Toyota Corolla 2009–2013 problems by year and mileage
10th generation · E140/E150
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,934 complaints, 2,053 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2009 Toyota Corolla
Close- Median failure report
- 23,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,459
- Recalls naming this year
- 13
Most reported on the 2009
- Airbag system552 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Steering382 reports · median 9,500 mi
- Throttle and speed control197 reports · median 20,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Seats — front assembly · Visibility — power window devices and controls
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Toyota Corolla
Close- Median failure report
- 6,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,244
- Recalls naming this year
- 17
Most reported on the 2010
- Airbag system424 reports · median 62,000 mi
- Steering371 reports · median 1,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control198 reports · median 6,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Seats — front assembly · Visibility — power window devices and controls
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Toyota Corolla
Close- Median failure report
- 31,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 584
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2011
- Airbag system418 reports · median 57,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control46 reports · median 10,000 mi
- Steering43 reports · median 2,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — air bag/restraint control module · Air bags — frontal · Visibility — power window devices and controls
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Toyota Corolla
Close- Median failure report
- 37,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 446
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2012
- Airbag system370 reports · median 45,000 mi
- Steering18 reports
- Throttle and speed control16 reports
Recall areas Air bags — air bag/restraint control module · Air bags — frontal · Seats
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Toyota Corolla
Close- Median failure report
- 26,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 201
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2013
- Airbag system72 reports · median 38,000 mi
- Steering39 reports · median 3,000 mi
- Brakes23 reports
Recall areas Air bags — air bag/restraint control module · Air bags — frontal · Seats
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2012; earliest: the 2010, and the 2010 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2009–2013 Toyota Corolla reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 18,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 100,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,053
- Recalls
- 20
Most reported
- Airbag system46.7% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
- Steering21.7% of complaints · median 3,500 mi
- Throttle and speed control12.1% of complaints · median 13,000 mi
Documented problems
- Accelerator/Unintended Acceleration2009–2010
- Steering2009–2010
- Engine2009–2010
Owners filed 3,934 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2013 Toyota Corolla; the airbag system leads with 46.7% of them, and half of the 2,053 that record an odometer reading came by 18,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
43% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 11.2 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2009–2013 Toyota Corolla last?
On the 2009–2013 Toyota Corolla, half of the 2,053 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 18,000 miles and 90% by 100,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
63 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 17 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Corolla reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota Corolla 2009–2013 · 2,053 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 633 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 43% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 17 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 100
- 25%
- 2,500
- Median
- 18,000
- 75%
- 59,000
- 90%
- 100,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 633 | 30.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 198 | 9.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 116 | 5.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 96 | 4.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 85 | 4.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 58 | 2.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 72 | 3.5% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 65 | 3.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 74 | 3.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 48 | 2.3% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 53 | 2.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 43 | 2.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 50 | 2.4% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 35 | 1.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 44 | 2.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 43 | 2.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 39 | 1.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 42 | 2.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 34 | 1.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 18 | 0.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 20 | 1.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 26 | 1.3% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 16 | 0.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 14 | 0.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 17 | 0.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 10 | 0.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 13 | 0.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 11 | 0.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 15 | 0.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 17 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Corolla problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota Corolla 2009–2013
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering853 reportsmedian 3,500middle half 150–23,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit176 reportsmedian 5,000middle half 1,000–14,000
- Throttle and speed control475 reportsmedian 13,000middle half 4,000–37,000
- Transmission and driveline129 reportsmedian 32,000middle half 4,500–73,000
- Airbag system1,836 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 30,000–90,000
- Engine163 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 28,000–90,000
- Electrical system206 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 16,000–89,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 1,836 | 46.7% | 60,000 | 30,000–90,000 |
| Steering | 853 | 21.7% | 3,500 | 150–23,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 475 | 12.1% | 13,000 | 4,000–37,000 |
| Electrical system | 206 | 5.2% | 61,000 | 16,000–89,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 176 | 4.5% | 5,000 | 1,000–14,000 |
| Engine | 163 | 4.1% | 60,000 | 28,000–90,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 129 | 3.3% | 32,000 | 4,500–73,000 |
| Brakes | 127 | 3.2% | 47,000 | 25,000–78,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 119 | 3.0% | 45,000 | 16,000–87,000 |
| Body structure | 116 | 2.9% | 34,000 | 9,500–60,000 |
Known problems with the 2009–2013 Corolla
Accelerator/Unintended Acceleration 2009–2010
Covered by Toyota's 2009-2010 unintended-acceleration recalls: floor mat pedal entrapment and, separately, CTS-supplied accelerator pedal assemblies that could stick or return slowly due to friction-lever wear.
Steering 2009–2010
Electric power steering complaints of wandering, loose on-center feel and darting, subject of NHTSA investigation PE11-016 and Toyota service action on the EPS ECU calibration.
Engine 2009–2010
2.4L 2AZ-FE oil consumption from piston ring design on the XRS trim (the same mechanism documented on the Camry/RAV4 2AZ-FE); Toyota ran a warranty enhancement program.
Before you buy a 2009–2013 Corolla: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,053 mileage-tagged complaints, 20 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 20 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for steering repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 3,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for hydraulic brake circuit repair records. Same question here: a median of 5,000 miles.
- Check Accelerator/Unintended acceleration on 2009–2010 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check steering on 2009–2010 cars.
- Check engine on 2009–2010 XRS cars.
- Years differ here: from 201 to 1,459 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Corolla problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi75% below | At 90k mi87% below | At 120k mi94% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 30,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 150–23,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 4,000–37,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 16,000–89,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 1,000–14,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 28,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 4,500–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota Corolla 2009–2013 · 2,053 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2009–2013 Toyota Corolla recalls (20)
NHTSA records 20 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), equipment (4), seats (3) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 2020 · 2011–2013 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of…
Oct 2019 · 2009–2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may…
Jan 2018 · 2009–2010, 2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or…
Jan 2017 · 2009, 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air…
Jun 2016 · 2009–2010 · SeatsIf damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011…
What can happen. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact…
May 2016 · 2009–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag…
Oct 2015 · 2009–2011 · VisibilityIf the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the…
The defect. Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010…
What can happen. If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the…
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The…
Nov 2014 · 2010–2011 · SeatsDamage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4…
What can happen. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected…
Apr 2014 · 2009–2010 · Air BagsIf the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical…
What can happen. If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically…
The free fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.…
Apr 2013 · 2010–2011 · EquipmentAn inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 RAV4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ…
What can happen. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property…
The free fix. Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still…
Jan 2013 · 2010–2013 · SeatsIf the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and…
What can happen. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This…
The free fix. Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact…
Oct 2012 · 2009 · VisibilityIf the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of…
What can happen. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
The free fix. Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners…
Nov 2011 · 2010–2011 · StructureA damaged a-pillar trim panel retention clip may allow the trim panel to come loose and injure an occupant in…
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Corolla vehicles equipped with a non-Toyota, blue tooth hands free device or navigation unit and certain model year 2011 Toyota sienna vehicles equipped with a non-Toyota, overhead entertainment…
What can happen. A damaged a-pillar trim panel retention clip may allow the trim panel to come loose and injure an occupant in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the a-pillar trim panel retention clip and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 30, 2011. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at…
Feb 2010 · 2009–2010 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying…
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact…
Feb 2010 · 2009–2010 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008…
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…
Jan 2010 · 2009–2010 · Vehicle Speed ControlA stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's…
What can happen. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed…
Jan 2010 · 2009–2010 · Vehicle Speed ControlThe accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, Corolla matrix, RAV4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in…
What can happen. The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the Pontiac vibe please see 10v-018. This service will be…
Aug 2009 · 2009–2010 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance and a crash could occur.
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 scion xd and my 2009-2010 Corolla, and Corolla matrix vehicles equipped with 1.8L engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine…
What can happen. This could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance and a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will install a newly designed intake air connector which will relocate the brake system vacuum port. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on september 21, 2009.…
Aug 2009 · 2010 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Corolla vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The air bag label installed on the driver side sun visor can separate from…
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the label and exchange the driver's side sun visor free of charge. The recall began on september 3, 2009. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,934 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 462 (11.7%)
- Fires
- 26
- Injury reports
- 253
- Fatality reports
- 2
Corolla problems by model year
The 2009 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,459, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2013 the fewest, 201. A typical year drew about 584.
That makes the 2009 stand out at roughly 2.5 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,459 | 838 | 23,000 | Airbag system (552) | 13 |
| 2010 | 1,244 | 768 | 6,000 | Airbag system (424) | 17 |
| 2011 | 584 | 194 | 31,000 | Airbag system (418) | 9 |
| 2012 | 446 | 115 | 37,000 | Airbag system (370) | 5 |
| 2013 | 201 | 138 | 26,000 | Airbag system (72) | 5 |
What Corolla owners reported
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle kept rolling forward, and the contact was forced to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact associated the…
2010 · 139,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated despite the brakes being applied, causing the driver to crash into a parked vehicle. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployments, or…
2010 · 53,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owned a 2011 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while he was driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle that was speeding caused a multiple vehicle collision. During the collision, the contact was in the middle lane when the speeding vehicle crashed into a vehicle in the left lane, and that vehicle merged…
2011 · 124,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while parking in a post office parking lot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration, crashed into a tree, and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated before or after the crash. There was no…
2012 · 57,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
Built from 2,053 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Corolla generations
- Corolla 1998–2002 316 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Corolla 2003–2008 2,088 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Corolla 2014–2019 688 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Corolla 2020–2025 139 reports with mileage, most about the engine