1990 Toyota Corolla problems

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The Toyota Corolla (Japanese: トヨタ・カローラ, Hepburn: Toyota Karōra) is a series of compact cars (formerly subcompact) manufactured and marketed globally by the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. Introduced in 1966, the Corolla was the best-selling car worldwide by 1974 and has been one of the best-selling cars in the world since then. In 1997, the Corolla became the best-selling nameplate in the world, surpassing the Volkswagen Beetle. Toyota reached the milestone of 50 million Corollas sold over twelve generations in 2021.

The name Corolla is part of Toyota's naming tradition of using names derived from the Toyota Crown for sedans, with "corolla" Latin for "small crown". The Corolla has always been exclusive in Japan to Toyota Corolla Store locations, and manufactured in Japan with a twin, called the Toyota Sprinter until 2000. From 2006 to 2018 in Japan and much of the world, and from 2018 to 2020 in Taiwan, the hatchback companion had been called the Toyota Auris.

Early models were mostly rear-wheel drive, while later models have been front-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive versions have also been produced, and it has undergone several major redesigns. The Corolla's traditional competitors have been the Nissan Sunny, introduced the same year as the Corolla in Japan and the later Nissan Sentra, Nissan Sylphy, Honda Civic and Mitsubishi Lancer. The Corolla's chassis designation code is "E", as described in Toyota's chassis and engine codes.

1990 Toyota Corolla

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Common 1990 Toyota Corolla problems

Based on the information from the sources provided, here are the common problems reported by owners of the 1990 Toyota Corolla:

  • Excessive Oil Consumption: Excessive oil consumption has been a common issue in various model years of the Toyota Corolla, including the 1990 model. This problem can lead to engine issues and requires regular monitoring and maintenance to prevent damage.
  • Transmission Failure: Transmission problems have been reported in the 1990 Toyota Corolla, which can be a significant and costly issue to address. It is essential to address transmission problems promptly to avoid further damage to the vehicle.
  • Front Axle Failure: Front axle failure has been reported in the 1989 Toyota Corolla, which can impact the vehicle's drivability and safety. This issue requires immediate attention and repair to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle.
  • Water Leaking into Interior: Water leaking into the interior of the car has been reported in the 1991 Toyota Corolla. This issue can lead to damage to the interior components of the vehicle and should be addressed to prevent further issues and maintain the car's condition.
  • Other Minor Issues: Owners have reported minor issues such as jerking into gear, HVAC problems, drivetrain issues, exterior problems, and interior accent issues in various model years of the Toyota Corolla, including the 1990 model. While these may not be as severe as major mechanical issues, they can still affect the overall driving experience and comfort of the vehicle.

These problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance, timely repairs, and thorough inspections when owning a 1990 Toyota Corolla to ensure its longevity and performance on the road.

1990 Toyota Corolla engine

Are 1990 Corolla reliable?

The 1990 Toyota Corolla Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5. It ranks 8th out of 32 for all car brands.

How many miles can a 1990 Toyota Corolla last?

If you're considering a Toyota Corolla, you may be wondering, “How long do Toyota Corollas last?” With regular service and maintenance, the Toyota Corolla has a life expectancy of up to 10 years or 300,000 miles.

What is the most common problem with Toyota Corolla?

Common Problems with the Toyota Corolla

  • Oil leaking/excessive oil use.
  • Jerky acceleration.
  • MAF sensor problem.
  • Car vibrating.

What year was bad for Toyota Corolla?

A: Avoid Toyota Corolla models from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, and 2014. These models have been identified as having a higher frequency of complaints regarding excessive oil consumption, transmission problems, and other reliability issues.

Are 1990 Toyota Corollas reliable?

The average rating is a 4 out of 5 stars. The 1990 Toyota Corolla Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5. It ranks 8th out of 32 for all car brands.

What is the most common problem with Toyota Corolla?

Common Problems with the Toyota Corolla

  • Oil leaking/excessive oil use.
  • Jerky acceleration.
  • MAF sensor problem.
  • Car vibrating.

How many miles can a 1990 Toyota Corolla last?

If you're considering a Toyota Corolla, you may be wondering, “How long do Toyota Corollas last?” With regular service and maintenance, the Toyota Corolla has a life expectancy of up to 10 years or 300,000 miles.

What year was bad for Toyota Corolla?

A: Avoid Toyota Corolla models from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, and 2014. These models have been identified as having a higher frequency of complaints regarding excessive oil consumption, transmission problems, and other reliability issues.

1990 Toyota Corolla car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Corolla problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Tires problems
  • Power train problems
  • Seat belts problems
  • Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Toyota Corolla vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1990 Toyota Corolla

The NHTSA has received 30 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Toyota Corolla. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1990 Toyota Corolla vehicles.

2004-12-23

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-12-01
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER NOT HAPPY WITH SERVICE. *NM THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A CUSTOM HANGAR FOR HER MUFFLER. THE CONSUMER FELT LIKE THE SERVICE WAS RENDERED IN A FALSE AND MISLEADING MANNER. *TC
2004-05-04

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-04-30
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: I HAVE A 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT (WHICH ATTACHED TO THE DOOR) DOES NOT RETRACT AT ALL. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR SOME TIME AND WOULD NOT PROTECT ME IN AN ACCIDENT. I THINK THIS SORT OF SEAT BELT DEVICE IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO!*AK
2002-01-18

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-01-18
  • VIN: 1NXAE94A4LZ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS DEFECTIVE, DRIVER CAN SMELL CARBON MONOXIDE IN CAB OF VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 4TH MANIFOLD, EACH ONE HAD CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE.*SLC
2000-09-12

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-08-25
  • VIN: 2T1AE94A9LC
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAR JERKED. THEN IT JERKED AGAIN, AND SOON AS CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD, TRANSMISSION LOCKED AND VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY. *AK
2000-03-13

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-10-21
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: SUDDEN BLOW OUT, THREAD DAMAGE BUT SUSTAINED TWO SECTIONS OF WALL DAMAGE AND HAD CRACKED INWALL AT BEAD AREA, SECOND TIRE CRACKS IN BEAD AREA
2000-03-03

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-12-19
  • VIN: 1NXAE94A7LZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE ,TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. CAR SKIDDED TO HALT ON ROADWAY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE DIFFERENTIAL RUNNING OUT OF FLUID. THE DIP STICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOWED FULL. THERE WAS NO DIP STICK FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL. SO THERE WAS NO WAY TO CHECK THE FLUID, IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK *ML
1999-11-11

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JT2AE96J6L3
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY
1999-02-09

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-01-12
  • VIN: 1G8ZE1280SZ
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A TIRE BLOWOUT. DEALER STATED ALL THE TIRES WERE DRY ROT. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. HAD TIRES INSTALLED TWO YEARS AGO. GOODYEAR TIRES STATED TIRES WERE DRY ROT SINCE BEING INSTALLED, AND THE TIRES WERE SITTING IN THE WAREHOUSE FOR TWO YEARS AND BECAME DRY ROT. *AK
1998-03-03

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JT2AE94AGL3
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED.
1997-10-10

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2T1AE94A6LC
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: RADIO MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. YH
1997-10-10

INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2T1AE94A6LC
  • Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: DOME LIGHT INOPERABLE WHEN DOOR OPENS. YH
1997-09-30

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1991-10-11
  • VIN: 1NXAE94A8LZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDOWS INOPERATIVE.
1997-08-21

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1GBJP37N3S3
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: PARKING BRAKE LIGHT BADLY LOCATED AND CANNOT BE SEEN. *AK
1997-08-11

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-06-18
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS SLOWING VEHICLE DOWN, THEN SUDDENLY COULDN'T STEER THE VEHICLE, LOST CONTROL AND VEHICLE JUST WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. *AK
1997-06-13

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-01-10
  • VIN: 1NXAE91AXLZ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP/FAILED 4 TIMES. ALSO, REPLACED ENGINE. *AK
1996-08-02

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-07-31
  • VIN: JT2ST87F6L0
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: EGR VALVE FAILURE. *AK
1996-06-20

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-17
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 2T1AE91A9LC
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: WHEN REAR ENDED THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. *AK
1996-06-11

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-04-08
  • VIN: 1NXAE94A8LZ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN THE CONNECTING ROD BROKE INSIDE ENGINE. *AK
1996-04-04

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1992-04-04
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH IT STICKS INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAIL. *AK
1995-12-11

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-11-05
  • VIN: JT2AE97A3L3
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: GOODYEAR TIRES CUP/WEAR EXTENSIVELY. *DSH
1995-09-28

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-11-15
  • VIN: JT2AE94K8L3
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: GOODYEAR TIRES HAD AIR LEAK. *SD
1995-09-22

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1991-07-15
  • VIN: JT2AE94K8L3
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: GOODYEAR TIRES FAILED. *DSH
1995-09-22

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-08-14
  • VIN: JT2AE94K8L3
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN IDLING.
1995-08-27

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
  • VIN: XE94A6LZ126
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE ALLOWING FUMES TO POSSIBLY ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE OUTSIDE VENT WAS OPENED. KT
1995-07-05

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-01
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, VEHICLE SIEZED WITHOUT WARNING. TT

1990 Toyota Corolla recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1990 Toyota Corolla.

2010-02-11
  • Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: RIDE 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.
  • Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
  • Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Negative 1990 Toyota Corolla car reviews

  1. Brent Leannon 2024-11-19

    It does what it's supposed to do really well! Runs without any problems or hang-ups, and has great mileage with low maintenance. It's a no-frills car that's perfect for commuting in any season.

  2. Thad Jast 2024-09-26

    I drove this car for a year and unfortunately, the head gasket blew. It was after we had the engine cleaned so it would pass inspection. It turned out that the head was cracked and had some carbon buildup in it, causing the radiator fluid to go through the head and out the exhaust. We tried using head gasket block, which worked for a total of 2 weeks, but unfortunately, the problem resurfaced even after we put a new radiator in it. Today, I had to drive it to the junk yard with a bunch of white smoke coming out of it, and I ended up getting 50 bucks for it. Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience.

  3. Alexys Schroeder 2024-07-21

    I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to share that I bought this car back in Aug 1992 with 40K miles and it now has 85K miles and still runs like a charm. I'm proud to say that I've hardly ever taken it to the mechanic, even though I've had it for close to 12 years.

  4. Hazle Ullrich 2024-01-25

    Good body, good condition, and good motor. Also includes an AM/FM radio.

Positive 1990 Toyota Corolla car reviews

  1. Gregg Yundt 2025-01-03

    Your car still looks and runs great! Although there is a small leak in the valve cover gasket and transaxle, it won't cause a breakdown. Apart from regular maintenance, your car has not had any major problems. It's strange that the automatic was not listed as one of the Corollas, but yours is a 3-speed auto. I hope it keeps going for a very long time!

  2. Francis Mayert 2024-11-09

    Great car! It gets me to point A, point B, and even point Z. Mine is in great condition and has great mpg. It's a really good car to have, especially with these gas prices.

  3. Hailey Bode 2024-10-07

    I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share that I bought my Gold DX back in 1990 and it still has 292,000 miles on it as of 23MAY06. I recently put new tires on it and plan to keep driving it until the wheels fall off (which I hope won't be anytime soon!). While it may not be worth much to anyone else, it has been the best car I've ever owned and I'm grateful for all the memories it has given me.

  4. Deangelo Auer 2024-09-28

    What a great car! I bought it when it was only 2 years old with just 6800 miles on it. It has been such a reliable and economical car to run, with only normal maintenance like oil changes, filter replacements, and brake checks. Even after driving it for 158,000 miles, it has never let me down. Recently, I had to replace the water pump and valve gaskets, but that's just a small bump in the road for this amazing car. I had a 77 Corolla that I drove for 15 years with a total of 206,000 miles when I sold it for $600, and I have no doubt that this car will last just as long.

  5. Haley Cruickshank 2024-09-23

    1990 Toyota Corolla SR5, 5 speed, red with grey interior. Bought used when it was 2 years old with 22,000km. It's been twelve years since then and now at 236,000km, this vehicle has never let me down. I had the body repaired and a new paint job in 2000 and it has held up very well.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1990 Toyota Corolla problems:

1990 Toyota Corolla Problems and Complaints - 17 Issues
1990 Toyota Corolla Problems and Complaints - 17 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1990-toyota-corolla/problems

Top 1990 Toyota Corolla Problems · Automatic Transmission May Not Shift Correctly at High Mileages · Vehicle Won't Crank Due To Starter · Reports of Daytime ...

Toyota Corolla Questions - anything I should know about 1998 ...
Toyota Corolla Questions - anything I should know about 1998 ...
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Mar 16, 2013 ... But there are no known recurring faults in the '88 Corolla. ... problems and you're just the man ... 1990 Toyota Corolla Base. -. Maintenance & ...

1990 Toyota Corolla Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
1990 Toyota Corolla Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/toyota/corolla/1990

Most Common 1990 Toyota Corolla Problems ... At higher mileages, (125,000-150,000) the automatic transmission may not shift correctly. this can be caused by the..

1993 to 1997 Corolla. Common problems : r/Toyota
1993 to 1997 Corolla. Common problems : r/Toyota
https://www.reddit.com/r/Toyota/comments/11f5h5w/1993_to_1997_corolla_common_problems/

Mar 1, 2023 ... I'm thinking of buying a 1993-1997 corolla Automatic as the other car is a gas hog. I just wanted to know what look for when looking at one ...

Q&A: Common Problems with 2001 Toyota Corolla - Shocks ...
Q&A: Common Problems with 2001 Toyota Corolla - Shocks ...
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Sep 5, 2009 ... I removed the valve cover and the engine was clean. The noise dimishes a bit after the car gets warm. My 1990 corolla is much more quieter than ...

Other years of Toyota Corolla

toyota corolla 1991 photo
Corolla 1991
Toyota

87

1

29

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota corolla 1992 photo
Corolla 1992
Toyota

106

2

12

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota corolla 1993 photo
Corolla 1993
Toyota

152

6

30

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota corolla 1994 photo
Corolla 1994
Toyota

202

8

31

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota corolla 1995 photo
Corolla 1995
Toyota

196

7

22

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
toyota corolla 1996 photo
Corolla 1996
Toyota

143

6

23

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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