10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
45 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
27 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,465 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 #238

May 022009

Corolla

  • 1,300 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving approximately 55 mph. The vehicle began to sway from the left to the right. The failure occurred at any speed being traveled. Additionally, as the vehicle speed increased there was difficulty in steering. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure could not be reproduced. The current and failure mileages were 13,000.

- Stevenville, TX, USA

problem #237

Mar 012009

Corolla

  • 3,000 miles
I would like to file a complaint about the electronic power steering in my 2009 Toyota Corolla S. at highway speeds greater than 55 mph, there is an inherent inability in the steering system to completely control the vehicle. The car will suddenly veer to the left or the right with no input from the steering wheel, as if sudden gusts of wind were blowing the vehicle from side to side. Maintaining a straight line path at this speed is far more difficult and requires far more attention than any other vehicle I have ever driven. Without an immediate reaction to this unnatural feeling steering system, the vehicle is in danger of entering another lane or veering off the road. Although I have somewhat gotten used to the very peculiar handling of this model's eps and no longer feel it is dangerous to drive on the highway, I feel that a recall to improve the poorly tuned steering (at least on the S trim) is prudent and will reduce the number of highway accidents, injuries, and deaths.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #236

Feb 232010

Corolla

  • miles
Specifically at highway speeds, my 2009 Toyota Corolla will sometimes feel like it is encountering a very strong crosswind. It has happened a number of times since I owned the vehicle, but it is infrequent and so far has not caused much concern as far as safety. I have contacted Toyota by email for several weeks and I have not received a response. Additionally, when it does happen, it only lasts about 2-5 seconds and although it feels like a strong crosswind is blowing, there has been no wind. The tires are also in good shape and are routinely rotated and balanced. I do not know if this is a major issue or not, but a web search has found that others are having the same issue. I am very disturbed by that, and especially since Toyota has chosen not to respond to my complaints.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

problem #235

Feb 012010

Corolla

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving at speeds of 60 mph, the steering wheel exhibited minimal resistance, causing the front end of the vehicle to sway outside of the traveled lane without driver intent. The failure would occur intermittently. The dealer stated that there were no recalls on his vehicle pertaining to that type of failure. The contact also stated that he would often experience sudden surging of the vehicle engine upon removing his foot from the accelerator pedal and traveling at a steady speed on the freeway. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 52,000.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #234

Feb 162010

Corolla

  • miles
2009 Toyota Corolla has a power steering problem. It veers to left or right even this is not steered away from the lane. I have to continually correct the power steering so it will not steered away from the lane. Toyota dealer fixed the alignment but the problem still exists.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #233

Mar 072010

Corolla

  • 18,170 miles
I was driving in a parking lot on the main driveway leading out of parking lot. I was stuck by a truck in the rear passenger side. The other drivers truck struck my back wheel taking most of the impact. Wheel physically looks straight and does not show any wobble when watching it drive. No airbags deployed yet I could not steer or brake my vehicle. Almost as if everything froze when I was impacted. Vehicles power was still on but nothing worked after impact. I ended up crashing into shopping carts and curb after impact because I could not stop. This could have been a disaster if I was not in a parking lot. I would be dead if this was on a highway.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

problem #232

Jun 012009

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns 2009 Toyota Corolla. The driver stated that whenever he drove his vehicle over 55 mph he noticed that it would drift as if there was a strong wind blowing. The contact stated that the vehicle also performed as if there was too much lubrication in the steering column. The failure mileage was 31,000 and the current mileage is 38,000. Updated 04/13/10. The consumer stated the steering problem has become progressively worse. The dealer stated there was no fix for the problem, and they were waiting for a solution from Toyota. Updated 05/11/10. Updated 08/19/10

- Stow, OH, USA

problem #231

Jun 282009

Corolla

  • 20,000 miles
About three months after I bought my 2009 Corolla I noticed that the steering wasn't acting right during high speeds on the interstate, heavy wind, and rain. It pulls to the side sometimes and then other times feels like I have no control, in the past couple months it's started to make noise when I turn the wheel. I've been trying for over a year to get this settled with the dealership but they won't do anything and won't even do a service report at all, saying that it's fine. I was even in an accident that involved several other cars, but the severe damage could've been prevented if my steering hadn't of messed up on me. There have been numerous other incidences where my car's veered off the road and almost veered into another car, I was fortunate enough to not be involved in accidents those times - however, I have a 2 year old daughter and I can't take any chances.

- Atlantic Beach, FL, USA

problem #230

Mar 092010

Corolla

  • miles
The vehicle steering is very sensitive at highway speeds. Also when another vehicle passes the car the Corolla becomes very unstable and is difficult hold in the lane. The steering has been like this since new and the dealer says they can do nothing to fix it.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #229

Sep 012009

Corolla

  • 9,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. After the vehicle was started, the rpms rapidly increased and her foot was not on the accelerator or brake pedal. The failure recurred after she stopped at a traffic light. The dealer stated that whenever the engine was cold the rpms increase. Since the gas pedal was replaced the failure has not recurred. The steering has become difficult to control while making left and right turns. The failure mileage was 9,000 and the current mileage was 12,000.

- Helenwood, TN, USA

problem #228

Feb 042010

Corolla

  • miles
I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla. Within the first few weeks I noticed that the car did not track straight. It seemed to take constant correction to the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line. I took it to the dealer for alignment and they said they checked it and the alignment was fine. I also took it to an independent serviceman and they said it was fine also. It still is not right. I have gotten used to it a little. I am taking my car in to the dealer next week for the brake pedal recall and I will lodge a complaint with them at that time.

- Boardman, OH, USA

problem #227

Mar 072010

Corolla

  • 31,786 miles
On, March 7, 2010 around 6:30pm, going on the highway, without any warning. The 2009 Toyota Corolla model le, went totally out of control. I was on the far right lane, heading from toa baja to mayaguez on pr-22. Reaching arecibo, by highway mark (km 74.2) the car steering went totally to the left and in fractions of seconds my car invaded the left lane doing a 180 degree turn, had cars coming my way and just when I tough the other car was going to hit me. The steering on the car went completely the opposite direction and the car rolled again and I was going over the green area crazy fast. No control, spinning again over the grass area on the middle of the highway, heading right into the opposite side of the highway, cars coming at 65 mph or more. Then the car hit a street sign that changed the car trajectory and then came to a stop on the green area on the middle of the highway. The car ended all covered on grass, mud and impacted by the street sign that possibly prevented my car from invading the lanes on the opposite direction on the highway after the Toyota Corolla steered violently and uncontrollable seconds before. I have to say, this was an extreme situation that for who knows reason, all happened in a split second without warning and all the violent extreme movements happened without my car impacting other cars on the highway, but clearly I was very lucky. At the moment of the incident, a passenger was with me in the car and then can confirm has witness of the extreme car experience we endured.

- Toa Baja, PR, USA

problem #226

Mar 082010

(reported on)

Corolla

  • miles
2009 Toyota Corolla wandering steering

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #225

Nov 212009

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. Whenever the contact starts the vehicle he noticed that all brake warning lights and power steering light would appear on the dashboard, moments later the contact would loose all power steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to have serviced but the contact does not know what service was performed on the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 3000. Updated 4/26/10 the ABS light was was on. Updated 07/19/10

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #224

Mar 072010

Corolla

  • 15,000 miles
Car is wandering and difficult to keep straight on the road at highway speeds. It feels like the wind is blowing it side to side even when there is no wind. This is a persistent problem and makes driving the car tiring and difficult.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #223

Mar 022010

Corolla

  • miles
Car does not steer straight of freeways needs constant attention or else goes into next lane.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #222

Feb 212010

Corolla

  • 9,000 miles
I have 2009 Toyota Corolla when driving hwy speed (55mph) up, the car is hard to stay in the straight lane and I had to constantly adjust steering to keep it in the safe situation - please help!

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #221

Mar 052010

Corolla

  • 33,000 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I have a Toyota Corolla 2009, I have reported to North town Toyota in buffalo New York of my car having a steering problem. When driving the car it is constantly fighting your steering. It almost feels like where the rack meets the pinion, that they bounce and separate causing it to not steer properly. The Toyota dealership says that Toyota is not going to fix problems with the steering yet, of course it is our only vehicle, and we have no choice but to drive it. This is very frustrating. They have addressed the peddle recall, as well as repaired a failed left rear ABS speed sensor, and bearing, but when I asked that they do both right and left at the same time they refused, now my vehicle is out of warranty, and will have to pay for it when it fails. I am not an uneducated person I have a mechanical degree, and have worked in several industrial plants dealing in industrial maintenance, it is standard practice, that when a bearing fails, and there are more than one in the same area, you replace them all at the same time, just like when one cv boot fails on the searing column they always replace them in pairs, as well as brake pads, drums and rotors. [xxx]

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #220

Dec 242009

Corolla

  • miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 1. steering wanders both ways once the car picks up speed, about 100 kmh 2. apparently it occurs once my cellphone is on or proximity to the steering 3. serviced at Toyota, they said there are no problems with the steering frame no.: [xxx]

- Port Of Spain, 00, USA

problem #219

Mar 022010

Corolla

  • 2,600 miles
My 2009 Toyota Corolla sways from one side of lane to the other and oscillates up and down. This started first week of March. Dealer checked and says many Corollas of same year are doing it. My driver daughter is a new driver, car feels unsafe to me (experience 30+ years driver).

- Weston, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »