Transmission failure
POWER TRAIN
4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2023-06
“bought this vehicle with 112000 on it transmission went out 127000 with no warning”
“THE TRANSMISSION WONT SHIFT RIGHT AND WONT ALLOW ME TO GO ON THE HIGH WAY”
2007 Toyota Corolla Recalls, Problems & Maintenance
The 2007 Toyota Corolla has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission failure.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.
Save this car as:
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Known issues & problems for this vehicle
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Toyota Corolla.
Reported to NHTSA
Takata airbag recall parts delay
AIR BAGS
119 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2021-09
“TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ON 3/29. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THEY RECEIVE THE PARTS. IT IS NOW 5/10 AND I CALLED BECAUSE I HADN'T HEARD FROM THEM. WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID THE PARTS HAVE BEEN BACK ORDERED”
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE”
“I HAVE HAVE A LETTER DIRECTLY FROM TOYOTA TELLING ME ABOUT MY AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA AND HOW IT SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR FREE IN A TIMELY MATTER. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES TO REPLACE THE RECALLED AIRBAG FOR MY CAR. I ALSO WENT”
Airbag non-deployment in crash
AIR BAGS
8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2022-01
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED”
“MY HUSBAND HAD A WRECK IN JANUARY OF 2016 AND TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND HE BASHED HIS CHEST OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING”
Airbag warning light illumination
AIR BAGS
6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2026-07
“Air bag lights is on all the time, tried to re-attached the connection under passenger seat still same issue”
“MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WILL NOT TURN OFF. EVEN AFTER RESET IT STILL COMES BACK”
“DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. STAYS ON NEVER GOES OFF”
Unintended acceleration
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2025-06
“Uncontrolled maximum acceleration after shifting into gear. Occurred after shifting gears such as parking. It represents a definite safety issue. There is no warning of occurrence. It has happened about 6 times in the past 4 years. I do not drive often. I contacted Toyota who”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
“DURING THE THREE MONTHS OF OWNING A USED 2007 TOYOTACOROLLA LE I HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. TWICE ON FEBRUARY”
Engine stall with check engine light
ENGINE
8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2022-03
“The ECM is bad. Shuts off when driving or will not start for hours after you drive for a while and shut off”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS”
“OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP WHICH CAUSED 1ST CYLINDER PISTON TO BREAK CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AND ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Engine Oil & Filter
Every 5,000 miReplace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Tire Rotation
Every 5,000 miRotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Brake Inspection
Every 5,000 miInspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Brake Fluid
Every 30,000 miReplace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Important maintenance
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Engine Air Filter
Every 30,000 miReplace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Every 60,000 miToyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Spark Plugs
Every 120,000 miToyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)
Every 50,000 miToyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Recommended maintenance
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Cabin Air Filter
Every 30,000 miReplace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection
Every 60,000 miInspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Timing Chain — No Replacement
On condition / lifetimeToyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Pro only
Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.
Fatal crash history & reported problems
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
476 crashes 1990–2024
How the 476 occupant deaths break down
348
driver deaths
128
passenger deaths
476
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Why we show driver deaths too
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
132
complaints mentioning a crash
7
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Toyota Corolla reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.