2012 Toyota Corolla — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Toyota Corolla is a saloon/sedan powered by a 1.8L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 35 mpg (UK) / 29 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Toyota Corolla workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Toyota Corolla: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 35 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 2.4L 4-cyl. The overall NHTSA rating moves from 3★ to 4★.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 1.8L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 92 cu ft (2,605 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 12 cu ft (340 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 35 combined / 31 urban / 41 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 29 combined / 26 city / 34 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 190 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Toyota Corolla, all with the 1.8L 4-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (26/34) | 190 | $2,300 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (27/33) | 190 | $2,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 92 cubic feet (about 2,605 litres) and luggage volume at 12 cubic feet (about 340 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Toyota Corolla
Running Costs: 2012 Toyota Corolla
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Toyota Corolla at 35 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,039 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Toyota Corolla Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Toyota Corolla (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (5). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 20V024000, reported 17 January 2020. Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
- Air bags — campaign 19V741000, reported 17 October 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 19V005000, reported 9 January 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 17V006000, reported 9 January 2017. Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 446 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Corolla. The most-reported areas are Air bags (370), Steering (18), Vehicle speed control (16). Complaints include 41 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 28 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 209 complaints across the 16 Toyota Corolla model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Toyota Corolla
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (5 recall campaigns · 370 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Steering (18 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Throttle & cruise control (16 owner complaints) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
- Body structure (14 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
At 35 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 34 mpg average for Toyota models in our database. Its 190 g/km CO₂ figure is 26 g/km lower than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 17 Toyota Corolla model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 16th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (35 mpg UK combined, against a high of 43 mpg). See every Toyota Corolla year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Toyota Corolla
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Toyota Corolla have?
It's fitted with a 1.8L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 4-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota Corolla?
The most efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, or 29 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Toyota Corolla cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Toyota Corolla have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Toyota Corolla (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (5). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Corolla?
Among the 446 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (370 complaints), Steering (18 complaints), Vehicle speed control (16 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Toyota Corolla have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 92 cubic feet (about 2,605 litres) and luggage volume at 12 cubic feet (about 340 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.