2008 Toyota Corolla

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 314 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

182 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles; the median is 39,742 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags129
28124
Vehicle Speed Control44
27014
Engine and Engine Cooling21
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
400
Engine14
000
Electrical System14
000
Steering7
000
Power Train7
000
Air Bags › Frontal7
705
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V741000
Filed Oct 17, 2019928,220 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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 propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

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

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 passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V627000
Filed Aug 28, 2019229,460 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.

Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V127000
Filed Mar 3, 2016147,242 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V128000
Filed Mar 2, 201671,163 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.

Engine and Engine Cooling10V384000
Filed Aug 26, 20101,128,659 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Risk. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Equipment › Other › Labels10V036000
Filed Feb 3, 2010153,418 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 2026CA

The engine will lose power and shut off while driving. It will proceed to not start and strand the driver. Other models in the genera of my car had this issue with the engine control module, so Im not sure why my VIN does not have a recall. My mechanic isolated the problem to either a fuse or the ECM. I took the vehicle for a test drive and it failed again. By shutting off when driving out of nowhere this is a huge safety issue and could cause an accident. The ECM is a component that should never fail on a vehicle. Improper soldering caused this issue.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 10, 2024CA

The airbag indicator red light has turned on without any collision or accident.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 15, 2024135,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the driver was idling in an intersection and making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle causing it to turn 180 degrees during the impact. The air bags did not deploy. The bumper detached during the crash. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the driver sustained a fractured wrist and whiplash that required medical attention via the hospital. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 15, 2024130,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contacted stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 20, 2023DE

The plastic fuel tank has a heat shield below it that keeps the fuel tank from getting too hot, and from debris hitting it. There is a strap that goes around the fuel tank. The heat shield has this plastic piece that holds on to the strap. On my car, this plastic piece snapped off and the heat shield was rattling loose against the exhaust pipe and exposing the fuel tank. I took my car to a Toyota dealer (Glen Mills, PA) and was told the only way to fix that plastic piece is to replace the whole heat shield and fuel tank strap. Even though this was due to their defective piece. I was told it would be $950 for this repair. I was forced to deny the repair due to the obscene price tag and took it to a dealer for a temporary fix until Toyota can be reasonable with their price. Upon further research, this plastic piece is known to break off on this type of car frequently. After watching many videos and going through many forums of people having the same issue, it seems Toyota is known for charging an outrageous price for this. To me, it appears they know this piece is defective and will be recalled at some point, and are trying to make money off of unsuspecting people. I would appreciate this being investigated further.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 13, 2023168,841 milesMD

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash, the front driver's side air bag deployed and the contact sustained multiple fractured ribs and a left ankle injury which required medical treatment. The contact indicated that upon the vehicle's impact, the air bag did not immediately deploy and was delayed contributing to the rib injuries sustained. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 168,841.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 14, 2023NC

I am the original owner of my car since the end of 2007. For some strange reason, my car just suddenly started to show large signs of rust on the roof. This is apparently a very common issue with the similar timeframe of model years. This is a manufacturing defect from the beginning as Toyota did not properly paint the car properly.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 4, 2022MI

The ODO meter of my Corolla 2008 model has not been functioning since around November 2021 when it stopped at 299,999 mile. Recently in August 2022, I asked a Toyota dealership, named Fox Toyota located in Rochester Hills, MI, to fix the issue, but they told me they couldn't do it and I needed to look for other repair shop. Then I contacted Toyota Brand Engagement Center and requested them to fix because it appeared to be a Toyota manufacturing or design issue. They also refused their responsibility to do the repair. I attach the photos of ODO meter and vehicle. Please have Toyota take corrective actions on this issue. Thank you for your support in advance.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 9, 2021NM

Engine light stays on

Air Bags
Filed Jul 28, 2021215,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact declined the diagnostic fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

Air Bags
Filed May 5, 2021OH

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF POSSIBILITY OF 600.00 FEE

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 20, 2020GA

SEATBELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN UP INITIALLY DURING A WRECK CAUSING MORE EXTENSIVE INJURY. THEN TIGHTENED UP SNATCHING PASSENGER INTO SEAT FROM MIDAIR CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS HIT BY A CAR WHO RAN A LEFT TURN ARROW ON A CITY STREET. WRECK WAS UNDER 50MPH BUT PASSENGER HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DUE TO SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. .

Wheels
Filed Jun 4, 202046,183 milesSC

MULTIPLE TIMES MY CAR HAS SLID ON THE PAVEMENT UPON AN ABRUPT STOP. DEER IN MY TRAVEL ROUTES ARE ABUNDANT. BUT ON JUNE 2, 2020 I HEARD A NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING. IT APPEARED TO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE CAR. THE TIRE HAVING OVER HALF IT'S TREAD THREW A BELT OR HAD A HUGE BULGE IN THE TIRE. IT WENT FROM A NOISE TO A LOAD GRUMBLING SOUND AND A LOT OF VIBRATION VERY QUICKLY. THE SLIDING WAS ONGOING AND I ASSUMED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SMALL AND LIGHT BUT NEVER HAD THIS SLIDING EFFECT FROM MULTIPLE OTHER SMALL CARES I'VE OWNED. THEN THE TIRE BULGE. I RESEARCHED THE TIRE AND IT APPEARS COOPER TIRE HAS MAJOR ISSUES WITH THEIR TIRES BUT THIS TIRE SIZE I DID NOT SEE AS A RECALL. (MST P185/65R15 MC STRATEGY BW 88T(N)) IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OR FLIPPED THE CAR AT A FAST SPEED. SPEED LIMIT WAS 45MPH WHERE THE TIRE SEPARATION HAPPENED. I'M NOW SCARED TO DEATH TO EVEN THINK OF USING A COOPER TIRE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT AS A NOVICE DRIVER THIS WOULD CAUSE MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. FORTUNATELY I HAVE DRIVEN PROFESSIONALLY FOR MULTIPLE YEARS AND KNOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXTRA 20 FEET OR MORE SKID THAT IS NOT PREVENTABLE WITH THESE TIRES WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY. THE TIRE WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED JULY 2, 2012 WITH 23126 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NOW MILES ARE 46184. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURE AND TIRES PURCHASE RECEIPT IF NEEDED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 6, 2020NY

2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE FOR PARTS AND LABOR ON A RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Nov 16, 2019VI

THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND THE RECALL HAS BEEN UNRESOLVED THUS FAR.

TiresCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Aug 19, 2019168,000 milesFL

PURCHASE A SET OF PIRELLI P4 TIRES DOT XL 886A 3017 195/65R15 SIX MONTHS AGO AND KEPT GOING BACK TO FIX THE TIRE. IT KEPT LOOSING AIR AND GOING FLAT. SO AFTER THE SIX MONTHS PAST I HAD A BLOW OUT OF THE SAME TIRE THAT WAS GOING FLAT. AND IT ALMOST KILL ME.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 10, 2019RI

AIR BAG WAS REPLACED AND LIGHT WON'T GO OFF, CAUSING INSPECTION FAILURE

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2018DC

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V127000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORTH BAKERSFIELD TOYOTA SCION (19651 INDUSTRY PARKWAY DRIVE, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, (661) 615-1100) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017 AND STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Power Train
Filed Sep 11, 2018123,000 milesTX

WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN IS REVED UP AT 2000RPM. WHEN DRIVING 40MPH & UP OR FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR THE RPMS REVE UP TO 3000RPM BEFORE SHIFTING. CAR ALSO FEELS LIKE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, LAGS WHEN TAKING A TURN AND PRESSING GAS AT SAME TIME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW CAME ON P0741. FEELS LIKE PUSHING THE MAX WHEN TRYING TO GET FAST SPEEDS. ALSO FEELS LIKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN HIGH GEAR AND RMPS ARE HIGH. WHEN STOPPED AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE TRANSMISSION STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO GO FORWARD. AS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SURGES LOSES POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE THE TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSING THESE ISSUES. THIS IS ALSO THE SAME ISSUE WE HAVE WITH OUR 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA, SAME CODE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE IN COROLLA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 22, 2018141,229 milesWA

SRS LIGHT IS ON NOT FLASHING. CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. CAR WAS PARKED NOT MOVING I WASHED IT AND FILLED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR FLUID SPILLED SO I RINSED IT OFF WHEN I WAS DONE I MOVED MY CAR AND SRS LIGHT WAS ON. I BELIEVE THE SENOR SHORTED OUT WHEN IT GOT WET.

20 of 314 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202615100Routine
202531010Routine
202463201Fatalities reported
202373310Routine
2022100000Routine
2021185120Routine
2020305311Fatalities reported
2019202511Fatalities reported
2018133351Fatalities reported
2017178310Routine
2016214110High concern
2015219110High concern
2014269231Fatalities reported
2013201510Above average
2012446510Above average
2011584920Above average
20101,24417100High concern
20091,45913122Fatalities reported
2008 — this page314611Fatalities reported
2007836673Fatalities reported
20068391080High concern
20058531041Fatalities reported
20044771334Fatalities reported
20037201391Fatalities reported
2002117510Routine
2001133430Routine
2000145531Fatalities reported
1999155450Routine
1998225480Above average
1997135650Routine
19961296130Routine
19951767121Fatalities reported
1994172851Fatalities reported
1993130651Fatalities reported
199263230Routine
199171130Routine
199027100Routine

Compare every Corolla year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 17, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.