What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2009 Toyota Corolla

Early-defect pattern

12.7% of complaints about the 2009 Toyota Corolla came in its first year of service — a higher share than 93% of the 212 2009 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is air bags (544 complaints), typically at 8.2 yr or about 82,000 miles.

Complaints
1,335
Median age at failure
6.7 yr
Median mileage
42,000 n=750
Crash / fire / tow
16.1% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
544 reports · 82,000 mi
8.2 yr
10.3%
Steering
190 reports · 17,000 mi
1.8 yr
14.2%
Speed control
110 reports · 25,000 mi
1.8 yr
35.5%
Engine
89 reports · 78,000 mi
6.9 yr
7.9%
Electrical system
78 reports · 61,000 mi
5.8 yr
16.7%
Power train
41 reports · 48,000 mi
4.5 yr
14.6%
Service brakes, hydraulic
40 reports · 18,393 mi
1.3 yr
37.5%
Structure
35 reports · 76,000 mi
6.9 yr
45.7%
Service brakes
31 reports · 61,794 mi
5.9 yr
35.5%
Other
29 reports · 76,000 mi
7.4 yr
20.7%
Engine cooling
27 reports · 40,000 mi
2.7 yr
3.7%
Suspension
19 reports · 900 mi
10 mo
5.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V741000 2019-10-17
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propella

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V024000 2018-01-09
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, N

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V006000 2017-01-09
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

16V396000 2016-06-02
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

16V340000 2016-05-23
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Z

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V689000 2015-10-22
Visibility:power window devices and controls

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

14V168000 2014-04-09
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

12V491000 2012-10-10
Visibility:power window devices and controls

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

10V035000 2010-02-03
Equipment:other:labels

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

10V036000 2010-02-03
Equipment:other:labels

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train 300 mi 0 mo in service
CAR PARKED ON DRY, LEVEL SURFACE. DRIVER STARTED CAR NORMALLY, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE PARKING SPOT, EASED ONTO THE GAS, AND THE CAR WENT FORWARD. STOPPED THE CAR, DOUBLE CHECKED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS FIRMLY IN REVERSE, EASED ON GAS AGAIN AND, ONCE AGAIN, CAR WENT FORWARD. THIS FORWARD LURCH DRUG THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER. CAR STOPPED TO INSPECT DAMAGE. WHEN CAR STARTED AGAIN, EVERYTHING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR
Power train mileage not reported 9 mo in service crash / fire / tow
2009 TOYOTA COROLLA, MANUAL 5 SPEED, WHILE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WILL MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. TOYOTA'S SOLUTION WAS TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I'M APPALLED THAT MY CAR WHILE IN GEAR CAN TRAVEL TWO PARKING SPOTS AND HIT ANOTHER CAR WHILE I AM NOT IN THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN WRITING THAT TOYOTA SAYS THAT THIS IS THE WAY THEY DESIGNED THEIR CAR. *TR
Power train 30,000 mi 8 mo in service
TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT CONSISTENT SPEEDS ON ROADS AND FREEWAYS WITH LITTLE GRADES. WHILE IN COMMUTER TRAFFIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GRAB AND ENGAGE EVERY TIME. *TR
Steering 75 mi 4 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY/ROADS THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A SURPRISE PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. ONE THING TO NOTE WHEN TURNING THE CORNER THE STEERING WILL NOT RECOVER STRAIGHT. THE CAR IS LESS THEN A WEEK OLD. NOTICE THE PROBLEM ON MY FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT BACK FOR 2 DAYS AND THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT SCOTTY SAID IT'S NORMAL FOR THIS NEW TYPE OF STEERING. YOU MUST KEEP BOTH HANDS ON WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Other Corolla model years

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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