The 2021 Toyota Corolla (E210) is the best all-round used Corolla: NHTSA lists 187 complaints and 1 recall campaign, KBB Fair Purchase Prices start at $14,700 and KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability. The 2023 (E210) has the fewest complaints (74) but starts at $20,500. The E210 is the best generation overall; the E170 is the best value, with the 2015 from $10,150 and 1 recall campaign. Avoid the 2009 (1,533 complaints) and 2010 (1,264 complaints and 17 recall campaigns), which list accelerator pedal recalls.
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,500 for the Corolla SE sedan (originally $25,045), up to $21,800 for the Corolla XSE sedan (originally $27,945)
Buyers who want the newest Corolla here, with the fewest NHTSA complaints
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,700 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $21,020), up to $19,000 for the Corolla XSE APEX sedan (originally $29,305)
Buyers who want a late-model Corolla from $14,700 with 1 recall campaign
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $13,450 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $19,385), up to $13,900 for the Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition sedan (originally $23,635)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,450 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $17,855), up to $9,225 for the Corolla S Special Edition sedan (originally $21,345)
Buyers who want the last and best E140 from $8,450
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,150 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $18,385), up to $12,050 for the Corolla S Premium sedan (originally $23,790)
Buyers who want an E170 from $10,150 with 1 recall campaign
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,800 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $20,595), up to $17,700 for the Corolla XSE sedan (originally $26,545)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,650 for the Corolla sedan (originally $17,927), up to $7,025 for the Corolla XRS sedan (originally $19,969)
Buyers who want the first E140 from $5,650 and will check every recall by VIN
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2021 Toyota Corolla (E210)
Fewest complaints
2023 Toyota Corolla (E210)
Best value
2015 Toyota Corolla (E170)
Cheapest
2003 Toyota Corolla (E130)
The ranking
1
2023 Toyota Corolla (E210)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fewest complaints, at the highest price.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,500 for the Corolla SE sedan (originally $25,045), up to $21,800 for the Corolla XSE sedan (originally $27,945)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2023 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA, COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 74 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA, COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 12th-generation Corolla owners 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2023 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 169 hp and 34-35 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2023 Corolla is an E210 with the 2023 refresh, from $20,500 for the SE sedan (originally $25,045) up to $21,800 for the XSE sedan. It has the fewest NHTSA complaints on the list, 74, and 4 recall campaigns; KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability and gives 169 hp and 34-35 combined mpg. It is the newest year here, so it has had the least time to collect complaints.
Go ifBuyers who want the newest Corolla here, with the fewest NHTSA complaints
Skip ifYou want to spend under $20,000
Why #1 over #2: It lists 74 complaints versus 187 for the 2021, though the 2021 lists 1 recall campaign versus 4 and starts at $14,700 versus $20,500.
2
2021 Toyota Corolla (E210)
Photo: Gold Pony / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best balance of age, price and recalls.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,700 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $21,020), up to $19,000 for the Corolla XSE APEX sedan (originally $29,305)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA, COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 187 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA, COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 12th-generation Corolla owners 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2021 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 139-169 hp and 32-34 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2021 Corolla is an E210, from $14,700 for the L sedan (originally $21,020) up to $19,000 for the XSE APEX sedan. NHTSA lists 187 complaints and 1 recall campaign, KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability, and KBB gives 139-169 hp and 32-34 combined mpg. It is the best all-round used Corolla on this list.
Go ifBuyers who want a late-model Corolla from $14,700 with 1 recall campaign
Skip ifYou want the 2023 refresh or fewer than 187 complaints
Why #2 over #3: It lists 187 complaints versus 189 for the 2017, and 1 recall campaign versus 3.
3
2017 Toyota Corolla (E170)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best used E170 on complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $13,450 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $19,385), up to $13,900 for the Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition sedan (originally $23,635)NHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 189 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 11th-generation Corolla owners 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its 2017 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 132-140 hp and 32-34 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2017 Corolla is a facelifted E170, at $13,450 for the L sedan (originally $19,385) and $13,900 for the 50th Anniversary Special Edition. NHTSA lists 189 complaints and 3 recall campaigns, KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability, and KBB gives 132-140 hp and 32-34 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a facelifted E170 from $13,450
Skip ifYou want fewer than 3 recall campaigns
Why #3 over #4: It lists 189 complaints versus 201 for the 2013, and 3 recall campaigns versus 5.
4
2013 Toyota Corolla (E140)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best E140 by far.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,450 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $17,855), up to $9,225 for the Corolla S Special Edition sedan (originally $21,345)NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 201 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 10th-generation Corolla owners 4.7 out of 5 for reliability on its 2013 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 132 hp and 29 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2013 Corolla is the last and best E140, from $8,450 for the L sedan (originally $17,855) to $9,225 for the S Special Edition. NHTSA lists 201 complaints and 5 recall campaigns, KBB shows 4.7 out of 5 for reliability, and KBB gives 132 hp and 29 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the last and best E140 from $8,450
Skip ifYou want fewer than 5 recall campaigns
Why #4 over #5: It lists 201 complaints versus 220 for the 2015 and starts at $8,450 versus $10,150, though the 2015 lists 1 recall campaign versus 5.
5
2015 Toyota Corolla (E170)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest E170, with 1 recall campaign.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,150 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $18,385), up to $12,050 for the Corolla S Premium sedan (originally $23,790)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2015 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 220 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 11th-generation Corolla owners 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its 2015 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 132-140 hp and 31-35 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2015 Corolla is an E170, from $10,150 for the L sedan (originally $18,385) to $12,050 for the S Premium. NHTSA lists 220 complaints and just 1 recall campaign, KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability, and KBB gives 132-140 hp and 31-35 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want an E170 from $10,150 with 1 recall campaign
Skip ifYou want fewer than 220 complaints
Why #5 over #6: It lists 220 complaints versus 314 for the 2020, and 1 recall campaign versus 6, at $10,150 versus $14,800.
6
2020 Toyota Corolla (E210)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first E210 sedan, with more complaints than its successors.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,800 for the Corolla L sedan (originally $20,595), up to $17,700 for the Corolla XSE sedan (originally $26,545)NHTSA recalls: 6 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA, COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 314 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA, COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 12th-generation Corolla owners 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2020 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 139-169 hp and 32-34 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2020 Corolla is the first E210 sedan, from $14,800 for the L sedan (originally $20,595) to $17,700 for the XSE sedan. NHTSA lists 314 complaints and 6 recall campaigns, KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability, and KBB gives 139-169 hp and 32-34 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first E210 sedan from $14,800
Skip ifYou want fewer than 314 complaints or 6 recall campaigns
Why #6 over #7: It lists 314 complaints versus 345 for the 2008, and gets 32-34 combined mpg versus 29.
7
2008 Toyota Corolla (E130)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best E130 at the lowest realistic price.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $4,875 for the Corolla CE sedan (originally $16,352), up to $5,200 for the Corolla S sedan (originally $17,987)NHTSA recalls: 6 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 345 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 9th-generation Corolla owners 4.8 out of 5 for reliability on its 2008 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 126 hp and 29 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2008 Corolla is the last E130 here, from $4,875 for the CE sedan (originally $16,352) to $5,200 for the S sedan. NHTSA lists 345 complaints and 6 recall campaigns, KBB shows 4.8 out of 5 for reliability, and KBB gives 126 hp and 29 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the best E130 from $4,875
Skip ifYou want fewer than 345 complaints
Why #7 over #8: It lists 345 complaints versus 768 for the 2003, and 6 recall campaigns versus 13.
8
2003 Toyota Corolla (E130)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest, with 768 complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $2,725 for the Corolla CE sedan (originally $14,055), up to $2,950 for the Corolla LE sedan (originally $15,165)NHTSA recalls: 13 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 768 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 2003-2008 Corolla owners 4.7 out of 5 for reliability on its 2003 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 130 hp and 28 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2003 Corolla is the first E130 sold in the US and the cheapest car here: $2,725 for the CE sedan (originally $14,055) and $2,950 for the LE sedan. NHTSA lists 768 complaints and 13 recall campaigns; KBB shows 4.7 out of 5 for its 2003-2008 generation and gives 130 hp and 28 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the cheapest Corolla here, from $2,725
Skip ifYou want fewer than 768 complaints or 13 recall campaigns
Why #8 over #9: It lists 768 complaints versus 1,264 for the 2010, and 13 recall campaigns versus 17.
9
2010 Toyota Corolla (E140)
Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe most recall campaigns here.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $6,175 for the Corolla sedan (originally $17,584), up to $7,650 for the Corolla XRS sedan (originally $20,169)NHTSA recalls: 17 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2010 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 1,264 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 10th-generation Corolla owners 4.7 out of 5 for reliability on its 2010 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 132-158 hp and 25-29 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2010 Corolla is an E140, from $6,175 for the sedan (originally $17,584) to $7,650 for the XRS sedan. NHTSA lists 1,264 complaints and 17 recall campaigns, the most here, including accelerator pedal recalls 10V017000 and 10V023000. KBB shows 4.7 out of 5 for reliability and gives 132-158 hp and 25-29 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a 2010 and will check every recall by VIN
Skip ifYou want fewer than 1,264 complaints or 17 recall campaigns
Why #9 over #10: It lists 1,264 complaints versus 1,533 for the 2009, though it lists 17 recall campaigns versus 13.
10
2009 Toyota Corolla (E140)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe most complaints here.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,650 for the Corolla sedan (originally $17,927), up to $7,025 for the Corolla XRS sedan (originally $19,969)NHTSA recalls: 13 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Corolla (unique campaign numbers across the model names COROLLA); check your own car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 1,533 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Corolla (unique complaint numbers across the model names COROLLA)Owner reliability: KBB gives its 10th-generation Corolla owners 4.7 out of 5 for reliability on its 2009 Toyota Corolla pagePower and economy: 132-158 hp and 25-30 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2009 Corolla is the first E140, from $5,650 for the sedan (originally $17,927) to $7,025 for the XRS sedan. NHTSA lists 1,533 complaints, the most on the list, and 13 recall campaigns, including accelerator pedal recalls 10V017000 and 10V023000. KBB shows 4.7 out of 5 for reliability and gives 132-158 hp and 25-30 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first E140 from $5,650 and will check every recall by VIN
Skip ifYou want fewer than 1,533 complaints
How we ranked these
We ranked ten Toyota Corolla sedan model years across the four recent US generations: E120/E130 (the ninth generation, 2003 to 2008 in the US, which got the wider E130), E140 (2009 to 2013), E170 (2014 to 2019 for the sedan) and E210 (the twelfth generation, from the 2019 hatchback and 2020 sedan, which also includes the Corolla Hybrid). The old version of this page said "Generations"; on this data the E210 is the best generation overall, the E170 is the best value, and the E140 has the weakest early years. Ranking is NHTSA owner complaint counts first, then Kelley Blue Book reliability ratings, then year, with used prices from KBB; recall counts were not used to rank. NHTSA files the Corolla under several model names, so complaint counts are unique complaints and recall counts are unique campaign numbers across COROLLA, and for 2020 and later also COROLLA HYBRID and COROLLA HATCHBACK. NHTSA's recall lookup can miss older years, so check any car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. KBB shows one reliability rating across a generation (4.7 for 2009 to 2013, 4.6 for 2015 and 2017, 4.3 for 2020 to 2023), so it separates generations more than single years. Counts were read from the NHTSA API and prices from KBB when we checked, and prices change weekly. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so they rank higher on that measure, and mileage and service history matter as much as year. For the wider range see our Best Toyota Models at /cars/best-toyota-models-2027/ and our Best Honda CR-V Model Years at /cars/best-honda-cr-v-model-years-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What are the recent US Toyota Corolla generations?
Four generations cover the years here. E120/E130 is the ninth generation (2003 to 2008 model years in the US, which got the wider E130). E140 is the tenth generation (2009 to 2013). E170 is the eleventh generation (2014 to 2019 for the sedan). E210 is the twelfth generation, which started with the 2019 hatchback and the 2020 sedan and also includes the Corolla Hybrid. Generation codes are from Wikipedia and US model-year ranges are approximate.
Which Toyota Corolla generation is best?
For a used buyer the E210 (2020 on) is the best overall on the data here: the 2023 has 74 NHTSA complaints and the 2021 has 187 with 1 recall campaign. The E170 (2014 to 2019) is the best value, with the 2015 from $10,150 and 1 recall campaign, and the 2017 at 189 complaints. The E140 (2009 to 2013) has the weakest early years: the 2009 has 1,533 complaints and the 2010 has 1,264.
What is the best Toyota Corolla year to buy used?
The 2021 is the best all-round used buy: 187 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall campaign and Fair Purchase Prices from $14,700. The 2023 has the fewest complaints (74) but starts at $20,500, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints. For a tighter budget the 2015 starts at $10,150 with 1 recall campaign.
Which Toyota Corolla years should I avoid?
The 2009 (1,533 complaints, 13 recall campaigns) and the 2010 (1,264 complaints, 17 recall campaigns, the most here) have the most owner complaints on the list. NHTSA lists accelerator pedal recalls 10V017000 and 10V023000 for both. The 2003 also has 768 complaints and 13 recall campaigns.
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD) at a glance
2003 Toyota Corolla (E130)$2,725
2008 Toyota Corolla (E130)$4,875
2009 Toyota Corolla (E140)$5,650
2010 Toyota Corolla (E140)$6,175
2013 Toyota Corolla (E140)$8,450
2015 Toyota Corolla (E170)$10,150
2017 Toyota Corolla (E170)$13,450
2021 Toyota Corolla (E210)$14,700
2020 Toyota Corolla (E210)$14,800
2023 Toyota Corolla (E210)$20,500
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
