2011 vs 2012 Toyota Corolla

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Nothing that 2012 lacks.

Nothing that 2011 lacks.

Burning oil All years

What to check: Check the oil level, ask how much it uses between changes, and watch for blue smoke.

Toyota's ZE7 program extended cover for oil burning on certain 2009–2011 Corollas with the 2AZ engine, about 7,700 cars built from early January 2008 to mid-November 2011, to ten years or 150,000 miles from first use, so it has ended. On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2009, an unofficial source, 23 owners report burning oil at about 100,750 miles on average, nine ending with a new engine, and comments name both engines.

Toyota, owners' reports (unofficial)
Water pump All years

What to check: Look for coolant leaking at the water pump and on the alternator below it, and ask whether the pump has been replaced.

CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, lists water pump failure among the 2009's worst problems, at about 62,000 miles on average. In a CarGurus thread, also unofficial, two owners report the pump failing on their 2009s, one leaking onto the alternator.

Owners' reports (unofficial)

15V689000 2009–2011
Grease may have been applied unevenly inside the power window master switch, which can then short, overheat and melt. NHTSA
16V340000 2009–2011
The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

Nothing that 2011 lacks.

17V006000 2009–2012
The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA
18V024000 2009–2013
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA
19V005000 2010–2013
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA
19V741000 2003–2013
Inflators fitted under an earlier recall were of the same design, and can still explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. NHTSA
20V024000 2011–2019
In certain crashes the airbag computer may malfunction, so the airbags or seat belt pretensioners may not deploy. NHTSA

After 2011, up to and including 2012.

2012The base car, now the L, gets power windows, locks and keyless entry, and the LE a stereo with USB and Bluetooth. Edmunds, a published reference

Engines: 1.8L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions: 5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference, 4-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles: Sedan A published reference
Trims: LE A published reference, S A published reference
Packages: JBL audio Toyota, a published reference, Navigation Edmunds

Nothing that 2012 lacks.

Super White 040, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Classic Silver Metallic 1F7, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Magnetic Gray Metallic 1G3, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Black Sand Pearl 209, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Sandy Beach Metallic 4T8, 2011–2013 A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Barcelona Red Metallic 3R3, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Nautical Blue Metallic 8S6, 2011–2013 A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Nothing that 2012 lacks.

Nothing that 2011 lacks.

Sought after: 2011–2013 One source so far

SlashGear picks 2011 to 2013 among the best used Corolla years, for excellent IIHS results and very few NHTSA complaints and recalls. SlashGear