This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Toyota Corolla engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Toyota Corolla have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Corolla | 10 |
| 2014 Corolla | 10 |
| 2015 Corolla | 4 |
| 2016 Corolla (this page) | 4 |
| 2017 Corolla | 4 |
| 2018 Corolla | 5 |
| 2019 Corolla | 23 |
| 2020 Corolla | 84 |
When does it fail?
Of the 4 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Corolla, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2015 ? 2021 model year Corolla vehicles may exhibit a clicking noise when making turns greater than 90 degrees and accelerating with the steering wheel on full lock, such as when performing a U-turn. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2015 ? 2021 model year Corolla vehicles may exhibit a clicking noise when making turns greater than 90 degrees and accelerating with the steering wheel on full lock, such as when performing a U-turn. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota corolla. While driving various speeds, the contact detected an abnormal odor in the vehicle and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the charcoal canister fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of…
My car only has 3,200 miles and today when I was in a traffic jam my car temperature blow up and I had to stop the car. It's practically a new car with a very low miles a usage. What happening???
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Toyota Corolla?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 34,090 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Toyota/Corolla.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.