10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
47,314 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 2009 Toyota Corolla:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Nov 062015

Corolla

  • 76,000 miles
I took my Corolla to the 75K miles services, but at the 76K when I was driving the engine start making noise. I opened the hood and I was surprised to see that the water cooler tank was almost empty. I took my car again totoyota service center and they said that the cooler pump is leaking so I have to change it and the repair will cost around $500. My 09 Toyota Corolla's water pump is busted and I thought all along that Corolla are supposed to be the best?.this really annoying issue, with only 75,000 miles on the car the water pump shouldn't be all ready worn out !.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 142015

Corolla

  • miles
Driver's side mirror plastic holding snapped that keeps mirror in the open/ closed position. Due to the plastic holding being snapped, the mirror wobbles and does not stay in the open position. It makes driving very dangerous with the lack of a mirror to turn and merge safely. As speeds increase, the force of the wind will force the mirror into the closed position making the mirror useless.

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #14

Aug 072015

Corolla

  • miles
Driver's door lock does not lock/unlock when pressing the lock/unlock button on the key fob and pressing the lock/unlock button on the driver's door and passengers door.

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #13

May 072015

Corolla

  • 25,000 miles
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

problem #12

Jan 102012

Corolla

  • 71,200 miles
My car recently got recall repair.after the repair done, my car became take a lot gas on driving.then I took back to dealer, dealer just said was fuel system need clean. I think that is big issue. Because after recall repair done. It take a lot gas than before if something I descrip not clearly. You can call me [xxx]. thank you parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #11

Aug 092011

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
2009 Toyota Corolla.

- Conroe , TX, USA

problem #10

Sep 242010

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
2009 Toyota Corolla. Consumer states several defects with vehicle the consumer did not specify the problems he experienced.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #9

Jan 172009

Corolla

  • 11,000 miles
I have experienced great amount of stress due to my 2009 Toyota Corolla. I experience the car shifting from right to left at high speeds (over 65 mph). I took it to Toyota of orange and they tested and legally they can only go 60mph or highway speed-limit. They kept denying any problems with the car, & came back to speak with the Toyota representative. I went in 3 times prior to this to see if they could find a problem, she said there's nothing wrong after special 'tests' were done. After that we took it in again and they performed an alignment which helped a little during regular speeds. But I still have the same problem, I recently took it in for the re-call, glad that was fixed, but at 70-80 mph if I shift into another line that is putting my life in great danger! I drive slower but I live in southern California so sometimes its unsafe to be driving at such speeds. I have also been experiencing paint problems with the vehicle, various scratches I don't know where they appear from, and my car is garaged mostly. There also a couple of chips in the paint, I took it in and they just washed and detailed the vehicle, which did help but there's scratches again, the paint seems to be defective. Another problem I'm experiencing with this vehicle is randomly maybe once or twice a month when started in the morning (parked in the garage which isn't cold at all) the whole car vibrates horrible, coming from the engine, as if its not held together well. It lasts for around a minute. I took it in to the dealership and they said since its not a constant problem they cant detect but if I leave it over night and if it happens they'll see, of-course it didn't happen they claimed they tested everything possible and there was no check engine lights etc. No signs when the steering goes crazy. Obviously this car is a defect the reason why I purchased a Toyota Corolla was because I have no problems with my 2005, and all the other cars I have owned, don't have steering or paint problems.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 292010

Corolla

  • miles
2009 Toyota Corolla. Consumer express discontent regarding vehicle recalls.

- Ocean Pines, MD, USA

problem #7

Mar 262010

(reported on)

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
S10 appropriate handling re Toyota vehicles recall problem. The consumer stated she is afraid to drive the vehicle.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #6

Sep 112009

Corolla

  • miles
When using either the air re-circulation button or the air conditioning I sometimes get a sickening smell like anti-freeze. I brought the vechile in to the dealer in September and they said they saw no loose hose or obvious leak. This problem is intermittent in nature and when I had the car there it was not doing it. They said they would not remove the dash unless they could smell the odor. I had a surgery for lung cancer last year and I believe this odor to be harmful to be breathing.

- West Nottingham`, NH, USA

problem #5

Jun 182009

Corolla

  • 1,900 miles
Exiting parking lot onto highway. The vehicle entered the road into the path of a tractor trailer.

- Tully, NY, USA

problem #4

Feb 242010

Corolla

  • 16,000 miles
2009 Toyota Corolla has very quick steering.it will move sideways if the driver is not paying close attention.the steering reminds me of driving a 1960 VW.

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

problem #3

Aug 262009

Corolla

  • 4,000 miles
My concern is with the brake recall on Toyota Corollas that was started on August 26th, 2009. First, the recall only applies to 19 states....what about those of us that drive across state lines" or if the car is sold to someone from another state? then it is ok if the brakes fail" we have been waiting since August to hear from them regarding this issue. Second, I no longer believe much (if anything) that Toyota tells us. Therefore, I want you to 1) demand that they recall all Toyota Corollas with the brake problem, and 2) perform your own investigation to be certain that the problem is as they describe it. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #2

Dec 282009

Corolla

  • 22,212 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving 15 mph the vehicle rapidly accelrated and crashed into a guard rail. No one was injured. The front passenger side sustained severe damage. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home and then to the dealer. The dealer is waiting for an inspector to diagnose the vehicle prior to making any repairs. The dealer has not informed the contact about any repairs or updates on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 22,212.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 152008

Corolla

  • 2,271 miles
2009 Toyota Corolla - gas pedal sticking problem while on the family driveway traveling at about 5 miles per hour, car rapidly accelerated forward after I removed my foot from the gas pedal. Pushing the brake down as hard as I could the car continued traveling forward crashing into my daughter's car, then pushing her car through the right side of the garage door & through the house wall completely damaging my daughter's car (totaled) destroying the garage door while smashing down that portion of the house wall. And then further inside colliding into a large dryer & washing finally coming to rest against an inside house wall beam & concrete. My daughter was almost hit as she was on the other side of the wall when the cars crashed through. We've always maintained that it was Toyota's fault as it was without question, a case of unintended acceleration--the car rapidly accelerated forward on its own, but Toyota insisted it was not the cause of their car. Toyota, at my cost and our insurance company, state farm, made all the repairs to the car--Toyota refused to take liability for involvement with the cause of the accident. So there we were, who could refute mighty Toyota'they were the premier car company & they made almost perfect cars. Obviously with their 2nd recall in a matter of months that image has now been somewhat dispelled. In speaking with Toyota today I was advised that my Corolla would not be included in their recall as I was advised that the pedal assembly in my car was manufactured in Japan by nipo-denso and not the pedal assembly involved with the so-called sticking gas pedal problem, as that assembly, was manufactured in the United States by cts. While I appreciate what Toyota stated about different assemblies, I can state unequivocally my car accelerated forward even though I was pressing the brake pedal the hold time while the car raced forward.no one incurs such damage pressing the brakes. I would ask for your review and comments

- San Diego, CA, USA