2000 Toyota Corolla Reliability Score: 9.0 out of 10

145 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

3 Fire Reports

22 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.0 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar compact sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 60 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 169.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall60 complaints against about 169 for similar vehicles

9.0

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced13 complaints against about 34 for similar vehicles

8.9

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

1ZZ-FE

1.8L 4-cyl / 126 hp

102 complaints 98.0 per year Gasoline

2 fire reports 1 fatality

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

safety systems

other

interior

Same engine used in

LEXUS IS (2006-2013)TOYOTA Prius (2016-2022)TOYOTA Matrix (2003-2008)TOYOTA Celica (2000-2005)TOYOTA Corolla (2003-2008)

Toyota Corolla Unidentified Engine

43 complaints 43.0 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

wheels tires

electrical

other

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Corolla, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 50 owner complaints

Cooling System: 47 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 17 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 11 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Toyota Corolla

On a used 2000 Toyota Corolla, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (50), the cooling system (47) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (17). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on the 2000 Toyota Corolla about the engine.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on the 2000 Toyota Corolla about the cooling system.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2000 Toyota Corolla about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2000 Toyota Corolla about the wheels and tires.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Toyota Corolla

Recalls (5)

10E002000Feb 11, 2010serious

Suspension

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.

09E012000Apr 7, 2009serious

Exterior Lighting

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.

08E050000Aug 11, 2008serious

Exterior Lighting

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."

06E065000Jul 17, 2006serious

Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E026000Mar 23, 2006serious

Exterior Lighting

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.

All Generations

20002000 20012001 20022002 E1202003-2008 E1402009-2013 E1702014-2018 E2102019-2025

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

3 engines / 16 complaints

3 engines / 66 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

4 engines / 109 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

3 engines / 82 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla complaints?

Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the safety systems.

Is the 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla have?

NHTSA has 145 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Toyota Corolla vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota Corolla?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Corolla have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Toyota Corolla. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 145 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.