8th gen Toyota Corolla 1998–2002 E110

Overview

Engines

1.8L four-cylinder

Came as

• Sedan

On record

1 warning, no recalls

The story

Japan's recession led Toyota to tell development chief Takayasu Honda to cut costs, so the 8th gen carried much over from the 7th. The US version arrived in mid-1997 as a 1998 model with its own front and rear styling. A published reference

Toyota gave it more room inside on the same wheelbase, a stronger body for crash protection, and available side airbags. Every US car was built at NUMMI in California or at Cambridge, Ontario. Toyota, a published reference

Rare and special

• Front side airbags and anti-lock brakes

Colors

• Light Copper Mica An owners' registry (unofficial)4N4, 1998
• Ruby Pearl An owners' registry (unofficial)3L3, 1998
• Bright Ivy Pearl An owners' registry (unofficial)6P5, 1998
• Dark Emerald Pearl6M1, 1999
• Aqua Blue Metallic762, 1999

Interiors

• Light Charcoalyears not known

Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 1.8L four-cylinder 1ZZ-FE engine page Toyota, a published reference

  All-aluminum with a timing chain; 120 hp, then 125 hp with VVT-i from 2000

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual A published reference
• 3-speed automatic A published reference
• 4-speed automatic A published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan A published reference

Trims

• VE (1998–2000) A published reference
• CE A published reference
• LE A published reference
• S (2001–2002) A published reference

Packages

• Touring Package A published reference
• Front side airbags and anti-lock brakes Edmunds, a published reference
• Power sunroof A published reference

Figures

• Engine output: 120 hp and 122 lb-ft for 1998–1999; 125 hp and 125 lb-ft for 2000–2002 A published reference
• Timing drive: A chain, where the engines before used a belt A published reference
• Carrying capacity: 1,500 lb A published reference
• Lights: Daytime running lights on every car A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Rare

  Front side airbags and anti-lock brakes Package

  Very few cars had this option A published reference

Years and what changed

1. 1998

   New generation, sedan only, in VE, CE and LE trims, with a 120 hp all-aluminum 1.8L and optional front side airbags. Edmunds, a published reference

2. 1999

   The VE gets a standard stereo, and five new colors arrive. Edmunds

3. 2000

   VVT-i and a coil for each cylinder raise output to 125 hp, and child seat anchors are added. Edmunds, a published reference

4. 2001
   Refresh

   Restyled lights and front bumper. The CE becomes the base model, a sporty S replaces the VE, and an inside trunk release and a recirculation button arrive. Edmunds, a published reference

5. 2002

   A short model year, built only until the end of 2001. A published reference

Watch out

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

• Burning oil All years

  Check: Check the oil level and ask how much it uses between changes. Look for blue smoke at start-up and oil fouling on the plugs.

  On CarComplaints.com's page for oil use in the 2002, an unofficial source, 59 owners report it at about 99,200 miles on average, at rates from about a quart every 1,000 miles to one every 150 to 300, and 14 had the engine replaced. In a BobIsTheOilGuy forum thread, also unofficial, two owners report their 2001 and 2002 Corollas burning oil. 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

  Cars that do not burn oil All years

  One source so far

  Not every engine burns oil. In a BobIsTheOilGuy forum thread, an unofficial source, two owners report theirs uses none, one at about 235,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Avoid

  Oil burning, 1998–1999 and 2002 All years

  Less sought after

  A published reference reports a flawed piston ring design on the engines without VVT-i, which made higher-mileage cars burn oil. CarComplaints.com, a complaints site and an unofficial source, rates the 2002 the worst Corolla year, with excessive oil use its top problem, and SlashGear says to avoid the 2002 for the same reason. SlashGear, a published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.