ToyotaCorolla1991Overview/toyota/corolla/1991/base/

1991 Toyota Corolla

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Corolla.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1991 Toyota Corolla is a passenger car equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission and a 3-quart oil capacity (10W-30/10W-40), achieving an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined. This model year recorded only 87 owner complaints—the top area being structure—and a single recall, placing it well below the model line's peak complaint year of 2009 (1,533 complaints) and among the lower complaint counts in the 1990–2026 history, underscoring its reputation for solid build quality in the early years of the Corolla's long production run.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/26/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1 alt 90915YZZF1
Engine air filter178017402083 alt 178011602083
Fuel filter2330019145
Spark plug9091901153 alt 9091901231
Front wiper blades852203A050 alt 85212YZZ10TM
Serpentine belt993639063083 alt 993642086083
Thermostat9091603046 alt 9091603090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width65.4 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase95.7 in
Curb weight2370 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 26 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Corolla of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.30 sec — 1993 DX Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1993DX Wagon 1.8L I-410.30 sec17.80 sec105 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.4 Pints
Engine Oil10W-30 · 10W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · 10W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.4 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
At 30,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the federal record, 1991 sits at the front edge of a steep upward trend that runs from 1990 through the mid-1990s: complaints jumped from 30 in 1990 to 87 in 1991 and continued climbing to a peak of 202 by 1994, while recalls remained at 1 in 1991 but escalated to 8 by 1994. Relative to the years immediately before and after, 1991 shows significantly higher owner complaints than 1990 yet markedly fewer complaints and recalls than 1992 through 1996, placing it early in the generation’s escalation arc before the most intense reporting period. For 1991 specifically, the highest-volume complaint categories are Structure and Engine & Engine Cooling with 15 filings each, followed by Seat Belts at 13 and Electrical System at 8, with 11 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints recorded; however, the data does not specify root causes. With only 1 recall, zero investigations, and complaint volumes well below the mid-1990s peak, 1991 represents a comparatively mild year within this generation’s federal record, making it a reasonable candidate for purchase among these model years.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
87
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 87 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure15
Engine & Engine Cooling15
Seat Belts13
Electrical System8
Power Train7
Tires6
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Vehicle Speed Control3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E002000SuspensionReported 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED… Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
T-SB-0032-20 Rev2021-02-03EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0304-17 Obs2020-04-07EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
T-SB-0032-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Corolla. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Corolla take?

3 qt of 10W-30 OR 10W-40 SL OR API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Corolla have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Corolla get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 26 highway / 24 combined mpg.