I bought a 2009 Toyota Corolla in November 2008. It had three recalls within the first year where I had to drive about 30 miles each way every time to have those matters fixed. Then on October 22, 2012, the engine made a screeching noise and a battery light came on. I was on my way to the dealer to have it checked when the car started to sputter and died and would not restart. I had it towed to the dealer to find out that the water pump had gone out and the car over heated to a point of unrepairable. There was no indication on the panel that the car was overheating. Needless to say, it was a total loss. A car I expected would last me at least 200,000 miles lasted 80,144 miles.

So much for taking the car into the dealer every other month for oil changes and check ups. It still broke down and has put me in a financial hardship having to buy another vehicle so soon.

The Toyota mechanic offered to get in a used 2009 engine and replace it for $6,000.00, money upfront. Unfortunately I had to pass.

I own a 2009 Corolla S, bought July 2008 with only two miles on it. Now I put in 62,000 miles & its good until , I discovered the engine rattling noise when i replaced the battery last Friday 8/12/12. Hood is open and you can hear the noise, I thought coming from A/C I turn off ac and noise still exist, shut down engine and inspected the: Fan Belt, Pulley, Starter, Exhaust pipe, Alternator all checks good found no evidence of looseness.

Did not bring to the Mechanic yet at this time... Also own 1994 corolla DX with current and original mileage of 250, 000 and still runs great with no problem on engine since purchased.

Very grateful for this site and glad to know that I am not alone with this problem.

Right now, I am in a 1,000 mile test by my dealer to confirm that the consumption of oil is very abnormal, and that my engine start grinding noise is the camshaft problem. He said that when confirmed, the engine will have to be replaced entirely. When I see him upon completion of the test, I will also ask him about the water pump issue (that may be a contributor to this problem) and that I want it replaced with the redesigned one (that I learned about on this site).

So far, my dealer appears to be honest about it. We shall see what transpires when the test is completed. If this is a widespread problem, though, Toyota Corp. never notified me of it, which is troubling. I bought this car new, expecting it to take me to 300,000 miles with few major issues until after at least the first 200,000. A possible new engine at only 43,000 is very worrisome and greatly erodes the trust I had in Toyota's quality.

Update from Jun 26, 2012: Not done with the oil consumption test yet, but the more I research this car online, the sicker I feel. I don't want to keep this car, but I don't want to unload it on someone else, either. Even if the engine gets replaced, I will never again feel safe or confident. I fear that my son and I will be straddled with horrible expenses we can't afford. I got this car thinking of long-term reliability, but it just may be a lemon. Nothing can be trusted any more.

Update from Jul 29, 2012: 1,000 mile, 2-month, oil consumption test was completed with only a fraction of oil missing this time. I asked how there could be such a drastic loss of oil (with no external leaking) before. He just shrugged his shoulders. I told him the engine still grinds/rattles on cold start up. He kept it overnight, called next day, said they couldn't duplicate it (of course). I said that whether or not it happened for them, it happens for me 99% of the time, but not that much during the recent heat wave. He said he'll keep it over the weekend and start it again Monday AM.

I see this is going nowhere and they are definitely stalling. I learned yesterday online that many Toyota models (since the 1990s!), have an oil sludging problem which explains the low oil with no leak. The sludge gels within the engine parts, leaving less fluid for lubrication, while the engine grinds itself to death with fine particles. I have read of rods breaking and piercing through seized engines because of this sludging problem, which seems naturally related to the TSB-0087-09 camshaft report. By the way, even though Toyota recommends 5,000 mile oil changes (which I always thought was strange), it should really be changed every 3,000 miles with synthetic oil. But it's too late now. I am convinced this engine is a lemon and is already damaged.

This is a developing personal and financial disaster for us, and it will be another financial disaster for Toyota and the U.S. What recourse do we unlucky Toyota owners have? Are there attorneys that handle this sort of thing?

Update from Jun 3, 2015: Well, it is 3 years, 20,000 miles later, and the engine seems to be functioning properly with normal oil consumption. There is an occasional screech upon cold starting, but other, non-Toyota mechanics have said that it is nothing to be concerned about. So far, so good, since I have only had to replace the tires and battery over the life of this car.

I too experienced the issue on my 2009 Toyota Corolla regarding the camshafts. Strange rattling sound when the vehicle was cold, occasionally would rattle as i was driving making a turn, I took my vehicle to the dealership several times and they could not duplicate the problem. I was very upset with them and finally had it, i was determined to have them fix the problem. They did many repairs according to them and then finally had to have a technician from back east (I'm in california) look at the vehicle and do the repairs. According to my paperwork they did the following which i hope helps all of you that are having the same problem. JOB #140991 SERV. DATE: 05/07/2011 R&R ADDTIONAL CAM GEARS DEFECTIVE PARTS R&R ADDTIONAL CAM GEARS DEFECTIVE PARTS ~|~CUSTOMER STATES WHEN STARTING CAR IN THE MORNINGS THERE IS A RATTLE NOISE OR ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE AT START UP ~|~IMPROPER FREEPLAY ~|~51838 1ST CAM GEAR DID NOT FIT RIGHT ON CAMSHAFT AND HAS EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE, 2ND CAM GEAR INSTALLED LOST TIMING AFTER INSTALLATION OF CAMS TO ENGINE HEAD. REMOVED CAM GEAR, REPLACED WITH A 3RD GEAR AND NO NOISE HEARD AFTER INSTALLATION PARTS NAME PART # QTY GEAR ASSY, CAMSHAFT 130500T011 1 GASKET, CYLINDER HEA 1121337020 1 GASKET, CAMSHAFT BEA 1115937010 1 GASKET, CHAIN TENSIO 135520T020 1 FIPG OIL PAN 0029500103 1 NON-CHLOR BRAKE CLNR 002892BC00 1 GEAR ASSY, CAMSHAFT 130500T011 1 GASKET, CAMSHAFT BEA 1115937010 1 GEAR ASSY, CAMSHAFT 130500T011 1
Custom

MY VEHICLE WAS AT 51, 000 MILES AT THE TIME BUT I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEMS AT 31, 000 MILES. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 62, 000 MILES AND THE NOISE IS COMING BACK. ALONG WITH ANOTHER NOISE, ACCORDING TO TOYOTA IT IS MY ALTERNATOR WHICH I WILL POST ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS AS WELL. THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THIS EITHER BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE, THEN I TOOK IT BACK AND I NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY. SO ACCORDING TO TOYOTA REPAIRS ARE AT $1, 200 FOR AN ALTERNATOR ON A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. WOW!

Since day one that I bought the car brand new from dealer we notice a knocking internal component on the engine during the start up, we complaint to the dealer and they deny saying they can't not duplicate the noise, I commute every day from home to work 190 miles and the car already has 112000 miles in just three years, the knocking noise still the same every day on this first start up the engine during hot and cold days and of course the dealer said at this days the warranty is already expire!...But for sure one of this days something will break internally related to this issue on the engine. Probably the next car will be a Honda for sure.....

hi, have been to the dealership many times and they do nothing.,. Car makes a weird sound after starting and toyota said they do not hear it.. Just stalling and don't want to pay for all the problems with the 09 corolla.. Its a piece of crap car and I WILL never buy a Toyota again.. Too many recalls too. Had the gas pedal fixed, brake lines and the water pump replaced after only 2 yrs.. They know there is a problem, but won't do anything about it.. Even showed the complaints from other people and they just do nothing. A piece of crap car and company.. Had my mechanic tell me what is wrong, but again Toyota does not want to hear it.. Please people just stop buying their cars!!!!!!!! Email me if u have the same problem at annapetrocelli@msn.com Thank you and hope you had a great 4th of July..

when starting a cold engine there is a loud rattle that last about 2-3 sec. people around the car look at it like it is going to fall apart. dealer kept telling me there was no issues and that it would cost me 85.00 an hour for them to look at it and see if they could figure it out. now 8 months later and several thousand miles later i talk to a different dealer and they tell me there is a service bulletin out on the cam gear that could be the problem. They also told me that now my car is out of warranty and the reason my regular dealer was leading me around was they wanted me to wait so I would have to pay for it. taking it to the new dealer this week.

2009 toyota corolla s started to notice engine noise, kept track of it, took to toyota same old we cant duplicate problem, continued to keep track found that it only does the loud rattle noise when the weather in warm and the car sits for a while 4 hours plus the hotter it is the louder it is, but when its cold out its quiet as can be, I think it is internal and my opinion its the oil pump, or the check valve for the oil filter, I dont think toyota wants to be bothered with the problem, was in for another problem and I went to the dealership to see If I could show them while the car sat for 2 days, told them if the car has not been started to let me start it to see if the noise shows up for them so the can here what I here but no they started the car and brought it around and after its started its too late once its started it will not duplicate at all unless it sits and the weather is warm for a period of time.