2005 Toyota Corolla: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2005 Toyota Corolla
On the 2005 Toyota Corolla, the failure owners report most often is airbag inflator rupture, and the reports cluster around 95,000 miles. The earliest to appear is loss of braking, reported by a median of 5,000 miles. Overall it scores 71 out of 100, high risk for a 2005.
High risk for a 2005 — 101st riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. 972 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 55 named failure modes on the 2005 Toyota Corolla, and the three most-reported carry 26% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Airbag inflator rupture leads with 141 reports, about 1.0 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 55k to 160,000 miles.
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure follows with 59 reports, usually reported between 64k to 115,000 miles.
Other speed control problem follows with 52 reports, usually reported between 20k to 52,500 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into airbag (208), electrical (86) and engine (82).
The mileage the reports cluster at
528 of the reports on the 2005 Toyota Corolla came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 69,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 36% by 50,000 miles, 71% by 100,000 miles and 90% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 11 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 11% of the dated reports.
25% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: loss of braking around 6k, other steering problem around 30k, other body or interior problem around 35k and other visibility problem around 37k.
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 55. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 11 reports 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, 113 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 53 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 5.25, 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: airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0, control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure at $700–$3,000, other speed control problem at $250–$2,000 and other engine problem at $300–$4,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
15% 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
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 141 | 20 | 55k | 97k | 159k | 1.0 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 59 | 50 | 64k | 101k | 115k | 0.4 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 52 | 44 | 20k | 40k | 52k | 0.4 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Other engine problem | engine | 51 | 43 | 38k | 59k | 88k | 0.4 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 30 | 13 | 71k | 118k | 124k | 0.2 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 27 | 24 | 47k | 61k | 93k | 0.2 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 25 | 21 | 51k | 93k | 125k | 0.2 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 25 | 17 | 8k | 35k | 68k | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 23 | 22 | 43k | 81k | 104k | 0.2 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 23 | 20 | 16k | 55k | 76k | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 20 | 20 | 51k | 69k | 85k | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 20 | 20 | 56k | 74k | 121k | 0.1 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 14 | 11 | 36k | 83k | 193k | 0.1 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 14 | 12 | 23k | 30k | 65k | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 13 | 12 | 76k | 89k | 100k | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 13 | 11 | 43k | 73k | 91k | 0.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 13 | 6 | — | 17k | — | 0.1 | $200–$900 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 12 | 8 | 33k | 56k | 110k | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 12 | 9 | 26k | 37k | 50k | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 9 | 9 | 900 | 6k | 33k | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 9 | 6 | — | 80k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 8 | 8 | 67k | 95k | 100k | 0.1 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 8 | 7 | — | 29k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 7 | 5 | — | 84k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 6 | 3 | — | 111k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 5 | 5 | — | 34k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 5 | 2 | — | 128k | — | 0.0 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 5 | 4 | — | 29k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 4 | 4 | — | 91k | — | 0.0 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 4 | 4 | — | 6k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Paint peeling or clear coat failure | body | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$6,000 | Low |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 3 | 3 | — | 37k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 3 | 1 | — | 100 | — | 0.0 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 130k | — | 0.0 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Oil leak | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 2 | 2 | — | 79k | — | 0.0 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Wheel bearing or hub failure | drivetrain | 2 | 2 | — | 190k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Engine sensor failure | electrical | 2 | 2 | — | 88k | — | 0.0 | $180–$900 | Moderate |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 2 | 1 | — | 2k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 2 | 2 | — | 25k | — | 0.0 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 113k | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Overheating | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 15k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 1 | 1 | — | 28k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 111k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Airbag deployed without a crash | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 87k | — | 0.0 | $2,500–$8,000 | Critical |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 67k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 125k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 59k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 43k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Window regulator or power window failure | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 1 | — | 100 | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin | emissions | 1 | 1 | — | 120k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 276 | 62 | 60k | 95k | 124k | 2.0 | — | 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 2005 Toyota Corolla draws about 6.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 84th percentile of complaint rates among 2005 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 141,082 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2005 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.
Airbag inflator rupture
Washington, d.c. - the national highway traffic safety administration urges owners of certain toyota, honda, mazda, bmw, nissan, mitsubishi, subaru, chrysler, ford and general motors vehicles to act immediately on recall notices to replace defective takata airbags... The message comes with urgency, especially for owners of vehicles affected by regional recalls in the following areas: florida, puerto rico, limited areas near the gulf of mexico in texas, alabama, mississippi, georgia, and louisiana..., [case#:[xxx]] the case # is the record of my call to and conversation with the recall division of toyota usa. I have requested of toyota corporation that they furnish me with the manufacturer information for the airbags installed in my corolla at manufacture. The reason why I requested this information should be apparent from your site as well as from the hearings in congress and the response from takata. Toyota corporation told me on the telephone that they could not give me that information. . I find it interesting that toyota can issue product recalls by VIN numbers; but can not find manufacturing information using my VIN number…
Takata recall, I got a recall notice on my toyota's airbag system back in may of 2005. It stated to take care of this problem immediately. I called clearwater toyota to get an appointment. Said they didn't have ant parts in stock, will get back with me. They never did. Called again oct 2, 2005' they told me the mgr. Would get in touch with me. Well, it's nov. 18 and no call yet. This has been going on since june 2005. Aggravated to say the least.
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure
Our 2005 toyota corolla is having major problems shifting (lurching and stuck gears), and the car is now unsafe for us to drive on the road (we are likely to get rear-ended if we continue to drive). We have taken the car to our mechanic and been informed that we have a defective engine control module. This problem is described in toyota's technical service bulletin tc014-06. There is an 8yr/80k mile warranty on this part, but our car has over 100k miles so toyota claims that they have no responsibility to pay for the repair of this defect. However, given the safety concerns with driving the car (and our fear of causing an accident), we have no choice but to fix the defect and believe that toyota should be held responsible for repairing the defect. *tr
Ecu or ECM in 2005 toyota corolla defective, causing various problems, mine was transmission problem ,but my transmission was okay the ecu or ECM was causing the transmission not to shift right,.upon talking to dealership thousands of units replaced and there are several online issues of this part malfunctioning,warranty covers to 80,000 miles but if over that it is a $800.00 repair for a part toyota knows is bad, had part replaced at my expense I,don,t feel the consumer should have to pay for this... *tr
Other speed control problem
As I was pulling into a parking space, my toyota corolla (2005) surged forward and caused me to hit into the front bumper of another parked vehicle. I had my foot on the brake at the time of the surge. Witnesses said that they saw my car slowly enter the parking spot then suddenly shoot forward. Two witnesses said the car made a strange sound similar to a manual car shifing gears. My car is an automatic. I had the car towed to the dealer who said that they could find nothing wrong with the car. There was no damage to my car but the other vehicle's bumper had a scratch.
Making a half-u turn; pulled out of parking spot and slowly drove to opposite side; put car in reverse, foot on brake, slowly backing up toward curb; foot still on brake, car standing still, turned steering wheel slightly to left to proceed, put into drive....car suddenly lurched forward at excessive speed and hit curb and bricks around a tiny tree and stopped...all in a matter of 3-4 seconds. The underside of the front behind the bumper was bent and smashed, dripping fluid, bent bars....noticed when car was started in past few weeks that the idle was faster than usual (similar to a winter idle) not a summer idle, but the idle slowed down by itself; car was taken to auto repair and damaged parts replacement. *nm
Recalls on the 2005 model year
NHTSA has issued 10 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Toyota Corolla, affecting an estimated 276,994 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 air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module, air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module and air bags. 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.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
928,220 vehicles 2019-10-17- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
229,460 vehicles 2019-08-28- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Consequence
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
168,993 vehicles 2018-12-12- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone…
AIR BAGS
1,069,055 vehicles 2015-05-13- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota…
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29…
AIR BAGS
1,973,468 vehicles 2015-05-13- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect…
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1,128,659 vehicles 2010-08-26- Defect
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
- Consequence
- There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of september 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners that they will receive a future notification when parts become available to have the free remedy performed on their vehicle. The safety recall began on november 29, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4,029 vehicles 2006-07-17- Defect
- Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- Consequence
- Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during july 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
292,000 vehicles 2006-03-13- Defect
- Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which 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.
- Remedy
- Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began may 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo usa at 909-468-3688.
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 2005 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.
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
Better and worse years of the same car
High risk for a 2005 — 101st riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
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 2005 itself at 71.
If the model year is negotiable, 1997 scores lower than 2005 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 2003–2008 generation specifically, 2004 is the strongest year at 69 and 2007 the weakest at 72.
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.
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 2003-2008 generation, 2004 Toyota Corolla scores best at 69 and 2007 Toyota Corolla worst at 72.
Where to spend the inspection money
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: loss of braking from about 900, other body or interior problem from about 8k, other brake problem from about 16k and other speed control problem from about 20k.
On a 2005 Toyota Corolla with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether loss of braking 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.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
What this page cannot tell you
972 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 972 reports, 528 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 54% 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".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
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 2005 Toyota Corolla?
The most-reported failures are airbag inflator rupture (141 reports, median 95,000 miles), control module (ecm/pcm/bcm) failure (59 reports, median 100,000 miles) and other speed control problem (52 reports, median 40,000 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 2005 Toyota Corolla problems start?
Loss of braking is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 5,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 900 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 69,000 miles.
Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla reliable?
It scores 71 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 101st riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2005 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 2003–2008 generation, 2004 scores best at 69 out of 100 and 2007 worst at 72. 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 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed