ToyotaCorolla2012Overview/toyota/corolla/2012/base/

2012 Toyota Corolla

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Corolla.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2012 Toyota Corolla is a passenger car that carries a 4.4-quart oil capacity requiring 0W-20 API viscosity and pairs with an automatic four-speed transmission. EPA ratings stand at 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, placing its efficiency credentials in context with its mechanical specification. With 445 owner complaints registered against five recalls—most notably involving air bags—this model year occupies a relatively moderate position within the Corolla's 1990–2026 reliability spectrum, sitting well below the 2009 peak of 1,533 complaints yet significantly above the 2026 low of just 11, indicating a middle-ground dependability profile for researchers tracking long-term durability trends.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/34/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030169011. 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.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLROEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030169011 alt 04152YZZA6
Engine air filter178010T030
Spark plug9091901275
Front wiper blades8521228170 alt 8521202230
Serpentine belt9091602664 alt 90916A2016
Thermostat9091603144 alt 9091603145
Cabin air filter8713902090 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2767 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 34 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume12 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.

7.8–9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2009 XRS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011LE Sedan 1.8L I-49.80 sec17.40 sec132 hpFWD
2009XRS Sedan 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.10 sec158 hpFWD
2009XRS Sedan 2.4L I-47.90 sec15.90 sec158 hpFWD
2009Sedan 1.8L I-48.60 sec16.60 sec132 hpFWD
2007LE Sedan 1.8L I-47.90 sec16.50 sec126 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 27.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing5-15, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle46 ft-lbs / 79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
136 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
345 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.45 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 35,000 miFuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2012 Toyota Corolla sits in the declining tail of a generation that peaked dramatically in 2009–2010, when complaints surged to 1,533 and 1,261 respectively, accompanied by 13 and 17 recalls — the highest in the entire dataset. By 2011, complaints had fallen to 590, and the 2012 target year continues that downward arc with 445 complaints and 5 recalls, representing roughly a 71% reduction in complaints from the 2009 peak. The following year, 2013, drops further to just 201 complaints and 5 recalls, confirming that Toyota was actively resolving the generation's issues as it wound down. However, the 2012's complaint profile is heavily concentrated in a single area: 353 of the 445 complaints (approximately 79%) relate to Air Bags, with 41 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint also reported — the data does not specify root causes for these. With recalls down to 5 and TSBs remaining robust at 392 (indicating active manufacturer technical guidance), the 2012 is a meaningfully improved year relative to the generation's worst, though the air bag complaint volume warrants a pre-purchase check of recall completion status. **Bottom line: the 2012 Corolla is a reasonable used buy, especially compared to the 2009–2010 model years, but verify that all air bag-related recalls have been performed before purchase.**

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
392
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
445
Owner complaints
41 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 445 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags353
Steering8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Service Brakes7
Structure6
Power Train6
Air Bags,Seat Belts5
Unknown Or Other5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V005000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February…

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 392 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

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 2012 Corolla take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Corolla have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Corolla get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined mpg.