ToyotaCorolla1973Overview/toyota/corolla/1973/base/

1973 Toyota Corolla

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1973 Corolla.

The 1973 Toyota Corolla is recorded with zero recalls and only a single owner complaint centered on the Electrical System. Although the model's complaint history tracks data from 1990 to 2026, reaching a high of 1,533 complaints in 2009, this earlier year stands apart with a nearly flawless record compared to those later figures. The 2026 model year shows the lowest recorded complaints at 11, yet the 1973 example remains even more sparse with only one reported complaint. This placement indicates that the 1973 model exists outside the primary reliability trends captured in the model's complaint history, offering a stability profile defined by just one reported complaint rather than the volumes seen in subsequent decades.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191973

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length157.1 in
Overall width59.1 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase92.1 in

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.

11.4–12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.40 sec — 1971 1600 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19711600 Coupe 1.6L I-411.40 sec18.20 sec102 hpRWD
19711600 Coupe 1.6L I-412.00 sec18.50 sec102 hpRWD

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 1973 Toyota Corolla’s federal record is limited to a single complaint—an electrical-system issue—with no recalls, investigations, or crash- or fire-related reports filed for that model year. In the broader context of the Corolla’s generational data provided, the early 1990s show a gradual rise in complaints and recalls, peaking sharply in the mid-2000s before tapering off in later years. The 1973 model predates this trend entirely, suggesting either minimal reporting for early models or inherently fewer issues at the time. Without subsequent years of the same generation for direct comparison, the data implies that 1973 may have been a relatively trouble-free year, though the absence of complaints could also reflect lower scrutiny. The lone electrical complaint warrants inspection, but the overall lack of red flags makes this a reasonably sound year to buy, assuming mechanical condition is verified.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Safety Recall an2016-07-21EquipmentUpdate on Technician Certification Requirements.
T-PG007-012001-05-04EquipmentReplacement vin plates.
T-PG002-911991-01-18EquipmentProduct general information.

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 1973 Corolla have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.