Carlexica

1992 Toyota Corolla: problems, recalls and reliability

2 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2010

2
recalls
63
owner complaints
3
fire reports
98,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Among the quietest Corolla years (#36 of 37 by complaints, age-adjusted)Problems tend to appear late (median 98,000 mi)Weak spot: engine and engine cooling (26%)3 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)26% · 16 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)16% · 10 complaints
Seat Belts15% · 9 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)13% · 8 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)8% · 5 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)7% · 4 complaints
I own a 92 toyota corolla. On thursday 31 december 2009 my engine caught fire. There was a defect in the starter on my car and when I went to turn the ignition to turn on my car I immediately smelled the heat and saw smoke under the hood. I got out of the car and opened the hood and witnessed that the engine was on fire. I put out the fire. It was later determined that the starter overheated and that's what caused fire. *trOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2009
Driver's side shouler belt becomes fraid and starts to unravel. This seems to be occurring on other corrollas with this restraint system. (92's have two belts; a lap belt and a shoulder belt) is there a retro- fit available? This problem seems very dangerous. Please advise. Thank you.*akOwner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2004
While going at 20-25 mph consumer rear ended another vehicle and seat belt did not lock up when vehicle was hit. Consumer ran into steering wheel. *akOwner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
Consumer had to replace intake manifold twice. *ak the consumer believes the intake manifold failures were due to a design flaw. *yhOwner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2002
Vehicle has had problems with the transmission, transmission will stick in first gear. Contacted dealer, and dealer cannot find problem with vehicle.*akOwner report · Power Train · Dec 2001
Fuel gauge with low fuel light, and temperature gauge malfunctioned, not registering properly. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall. *ak the head lights, the interior lights and the dash board lights were flicking. *yhOwner report · Electrical System · Feb 2001
Inside door handles that open the doors, the plastic handles have broken & unable to open the door from the insides now.Owner report · Structure · Sep 2000
Consumer's daughter stepped on brakes to slowdown because there was an accident in front of her, and brakes locked up. Vehicle hit vehicle in front of her at speed of 35 mph, and the air bags did not deploy. Driver hurt her neck and back. *akOwner report · Air Bags · May 2000
Car started making noises, was not shifting properly and was not picking up like it should. Took to dealer they said it was metal fragments in the transmission screen. As weeks went by car started to get worse, and finally it sounded the vendors were grinding into the tires. *a private mechanic, due to having prior problems with liberty toyota, calle dhartford in delran, nj, and insisted that transmission should not have gone this soon. *akOwner report · Power Train · Dec 1999
A fire appeared to have started in the engine by the battery and power steering. Please provide further information. *akOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 1999

When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 2 campaigns

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS91V168000 · Oct 1991

DUE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM ERROR, CERTAIN DIGITS OF THE GVWR AND THE GAWR APPEARED IN INCORRECT LOCATIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Remedy: RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.

SUSPENSION10E002000 · Feb 2010

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.

Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines1.6L
Cylinders4
FuelGasoline
Drive type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Body stylesSedan/Saloon · Wagon

How other years compare

Check your exact Corolla by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1992 Toyota Corolla reliable?

NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Toyota Corolla. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1992 Toyota Corolla problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,000 miles or less.

Does the 1992 Toyota Corolla have open recalls?

2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.