10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,760 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Toyota Corolla:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Dec 142010

Corolla

  • 62,090 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in recall NHTSA campaign 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). After the repairs were made the tachometer would not rise or fall correctly while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technicians inspected the vehicle and could not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer advised the contact to receive a second opinion from a different dealer. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer where the technicians stated that the ECM was reprogrammed. The failure continued to occur. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,090.

- Northfield, OH, USA

problem #31

Feb 232011

Corolla

  • 76,890 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving approximately 55-60 mph when the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check engine light immediately after the failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). Although the vehicle was repaired, the check engine light remained illuminated. The dealer was unable to determine the cause and the vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The current mileage was 76,999 and the failure mileage was approximately 76,890.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #30

Jan 092011

Corolla

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. The vehicle began to veer off into another lane and the contact stated that the engine began to exhibit signs if it were going to stall. Once the engine recovered, the steering wheel shifted and turned the vehicle back into its original lane. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis. The failure and current mileage was 137,000.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #29

Dec 012010

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Toyota Corolla. Consumer expresses discontent regarding the improper manufacturing of vehicle the consumer stated the recall letter from Toyota stated the engine could stall at anytime and may increase the risk of a crash. The consumer is concerned about her safety.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #28

Sep 162010

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,990 miles
In summer, Corolla experience harsh shifting and indicator light came on. ECM replaced in July - approx one month before recall occurred. At the time of correction, car was at nearly 91,000 miles - research ECM issues online, contacted Toyota and they stated since it was out of warranty they had no obligation to cover ECM repair. Recall released within one month of ECM repair. Less than 60 days later, took Corolla back to dealership. Car still experience harsh shifting. After paying $225 for a transmission flush, and dealer shifting transmission manually, the dealer stated ECM works fine, transmission will need to be replaced at +$3K. Researched and identified similar problem in Toyota rav4 - ECM failure led to transmission failure. Filing complaint because I think Toyota needs to pay for my new transmission. At current time, transmission not fixed..want an explanation, if the component that tells the transmission to shift accurately isn't working, then why doesn't Toyota recognize that the transmission has the potential to not work properly - if problem occurred in rav4, why not Corollas? now that ECM is fixed, transmission is still damaged from prior ECM failure. Updated IVOQ 02/09/11

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #27

Oct 242010

Corolla

  • 18,000 miles
My 2005 Toyota Corolla, its engine warning light was illuminated in 2007. Then the car dealer replaced the computer system. In 2008, as the losing control, the car slid out of the road and hit the tree. In 2009, the warning light was illuminated again, this time they changed gasket and found the air can enter the engine and caused the engine problem (lose power and can't drive more than 30mph). Since then, we experienced such problems three times: When we drive, the car can suddenly lose power and can't drive more than 30mph, but it become normal and the mechanic worker can't find the problem the next day. We think this problem is very dangerous and need to report to your company.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

problem #26

May 072010

Corolla

  • 98,000 miles
The car just started making a weird noise and when it run the gears kick in but it kick in harshly.

- Homeland, CA, USA

problem #25

Sep 052010

Corolla

  • 99,229 miles
My 2005 Toyota Corolla would not start one morning. I kept trying to start it and no clicking or sound of the car trying to turn over happened. Eventually it did start but had a very hesitating sound to it. The next day, it had the same problems so I tried charging the battery for a few minutes. This seemed to work and I was able to drive my car to work. As I was driving, the car began to shift hard and the check engine light came on. I called Toyota and a local Toyota dealership after discovering that my car was involved in a recall. Toyota then gave the go ahead to the dealership to replace the ECM, the part being recalled. The dealership replaced the part free of charge and the car seemed to be "fixed". two days later... my car will once, not start.

- Plaquemine, LA, USA

problem #24

Feb 182010

Corolla

  • 79,000 miles
The problem started about 6 months ago - while shifting my 2005 Corolla (typically when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and then from 2nd to 3rd gear). In order to not make my car stall - I would just give it a lot of extra gas to ensure that it wouldn't stall. The problem occurs regularly - almost every time I drive (about 1 time a week). The problem only occurs when starting and stopping and shifting in the low gears. After this problem started in Feb of 2010 - I took the car to a Toyota dealership. They hooked the car up to a computer and said it was fine. The dealership said they also took the car on a drive to see if it would do it then, and they claimed it didn't. so nothing was done at the that time. When I left the dealership, the car continued to shift harshly.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #23

Jun 212010

Corolla

  • 70,816 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While driving at approximately 3 mph pressure was applied to the break pedal and the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the gas cap, the transmission and an unknown charcoal canister were replaced. Approximately one week later the vehicle began to intermittently stall. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the engine control module was replaced. Approximately a week and a half later the vehicle again began to stall. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where they informed her they believe the amplifier was draining power from the battery which may be the cause of the failures. The amplifier was removed by the authorized dealer. Upon receiving the vehicle it continued to intermittently stall. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer but she was unsure if the vehicle was repaired. The failures continue to recur intermittently. The failure mileage was 70,816 and the current mileage was 71,955.

- San Franscisco, CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 192010

Corolla

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated the check engine warning light would intermittently illuminate. The vehicle would then stall. The dealer was unable to duplicate or produce any failure codes for the vehicle. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not under recall and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was left with the dealer until the vehicle could be properly diagnosed. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 116,770

- Grayson, GA, USA

problem #21

Jul 232010

Corolla

  • 88,695 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla S. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled immediately after the engine light came on. The failure occurred twice. An independent mechanic stated that the electronic control unit was defective. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the computer. The failure and current mileages were 88695.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #20

Feb 252010

Corolla

  • 51,240 miles
Was at a stop light and put the car into 1st gear and proceeded to accelerate up to 15mpg. Upon shifting the car into 2nd gear it did not take and the car then made a noise. I had to then place the car back into 1st gear and pull to the side of the road almost getting hit by other traffic and stop on the side of the road for a full inspection. There was nothing visible upon inspection and no current noises at that time so I proceeded to go again first shifting into 1st gear then second and I stopped at 3rd and went straight home. About one and 1/2 miles later it started making another noise similar to the first, but it was continuous and so I parked the car at home and had it towed to the dealership. They then explained to me that this was a very common problem with this motor(being the type that it was) and what had happened is a rod in the engine had been spun. They said it could have been worse and I could have lost control and wrecked the car very easily. They said that due to the nature and price they would not fix the car because it would have to have a full new engine replacement and that would be up to $8K because of it being a rare and high performance price. After further inspection and online research it is very common while downshifting this engine that they slip a gear and spin the rod mostly in the #4 rod and need a new engine for complete repairs. Also it would very likely continue to happen again and again thus putting me and my family in danger on the road. Toyota will not fix the problem they do acknowledge it and that it exists, but will not do the repairs because of the price issue. It is a major safety issue though. The bar also requested that it be reported to NHTSA.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #19

May 242010

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 109,363 miles
I noticed an odd disruption in normal transmission function on my 2005 Toyota Corolla. I suspected it was due to a defective engine component. I went to the local Toyota dealership and was told that the engine control module needed to be replaced ;that the car would stop running without replacing it. On inquiry I was told that there is a problem with this component on 2005 Toyota Corolla's. the dealership refused to replace the component. I called the Toyota corporate office on June 8,2010 (1-800-331-4331) call reference number: 1006081641 it became apparent that Toyota knows there is a problem with defective engine control module's in 2005 Toyota Corolla's. if the phone call is pulled by the national highway safety traffic administration a wider problem with defective engine control modules may become evident. I identified the problem as a safety issue when I called the Toyota corporate office. The consumer had the necessary repairs made at the dealer at her expense. Updated IVOQ 10/18/10

- Goldenrod, FL, USA

problem #18

Jun 012010

Corolla

  • 83,500 miles
Was driving Toyota Corolla 2005 out of a parking lot when engine stalled, and could not be restarted. No warning signs or flashing lights on dashboard prior to engine failure. Engine lost power while driving. Power could not be regained. Brought to Toyota dealership and was told ECM had to be replaced because of a failed component.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #17

May 012010

Corolla

  • miles
My 2005 Toyota Corolla ce has been randomly stalling on me when I turn, when im at red lights, when im accelerating and when im slowing down with no rhyme or reason. It just started one day and continues to do at random times and with random frequency. I do not feel safe when this happens and there is no way to determine when my gas pedal will quit working, no noise to let me know it is about to or has happened, no overheating of the engine, no spikes in the rpms or anything, it just does it. I was almost in an accident the other night at 11pm when I was at a red light and went to accelerate and there was no response, the person behind me almost rear-ended me because of this. I was able to take it to a mechanic who said the computer was reading it was a fuel actuator issue. They advised me to contact Toyota since that is the same failure that is being recalled on all the other vehicles. I have made several attempts to contact Toyota which haven't resolved anything yet, so my car is still stalling and nothing has been done to resolve it as of yet.

- Seymour, TN, USA

problem #16

Oct 012008

Corolla

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While driving at speeds of 55 mph, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred intermittently and became progressively worse where the vehicle would often stall intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and advised the contact that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed by the manufacturer that the failure was addressed in a technical service bulletin and they would not provide any further assistance. The vehicle was not serviced and the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 91,000.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #15

Mar 162010

Corolla

  • 35,500 miles
While crossing large intersection @ 15-20 mph car lost power and tried to stall, after a few seconds it cleared up, approx. 5 min. Latter while stopped at a red light, engine RPM dropped from idle ( 1000rpm) to 450 RPM with engine fluttering trying to stall, this lasted about 7-10 seconds then suddenly cleared up. Did not take car Toyota as yet, trying to get more info from Toyota about problem.

- Gambrills, MD, USA

problem #14

Mar 182010

Corolla

  • 92,000 miles
2003 - engine stalled; taken to dealership and indicated was computer. Computer was replaced due to being under warranty. 03/17/10 - coming home from work and within 1/4 to 1/2 mile of getting onto highway car stalls, check engine light comes on and would not accelerate above 25 miles per hour. Eventually engine stopped totally. Towed to nearest facility and upon running diagnostics assessed that it was the computer again. Attempting to resolve this w/ Toyota as this is a second failure on the computer. No resolution to date.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #13

Feb 222010

Corolla

  • 60,743 miles
2005 Corolla, 60,000 miles: Check engine light came on. Car went into "safe" mode (idle speed) while doing 65mph. Toyota replaced throttle body and the next day it did the same thing. Toyota said the "new' throttle body they put in was defective. It's still at Toyota waiting for another throttle body. This is a very dangerous situation. Pulling out into traffic you do not know if it is going to go into safe mode or not, and of course, going down highway 50-70 mph there is a good chance of being rear-ended. This is not a safe situation.

- Avon Park, FL, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »