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2014–2019 E170 (11th generation)

2014–2019 Toyota Corolla Common Problems and Years to Avoid

6 documented problems with the 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 5 carry a recall or TSB number.

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We have 6 documented problems on record for the 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla, of which 2 are serious and 5 carry a recall or service bulletin. Every one below lists symptoms, the years most affected, and what the repair typically costs.

2014–2019 Toyota Corolla recalls and service bulletins

Recall / TSBIssueSeverity
Toyota SSC JSD (Software Update for CVT)CVT shudder, hesitation and whine (software campaign)moderate
NHTSA 20V-024 (Toyota 20TA03)Airbag ECU may fail to deploy airbags (recall)major
NHTSA 20V-012, expanded 20V-682 (Toyota 20TA02)Denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall, late cars)major
Toyota LSC F0NLE Eco Valvematic control issues (software campaign)moderate
NHTSA 13V-505 (Toyota D0S)Windshield wiper switch short (recall, 2014)minor

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.

CVT shudder, hesitation and whine (software campaign)

moderate

The K313 CVT on 2014–2017 cars drew complaints for low-speed shudder, tip-in hesitation, and a hiss/whine under light throttle. Toyota issued Special Service Campaign JSD, a free CVT control software update for certain 2014–2017 Corollas (plus 2016 Scion iM / 2017 Corolla iM), and separate TSBs for noise. Hardware failures are rare; fluid condition matters, so a CVT FE drain-and-fill is cheap insurance on high-mileage cars.

Most affected: 2014–2017Typical cost: Free (SSC JSD software update); ~$150–$250 for a CVT FE drain-and-fillRecall/TSB: Toyota SSC JSD (Software Update for CVT)

2ZR water pump coolant leak

moderate

The most common out-of-warranty repair on this generation: the mechanical water pump weeps coolant from its seal, leaving pink residue or a drip at the front of the engine, typically 60k–120k miles. Watch the reservoir; replacement is a routine job.

Most affected: 2014–2019Typical cost: $450–$600 parts and labor (RepairPal average)

Airbag ECU may fail to deploy airbags (recall)

major

Same 2.9-million-vehicle recall as the prior generation: electrical noise in a crash can damage the airbag ECU and prevent airbag/pretensioner deployment. Dealers install a noise filter or replace the ECU free. Check your VIN.

Most affected: 2014–2019Typical cost: Free under recallRecall/TSB: NHTSA 20V-024 (Toyota 20TA03)

Denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall, late cars)

major

2018–2019 Corollas were included in Toyota's massive Denso fuel pump recall: the in-tank pump impeller can swell and seize, causing rough running, no-starts, or a stall at speed. Dealers replace the pump assembly free.

Most affected: 2018–2019Typical cost: Free under recall; ~$500–$900 if replaced outside recall scopeRecall/TSB: NHTSA 20V-012, expanded 20V-682 (Toyota 20TA02)

LE Eco Valvematic control issues (software campaign)

moderate

Early 2014 LE Eco cars with the 2ZR-FAE could set check-engine lights or enter limp mode from the variable valve lift controller; Toyota released a free ECM software update under Limited Service Campaign F0N. Out-of-warranty Valvematic controller failures are reported occasionally and are the LE Eco's one expensive quirk.

Most affected: 2014 (LE Eco only)Typical cost: Free (LSC F0N software); $600–$1,200 if a controller needs replacement out of warrantyRecall/TSB: Toyota LSC F0N

Windshield wiper switch short (recall, 2014)

minor

The combination wiper switch on certain 2014 Corollas could short internally and make the wipers inoperative. Recalled and replaced free in 2013–2014; almost all cars are long since fixed, but check the VIN on an unfamiliar car.

Most affected: 2014Typical cost: Free under recallRecall/TSB: NHTSA 13V-505 (Toyota D0S)

Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.

Which Toyota Corolla model years does this cover?

These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Toyota Corolla built from 2014 through 2019 — the E170 (11th generation), compact sedan. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.

2014 Corolla2015 Corolla2016 Corolla2017 Corolla2018 Corolla2019 Corolla

What changed during the 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla

  • 2014Generation launch; LED low beams standard on all trims; CVT replaces the 4-speed auto on most trims (4AT lingers on base L through 2016); LE Eco with 140-hp Valvematic 2ZR-FAE added
  • 2016Oil filter changes from cartridge (04152-YZZA6) to spin-on (90915-YZZF2) per Toyota's filter application chart; Special Edition trim with 17-in wheels
  • 2017Facelift: new fascias, standard Toyota Safety Sense-P (auto emergency braking) on all trims, S trims replaced by SE/XSE, XLE added, bi-LED headlights on upper trims
  • 2019Final E170 sedan year (the 2019 Corolla Hatchback is already the new E210 platform)

2014–2019 Toyota Corolla problems and recalls: common questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla?

The recurring ones are: cvt shudder, hesitation and whine (software campaign); 2zr water pump coolant leak; airbag ecu may fail to deploy airbags (recall); denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall, late cars); le eco valvematic control issues (software campaign). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.

Which 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla years should you avoid?

The years to be most careful with are those affected by airbag ecu may fail to deploy airbags (recall) (2014–2019) and denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall, late cars) (2018–2019). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.

Are there recalls on the 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla?

5 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Toyota SSC JSD (Software Update for CVT) (cvt shudder, hesitation and whine (software campaign)), NHTSA 20V-024 (Toyota 20TA03) (airbag ecu may fail to deploy airbags (recall)), NHTSA 20V-012, expanded 20V-682 (Toyota 20TA02) (denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall, late cars)), Toyota LSC F0N (le eco valvematic control issues (software campaign)), NHTSA 13V-505 (Toyota D0S) (windshield wiper switch short (recall, 2014)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.

How much do 2014–2019 Toyota Corolla repairs typically cost?

Typical figures for the issues above: cvt shudder, hesitation and whine (software campaign), Free (SSC JSD software update); ~$150–$250 for a CVT FE drain-and-fill; 2zr water pump coolant leak, $450–$600 parts and labor (RepairPal average); airbag ecu may fail to deploy airbags (recall), Free under recall; denso low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall, late cars), Free under recall; ~$500–$900 if replaced outside recall scope.

Sources

Other Toyota Corolla generations

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