Model year report

2002 Toyota Corolla: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2002 Toyota Corolla

On the 2002 Toyota Corolla, the failure owners report most often is other body or interior problem, with 14 reports on file. The earliest to appear is airbag failed to deploy in a crash, reported by a median of 45,000 miles. Overall it scores 76 out of 100, severe risk for a 2002.

Severe risk for a 2002 — 28th riskiest of the 329 2002 vehicles we can rate. 141 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

The failures owners actually file about

Owners have reported 34 named failure modes on the 2002 Toyota Corolla, and the three most-reported carry 24% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Other body or interior problem leads with 14 reports and about 23 per 1,000 vehicles.

Other engine problem follows with 10 reports, median 40,000 miles.

Other wheel or tire problem follows with 10 reports, median 25,000 miles.

By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (20), airbag (17) and body (16).

When these failures get reported

71 of the reports on the 2002 Toyota Corolla came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 62,500 miles.

Cumulatively, 38% by 50,000 miles, 85% by 100,000 miles and 99% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 1 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 70,000 and 80,000 miles, which alone holds 13% of the dated reports.

27% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.

Median

Other body or interior problem

50k
Other engine problem

40k
Other wheel or tire problem

26k
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash

47k
Other speed control problem

91k
Seat belt or retractor failure

107k
Other suspension problem

25k
Other visibility problem

80k
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure

49k
Cruise control failure

60k
Loss of braking

140k
Other powertrain problem

70k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 34. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 62k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 1 report came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

Severity, and what it costs

Across the named modes, 29 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 16 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 6.26, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other wheel or tire problem at $200–$1,500 and airbag failed to deploy in a crash at $1,000–$5,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

17% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Other body or interior problem	body	14	7	—	50k	—	23.3	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Other engine problem	engine	10	7	—	40k	—	16.6	$300–$4,000	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	10	4	—	26k	—	16.6	$200–$1,500	High
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	8	8	6k	47k	85k	13.3	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Other speed control problem	adas	7	6	—	91k	—	11.6	$250–$2,000	Critical
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	6	4	—	107k	—	10.0	$200–$900	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	6	3	—	25k	—	10.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Other visibility problem	glass	6	3	—	80k	—	10.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure	engine	5	4	—	49k	—	8.3	$1,200–$4,500	Critical
Cruise control failure	adas	5	1	—	60k	—	8.3	$200–$1,400	High
Loss of braking	brakes	4	2	—	140k	—	6.6	$400–$3,000	Critical
Other powertrain problem	transmission	4	1	—	70k	—	6.6	$400–$4,500	High
Other fuel system problem	fuel	4	3	—	50k	—	6.6	$300–$2,200	High
Other brake problem	brakes	4	3	—	26k	—	6.6	$300–$1,800	High
Excessive oil consumption	engine	3	1	—	74k	—	5.0	$900–$6,500	High
Catalytic converter failure	emissions	3	2	—	94k	—	5.0	$900–$3,500	Moderate
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	3	0	—	—	—	5.0	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Other lighting problem	lighting	3	0	—	—	—	5.0	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Fuel pump failure	fuel	2	0	—	—	—	3.3	$600–$2,600	High
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	2	1	—	40k	—	3.3	$300–$1,600	High
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	2	2	—	116k	—	3.3	$700–$2,600	High
Other steering problem	steering	2	2	—	56k	—	3.3	$350–$2,400	High
Head gasket failure	engine	1	1	—	50k	—	1.7	$1,400–$4,000	Critical
Oil leak	engine	1	1	—	57k	—	1.7	$250–$2,200	Moderate
Fuel leak or fuel odor	fuel	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$300–$2,500	Critical
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$700–$3,000	High
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Brake line, hose or caliper failure	brakes	1	1	—	65k	—	1.7	$250–$1,600	Critical
Steering column or shaft failure	steering	1	1	—	75k	—	1.7	$600–$2,500	Critical
Paint peeling or clear coat failure	body	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$600–$6,000	Low
Window regulator or power window failure	body	1	1	—	81k	—	1.7	$250–$900	Moderate
Wiper or washer failure	glass	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$120–$800	Moderate
Other seat belt problem	airbag	1	0	—	—	—	1.7	$200–$900	High
Unclassified problem	other	16	2	—	104k	—	26.6	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2002 Toyota Corolla draws about 234 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 98th percentile of complaint rates among 2002 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 602 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2002 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Recalls on the 2002 model year

NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2002 Toyota Corolla, affecting an estimated 938 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover suspension, exterior lighting:headlights and exterior lighting. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

10E002000

SUSPENSION

12,657 vehicles 2010-02-11

Defect: 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.
Consequence: The absence of the weld can allow the strut to come out of its mounting position under certain extreme driving conditions which could cause damage to surrounding vehicle components increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

42,540 vehicles 2009-05-11

Defect: Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 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.
Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

16,270 vehicles 2009-04-07

Defect: 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.
Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

27,176 vehicles 2006-05-24

Defect: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the 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.
Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

06E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

1,450 vehicles 2006-03-21

Defect: Certain poli-auto combination headlamp assemblies, p/nos. 11-728, 11-728d, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708p, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (p&c), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, and 11-732, sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. 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."
Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy: Poli-auto will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps at its original purchase price. The recall is expected to begin during april 2006. Owners may contact poli-auto at 305-477-1356.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2002 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2002 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Where 2002 sits in the model line

Severe risk for a 2002 — 28th riskiest of the 329 2002 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.

Across the 31 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1997 comes out best at 62 and 2010 worst at 82, with 2002 itself at 76.

If the model year is negotiable, 1997, 2025, 2004, 2022, 2005, 2003, 2016, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2006, 2023, 2026, 2007, 1996, 2013, 2017, 1998 and 2012 score lower than 2002 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 1996–2002 generation specifically, 1997 is the strongest year at 62 and 2002 the weakest at 76.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 1996-2002 generation, 1997 Toyota Corolla scores best at 62 and 2002 Toyota Corolla worst at 76.

What to look at before buying one

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: airbag failed to deploy in a crash from about 6k.

On a 2002 Toyota Corolla with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether airbag failed to deploy in a crash has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

What this page cannot tell you

141 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 141 reports, 71 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 50% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Corolla?

The most-reported failures are other body or interior problem (14 reports, median 50,000 miles), other engine problem (10 reports, median 40,000 miles) and other wheel or tire problem (10 reports, median 25,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Corolla problems start?

Airbag failed to deploy in a crash is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 45,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 62,500 miles.

Is the 2002 Toyota Corolla reliable?

It scores 76 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 28th riskiest of the 329 2002 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2002 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Toyota Corolla is best?

Within the 1996–2002 generation, 1997 scores best at 62 out of 100 and 2002 worst at 76. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 20 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed