for 1–2 hours. I’ve brought the vehicle to five different mechanics, including two full inspections with electronic diagnostics—none could find a fault except one who identified the fuel pump as the likely cause...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, or upon approaching a stop, the engine sounded very weak, almost as if the vehicle would shut off. The contact stated that the vehicle had shut off previously while driving through a drive thru. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The contact also s...
A whole new set of 4 tires were purchased and installed on the vehicle on 10/10/2024. While driving at highway speed 3 weeks later the rear driver side tire, in quick succession, went flat and almost instantaneously disintegrated causing the car to spin out and crash off the road. The car airbags deployed- saving the driver from injury or worse. Since the incident occurred out of home state and ...
The bumper on this car has been replaced two times and my husband noticed that it’s coming apart AGAIN. It’s brand new and was just replaced in July. It could come apart on the road or cause serious injury if hit. These bumpers are not stable at all.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V012000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that th...
No accident everythink working perfect
A car was going to hit my car, I went to hit the horn and the horn doesn't work a few days later a airbag light went on. Went to the dealership and they said it's a know malfunction in toyota corolla. They are not sure if the airbags will work or not. They recommend that I put a notice in for recall since there are still no recalls. This is a huge safety issue.
I was driving down the highway and I heard a tapping noise thought it might have been a piece of trim loose on the car so I pulled over and stopped. Immediately the engine died would not restart. I looked under the hood and the radiator cap had blown off and all of the coolant was gone The engine had overheated when I put compression test was done there was water shooting out of the valve cover. I...
corolla 2018, has 90k miles, reently, (3rd time already). driving o freeway car reduced speed, and wont go over 40mph, although rpm goes high all the way to 4,000. had to stop aside waitied 3 hours to see whats wrong, after engine was cold, dorove it home slowly on side streets, happened again wont go over 40mph, transmission became slippery and noisy, after couple of weeks, third time happened ...
My brother was driving his car and it was involved in a hard right front impact yesterday after a young girl pulled out in front of him. None of the airbags went off, severe front end damage on the right side to the fender, wheel, axle, radiator, hood, oil pan, and other front end components.The right front wheel is completely bent and the right front tire blew out. Front right headlight complete...
Purchased this vehicle new. The vehicle has 58,000 miles and the suspension went out, upper & lower control arms, ball joints, struts and stabilizer. This controls the driving ability of the vehicle and could have caused me to loose control of the car. Confirmed by an independent service center and repaired. There were no warning lamps or messages. The vehicle started making a loud noise when...
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the driveway, approximately 12 hours later while the contact was sleeping, a sound woke the contact and it was discovered that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and the fire also caused damage...
Hello, dear sir and madam I haven't seen any incidents so far because I drive according to Virginia law.
Showing 20 of 131 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Toyota Corolla
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Toyota Corolla
Has the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA have?
The 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA has 131 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 17 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
The 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA involve air bags (18 complaints), fuel system, gasoline (11 complaints), air bags,fuel/propulsion system (9 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
17 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA is acceptable with caveats. It has 131 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA are: 1. AIR BAGS (18 complaints), 2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (11 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (9 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8 complaints), 5. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (6 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
Be cautious of air bag and fuel pump recalls. Check for any recalls and address them promptly. The 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA has 131 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
The 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 131 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag/Restraint Control Module and Fuel Pump.
What are the known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA?
Known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA include: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module, Fuel Pump, Engine Shutdown, Abnormal Noise. These are based on patterns found across 131 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Toyota Corolla?
Yes, there are recalls for air bag and fuel pump issues. Check your vehicle for any recalls and address them.
What are the most common issues reported?
The most common issues are air bag and fuel pump problems, as well as engine shutdowns and abnormal noises.
Can the horn and airbag light issue be related?
Yes, it could be related. If the horn stops working and an airbag light comes on, it might indicate a safety issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of air bag and fuel pump recalls. Check for any recalls and address them promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota Corolla
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota Corolla. The data includes 131 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 17 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Toyota Corolla an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16