1988 Toyota Corolla Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Toyota Corolla (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1988 Toyota Corolla. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system (4) and engine cooling (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts7 27%
- Fuel system4 15%
- Engine cooling3 12%
- Seats3 12%
- Body and structure3 12%
- Electrical system2 7.7%
- Brakes1 3.9%
- Engine1 3.9%
- Steering1 3.9%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Dt: 88 Toyota, safety belt plastic cover came off on drivers' side ,and when clipped it won't come off unless consumer jabbed a sharp object into it to get it to open. ( it takes about 2 minutes).”
NHTSA complaint #10120333, filed 2005-06, 65,000 milesFuel system: “Vehicle does not pass colorado emissions due to high co (carbon monoxide). Vehicle is affected by Toyota special service campaigns n03 & na3 which directly address the issue of vehicle failing emissions test due to high co. No expiration date/mileage/age given for these two service campaigns. Parts for repairs are no longer available. Contacted Toyota motor sales about issue. Was advise Toyota will not offer any assistance due to age of vehicle even though service campaign is still active.”
NHTSA complaint #10701138, filed 2015-03Seats: “Vehicle had come to a stop and another vehicle hit consumer from the rear. Once that happened the seat broke. Also, the seat belt did not hold the driver in place. The driver seat and seat belt broke which allowed driver to go into the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #809833, filed 1997-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 65,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Toyota Corolla version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Corolla All-Trac Wagon 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Corolla All-Trac Wagon 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Corolla FX FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Corolla FX FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Corolla FX FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Corolla FX FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Corolla Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Corolla Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Toyota Corolla in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022Equipment, Wheels, Tires. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10188913Feb 3, 2021Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01…
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953Jul 31, 2018Equipment. TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10131713Jan 11, 2018Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and…
- 10133649Nov 21, 2017Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
Other model years of the Toyota Corolla
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 824 | 1 | 5 | 34 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 31 | 8,000 | 0 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 66 | 15,858 | 2 | 5 | 35 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 74 | 62,500 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 16 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 102 | 21,300 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 4 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 188 | 39,200 | 1 | 5 | 33 | 16 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 311 | 10,000 | 3 | 5 | 33 | 66 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 204 | 12,400 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 57 · Typical | Stable |
| 2018 | 136 | 17,000 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 178 | 13,500 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 46 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 215 | 25,000 | 1 | 5 | 32 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 220 | 30,000 | 1 | 5 | 32 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 270 | 35,000 | 2 | 5 | 32 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 201 | 25,500 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 446 | 36,509 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 584 | 31,000 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 1,244 | 6,000 | 17 | — | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 1,459 | 23,000 | 13 | — | 30 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 314 | 39,694 | 6 | — | 31 | 68 · More | Stable |
| 2007 | 836 | 46,900 | 6 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 840 | 56,414 | 7 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 854 | 69,889 | 6 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 477 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 721 | 86,000 | 9 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 117 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 133 | 62,500 | 0 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 145 | 69,750 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 155 | 66,900 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 225 | 77,800 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 135 | 99,000 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 129 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 176 | 150,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 172 | 120,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 130 | 101,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 63 | 98,000 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 71 | 100,252 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 27 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 26 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 14 | 10,000 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 6 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1982 | 5 | 190 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Toyota Corolla model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Toyota Corolla have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1988 Toyota Corolla as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Toyota Corolla is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system with 4.
Has the 1988 Toyota Corolla been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Toyota Corolla get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Toyota Corolla (Corolla, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Toyota Corolla reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 65,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.