2002 Toyota Corolla recalls and problems
No recalls and 117 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Corolla.
Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2002 Toyota Corolla recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Most reported problems
Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Tire size: TM-1 185/65R14 86 T Tire. I bought 4 tires in Sept 2022. I just found out that, after 11 months of normal city driving (which added bout 10K miles to the mileage) and normal maintenance, the tires already showing belt. They have become a safety hazard so I have to buy 4 new tires of another brand.
IVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND HAVE HAD TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY WEEK BECAUSE EVERY MORNING I START MY CAR LOT OF BLUE SMOKE IS COMING OUT MY EXHAUST. THIS IS BECAUSE THE DESIGN TEMPERATURE FOR THE PISTONS IN THIS ENGINE WAS 120 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURES REACHED ARE 160 DEGREES CELSIUS…
THE ENGINE IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. NEED TO ADD 1 QUART EVERY 300 MILES TO KEEP FILLED. THE CAR HAS 120,000 MILES. NOTICE BLUE SMOKE UPON ACCELERATION. CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL.
MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2002 CE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE PISTONS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOLES IN THE PISTONS TO ALLOW ENOUGH OIL TO GO THROUGH AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL, UP TO 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 250 MILES. PLEASE! CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION? THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOW RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IT BURNED MORE OIL THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE APPROXIMATELY FIVE QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING 150 TO 200 MILES…
Corolla model years compared
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 145 | 22 | 3 |
| 2001 | 0 | 133 | 32 | 3 |
| 2002 | 0 | 117 | 27 | 1 |
| 2003 | 9 | 720 | 101 | 9 |
| 2004 | 9 | 477 | 69 | 3 |
| 2005 | 6 | 854 | 114 | 4 |
Across all years, the 2009 Corolla has the most complaints (1,459). All Toyota Corolla years →
Questions
- Does the 2002 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Toyota Corolla as of October 27, 2026.
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Corolla?
- Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (23 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (19).
- How many 2002 Toyota Corolla complaints mention a crash or fire?
- 27 of 117 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 21 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 22, 2023.