CAR WOULD NOT TRACK DOWN THE HIGHWAY. FEELS LIKE I'M CONSTANTLY CORRALLING THIS CAR , ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO STAY IN MY LANE OF TRAFFIC. IN MY 40 PLUS YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEHAVIOR FROM A VEHICLE. THIS BEHAVIOR ACTUALLY OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE, BUT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE A GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. FROM THE SHEER NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON STEERING COMPONENTS, LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE MORE PROACTIVE AND PULL THE TRIGGER ON A RECALL. *JS
2009 Toyota Corolla complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HER THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 23,840.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND FAILED TO GO BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS A SHIFT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECIEVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V168000 (AIRBAG). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE SPECIFIED ON THE RECALL THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER INFORMED CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO RECIEVE THE PARTS NEEDED INORDER TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO SRS SYSTEM. *SMD RECENTLY, THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH EITHER THE AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE CABLE SUB ASSEMBLY. *JB
ENGINE IDLE SPEED CAUSES FLUTTER AND STALL-LIKE FEEL WHEN STOPPING AND STOPPED. VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PER TOYOTA USER'S MANUAL. VEHICLE HAS HAD A "TUNE-UP" FROM AUTOMOTIVE SHOP PER TOYOTA'S SPECS. NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO ELIMINATE THIS ISSUE. IDLE SPEED (RPMS) DROP BELOW 500 AND APPEAR TO NEED ADJUSTMENT. *TR
THIS WAS THE SECOND ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR. REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS NEARLY TOTALED WITH $9,700 IN DAMAGE PRIMARILY TO THE FRONT END. AIR BAGS NEVER ACTIVATED. PRIOR ACCIDENT ONE WEEK EARLIER WHERE THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO ACTIVATE. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND TOYOTA WILL NOT DIAGNOSE OR FIX UNLESS THEY SEE THE LIGHT ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
AFTER THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPIRAL ASSEMBLY IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPLACING, TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC PART IN 2009 COROLLAS, BUT ARE CLAIMING THAT MY 2009 COROLLA IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
VEHICLE VEERED OFF ROAD ONTO GRASS AS IF BEING PUSHED BY A STRONG WIND, HOWEVER THE AIR WAS CALM. I BELIEVE IT WAS DEFECTIVE STEERING RESPONDING IMPROPERLY TO UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A RATTLE SOUND WHEN STARTING IT UP. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE CAM SHAFT TIMING GEAR ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS NO LONGER COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. I AM UPSET THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, SINCE IT IS A SERIOUS CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DEALS WITH THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE. I HOPE TOYOTA WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA ALREADY HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE, SO WHY NOT BACK THE ENGINE? *JS
CAR RECENTLY MAKING A LOUD RATTLE WHEN START. TOYOTA REFUSING TO REPAIR A DEFECTIVE CAM SHAFT TIMING GEAR ASSEMBLY. MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY TOYOTA'S WARRANTY, BUT THIS DEFECTIVE CAM SHAFT TIMING GEAR ASSEMBLY HAS A TSB WITH MANY COMPLAINTS BY CUSTOMERS WHO OWN A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND NOT SAFE!!! PLEASE ADDRESS ASAP...I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE CAM SHAFT TIMING GEAR ASSEMBLY THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THANKS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AND WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
WATER PUMP BEGAN TO LOUDLY WHIR AFTER 6 HOURS OF CONTINUOUS HIGHWAY DRIVING. 200X MILES LATER, BEGAN TO RATTLE. 50X MILES LATER, SEIZED COMPLETELY. COST TO REPAIR: $70 WATER PUMP, $60 LABOR. *TR
CONTINUOUS HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE. HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP. *TR
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN OUR 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA (IDIOT LIGHT) CAME ON. WHEN WE INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER, COLONIAL TOYOTA IN LINCOLN, RI (HTTP://WWW.COLONIALTOYOTA.COM) TOLD US THAT IT WILL BE COVERED IN THE MOST RECENT RECALL BUT THEY ARE NOT COVERING IT YET. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE AIRBAG UNTIL THEY CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR IT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA CORPORATE, THIS WILL BE SEPTEMBER 2014. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE AS WE NOW HAVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT AN AIRBAG. NOR COULD WE SELL THE VEHICLE AS IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR
DURING SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN'T MOVE FORWARD UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT STOP LIGHTS, IN PARKING GARAGES, AND EVEN ON THE INTERSTATE. NOT SAFE! THIS IS MY THIRD TIME TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID $900 TO FIX THE ECU (WHICH THEY TOLD ME WAS THE ISSUE), BUT THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY FIXED SOMETHING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS, NOW THE THIRD TIME THEY FIXED SOMETHING WITH A SHORT TO THE BRAKES ... SOMETHING ABOUT THE TAILLIGHTS BLINKING RAPIDLY? I DOUBT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED TO PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY WITH NO REFUND WHEN THE SAME ISSUE KEEPS HAPPENING. A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE HAPPENED IN A RECALL WITH THE 2005-2008 COROLLA/MATRIX MODELS AND THEY HAD THE ECM FIXED WITH NO CHARGE. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM TO ME. *TR
DURING SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN'T MOVE FORWARD UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT STOP LIGHTS, IN PARKING GARAGES, AND EVEN ON THE INTERSTATE. NOT SAFE. THIS IS MY THIRD TIME TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID $900 TO FIX THE ECU (WHICH THEY TOLD ME WAS THE ISSUE), BUT THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY FIXED SOMETHING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS, NOW THE THIRD TIME THEY FIXED SOMETHING WITH A SHORT IN THE BRAKES ... THE TAILLIGHTS WERE BLINKING RAPIDLY? I DOUBT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED TO PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY WITH NO REFUND WHEN THE SAME ISSUE KEEPS HAPPENING. A SIMILAR ISSUE HAPPENED IN A RECALL WITH THE 2005-2008 COROLLA/MATRIX MODELS AND THEY HAD THE ECM FIXED WITH NO CHARGE. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM TO ME. *TR
THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS SLOWING OR STOPPING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS SLOWLY APPROACHING THE OTHER VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP, AND MY CAR RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. *TT
THE CAR'S STEERING GOT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AT GREEN LIGHT. IT SUDDENLY TURNED LEFT SHARPLY AND WENT OVER THE OPPOSITE LANE. WHILE I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR STRAIGHT WITHOUT APPLYING EITHER GAS OR BREAK, THE CAR SWUNG TO RIGHT. IT CAME BACK TO CONTROL A MOMENT LATER. *TT
AFTER READING OTHER BRAKE COMPLAINTS I'M REALIZING THAT I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. ANY BIT OF PRECIPITATION CAUSES THE BRAKES TO LOCK WHEN BARELY PRESSING THEM TO SLOW DOWN (NOT STOP). IT HAPPENS AT JUST A FEW MPH OR HIGHER. THEY LOCK TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR JERKS TO A STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS AND SLIDES SEVERAL CAR LENGTHS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE LEARNED TO PUMP MY BRAKES BEFORE PLACING THE CAR IN DRIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A BRIDGE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNRESPONSIVE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST THEN SUDDENLY FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE FLIPPED TWICE AND CAME TO A HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO FALLING OFF THE EDGE OF THE BRIDGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE BRUISING TO THE CHEST AND A FRACTURED LEFT HIP. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC ALSO INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE STEERING WHEEL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ
I AM WRITING TO SEE IF MY CAR'S MAKE/MODEL/YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL OF 2003-2004 TOYOTA AND LEXUS CARS, RELATING TO INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF SINCE. AFTER READING ABOUT THESE OTHER MODEL RECALLS TODAY, AND HAVING HAD 6 OTHER RECALLS PERFORMED ON MY CAR DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING, I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE BUT WAS TOLD THAT FOR NOW, MY CAR ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE MOTOR EXHIBITED A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT IN JULY OF 2010. AND I HAVE ALL SERVICE DONE AT A TOYOTA DEALER. AT 25,975 MILES, REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES, MACHINED ROTORS, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH, CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES(1/28/12). (BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT). AT 37,966 MILES , REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AGAIN(12/21/12). PADS LASTED 11,991 MILES! AT 55,662 MILES, REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES, MACHINED ROTORS AGAIN(2/20/2014). PADS LASTED 17,696 MILES! SINCE I DO MAINLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, I FEEL THAT THERE IS A DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT BRAKE ABNORMAL WEAR. ALSO, AT 50,548 REPLACED #2 STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY. AT, 50,691 REPLACED ALTERNATOR. AT 55,662 REPLACED WATER PUMP, COOLANT AND DRIVE BELT. *TR
FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON SAME DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THIS WRITER NOTICED THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKE WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE A GRINDING SOUND, BUT NOT THE SAME SOUND AS WORN BRAKES OR ROTORS; THE SOUND WAS AS IF IT STRUGGLED TO STOP SLIGHTLY. EVERY DAY FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE IF THERE WAS EVEN A SLIGHT BIT OF PRECIPITATION, WHEN THIS WRITER WOULD PRESS DOWN THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE WOULD GO ON AND OFF VERY QUICKLY AS IF THE ABS WAS KICKING IN UNNECESSARILY. THIS OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS, RANGING FROM 5 MPH AND UP. FOR INSTANCE, ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE WRITER WAS DRIVING CAREFULLY IN THE SNOW AT 8 - 10 MPH WITH ONLY AN INCH ON THE GROUND, WRITER WAS BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE BY APPROXIMATELY 3 CAR LENGTHS AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. WRITER BEGAN BRAKING AND THE BRAKES WENT ON AND OFF QUICKLY AND GRINDED A BIT. DUE TO THIS, THE VEHICLE SLID ALL THREE CAR LENGTHS AND WAS WITHIN AN INCH OF HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THIS WRITER LEARNED ABOUT THE RECALLS TODAY, AND IS CONTACTING DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR, AND THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,100.
2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR SEEMS TO JERK RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. MUST KEEP HANDS ON WHEEL FIRMLY WHILE ON THE FREEWAY TO CORRECT WHEN IT HAPPENS. SOMETIMES I OVER CORRECT OR UNDER CORRECT SEEMS LIKE SOMETIME THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHAT THE STEERING WILL DO. JUST DOESN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE, SCARY WHEN IT DOES IT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR
AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 A.M. ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY, I WAS DRIVING ON THE PA TURNPIKE AT THE SPEED OF 65 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA FAILED. MY CAR UNINTENTIONALLY VEERED LEFT AND RIGHT AS IF I WAS ENCOUNTERING HURRICANE-LIKE STRONG WIND GUSTS. THE CAR BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS, WHILE FEELING AS IF IT WAS FLOATING/HYDROPLANING, AS I ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL. MY ATTEMPTS AT CORRECTING THE POWER STEERING ISSUE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND ULTIMATELY THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT GUARDRAIL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS UNHARMED IN THIS FRIGHTENING ACCIDENT AND THE STATE TROOPERS AND TOW TRUCKS RESPONDED IN A TIMELY MANNER. NO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE HURT AND THERE WAS ONLY MINOR GUARDRAIL DAMAGE. MY CAR, HOWEVER IS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS WAS NOT A RESULT OF DRIVER ERROR OR UNFORESEEN WEATHER CONDITIONS. ONE OF THE STATE TROOPERS THAT REPORTED TO THE SCENE EVEN COMMENTED, "EVERYONE OUT HERE IS DRIVING THE SAME SPEED AS YOU AND NO ONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANY OF THESE WIND GUSTS.' I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WHO HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2009, WITH NO PRIOR POWER STEERING CONCERNS OR ISSUES. MY CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, I HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION, ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. I INTEND TO FILE A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA. *TR
01/02/2014 AT 7:15AM: VEHICLE IDLED NORMALLY FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES WHILE I CLEARED SNOW FROM DRIVEWAY. I ENTERED VEHICLE, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. I MANAGED TO SHIFT BACK INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED TO RED-LINE LEVEL. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE A MINUTE LATER AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT WHICH WAS NOT CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AT LEAST 4" AWAY. MY FOOT NEVER DEPRESSED THE PEDAL. I AM A MECHANICAL DESIGNER AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS WAS NOT A MECHANICAL ISSUE. I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY ACCELERATOR ISSUES PREVIOUS TO THIS EVENT. I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
SAFETY BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR LAST 2 DAYS AND TURNED OFF TODAY DEC 23, 2013. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY BECAME LIMITED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT MANUALLY CLEARED THE WINDOW WITH THE WIPERS. THE WIPERS THEN FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY, CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT, BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER; DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED UP TO 20 TIMES, SOMETIMES AS SOON AS THE CAR IS TURNED ON, SOMETIMES ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED. IF VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSES VEHICLE TO JUMP SIDEWAYS. AT TIMES, LOSS OF POWER STEERING IS PRECEDED BY GROANING SOUND. OWNERS' MANUAL ADVISES STOPPING THE VEHICLE, WAITING UNTIL WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT, AND TAKING CAR TO DEALER. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE COMPUTER MEMORY SHOWS THE WARNING LIGHT GOING ON, BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE NOTHING WRONG WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT, AND DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE OCCURRENCE ON A TEST DRIVE. *TR
2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WATER PUMP PULLEY DISENGAGEMENT AND NEED FOR THIRD SET OF TIRES ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY A SOUND OF SOMETHING HITTING THE HIGHWAY. HE GRADUALLY SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE FLYWHEEL FOR THE WATER PUMP SITTING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. HE WALKED BACK UP THE HIGHWAY IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE WHAT FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. HE GATHERED WHAT HE FOUND AND WAS LOOSE UNDER THE HOOD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER AND HAD A NEW WATER PUMP INSTALLED. WHILE AT THE SERVICE CENTER, THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED AND A NEW SET OF TIRES WERE RECOMMENDED BECAUSE THEY WERE CUPPING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT TO HAVE THE TIRES INSPECTED. FIRESTONE, INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE LEFT FRONT AND REAR TOW WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THEY ADJUSTED THE LEFT FRONT TO CORRECT IT, BUT INFORMED HIM, THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE REAR, AS THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE GIVEN THAT THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CUPPING. WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING THE NEW WATER PUMP INSTALLED, THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR A CLICKING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD, SO HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE CLICKING SOUND. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE A/C COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
THE SPIRAL CABLE SUB-ASSY AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING, (PART OF AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IN STEERING WHEEL) WILL NOT WORK. RESULTING IN LACK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. LIGHT WILL ACTIVATE IN DASHBOARD, INDICATING THE AIR BAG IS NON FUNCTIONAL. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY MAJOR CAR INCIDENT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME MINOR BUMPER SCRATCHES AND THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND THERE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC REPORT PROVIDED SEVERAL CODES WITH THIS MALFUNCTION, CONSIDERING THE FUNCTION OF THIS PART AS A PROTECTION AGAINST PERSONAL DRIVER OR PASSENGER INJURIES. THE DEPLOYMENT OR LACK OF DEPLOYMENT IN ANY UNEXPECTED EVENT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN DRIVING CONDITION.RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY DUE TO MANUFACTURES DEFECT OF THIS PART. *TR
ON 10/21/2013 AT ABOUT 12 AM I WAS DROPPING OFF MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN FRONT OF OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX. I WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA 2009 COROLLA (VIN-[XXX]). THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN, ABRUPT AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT STOP. IT WENT OVER A CURB IN THE PARKING LOT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE STANDING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR...UPDATED 11/03/14 *BF UPDATED 8/5/2015 *JS
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON I20 BETWEEN EXIT 189 AND 190 ON 11/1 WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HYDROPLANE. MY DAUGHTER WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO USE MY CAR ON THIS DATE, THE CONDITION WAS RAINY AND LOW VISIBILITY. SHE TOOK FEET OFF GAS AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. AS SHE PUT HER FEET ON BRAKES SHE LOST CONTROL AND CRASH IN GUARD RAIL. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE CHECKED THE DATA BASE AND THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. ONE INVOLVED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE HAD THESE RECALLS DONE BEFORE THE CAR WAS SOLD WHICH COULD HAVE HELPED TO PREVENT THE ACCELERATION. SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE OTHER THAN THE CONSUMER FOR THIS MISHAP. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP AS A CONSUMER. ALSO THE AIR BAG DID NOT DISENGAGED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] ON 11/6 WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE STILL TWO RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND SHE ASKED WHEN DID I WANT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. WHY WAS THIS NOT DONE BEFORE PURCHASE. I ALSO SPENT $2800 ON AN EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE USING THE JACK, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CENTERED EVENLY WHERE THE NOTCH WAS LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,600.
2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK ON A CURVE, SHE BACKED UP AND WENT FORWARD TWICE, WHEN SHE FELT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE GO OVER THE WATER GRATE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE MADE A SHIFTING SOUND AND STARTED TO LOUDLY RACE FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS GOING SLOWLY. WHEN THE MOTOR STARTED FORCEFULLY RACING, THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE INCREASED RAPIDLY, AS IF SOMEONE WAS PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND PRESSED AS HARD AS SHE COULD IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL THE INCREASING SPEED. SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL, AND THEN SHUT THE OFF THE MOTOR. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE THIRD TIME, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW COMPUTER, BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. UPDATED 11/25/13 UPDATED 12/23/13
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 65 IN INDIANA ON A WINDY DAY AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING MY CAR IN MY LANE. THE CAR WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I HAD TO CONSTANTLY FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON THE HIGHWAY. I SLOWED DOWN AND IT DID NOT HELP. FOR A WHILE I HAVE HEARD A CLUNK NOISE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WHEN HITTING A BUMP. I THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS A BROKEN STRUT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP TODAY (MIDAS) IN HAMMOND INDIANA AND THEY SAID THE NOISE WAS PROBABLY FROM A LOOSE TIE ROD. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME HE COULD MOVE THE FRONT WHEEL WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE AIR 1 TO 2 INCHES TO EITHER DIRECTION LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL OR FRONT WHEEL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE TIE ROD HAD OVER ONE INCH OF PLAY GOING INTO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED AT 41,128 MILES. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY CAR IS NOW AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER GETTING A BRAND NEW ELECTRIC RACK STEERING GEAR BOX AND TIE ROD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN A PARKING LOT WHILE TURNING IN TO A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST HIT SOMEONE. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS WORKING FINE NOW AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. IF IT GOES OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEED TURN IT COULD CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT. *TR
I NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS THE SPIRAL CABLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. A DIRECT QUOTE FROM THE INVOICE SAYS, "UPON INSPECTION FOUND CODE (B1801-1831-1836) WILL NEED TO START WITH REPLACING SPIRAL CABLE FIRST MAY NEED FURTHER DIAG--." THE CAR WAS NOT IN ANY COLLISIONS NEAR THE TIME OF WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. FOR OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS, THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $120 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT IT WOULD BE $600 TO FIX. *TR
SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY THE ABS KICKED EVERY TIME I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO SNOW OR RAIN ON THE ROAD. IT FELT AS IF I WASN'T GOING TO STOP, WHICH IS VERY SCARY WITH A 4 MONTH OLD BABY AND 4 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR! I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP RIGHT AWAY. THE SHOP LOOKED AT IT AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FILED YET ON THIS. HE SAW ANOTHER CAR THIS YEAR WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED. HE FOUND CORROSION IN THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH WHEEL BEARING/SENSOR ASSY'S AND CONNECTORS TO GET THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONING AGAIN. MY REPAIR MAN SAID I COULD HAVE ENDED UP GOING RIGHT THROUGH A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *TR
LOSS OF STEERING AT A RIGHT BEND IN THE STREET, THINK THE POWER WENT OUT TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST, CAR WENT STRAIGHT INTO A SIGN POLE WITH A LARGE CEMENT BASE, MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT END, AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, SEAT BELT DIDN'T WORK AND THERE WAS NO POWER AT ALL TO THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS NOT DAMAGED. CAR WAS RECENTLY AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL TO REPAIR TO ELECTRICAL POWER WINDOW PROBLEM TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL FIRE, OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE DONE AT SAME TIME, THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. NEW TIRES AND BRAKES. OPENED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA, SO FAR MET WITH APATHY AND RESISTANCE. *TR
WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 65 MPH THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES OUT OF CONTROLL. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT PRETTY CONSISTENT NOW MY CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROLL LIGHT STAYS LIT WHILE THE ESC LIGHT BLINKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW THREE TIMES OVER PAST 6 MONTHS.
ILLUMINATED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH. DEALER STATES IT IS THE CLOCKSPRING THAT IS BAD. DEALER SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THESE WEARING OUT AND THAT THE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT FUNCTION UNTIL THE CLOCKSPRING IS REPLACED. *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE "SINKING SEAT" PROBLEM STARTED WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009. AT THAT TIME, THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WAS COUGHLIN TOYOTA IN NEWARK OHIO 43055. COUGHLIN TOLD ME THEY HAD NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. THE DRIVERS SEAT CAN BE MANUALLY ADJUSTED UP OR DOWN BY HAND. THERE ARE 20+ POSITIONS UP OR DOWN. SHORT PEOPLE NEED THE SEAT POSITION TO BE ALL THE WAY UP IN ORDER TO SEE OVER THE DASH BOARD AND HOOD FOR SAFE VISIBILITY AND VISION WHEN DRIVING. TALL PEOPLE WOULD WANT THE SEAT POSITION TO BE ALL THE WAY DOWN. I AM SHORT, 5' 6" TALL. I NEED THE SEAT TO BE ALL THE WAY UP FOR SAFE VISION OVER THE DASH BOARD AND HOOD. THE "SINKING SEAT" PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE SEAT GRADUALLY GOES DOWN SEVERAL POSITIONS ON IT'S OWN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT BY TOYOTA, NOT A USER CAUSED CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM COVERS SEVERAL YEARS OF TOYOTA PRODUCTION. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS ON GOOGLE. I HAVE LOCAL FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR COROLLAS. TODAY, 9-5-2013, I AGAIN REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BY ON LINE EMAIL TO TOYOTA CORPORATE FOR A SOLUTION. HERE IS AN EXACT COPY OF MY REPORT TO TOYOTA: "MY 2009 COROLLA HAS THE WIDE SPREAD AND CHRONIC SAFETY PROBLEM OF "SINKING SEAT SYNDROME" WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WHEN WILL TOYOTA HAVE A FIX FOR THIS CHRONIC SAFETY PROBLEM? MY LOCAL DEALER, COUGHLIN TOYOTA, HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM OR A SOLUTION. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON ON THE INTERNET (GOOGLE). SOME OF MY LOCAL FRIENDS HAVE THE SAME PRO
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2009 Toyota Corolla → · Every Corolla year → · How the figures are calculated →