3rd gen Toyota Corolla 1975–1979 E30

Overview

Engines

1.2L four-cylinder, 1.3L four-cylinder, 1.6L four-cylinder

Came as

• Sedan, two-door
• Sedan, four-door
• Wagon, five-door
• Hardtop coupe 1975–1977
• +2 more

On record

2 warnings, 1 recall

The story

The 3rd gen was built from August 1974 to July 1981 and brought Toyota its greatest growth in the US after the fuel crisis. Taken as a whole it was the longest-lived Corolla generation. A published reference

Toyota renumbered most body styles from E30 to E50 with a facelift in March 1976. A published reference

Colors

• Copper Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)338, 1975
• Brown An owners' registry (unofficial)415, 1975
• Orange An owners' registry (unofficial)352, 1977
• Orange An owners' registry (unofficial)358, 1978
• Gold Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)472, 1979

Sources: An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

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

  55 hp

• 1.3L four-cylinder 4K-C Toyota, a published reference

  60 hp, with Toyota's TTC emissions equipment; replaced the 3K-C · years not known

• 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
• Hardtop coupe (1975–1977) A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• 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

Figures

• 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

Years and what changed

1. 1975

   New generation, on sale in late 1974. The SR5 comes only with the 1.6L and a five-speed, and adds a tachometer and sportier wheels. A published reference

2. 1976
   Refresh

   Minor facelift with a new grille and a hood with a raised center and one offset vent. The liftback and sport coupe join the range. Toyota, a published reference

3. 1977

   No change recorded

4. 1978

   No change recorded

5. 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

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)

• Avoid

  Heavy and thirsty for its class, in 1975

  Less sought after

  Road & Track found the 1975 Corolla large, heavy and expensive beside the Honda Civic and Datsun B210, with a crude rear suspension, little room inside and poor fuel economy beside the VW Rabbit, a published reference reports. SlashGear ranks the 3rd gen last of twelve, calling it underpowered. SlashGear, a published reference

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.