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1994 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 172 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

65 crash reports4 fire reports38 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

10 reports
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307,097 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REMOVED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND WHAT WAS FOUND UNDERNEATH THE HEAT SHIELD WAS A BUBBLE WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS WHERE THE GAS LEAK WAS COMING FROM. IT APPEARED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. IF THE FUEL TAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAT SHIELD WAS REMOVED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND WHAT WAS FOUND UNDERNEATH THE HEAT SHIELD WAS A BUBBLE WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS WHERE THE GAS LEAK WAS COMING FROM. IT APPEARED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. IF THE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED, T HEN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INWARD DENT IN THE TANK, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,097. UPDATED 11/10/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/12

NHTSA ODI #10422476

108,837 miles · Nov 21, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ON MY CAR TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK. THE NEW REPLACEMENT TOYOTA GAS TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE WITHIN THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE THAT IT WAS REPLACED. THESE CRACKS WERE NOT CAUSES BY EXTERNAL WEAR, ABRASIONS OR DEBRIS, BUT RATHER AP…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ON MY CAR TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK. THE NEW REPLACEMENT TOYOTA GAS TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE WITHIN THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE THAT IT WAS REPLACED. THESE CRACKS WERE NOT CAUSES BY EXTERNAL WEAR, ABRASIONS OR DEBRIS, BUT RATHER APPEARED AS A FISSURE IN THE METAL OF THE TANK. IN BOTH CASES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE LEAKS ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE, GASOLINE WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE SHIELD, WHICH IS VERY HOT AND RISKS FIRE. DESPITE THE DEFECTIVE PART, THE TOYOTA DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME FOR THE FULL COST OF A 3RD GAS TANK PLUS LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249520

205,531 miles · Oct 12, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, A SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS PRESENT AROUND THE VEHICLE. UPON SELF INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME, FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE GAS TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP IN 10/05 F…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, A SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS PRESENT AROUND THE VEHICLE. UPON SELF INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME, FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE GAS TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP IN 10/05 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10170674

120,000 miles · Dec 1, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS TANK DEVELOPED CRACK/LEAK DIRECTLY OVER THE EXHAUST HEATSHIELD. THE LEAK IS IN A LOCATION TOTALLY PROTECTED FROM ANY ROAD DEBRIS IMPACT, THERE ARE ALSO NO SIGNS OF TRAUMA. THE LEAK WAS LOCATED AFTER SMELLING RAW FUEL, SEEING A DROP ON THE REAR EXHAUST HEATSHIELD THEN REMOVING THAT HEATSHIELD. ONLY THEN WAS THE LEAK LOCAT…

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THE GAS TANK DEVELOPED CRACK/LEAK DIRECTLY OVER THE EXHAUST HEATSHIELD. THE LEAK IS IN A LOCATION TOTALLY PROTECTED FROM ANY ROAD DEBRIS IMPACT, THERE ARE ALSO NO SIGNS OF TRAUMA. THE LEAK WAS LOCATED AFTER SMELLING RAW FUEL, SEEING A DROP ON THE REAR EXHAUST HEATSHIELD THEN REMOVING THAT HEATSHIELD. ONLY THEN WAS THE LEAK LOCATION VISIBLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048988

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY 1994 COROLLA WAGON DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC (IMPORT MOTORS SERVICE INC, 303-422-9654, SEPP OR MIKE.) AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW FUEL TANK WHICH CARRIED A WARRANTY OF 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FINANCIALLY FOR BOTH THE PART AND LABOR. IN APRIL OF 2003 T…

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MY 1994 COROLLA WAGON DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC (IMPORT MOTORS SERVICE INC, 303-422-9654, SEPP OR MIKE.) AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW FUEL TANK WHICH CARRIED A WARRANTY OF 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FINANCIALLY FOR BOTH THE PART AND LABOR. IN APRIL OF 2003 THE NEW TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE SAME AREA AS THE ORIGINAL, ABOVE THE HEAT SHIELD OF THE EXHAUST. LUCKILY NO FIRE OCCURRED. THAT SECOND TANK WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY SO I HAD A THIRD TANK PUT IN AND IT LASTED SIX MONTHS BEFORE DEVELOPING A LEAK IN THE SAME AREA AGAIN. I HAVE JUST HAD A FOURTH TANK PUT IN AND ONLY HAVE 2000 MORE MILES ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY FROM THE FIRST REPLACEMENT TANK, THEN I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TANK AS WELL AS THE LABOR IF THIS ONE LEAKS. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE LABOR ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH TANKS. THANKFULLY IMPORT MOTORS GAVE ME A SYMPATHY DISCOUNT ON THE LAST JOB, BUT THIS IS GETTING TO BE EXPENSIVE. TOYOTA HAS SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THEIR TANKS WHEN WE TRIED TO ADDRESS IT WITH THEM OVER THE INTERNET, THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE. CHECK OUT COMPLAINTS OID ID NUMBERS: 878860 AND 755159. WHAT IS UP WITH TOYOTA'S REPLACEMENT GAS TANKS AND DO THEY POSE A FIRE AND SEAFTY RISK? SINCERELY, EDD HAMILTON

NHTSA ODI #10041051

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

NOTICED AN ODOR OF GAS FROM THE VEHICLE. CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND FUEL OOZING FROM BOTTOM OF FUEL TANK. LOCATION OF LEAK WAS IN AN AREA PROTECTED FROM DEBRIS ABOVE THE HEAT SHIELD OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. NO PHYSCAL DAMAGE TO TANK NOTICED. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #755159

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK. CONSUMER COULD SMELL GAS, AND PRESSURE FORCED ALMOST ALL THE GAS OUT, IT DRIPPED ONTO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. HAD A NEW GAS TANK PUT IN. IN AUGUST 1999, NEW GAS TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK, DRIPPING ON EXHAUST SHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE GAS TANK SHO…

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FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK. CONSUMER COULD SMELL GAS, AND PRESSURE FORCED ALMOST ALL THE GAS OUT, IT DRIPPED ONTO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. HAD A NEW GAS TANK PUT IN. IN AUGUST 1999, NEW GAS TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK, DRIPPING ON EXHAUST SHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE GAS TANK SHOWED BUBBLES IN THEMETAL HULL AND CRACKS DEVELOPED AT THE MOST SEVERE BUBBLES ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK OUT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #878860

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL TANK CRACKED CAUSING A FUEL LEAK WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *YC

NHTSA ODI #852394

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 1995
Fuel System, GasolineFire

NOTICE WHITE SMOKE, FUEL ON THE GROUND, FIRE IN REAR OF THE ENGINE, POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK. TT

NHTSA ODI #962096

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE HESITATES/BUCKS WHEN SPEEDING AT 55 MPH OR MORE AND DRIVER TAKES FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR; ALSO, FUEL CUTS OFF SOLENOID, POSSIBLE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #960980

Official recalls

2

96V107000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Jun 20, 1996

IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.

94V220000 · Electrical System:wiring

Nov 8, 1994

AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED, THE SALT WATER OR SNOW CARRIED INTO THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER'S SHOES CAN PENETRATE THE CARPET AND DRIP ONTO THE CONNECTOR RESULTING IN THE FORMATION OF A SALT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA97015 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Sep 21, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available

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