9.3

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,530 miles

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problem #2

May 052008

Corolla

  • 3,000 miles
I purchased a 2009 Toyota Corolla in March 2008. Since the purchase I've had an issue of a rotten egg sulfur odor emitting from the emissions exhaust system and into the car cabin. The problem has known to occur while accelerating the gas pedal and coming to an idle or stop. It occurs during town driving, inclines, highways speeds, and upon starting vehicle. I have returned the car to the dealer 4 times for this issue. The dealer from whom I purchased the vehicle stated they couldn't find or duplicate the issue. Toyota tech performed evaluation of components related to fuel trim and possible related performance. The dealer stated they found no bulletins or related issue with the Toyota tech data system. I was also informed to try another brand of gas.. I took the car to a second dealer after discovering engine consumed 3 quarts of oil. They performed a tsb0145-08 2zrfe engine oil consumption reflash concerning the ECM. I was informed that this may resolve the sulfur rotten egg odor or that the catalytic converter needed a break-in period. During the winter of 2010 the rotten egg odor had become worse. To be more specific the vehicle cabin area filled with an intense rotten egg odor after restarting the car upon driving up an incline. I took the car in for service with the same complaint and they performed a repeated technical service bulletin for excessive oil consumption. They stated exhaust system seemed ok.. Toyota recommended a different grade of gas. I was informed by the service advisor that gasoline contains more sulphites in the winter and may be the cause.. since purchasing this car I was diagnosed with a lymphoma cancer a year later to be exact. This has been an on going issue. I've tried several brand gasolines and grades as they recommended. I've been in remission from the cancer for a year now and no longer driving the car for the fear that the car is a hazard to my health. Also, I have prior lung condition called copd.

- Bellingham, MA, USA

problem #1

Mar 302009

Corolla

  • 60 miles
Ever since I purchased my 2009 Toyota Corolla I have noticed steering difficult. I read blogs at the time and it seemed from what I read, that this was just a draw back of the car, so I let it go. I feel I need to report it now. The steering feels way to responsive to even the slightest hand movement of the wheel, or bump in the road. Because the suspension on this model is so stiff, a bump in the road can cause my hand to move a tiny bit, resulting in the car moving much more than one would expect from little movement. The best way to sum up the problem is this; it is near impossible to just go straight, or hold the wheel still for a second. You have to constantly move slightly to the right or the left just to keep in the middle of your lane. Going around curves smoothly is difficult as well. If it is windy this problem is 10 fold, and down right dangerous. I have already skidded off a snowy highway because the car so easily fish tailed while trying to correct my steering. Luckily there was no damage, had there been vehicle in the lane next to mine, there would have been a horrific crash. In my 17 years of driving I have never fish tailed before. The alignment and tires have been checked and are fine. I had the brake recall done before the above mentioned incident. There doesn't feel to be an alignment issue. The car does not pull. The steering just seems far too sensitive, this combined with it's odd aerodynamic response, and bumpy ride make the steering feel very unsafe at times. Even when it doesn't feel dangerous, it is tiring to have to constantly adjust the wheel right and left just to keep it in lane. I've never had a steering issue like this with any other car. There is also the overwhelming smell of sulfur in the passenger cabin several times a week, seems the catalytic converter doesn't handle it well. Took it to a dealer for the sulfur issue and they said that's normal. Makes me light headed at times, on top of just stinking up my new car.

- Elmhurst , IL, USA