10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 71,452 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Started engine, then while idling a loud squealing noise appearing to sound from the power steering, upon close observation notice coolant fluid all over the serpentine belts and the alternator. The battery would die and water residual all over the place all indication points to a busted water pump from the mechanics. The car only got 70,000 miles. Have 5 months left on car loan and no money for repairs and don't know if engine still works.
- South Ozone Park, NY, USA
This accident happened in 2011. Vehicle accelerated itself while exiting the freeway. Ended up side swiping the ramp and finally got it to stop using emergency brake. Luckily stopped before crashing into the wall. Toyota investigator came to take edr report but didn't admit the problem of the vehicle. Vehicle was left alone and not fixed for days so they can investigate. I was expecting them to provide answers but I ended up fixing my car with my insurance. They didn't do anything after getting the data out of my vehicle.
- Buena Park, CA, USA
After replacing the alternator in my 2009 Corolla in July 2015. My timing chains and water pump malfunctioned while driving on the highway. I was unaware and so was the mechanic that the timing belts were damaged until after the water pump and serpentine belt was replaced. Due to timing issues from the previous malfunctions, I am now in need of a new motor. My vehicle has all required repairs or maintenance completed as scheduled and my vehicle has not even made it to 80,000 miles.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Toyota has a tsb for 2009 - 2010 Corolla with the 2zr engine, it is T-sb-0087-09 brief engine knock/rattle noise at cold startup, my car has this problem and needs the camshaft timing gear assembly replaced. I called "Toyota care" at the recommendation of the local Toyota service manager. Toyota care said my VIN number was not included in this tsb and that it is out of warranty. (my Corolla was an early 2009 production model, mfd in 2/2008, in service beginning in may of 2008 ( I believe) and that there is nothing they could do to help me. My VIN is not included in the range of eligible VIN numbers and is out of warranty. My Corolla has had the noise for a long time and only has appx. 60K miles on it, it is obviously a manufacturing flaw or error and Toyota should recall all 2009 Corollas for repair. The website toyotanation and corolland note many owners with the same problem. When the car cold starts it rattles for the first second like there is no oil in the motor, a very loud knock, this also occurs on warm starts after only a few hours of being parked, and sometimes while driving. My Corollas has had it's oil and filter changed every 5K miles since new; obviously not precipitated by neglect or abuse. Thank you for attention to this issue, sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Albany, OR, USA
My 2009 Toyota Corolla has about 93,300 miles on it. After all the recalls that this vehicle has had, it also has been making noise every time I start it. Sometimes it is a loud screeching noise and sometimes it is not that loud. I am sick and tired of all these recalls and I am surprised they are not recalling this problem because from what I have read, many other owners are also having this issue with their 2009 Toyota Corolla. I will be taking this to the dealership tomorrow to see if they can fix it along with another recall that I got a letter for. There will legal actions taken if this is not addressed properly.
- Vallejo, CA, USA
Driving down the highway at 65 mph in my Toyota Corolla and the car lost all power and had to quickly pull over to the side of the road. The car was dead and would no longer go. Once it was towed to the dealers they determined that the water pump and stopped working for no apparent reason.
- Wilton, NY, USA
Recently noticed the noise comes from engine compartment after start and during driving. During 5K maintenance service, I was notified that the water pump failed and needs replacement. The car was being driven gentally under normal condition at less than 55000 mile and 6.5 years. The repair is not covered by the 10-year powertran warranty comes with the purchase. Had to pay for the repair.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While the vehicle was undergoing an unrelated recall repair, the technician advised the contact that the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,799. MA 10/22/2015
- Hotsprings Village , AR, USA
H first time the car malfunction I was coming back from returning the rental truck, I was pulling out on the highway and at that time the steering wheel locked up, the battery indicator light come on, ABS brake light come on, and rest of the idiot lights on the panel come on. It was very hard to steer the car, will all my effort with two hands I can steer the wheel and control the car. The engine was running really rough and sounded like it was going to quit. This lasted for approximately 20 seconds it seemed like, and then the car started running right now and I was able to steer again and all the lights on the panel went out. I was very concerned about this thinking my car was failing and I knew that there is probably something the matter with it but when it started running right, I figured I just can't fix something that's not broke and really take no notice of it. How my daughter got a driver's license on August the 4th and then on August the 6 you wanted to use the car. So I let her use it. The car malfunction again on this day and and it took out the alternator when it did. So I change the alternator in the car and let my wife use the car for two days because she travels a short distance to work to see if it's ok. After two days of my wife driving and then I resume driving it to work. Didn't appear to be the car was working fine until August 13th, and that's when my daughter erica drove the car again and while backing out of the driveway the car malfunction, she couldn't steer the car the brakes won't work and naturally grown in reverse the emergency brake is not that effective in she ran off the road and damage the car.
- Orland Hills, IL, USA
A year after the warranty year period ended and less than 60,000 miles, the water pump and serpentine belt both failed. Under the hood, hot coolant was sprayed all over. The coolant level leaked dangerously low, and engine temperature rose without any check engine light on. The incident happened with no sound from the engine upon starting and driving.
- Waipahu, HI, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 65 mph, the steering failed and was difficult to control. In addition, the engine stalled. As a result, a crash occurred. The contact was injured and received medical attention. A police report was not filed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
- Benson, NC, USA
TL-the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated the vehicle accelerated when attempted to park causing the contact to crash into a church wall. The contact sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.aw
- Webster , NY, USA
Engine light on. Belt fell off vehicle. Engine overheated. Waterpump failure.
- Waverly, IA, USA
I was driving and was close to my destination when I hear something go wrong. I park at my destination and I see a pool of what I think was coolant on the ground. It also felt like it was overheating so I did not want to risk the car blowing up so I had it towed. The problem was that the water pump ceased which caused the serpentine belt to also break. I searched online and found this to be a common problem and I am surprised that there have not been any recalls.
- Longwood, FL, USA
My mother is 75 years old. Here Corolla is 6 years old. She took it to Toyota on April 23rd, 2015 for the recall of the airbag (spiral cable sub assembly and cable kit) and updated software and install update label (smart stop technology and elsbos update ECM software) to correct the recall issue. She was sent home as it was supposed to be fixed. On Friday April 24th, 2015 at 10pm she was driving home from an event at approx 45 mph the vehicle stalled. She took it to Toyota the next date on Saturday April 25th, 2015 at 11:00 am. Toyota inspected the vehicle and sent her home. On the way the home the same day at 5:26pm she was going approx 10 mph coming through a light and it stalled again. The engine kicked back in and then it stalled again. Her vehicle was running fine until Toyota changed out the recall parts. There is something very wrong with this and needs attention. Although there was not accident it was a close call she was almost rear ended. I am writing now because something needs to be addressed with Toyota and her car needs to be fixed in the same condition that it was prior to going to Toyota. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Largo , FL, USA
Car was purchased new and has been maintained. Took car to dealership to identify sporadic odd "grinding" noise upon cold start. Was first told it was the serpentine belt. Replaced and next day noise was still there upon cold start. Returned and dealer then stated it was the bendix in the starter. Replaced starter. A month later the noise happened again and squealing from serpentine belt was still occurring. Third trip to dealership and I'm now told that, like many other 2009 Toyota Corolla owners, that it's the gear in the camshaft. The serpentine belt squeal is from my water pump leaking. Now replacing water pump and camshaft gear. $2000 in repairs that, from reading, Toyota is aware of! ridiculous! there should be a recall. If the dealerships state that their technicians are "certified" then they should know of this problem and not have to fix things that aren't broken at my expense!
- Bardstown, KY, USA
In 2013, we discovered that my 2009 Toyota Corolla S was using excessive oil. We reported this to our local dealership service department and they added a note to my service record, but nothing was done about it. Since we always have our service done there, and I have the oil changed long before it's due, we don't normally check the oil ourselves. However, while washing the car on Sunday, 03/08/2015, my husband checked it and had to put in 1-1/2 quarts of oil. On Monday, 03/09/2015, I took the car in for an oil change and apprised the service department again of the excessive oil use. They again made a note to my service record. The service tech told me she had a lot of cars in with the same problem and that Toyota did not have a fix for it. She said mine was not one listed as having this problem, but it is. She also stated that they had to put in 1-1/2 quarts of oil. I was advised to bring it back in for a check at the next 1,100 miles. The worst part is that my car was still under warranty when first reported. Warranty has now expired so if my engine blows I could be looking at thousands of dollars to have my engine replaced!!!!! shame on you, Toyota!!! I thought I had purchased a trustworthy vehicle from a trustworthy manufacturer!
- Rome, GA, USA
While driving on interstate 395 in Connecticut the engine died. I was able to coast over to the side of the road and after multiple tries the car stated. I drove a little further and the engine died once again while I was driving. I was able to start the car and get it to my mechanic. The engine error code stated that 2 of the 4 starter coils failed. The mechanic replaced the 2 starter coils and the car drove fine. After the car spent the night in my garage it would not start again. I had the car towed to mechanic and he replaced the crank shaft sensor. The car again ran fine for 1 day than after the overnight in the garage the car would not start. At the recommendation of my mechanic I had the car towed to valenti Toyota in westerly. Ri where I purchased the car. They kept the car for a week first stating that the computer was bad and needed to be replaced. I pointed out that Toyota had a recall of computers in 2008 Corolla and since my car was built in 2008 did they use the same faulty computers? they stated no and would order a new computer and have it the next day. I received a call from the dealership stating that Toyota would not release the part to them and they would be dealing with the regional parts engineer. After 4 days and still no computer valenti Toyota called me back and stated that all 4 starter coils needed replacing and that the car is running now. The charge for the repair was $768.52 (customer #20437 and invoice #tocs275417) this does not make a lot of sense to me as I have never heard of a company not releasing parts to its own dealership. My question is did my car have a faulty computer and is this a cover-up" why would the car engine just stop when driving at a speed of 60 mph" luckily I had no one behind me and was able to coast to safety.
- Gales Ferry, CT, USA
I purchased the car used 12/3/11 with 12,716 miles. Within 6 months I would hear a grinding/screeching noise when starting the car. This would happen intermittently on cold starts. I had to leave the vehicle with the dealership for over a week for them to finally acknowledge the issue. On 7/13/12 they replaced the timing gear assembly and the camshaft gear. To date, the car has only 52,700 miles and the noise appears to have come back. I have checked the battery, alternator and starter and they are fine. I had originally purchased an extended warranty with 6 year/100,000 miles and was told that January 1, 2015 that expired. So, I have a defective car with camshaft issue that returns? I am frustrated because there are many stories of people having this re-occurring issue every 30,000 miles (www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Corolla/2009/engine/engine.shtml). I know there is a Toyota service bulletin on the camshaft, but feel it should have been a recall. Neither the customer service or warranty carrier are willing to work with me and this is dangerous because one can become stranded or blow a rod driving down the street.
- Houston, TX, USA
- Memphis, TN, USA