Drivers Say That These Toyota Cars Are Some of the Worst Ever Made
Not every Toyota has been a winner. Some left drivers frustrated with problems, poor design, or just plain disappointment. Let’s look at the 35 worst Toyotas ever made, according to drivers, and see if you spot one you remember.
1990s Toyota Tercel
The Toyota Tercel was cheap and reliable. But it felt underpowered and outdated even back then. Too many drivers complained about the weak engine, plain interior, and boring design of the Tercel. Yes, it got people from A to B, but it just didn’t have any excitement to it.
Toyota Paseo
The Paseo tried to be a sporty compact car. Instead, it had a small engine with very little punch, and the styling didn’t stand out. People wanted something fun, but ended up with something slow, impractical, and not worth the hype that surrounded it.
Toyota Echo
Toyota’s Echo looked awkward. It had a tall, boxy design, and way too many people thought it felt cheap inside. The handling wasn’t great either, and it didn’t inspire confidence on the road. It was fuel-efficient, sure, but owners regretted choosing it over better-looking cars.
Toyota Cressida
The ‘80s Cressida had some luxury touches. But it was plagued with reliability issues. Expensive repair bills turned too many owners away, and the car’s electronics were known for failing. Drivers also complained that it felt like Toyota was trying too hard to be fancy.
1970s Toyota Corona
The Corona didn't age well, especially in the U.S. market. It felt way too cheap, had rust problems, and didn’t have the reliability people expected from Toyota. It also had sluggish performance and some rather outdated styling. It’s one of those cars Toyota probably wished people would forget about.
Toyota Matrix
The early 2000s models of the Matrix seemed like a fun idea, but it had too many engine issues, and people complained about uncomfortable seats and a rough ride. It didn’t handle like a sporty car, and people expected more from Toyota.
Toyota Previa
The Previa had an egg-shaped design that made it look futuristic. But that’s about all the car had going for it, and drivers just weren’t buying it. The engine was oddly placed, it lacked power, and it was just too quirky for most people looking for a cool Toyota.
Toyota Avalon
Toyota’s Avalon was marketed as a luxury sedan, but the early 2000s models fell short. They had poor handling, and the interiors were basic rather than upscale. Owners also complained it was too boring and overpriced, and didn’t offer enough for its high price tag.
2007 Toyota Camry
The 2007 Camry is infamous for its major issues with oil consumption. Owners spent thousands on repairs and felt let down because the Camry usually had a great reputation. This model stained the Camry’s good name and left Toyota’s name in the mud.
2014 Toyota Corolla
The 2014 Toyota Corolla came with more than a few complaints for being noisy and cheaply made. The seats were uncomfortable, the ride was stuff, and the driving experience was nothing special. People expected way more from one of the world’s best-selling cars.
2000s Toyota Celica
The Celica used to be a fun sporty coupe, but the 7th generation just disappointed fans. Sure, it looked sharp, but it lacked real power. It felt more like a dressed-up economy car than a true sports car, and drivers got bored quickly.
1990s Toyota Supra
The base model of the ‘90s Supra has none of the magic of the turbo versions. People who bought the cheaper versions regretted it because it felt slow and heavy. The styling was cool, sure, but without performance, it just didn’t live up to the hype.
Toyota MR2 Spyder
If ever there was a Toyota that looked sporty and cool, the MR2 Spyder was it. But not all Toyotas are made equal, and the Spyder had serious engine problems that caused failure around 60,000 miles. It came with one too many headaches.
2000s Toyota Sienna
Siennas were known for being family-friendly, but early 2000s models had transmission problems that really frustrated owners. They were also underpowered when loaded with passengers, and drivers complained about poor reliability compared to later models.
Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is usually a winner, but the 2007 to 2008 models had major transmission issues. This caused problems like jerky shifting and expensive repairs. The interior also felt cheap for the price, and many people who bought it later regretted it.
2014 Toyota Highlander
Drivers found the 2014 model of the Highlander disappointing. Why, you ask? Well, it had a stiff ride, poor fuel economy, and cheap interior materials. No, thanks! Many drivers also complained about visibility issues and an uncomfortable third row. It just wasn’t worth its price tag.
Toyota Sequoia
The Sequoia was Toyota’s big SUV. But those early models had problems with the suspension and braking systems. Gas mileage was terrible, and drivers often felt like it was too bulky to handle well. So many drivers regretted buying it because it just wasn’t dependable.
1990s Toyota 4Runner
Early ‘90s Toyota 4Runners were rugged, sure, but they had a rollover reputation because of their top-heavy design. Drivers also complained about the poor handling, rust issues, and weak engines. It looked tough, but it wasn’t very safe or reliable.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser looked cool and retro. Drivers, on the other hand, found it impractical. It had terrible blind spots, clumsy handling, and poor fuel economy. The doors were awkward to use, and families hated the small back seat. It was fun at first, but annoying long-term.
1990s Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser had a legendary name. Its performance? Not so legendary. The U.S. models from the ‘90s were known for high repair costs and poor fuel economy. And while drivers loved the off-road ability, they hated the constant, expensive maintenance.
Toyota Venza
The first-generation Venza confused drivers. It wasn’t quite a car, and it wasn’t quite an SUV. But everyone agreed on one thing - it was boring to drive. The Venza had average fuel economy and dull styling, and it didn’t stand out in any way.
Toyota Solara
The Solara was supposed to be a stylish coupe version of the Toyota Camry. But it lacked the excitement of a convertible. Drivers also complained about bland handling and cheap interiors. It didn’t feel sporty, and it didn’t feel luxurious. It offered nothing special beyond its different body style.
Toyota Corolla IM
Toyota’s Corolla iM was just a rebadged Scion, and it showed in its underpowered engine, cramped back seat, and lack of character. It didn’t live up to the Corolla’s strong reputation, and most owners just found it forgettable and boring.
2010 Toyota Prius
The 2010 model of the Prius had major battery issues. Drivers weren’t happy with the expensive repairs. And while the fuel economy was great, the headaches of owning one really outweighed the benefits. Sadly, people who bought one were left disappointed.
Toyota Prius C
The Prius C was a smaller, cheaper hybrid that cut too many corners. It felt cheap, slow, and noisy, and the ride quality was a bit on the rough side. The interior, too, was not up to scratch and looked more bargain-basement than Toyota glam.
Toyota Prius V
Another Prius, the V was meant to be a bigger Prius. But, it wasn’t well-received, and drivers complained it was sluggish, noisy, and overpriced for a Toyota. The styling wasn’t attractive, and the fuel economy wasn’t as good as the regular Prius.
Toyota Mirai
The Mirai was Toyota’s big bet on hydrogen power. But drivers found it impractical, and fueling stations were nearly impossible to find. The design looked strange, and people regretted buying it because it was expensive, limited in use, and not ready for everyday life.
Toyota Aygo
Toyota’s Aygo was tiny and affordable. Sadly, drivers hated how underpowered it felt. It struggled to keep up on highways, and the interior was bare bones. It worked well as a city car, but outside the city, it was a nightmare for owners.
Toyota Crown
The Crown was very popular in Japan, but the exported versions were disappointing. They were overpriced, had overly complicated electronics, and were hard to service. Drivers complained about the lack of support and ultimately regretted buying this Toyota.
Toyota Starlet
Toyota’s Starlet was a tiny hatchback that drivers found way too basic and underpowered. It felt very cheap inside, had little room, and was underwhelming. Sure, it was reliable, but it was boring and outdated compared to other Toyotas.
Toyota Carina E
The Carina E was meant to be the sensible family car. But drivers called it bland and forgettable. It had a weak engine, dull styling, and poor handling. It wasn’t bad enough to be a disaster, but there was nothing to love about it either.
Toyota Auris
The Auris tried to replace the Corolla hatchback, but it just didn’t win hearts. It was just another bland car with cheap-feeling interiors and lackluster performance. It wasn’t fun to drive either, and many owners wished they had stuck with a Corolla instead.
Toyota Verso
Toyota’s Verso was a compact MPV that disappointed drivers. It looked plain, handled poorly, and wasn’t comfortable for those long trips. It was practical on paper, but it just wasn’t fun to own and didn’t really stand out. Many drivers thought it was just a dull box on wheels.
Toyota Century
The Century is Toyota’s luxury car, but very few made it outside Japan, so you won’t see many on the road. But, maybe that’s a good thing, because these cars looked outdated, felt sluggish, and parts were nearly impossible to get. It was more hassle than it was worth.
Toyota Yaris
Early models of the Toyota Yaris were known for being reliable but very dull to drive. They felt noisy on highways, were cramped inside, and were cheaply built. Drivers bought them because they were affordable, but later admitted they regretted it.