Paint/Trim
Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.
What Owners Say
"Cheap cardboard undercarriage and plastic stays came loose"
C O., MO (2005 Toyota Corolla 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"the rt front drivers wheel /engine compartment lining came loose on one of our longer trips. The lining started to drop onto the auto tire and I was forced to cut the thick plastic off to prevent heat/friction buildup and wire scuffing"
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The underside of the wheel wells and underneath the engine are covered with cheap plastic panels that come off easily. 30 time to prevent rust and corrosion in the engine and wheel wells. The plastic parts are expensive to replace and difficult to install"
Ananda T., CO (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Fenders and air cooler not sufficiently secured"
Anonymous, NY (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"over the last year the hub caps/wheel covers have come off, rolling down the street beside me."
Mark R., CA (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Front plastic bumper became disconnected from the plastic bracket on the passenger side."
Eugene B., IL (2005 Toyota Corolla XRS 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Multiple interior trim parts have come loose due to plastic clips failing."
Anonymous, (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Center Console Cover broken. Had to be replaced"
Anonymous, AL (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rubber moldings coming loose. won't go back to original position"
Anonymous, MI (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Clearcoat peeling on the hood in many spots. Dealer unwilling to resolve this problem."
Anonymous, MB (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Coat of paint is very thin. Even flying insects cause chips in the paint."
Anonymous, (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The roof paint had deteriorated so far that the metal was starting to have surface rust of the entire area. The front hood had developed an extreme number of chips and was starting to deteriorate similar to the roof. Both issues had slowly developed over the past 3-4yrs and were getting increasingly worse. A body shop was able to replace the front bumper, sand & repaint the hood and roof, and blend the paint color with the remaining body panels for $1,500."
Anonymous, (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint fading on top."
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Started a few years ago. Paint peeling on all areas that are exposed to sunlight."
Anonymous, (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint easily chips and the paint over certain areas is peeling. Rust in some areas. It seems the paint is cheap or not applied correctly. Again, never had a car's paint wear so bad"
Anonymous, CO (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint around the wheels is coming off a bit"
Matthew M., VA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint was chipping, peeling, fading and rusting. The roof area was particularly affected as well as the hood. It was so horrible we had the entire car repainted"
Dorothy M., FL (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"paint around both sideview mirrors fading paint fading around door handles and hood"
Mark H., NJ (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"paint on hood, car top, and trunk caused by Florida sun"
Anonymous, FL (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint fading on hood, roof and trunk from Arizona sun exposure"
Anonymous, AZ (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The clear coat is coming off the top and trunk of the car. The car has been well cared for and garage kept. I think the clear coat is defective and it may prevent me from getting another Toyota produce"
Anonymous, FL (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint cracked and faded on around sun roof and on the hood. Toyota paint number on car was wrong and we had to re-paint again"
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Front and hood have continual paint flaking off. This has been happening since 2008"
M G., FL (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The front grill paint has been peeling for the last several years. The service manager at the dealership refused to repair it"
T R., BC (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rear bumper chalks"
Gerald S., MA (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Clear coat coming off roof, paint fading in front on bumper"
Robert Y., FL (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Pearl Sand paint chips VERY easily. Just about anything that touches it, chips it"
Judy D., IL (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint peeled badly on the hood, top and trunk of the car, and I used Ziebart on it every year"
Anonymous, IN (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"the paint near the front door handle has chopped off revealing a rust spot underneath"
Carol T., IA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Noticeable cracking, peeling and rust spots at edges of back doors and around tire wells. Not sure if maybe this car was stuck in a hurricane in 2005 in Florida.It was a Florida rental. Purchased used from Toyota dealer. No rust at that time"
Anonymous, MO (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Clear coat severely pealing from the roof. I had it repainted"
Anonymous, FL (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint on the roof and on the trunk lid has faded and flak off. Probably caused by exposure to the sun and lack of wax. Looks unsightly but it doesn't affect the performance of the car."
Robert C., CA (2005 Toyota Corolla 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"paint faded and is dull, car not usually protected in a garage, maybe problem related to the color and environmental conditions - dark blue color, live in a mostly sunny place near the ocean, local industries provide air pollutants"
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The car runs terrific but dessert sun has destroyed paint job making it a real eyesore.Other owners I have spoken to and seen there same car, who garaged theirs,are less sun damaged"
Gerard C., CA (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Is a well known comment this a weakness of several Toyota models: the paint. But, I have to say I live at just steps of a local Beach, in the North of Puerto Rico, and yesterday, May 13 2019, temperatures readings on the dash of my Corolla read even 96°F just around 11 00 am, fortunately I used the best Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic available, and was scared to see on Mother's Day the temperature at 95°F and Pep Boys was open, so I bought the Mobil 1 Annual Protection, which was replacing the same Synthetic Oil from Mobil 1 at just 6,307 miles. This Corolla does not even sleep indoors, since I received it as gift from my Father, Rest in Peace, and I am planning to make a loan for the paint, the cracked front windshield, and a few other things, from the best body shop available, no matter more expensive. This 2005 Corolla has the advantage of not using current ABS systems, or CVT Transmission; only 3 full brake jobs in nearly 14 years 5 months, since new, no automatic transmission repairs, only the ATF Toyota fluid change, made by myself at 30k 1st, then every 15k or 20,000 after, until next which could wait until 181,000 miles. I keep Microsoft Word file with all maintenance, fuel, fuel economy, and I know before 148,219 miles the radiator fan failed, but that was on June 28 2017, but was replaced with the original., so I want to really pay for body shop, something like Phantom Works, as shown on Cable TV, in order to have everything addressed to perfection: Yes, I think their price could be too high, but even a great body shop owner told me his employees give too much trouble, and the owner can't do all the job. I would like the body shop to use the original paint, not a Glasurit used by BMW, and even the front driver seat have it replaced for the Corolla SE version, which was with leather and better back support. Is an investment to pay for repairs, but this Corolla will not require to repair Pre Crash Systems, ABS Accumulator and other ABS expensive components, or Hybrid Systems, which if repaired out of warranty even service advisors agree that the cost is like a Space Ship Repair Cost, even Super Cars like the McLaren F1 came without ABS, but brakes worked perfectly, those systems should be for people who are prone to drive under influence of alcohol, and yes, they deserve to pay for that, but regular people who respect the laws, don't deserve to hear that because an expensive after warranty brake repair could not be paid, they lost their vehicle because we can't disconnect those systems. If I want to keep my Corolla for more than 20 years, I will probably buy another or a non Hybrid RAV4, unless Toyota really improves their factory warranty, not with another company like Fidelity, kin which for example, Hybrid and ABS Systems after warranty repairs are covered after warranty, no matter the years or miles, 2 times, even if I had to pay extra for extended warranty. I like the RAV4 Hybrid, even started one alone at local dealer, but cost $7,375 more"
Pablo R., PR (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint is thin. Protective coating is practically gone. Anytime a pebble hits the car, it takes a bit of paint with it. Starting to rust in spots, especially along edges. Part of the problem I think goes back to when I took my car to a detailer a few times until I noticed they over buffed and took off top layers of protection. Last two years couldn't wax, etc. due to medical problems."
Anonymous, HI (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint on almost a Japanese cars in the early to mid 2000's always failed on the hood, roof, and trunk. Sun damage I suppose. Very disappointing."
Stephen J., CA (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The dark blue paint did not hold up."
Anonymous, HI (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint looks terrible in a number of large areas."
Susan C., CA (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"About a dozen spots on the hood where the gloss coat has come off."
David S., MB (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"cracking peeling paint on hood, etc. However, I do not garage the car and the climate is hot here. THE TOYOTA HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL CAR. bought from my daughter when she had 24,000 miles on it used in Portland and Boston area. The only repair I have had is one brake replacement--she drove in traffic--and tires, I believe. Also the headlights fogged over and I had servicing on those."
Anonymous, WA (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint on the hood, roof, and upper door areas oxidized and fading, rust appeared."
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"chalking and fading along the roofline in the front of the vehicle"
Anonymous, NJ (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Pain on the roof and the trunk lid is fading."
Robert C., CA (2005 Toyota Corolla 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"top paint started faded all the way down to the primer coat on top started to fade in 2015"
Ronald S., TN (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"There is significant rust around the rear wheel wells. This is very common after seeing rust on 80% of the 2005 Corollas. Overall, I'm disappointed in the Corolla. I didn't expect the mediocre quality."
Anonymous, MO (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Driver side rocker panel rusted through just ahead of rear tire due to winter road salt used in our area. Similar rust beginning to show on passenger side just ahead of rear tire."
Anonymous, NY (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The body is rusting in a few spots. The vehicle is still viable."
Anonymous, IL (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"rust on the body/frame below the driver's side rear door. By the time we saw the rust come through it was already extensive enough that the cost to repair was much higher than we felt comfortable paying"
John S., MN (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint faded through to the metal and began to rust. We had to have it repainted or face serious corrosion"
Dorothy M., FL (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Some rust around wheel wells"
Wanda F., MD (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rust through over drivers side rear wheel"
Anonymous, PA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The front section of the roof developed large rust spots. I had that section sanded and painted 8 months ago. Now the entire roof is rusted. I live in So. Calif. where there is little rain"
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rust below back doors and near the tires"
Anonymous, QC (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Bad windshield seating caused water to leak through and rust behind the windshield"
Anonymous, QC (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rear fender had tiny bit of rust on lip"
G B., NJ (2005 Toyota Corolla XRS 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Paint cracked and rust appeared"
Gerald S., MA (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rusted out by the rear fender area so has a body shop repair this area so now looks OK"
Anonymous, MN (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Seems the blue paint Toyota used this model year rusts and fades a lot. The roof hood and top of truck is faded and rusting especially the roof and I have seen this often with similar toyotas of the same year"
Thomas H., FL (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"rusting on wheel well"
Anonymous, IA (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Serious rust on bottom of doors plus trunk lid"
Anonymous, ON (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"A little rust on the hood and around door latch"
Anonymous, NY (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Next to the wheels. Could repair cheaply for about $400; have to redo every other year. Started in 2014"
Pamela J., PA (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Water leak from sun roof caused rust at the top of windshield"
Anonymous, OH (2005 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"rust on the roof, really bad, not rusted all the way through, just looks really bad"
Anonymous, CA (2005 Toyota Corolla 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"The paint job on the roof and on most of the trunk has mostly disappeared and with weathering is now trying to rust. I do have an Elm tree in the front yard which leaves sap on my car, and I'm sure makes this worse, but it's to the point now where I really need to get it painted soon, or it will rust through. I've seen and heard of many other Toyota Corollas which are having the same issues."
Sarah T., TX (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Have quite bad rust on driver side rocker panels"
Mike M., ON (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"Rust-through is occurring on both sides of the car in the same location, that is, in the rear quarter panels just in front of the rear wheels. This seems to me to be a design defect that allows water, ice, snow, and road salt kicked up by the tires to collect and cause rust-through from behind. It would seem to me that this would have affected most Toyota Corolla sedans and be the subject of a recall, but we have had no word of a recall. I took the car to a body shop seeking repair but the estimator told me that it would be too difficult for them to repair and would be very expensive."
Anonymous, IL (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)"after paint started to fade in 2015 it started to rust shortly there after so I ended up having the whole car painted. I also forgot to tell you about the head lights faded to the point where I had the lens fixed in 2013 which didn't last very long and at night became hard to see. I choose to replace the bulbs to a higher grade worked some at first but not very long so when I had the car painted I choose to have the entire headlights changed to new."
Ronald S., TN (2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)
"Body panels are plastic and have broken from their mounts. I rigged a fix that is working"
Anonymous, TX (2005 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8-L 4 Cyl)