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2008 Toyota Corolla Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Corolla, most often about the air bags (44% of complaints, typically around 75,500 miles). It is 10th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2008 Toyota Corolla problems
Air bags
138 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While driving at 50 MPH, a preceding vehicle abruptly stopped and the contact crashed into the back of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained moderate injuries to her neck and shoulders. The vehicle sustained substantial front end damages. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, she crashed into a concrete pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head, shoulders and back. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for the body repair. The…
Speed control
54 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I was traveling less than 30 MPH and stopped at a stoplight. The moment the light turned green, my car stalled. The engine light and battery light went on. After I restarted, it drove all right for another 10 minutes. It stalled out again at another stoplight. Scared to go on the highway, I pulled into a hotel parking…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the cruise control, the cruise control button and arm separated from the base due to defective material. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where the cruise control switch and arm were replaced. The manufacture took a complaint…
Engine
53 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle was previously repaired for the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10v384000, engine and engine cooling. While driving approximately 65 MPH the check engine light began illuminating on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken directly to an authorized dealer…
My wife was pulling into a parking spot in front of a bagel shop and the car just lost control accelerating , not stopping until it crashed into a pillar. Causing extreme damage to the car.
Brakes
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Problems with the brakes were reported to the Toyota dealer in 12/08. They dismissed the complaint. In feb. 2009, the car brakes did not work and the car crashed into another vehicle. The police report clearly states that the brakes did not work. Vehicle was towed and taken to the Toyota dealer, again, the dealer…
Twice, upon severe braking from freeway speeds my 2008 Toyota Corolla experienced severe instability and wandered all over the highway. My Toyota dealer inspected the vehicle and determined the brakes were operating as designed, but blamed the instability on the lack of ABS or skid control on my vehicle. I think all…
Electrical
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
My 2008 4dr Toyota Corolla suddenly stalled while driving to work in the morning on october 7, 2009 without any early warning signs. Car was towed to the longo Toyota dealer in el monte, california. The diagnosis was ECM logic error. The ECM module was replaced under part number 89661-02r00.
It's Toyota Corolla 2008. The engine stalling happened 3 times since last friday. Once at toll station, twice at highway, when I tried reduce speed, the engine stalling. I have to turn on alert light, stop car, move to park position in the middle of highway. Then turn on the engine again. It's very danger at highway.
Transmission
13 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer for diagnosis and they both informed the contact that the transmission would need to be…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH when he encountered a set of railroad tracks. After driving twenty feet over the tracks, the vehicle would no longer shift into any selected gear and failed to respond to the contacts attempts to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to…
Steering
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
Soon after I purchased my 2008 Corolla, I noticed the car veers left and the wheel was a bit off, not centered. I took it in and asked them to check it,as well as the alignment. They told me it was fine and that the wheel just needed to be reset to its normal position. That was just under a year ago. I've since had…
Power steering problem with my 2008 Corolla. Steering was struck at one position and I had to tow my car to Toyota service center. They informed some kind of belt problem. But from that day I am not convinced.
Suspension
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. When driving the vehicle in reverse at any speed the contact noticed a loud sound coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated.the failure mileage was not available and the current…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH the check engine lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also advised him to contact the dealer since the failure was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Toyota Corolla recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
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 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are k1q and k0q. Pontiac owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Gm's number for this recall is n192273760.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 corolla, 2005-2008 corolla matrix, and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: The recall began on march 25, 2016 for toyota and lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on june 23, 2016 for gm owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15v-285.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 lexus sc vehicles manufactured august 3, 2007, to july 30, 2010, 2008 toyota corolla vehicles manufactured may 25, 2007, to december 21, 2007, 2008 toyota corolla matrix vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to december 18, 2007, and 2008 pontiac vibe vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to january 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitatin
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: The recall began on march 25, 2016 for toyota and lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on june 8, 2016 for gm owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15v-286.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 lexus sc vehicles manufactured august 3, 2007, to july 30, 2010, 2008 toyota corolla vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to december 21, 2007, 2008 toyota corolla matrix vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to december 18, 2007, and 2008 pontiac vibe vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to january 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan, american samoa, georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of september 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners that they will receive a future notification when parts become available to have the free remedy performed on their vehicle. The safety recall began on november 29, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
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 southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
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 capacity modification labels.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Low-speed surging
Summary
The agency received a petition on september 11, 2014 requesting an investigation into, low-speed surging in the 2006-2010 toyota corolla [vehicles] with etcs-I, in which the brakes fail to stop the vehicle in time to prevent a crash.NHTSA conducted a technical review of the material cited and provided by the petitioner, material toyota submitted in response to a NHTSA formal request, interviews with complainants and manufacturer representatives, as well as the results of testing of the complaint vehicle.taking into account the allocation of agency resources, agency priorities, and the likelihood that an additional investigation would result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle
Frontal air bag non-deployment
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation of model year (my) 2008 toyota corolla vehicles for the failure of the frontal air bags to deploy during an alleged serious crash. The petitioner alleges that the frontal air bags in their my 2008 corolla failed to deploy during a 55-MPH frontal impact with a large animal (a deer).the petitioner also filed a complaint with the agency (see odi 10327470 for further details of the incident and the petition submitted to the agency).odi has reviewed the petition, assessed consumer complaints on the my 2008 toyota corolla and similar vehicles, analyzed statistics derived from NHTSA's fatal
Engine stall
Summary
On august 26, 2010, toyota submitted a defect information report to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with engine control modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (my) 2005 through 2008 toyota corolla, corolla matrix and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between april 19, 2004 and january 2, 2008.toyota's report indicated that cracks may develop at certain solder point or on varistors on the ecms.according to toyota, such cracks generally resulted in engine warning lamp illumination, harsh shifting or engine no-start.in some cases, if the cracking occurs o
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Corolla
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Corolla?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (138 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles); speed control (54 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles); engine (53 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Toyota Corolla?
- It is 10th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints, with 314 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.