1983 Toyota Corolla E70

Overview

Engines

1.6L four-cylinder

Came as

• Sedan, two-door
• Sedan, four-door
• Wagon, five-door
• Sport coupe
• +2 more

On record

2 warnings, no recalls

What changed for 1983

• The 90 hp 1.6L 4A-C, with an overhead cam and an aluminum head, replaces the 1.8L. Toyota, a published reference

Compare 1983 with 1982

Colors

• White An owners' registry (unofficial)038, 1983
• Silver Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)147, 1983
• Gray Metallic on Gloss Black An owners' registry (unofficial)2D3, 1983
• Creme An owners' registry (unofficial)557, 1983
• Shell Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)3C3, 1983

Sources: An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 1.6L four-cylinder 4A-C Toyota, a published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)

  Single overhead cam and an aluminum head, 90 hp · 1983

Transmissions

• 4-speed manual Owners' reports (unofficial)
• 5-speed manual Owners' reports (unofficial)
• 3-speed automatic Curbside Classic

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan, two-door Curbside Classic, a published reference
• Sedan, four-door Curbside Classic, a published reference
• Wagon, five-door Curbside Classic, a published reference
• Sport coupe Curbside Classic, a published reference
• Liftback, three-door Curbside Classic, a published reference
• Hardtop coupe A published reference

Trims

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

Figures for the whole 4th gen

• Wheelbase: 94.5 in A published reference
• Rear suspension: A live axle on coil springs, five links and a Panhard rod, except the wagon A published reference
• Power steering: The first Corolla to offer it, in the US from the 1982 model year A published reference
• Two-door front seats: Slide forward for the rear seat and return to where they were set Toyota

Watch out

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

• Rear wheel bearings All years

  One source so far

  Check: Listen for a growl from the rear that changes with speed, and feel for play in the rear wheels.

  Three owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1980–83 article, an unofficial source, report rear wheel or axle bearings failing. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Rust All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look at the rear quarter panels, the lower body and the fuel tank for rust.

  Two owners commenting on the same article, an unofficial source, report rust, one in the rear quarters and one in the body and fuel tank. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

No recall is written up here.

No recalls are listed. 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 about 23 owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1980–83 article, an unofficial source, about eight praise their cars' durability, one a 4A-C engine that reached 390,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.