The Lemon Index2005 Toyota Corolla.
The 2005 Toyota Corolla is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 90 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 38, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 25 to 31 mpg combined. The best Toyota Corolla year is 2002.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 854 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Corolla year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 105K miles on the car (435 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 56K–125K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 36K–88K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 19K–58K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2019
The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2015
On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pon…
- airbags 2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no start condition on vehicles equipped with a 1zz-fe engine
- 1zz-fe engine no start condition
- Engine control
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedEngine stall2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The consumer stated the vehicle smelled of sulfur, that was sickening to the consumer. The dealer stated that the sulfur content was common in these vehicles, however, the state law differs.
2005 Toyota Corolla owner · NHTSA complaint 10112942
More owner reports
After being involved in a head on collision at 65 mph driver's air bag did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10090331
Rock entered front grill area and punctured ac unit releasing all of the freon into the air. Repair cost $700 even though vehicle still under warranty. Feel like more protection should be in that area.
NHTSA complaint 10151753
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 38; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Corolla year by this measure since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Corolla problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (22%), airbags (18%) and brakes (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Corolla have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota Corolla get?
25 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Corolla problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,800 and 105,000 miles. The middle report was at 69,900 miles, from 435 complaints.
Does the 2005 Toyota Corolla have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Toyota Corolla cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Toyota Corolla have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Corolla year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2013 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works