ToyotaCorolla2002Overview/toyota/corolla/2002/base/

2002 Toyota Corolla

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Corolla.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2002 Toyota Corolla is a compact passenger car built on the long‑standing Corolla platform and equipped with a modest powertrain that uses 3.9 qt of 5W‑30 API oil and is paired with a three‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. Its modest mechanical layout is complemented by a relatively low total of 149 owner complaints for the model year, with air‑bag issues emerging as the most frequent problem and five official recalls recorded. When positioned against the broader 1990‑2026 complaint record—where the highest annual tally reached 1,533 complaints in 2009 and the lowest fell to just 11 in 2026—the 2002 Corolla occupies a middle ground in the model’s reliability trajectory, indicating solid but not exceptional durability for researchers examining long‑term dependability.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/30/27 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 · 360 CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turn7OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780102030
Fuel filter233000D010
Spark plug9008091184
Front wiper blades8521202121 alt 8522202030
Serpentine belt900809113483 alt 900809113583
Thermostat9091603125 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8856802020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase97.2 in
Curb weight2414 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 30 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 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.

7.1–8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2005 XRS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001S Sedan 1.8L I-48.80 sec16.60 sec125 hpFWD
2003S Sedan 1.8L I-48.00 sec16.30 sec130 hpFWD
2003LE Sedan 1.8L I-48.20 sec16.40 sec130 hpFWD
2005XRS Sedan 1.8L I-47.10 sec15.80 sec170 hpFWD
2005XRS Sedan 1.8L I-47.10 sec15.40 sec170 hpFWD
2005XRS Sedan 1.8L I-47.60 sec16.10 sec170 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, ATF in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts89 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.43 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.61 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 na 4WD Wagon ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression145-215 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.014 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.787 in

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 at 120,000 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 120,000 miSpark 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.

The 2002 Corolla marks the final year of the eighth generation (1998–2002), a period where complaints declined from a high of 248 in 1998 to a stable range of 138–159 in later years. With 149 complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation, the 2002 model aligns closely with the mature, later-year averages of its generation, showing no unusual spikes. This stability stands in sharp contrast to the 2003 redesign, which saw complaints surge to 768 and recalls jump to 14, indicating that the 2002 model avoids the early teething issues of the ninth generation. The top complaint areas for 2002 include air bags (18), engine and engine cooling (16), and vehicle speed control (8), with 30 crash-related complaints and 1 fire incident reported, though the data does not specify root causes. Given its position at the end of a refined generation and the absence of the severe problems that plagued the following year, the 2002 Toyota Corolla represents a prudent used-car purchase, provided a thorough inspection of the noted systems is performed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
102
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
149
Owner complaints
30 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 149 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags18
Engine & Engine Cooling16
Tires8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Power Train8
Visibility8
Suspension7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 102 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

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 2002 Corolla take?

3.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 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 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg.