2002 Toyota Corolla: common problems and reliability
· 9th generationAn average Corolla year.
149 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Corolla?The 2002 Toyota Corolla has 149 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine and engine cooling. Owners most often flag oil consumption/burning on 2000-2002 models with the 1zz engine.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Toyota Corolla vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Corolla years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Corolla?
Across the 29 Corolla model years we track, complaint volume runs from 73 (2023) to 1,533 (2009). With 149 complaints, the 2002 Corolla sits below the model's median of 214.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Corolla
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E049000CERTAIN 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, 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.
suspension
Campaign 10E002000RIDE 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.
Show 1 more recall
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 06E025000CERTAIN 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."
What owners report on the 9th generation Corolla
Owners overwhelmingly view this generation as a reliable, economical, and practical purchase, especially at low prices.
- Very frequentOil consumption/burning on 2000-2002 models with the 1ZZ engine
- RecurrentUncomfortable seats with little cushioning, especially on long drives
- RecurrentInterior door handles breaking
- RecurrentValve cover gasket leaks
- IsolatedWindow motors failing
Owner insights for the 9th generation Corolla. Read the full 9th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Corolla listings typically run $11,794–$18,999.
Other Corolla model years
Compare every Corolla year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Corolla against its rivals
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