Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 1.2 Turbo
Toyota's first turbocharged petrol engine for Europe. Direct injection and timing chain, with enough torque for brisk progress. No serious long-term problems known so far; occasional elevated oil consumption.
Touring Sports with turbo base
85 kW 1.2T in the estate — slightly heavier than the hatchback, but the TNGA qualities remain perceptible. Completely adequate for everyday use.
Engine Weaknesses 6
A faulty weld on the high-pressure fuel pump causes cracks in the weld seam. Fuel can leak and ignite on hot engine components. Affected: production period November 2017 to November 2022.
Symptoms: Fuel smell in the engine bay, fuel level dropping without explanation
Early production years of the 8NR-FTS are affected by faulty ignition coils and an incompatible engine management software version. Toyota introduced revised software and replacement coils.
Symptoms: Engine stumbling and misfires; check engine light; power drops; vehicle goes into limp mode
As a direct injection engine without fuel wash at the intake valves, the 8NR-FTS builds up heavy carbon deposits. The EGR valve needs cleaning as early as approximately 30,000 km.
Symptoms: Stumble at part throttle; cold-start issues; increased fuel consumption; rough idle
The EGR valve and intake tract foul up quickly with oil mist and combustion residues due to direct injection without port injection. Cleaning or replacement needed from approximately 30,000–50,000 km.
Symptoms: Power loss at low rpm, increased fuel consumption, rough idle, check engine light
The 8NR-FTS tends toward elevated oil consumption, particularly in short-trip operation. Typical for small-displacement turbocharged petrol engines with water-cooled turbos. Regular oil level checks recommended.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level between oil changes, light smoke on cold start
The VVT-iW system produces brief rattling noises on a cold engine due to the oil-pressure-controlled camshaft phaser. Switching between Otto and Atkinson cycles generates audible noise.
Symptoms: Brief rattling or ticking immediately after cold start for 1–3 seconds
Vehicle Weaknesses 10
On 2019 model year vehicles the brake booster can fail, resulting in significantly increased stopping distances.
Fuel pump impeller can deform and seize. Worldwide recall also affects Corolla E210 petrol models.
Hybrid models barely use mechanical braking at the rear axle. Brake discs and callipers rust up quickly as a result.
Starter batteries on early build years are undersized and fail prematurely. Main cause of poor breakdown frequency figures in 2022.
In pure electric mode the cabin heats up very slowly because the combustion engine is the primary heat source and is not running.
A design weakness allows water to accumulate on the electric tailgate motor spindles, causing them to rust. Corrosion damage can appear after just 2–3 years. Regular greasing of the spindles helps as a preventive measure.
The rear coil springs produce squeaking noises from friction against the rubber seat, especially in cold conditions.
At higher speeds wind noise develops at the A-pillar due to inadequate door sealing.
The electric A/C compressor on the hybrid E210 produces an rising hum or drone on start-up when the A/C is already active. Toyota describes the noise as system-typical, which many drivers find annoying.
E210 drivers report limited steering feedback from the electric power steering. Early models may require steering corrections at high speed. Facelift models show improvement.
Reports & Tests
879 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2019–2025). Most reported: Engine (209), Other (186), Powertrain (123).