ToyotaCorolla2013Overview/toyota/corolla/2013/base/

2013 Toyota Corolla

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Corolla.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2013 Toyota Corolla is a passenger car equipped with a 4‑speed automatic transmission and an engine that calls for 4.4 qt of 5W‑20/0W‑20 oil, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. With 201 total owner complaints, the leading issue being air‑bag related and five recalls on record, this model year shows a markedly lower complaint count than the Corolla’s peak in 2009 (1,533 complaints) and approaches the recent low of 11 complaints projected for 2026. Consequently, the 2013 Corolla occupies a favorable spot in the nameplate’s reliability trajectory, reflecting the steady improvement seen across recent generations.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/33/29 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 belt9091602679 alt 9091602664
Thermostat9091603145 alt 9091603144
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 weight2778 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 33 / 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.

8.5–10.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2016 S Plus Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014LE Eco Plus Sedan 1.8L I-49.30 sec17.10 sec140 hpFWD
2014LE Eco Premium Sedan 1.8L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec140 hpFWD
2014S Premium Sedan 1.8L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec132 hpFWD
2014S Premium Sedan 1.8L I-49.70 sec17.40 sec132 hpFWD
2014S Premium Sedan 1.8L I-410.50 sec18.10 sec132 hpFWD
2016S Plus Sedan 1.8L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec132 hpFWD
2016S Special Edition Sedan 1.8L I-49.80 sec17.50 sec132 hpFWD
2017iM 5-door Hatchback 1.8L I-49.10 sec17.20 sec137 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 5W-20 / 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 Oil5W-20 · API · 0W-20
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
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.9-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.80-4.00 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
RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance0.3-100 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 24-44 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle46 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 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
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; spark plugs at 120,000 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 miFloor 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 System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (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)
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 2013 Toyota Corolla generated 201 federal complaints, 5 recalls and 3 investigations, with a total service‑bulletin count of 353. That complaint level is markedly lower than the 445 complaints recorded in 2012 but higher than the 267 complaints seen in 2014, placing 2013 near the trough of a multi‑year decline that began after the 2009‑2010 spike. Recalls in 2013 (5) are modest compared with the peak of 14 recalls in 2003‑2005 and the 17 recalls in 2010, reflecting a continued downward trend in recall frequency. The dominant complaint categories — Air Bags (53), Steering (29), Service Brakes (11) and Unknown/Other (10) — account for the majority of the 201 reports, while crash‑related complaints number 46 and fire‑related complaints 1. Consequently, the 2013 model falls within the low‑risk segment of the Corolla’s generational cycle and is generally a sound purchase provided any outstanding recalls are resolved.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
353
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
201
Owner complaints
46 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 201 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags53
Steering29
Service Brakes11
Unknown Or Other10
Vehicle Speed Control10
Engine7
Air Bags,Seat Belts6
Power Train6

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 353 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-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
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…

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 2013 Corolla take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 API OR 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 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 / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.