1979 Toyota Corolla E30

Overview

Engines

1.2L four-cylinder, 1.6L four-cylinder

Came as

• Sedan, two-door
• Sedan, four-door
• Wagon, five-door
• Sport coupe
• +1 more

On record

2 warnings, 1 recall

What changed for 1979

• Another minor facelift: a squarer grille and raised hood section, with two vents at the sides in place of the offset one. A published reference

Compare 1979 with 1978

Colors

• Gold Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)472, 1979
• Red Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)349, 1979
• Green Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)6C3, 1979
• Yellow An owners' registry (unofficial)532, 1978–1979
• Copper Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)474, 1977–1979

Sources: An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 1.2L four-cylinder 3K-C Toyota, a published reference

  55 hp

• 1.6L four-cylinder 2T-C Toyota, a published reference

  75 hp; the only engine in the SR5

Transmissions

• 4-speed manual Curbside Classic, a published reference
• 5-speed manual A published reference
• Toyoglide automatic A published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan, two-door A published reference
• Sedan, four-door A published reference
• Wagon, five-door A published reference
• Sport coupe (1976–1979) Toyota, a published reference
• Liftback, three-door (1976–1979) Toyota, a published reference

Trims

• Standard A published reference
• Deluxe A published reference
• SR5 A published reference

Also in the generation, years not known: 1.3L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference

Figures for the whole 3rd gen

• Model codes: E31 sedans, E38 wagon, E37 hardtop, E51 sport coupe and liftback A published reference
• Built: August 1974 to July 1981 A published reference
• Emissions: The 1.3L 4K-C that replaced the 3K-C made 60 hp from 1,290 cc A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Rust All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look under the car and along the lower body and wheel arches for rust and repairs.

  Four readers commenting on Curbside Classic's liftback article, an unofficial source, mention these Corollas rusting, around Chicago and in northeast Ohio within six years. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Steering box adjuster, 1977–1979

  Check: Feel for play in the steering, and ask whether recall 80V028000 was done.

  Toyota recalled 1977–1979 Corollas because the lock nut on the steering box worm gear adjuster may not be tight enough, letting the adjuster work loose with hard, repeated steering. NHTSA

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 1977–1979 Recall 80V028000

  The lock nut on the steering box worm gear adjuster may not be tight enough, and the adjuster can work loose with hard, repeated steering. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  Long-lived, to its owners All years

  One source so far

  Of six owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1976–79 liftback article, an unofficial source, five praise their cars' durability, some of them family cars. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.