1988 Toyota Corolla recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 COROLLA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10E002000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-248-458-1396.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: 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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR FRONT STRUT MOUNTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS, NISSAN, OR TOYOTA. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1988 Toyota Corolla owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (7), Engine (4), Fuel system (4), Seats (3), Gasoline (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/23/2015 · Engine
VEHICLE DOES NOT PASS COLORADO EMISSIONS DUE TO HIGH CO (CARBON MONOXIDE). VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY TOYOTA SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGNS N03 & NA3 WHICH DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF VEHICLE FAILING EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO HIGH CO. NO EXPIRATION DATE/MILEAGE/AGE GIVEN FOR THESE TWO SERVICE CAMPAIGNS. PARTS FOR REPAIRS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CONTACTED TOYOTA M…
02/18/2010 · Engine · fire
1988 TOYOTA COROLLA ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0051-91 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10 *BF
06/20/2005 · Seat belts
DT: 88 TOYOTA, SAFETY BELT PLASTIC COVER CAME OFF ON DRIVERS' SIDE ,AND WHEN CLIPPED IT WON'T COME OFF UNLESS CONSUMER JABBED A SHARP OBJECT INTO IT TO GET IT TO OPEN. ( IT TAKES ABOUT 2 MINUTES). *AK *SB *NM
01/26/2001 · Brakes
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
03/10/2000 · Engine
MUFFLER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR HAVING A HOLE IN IT. ALSO, ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
01/20/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
DRIVING ON TURNPIKE 60MPH HEARD A NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE SKIDDED, FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONTACT DEALER THEY EXPLAINED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK
01/06/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE 60MPH HEARD A NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE SKIDDED THEN CAME TO A STOP. CONTACT DEALER, FOUND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD EXPLODED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK *ML
09/27/1999 · Seat belts
THE RELEASE BUTTON HAD GOTTEN JAMMED,NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO GET FREE OF SEATBELT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE AND SAID SEAT BELT NEEDS REPLACING. *AK