2nd gen Toyota Corolla 1971–1974 E20

Overview

Engines

1.2L four-cylinder, 1.6L four-cylinder

Came as

• Sedan, two-door
• Sedan, four-door
• Coupe
• Wagon

On record

0 warnings, 2 recalls

The story

Toyota restyled the Corolla with a more rounded body in May 1970. By this generation it was the world's second-best-selling car. Toyota, a published reference

Colors

• Flicker White An owners' registry (unofficial)T1564, 1971
• Moon Grey An owners' registry (unofficial)T1620, 1971
• Gloaming Cream An owners' registry (unofficial)T1748, 1971
• Yellow Firefly An owners' registry (unofficial)T1746, 1971
• Sun Tan Yellow An owners' registry (unofficial)T1750, 1971

Sources: An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 1.2L four-cylinder 3K-C Curbside Classic, an owners' registry (unofficial)

  1971

• 1.6L four-cylinder 2T-C Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

  88 hp in the 1972 SR-5 coupe

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual Toyota
• 2-speed automatic Toyota

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan, two-door An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Sedan, four-door An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Coupe Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Wagon An owners' registry (unofficial)

Trims

• SR-5 Toyota

Figures

• Power: 73 hp, up from the 1st gen's 60 Toyota
• Styling: A more rounded body than the 1st gen A published reference
• Sales: The world's second-best-selling car by this generation Toyota

Years and what changed

1. 1971

   New generation, slightly larger, with 73 hp and an optional 2-speed automatic, the Corolla's first. Toyota

2. 1972

   The SR-5 sport coupe arrives, with an 88 hp 1.6L and a five-speed manual. Toyota

3. 1973

   No change recorded

4. 1974

   No change recorded

Watch out

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

No warning is written up yet. That means none is recorded, not that there are none.

Recalls

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

• 1971 Recall 72V014000

  NHTSA's record gives no summary. It files the campaign under the exhaust emission controls. NHTSA

• 1970–1971 Recall 71V084000

  NHTSA's record gives no summary and names no part. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  Durable, to its owners All years

  SlashGear ranks the 2nd gen seventh of twelve and calls the US 1.6L lively. Among readers commenting on Curbside Classic's 1971 Corolla article, an unofficial source, three owners of 1968–1974 Corollas praise their durability and none mentions rust. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Watch for

  The 1971 1.2L

  Less sought after One source so far

  To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, the 1971 1200 was slow at freeway speeds and its brakes only so-so, and the 1600 that followed put the speed right. Curbside Classic

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.