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2009 Toyota Corolla Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 1,459 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Corolla, most often about the air bags (38% of complaints, typically around 80,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Corolla model year since 2000 and has 13 recalls.

Complaints1,459
Recalls13
Crashes reported186
Fires reported12
Injuries reported1102 deaths reported

Most common 2009 Toyota Corolla problems

  1. Air bags

    552 complaints · 38%

    Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    I have had several problems with my 2009 Corolla since I purchased it. Several of the recalled safety items occurred before they were even recalled by Toyota. I'm still waiting to hear from Toyota (more than 2 months have passed) concerning results from the blackbox for an acceleration incident. During 7/2011, I had…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 80,500 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 79,000 miles

  2. Steering

    382 complaints · 26%

    Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, linkages, rack and pinion.

    I noticed again today that while I was driving on the freeway, the steering wheel pulled to the right out of nowhere. I got so scared. This is dangerous for a 2009 Toyota Corolla type s. What can I do?
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 9,700 miles
    We have taken in our Corolla (purchased in january 09) to the dealer twice for the electronic power steering (eps) problem. The car is very difficult to drive on the highways. It refused to keep a straight line and we constantly have to over correct to keep a straight line on a flat road (driving on ice or in high…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 10,000 miles

  3. Speed control

    197 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.

    2009 Toyota Corolla - floor mat (purchased at pepboys) got stuck on the acceleration pedal at maximum speed. The consumer also stated the gas lever inside the vehicle would not open the gas lid.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 20,000 miles
    Cruise control throws you back in your seat as soon as it kicks in going up a small incline. We've never had a cruise control that throws you violently back in your seat. It only happens when the cruise control is on - we feel it is an electronic problem. The Toyota dealer says they haven't had any complaints; we…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 20,000 miles

  4. Engine

    133 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the battery and check engine warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump pulley as fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 55,000 miles
    At approximately 11:00 a.m. On a beautiful sunny day, I was driving on the pa turnpike at the speed of 65 MPH when the power steering in my 2009 Toyota Corolla failed. My car unintentionally veered left and right as if I was encountering hurricane-like strong wind gusts. The car bounced back and forth for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 54,000 miles

  5. Brakes

    106 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, antilock.

    I am extremely upset because my brakes failed for a brief (but scary) time tonight on my way home from work. They also made a very strange noise. I have 24,000 miles on the car, almost all highway. Please call asap.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 24,000 miles
    Please I need somebody to help me with my case with Toyota. I had an accident back to july in my Toyota Corolla 2009. I hit someone house with my Toyota because (accelerator and pedal were stuck and I lost the control of the car. I didn't know what went wrong not only I'm a woman and I don't know anything about…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 24,000 miles

  6. Electrical

    89 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, horn, alternator/generator/regulator.

    Loss of steering at a right bend in the street, think the power went out to the electronic power assist, car went straight into a sign pole with a large cement base, major damage to front end, airbag didn't deploy, seat belt didn't work and there was no power at all to the car even though the battery was not damaged.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 55,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic diagnosed that the sensor on the passenger's side rear, and the power assist vacuum system needed to be replaced. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 52,800 miles

  7. Transmission

    45 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.

    I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla xrs and living in northern canada. During extreme temperatures in the -30 and above while driving at 50 km/hr or higher clutch pedal will stiffen to the point that at sometimes it will hesitate to return to position and will pop back and clutch not engaging right away causing slippage at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 42,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The dealer was contacted and an appointment for repairs was secured. The contact referenced a technical service bulletin for the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 47,150 miles

  8. Body and structure

    42 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    My trunk even when properly raised in full does not stay up reliably. I had this problem for as long as I have had the car but in the past year I received a notice from Toyota that if I had a problem, they would do something to correct it. I brought it to the dealer and they assessed the car, decide it did qualify for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 58,000 miles
    At approximately 11:00 a.m. On a beautiful sunny day, I was driving on the pa turnpike at the speed of 65 MPH when the power steering in my 2009 Toyota Corolla failed. My car unintentionally veered left and right as if I was encountering hurricane-like strong wind gusts. The car bounced back and forth for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 54,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2009 Toyota Corolla recalls

  1. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 19V741000 · October 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

    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.

  2. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 18V024000 · January 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles

    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 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 replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on january 29, 2018. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "zone a" toyota: g0p, lexus: glg; "zone b" toyota: g0r, lexus glh; "zone c" toyota: h0a, and lexus: hla.

    Full defect summary

    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, ms, sc, tx, pr, as, gu, the mp (saipan), and the u.s. Vi or "zone a." toyota is also recalling certain 2010 scion xb, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, 4runner, lexus is250, is350, is250c, is350c, es350, is-f, gx460, and pontiac vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of az, ar, de, dc, il, in, ks, ky, md, mo, ne, nv, nj, nm, nc, oh, ok, pa, tn, va, and wv or "zone b." toyota is also recalling certain 2009 scion xb, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, lexus is250, is350, es350, is-f, and pontiac vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of ak, co, ct, id, ia, me, ma, mi, mn, mt, nh, ny, nd, or, ri, sd, ut, vt, w

  3. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 17V006000 · January 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2017. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), h0a (toyota zone c), glg (lexus zone a), glh (lexus zone b) and hla (lexus zone c).

    Full defect summary

    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, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain 2009 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, yaris hb, scion xb, pontiac vibe, lexus, es350, is250, is350, and is-f vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsy

  4. Seats: seat heater/cooler

    NHTSA 16V396000 · June 2, 2016 · 7,749 vehicles

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    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 set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.

    Full defect summary

    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 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

  5. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 16V340000 · May 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 vehicles

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 assembly, free of charge. The recall began on december 6, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are g1p (toyota zone a), g1r (toyota zone b), g2g (lexus zone a), and g2h (lexus zone b). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), glg (lexus zone a), and glh (le

    Full defect summary

    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, lexus is350c and lexus gx460, 2011 sienna, 2007-2011 lexus es350, and 2009-2010 pontiac vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 scion xb and lexus is f, 2007-2008 toyota yaris, 2006-2008 lexus is250 and lexus is350 and 2007-2008 lexus es350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, distric

  6. Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls

    NHTSA 15V689000 · October 22, 2015 · 1,814,284 vehicles

    Risk: 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 risk of a fire.

    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 recall is expected to begin december 20, 2015. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is c0m.

    Full defect summary

    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 yaris, and 2009-2010 scion xd and pontiac vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the power window master switch (pwms), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

  7. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 14V168000 · April 9, 2014 · 1,486,413 vehicles

    Risk: 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 necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

    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. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General motors sent pontiac vibe owners an interim letter on june 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General motors sent notices to the pontiac vibe owners on september 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on october 27, 2014. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may con

    Full defect summary

    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 connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a flexible flat cable (ffc). Due to the shape and location of the ffc's retainer, the ffc could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

  8. Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls

    NHTSA 12V491000 · October 10, 2012 · 2,519,424 vehicles

    Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

    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 that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their toyota dealer or the toyota customer experience center at 1-800-331-4331. General motors will contact the pontiac vibe owners affected by this recall and gm dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact pontiac customer care at 1-800-762-2737.

    Full defect summary

    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 these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

  9. Equipment: labels

    NHTSA 10V035000 · February 3, 2010 · 271,417 vehicles

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    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 recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

    Full defect summary

    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 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

  10. Equipment: labels

    NHTSA 10V036000 · February 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles

    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.

  11. Speed control: accelerator pedal

    NHTSA 10V023000 · January 27, 2010 · 1,126,915 vehicles

    Risk: 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.

    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 appropriate. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to the dealers for the repair. Customers who have had the pedal reshape remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire, after replacement pedals become availabl

    Full defect summary

    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 floor mat. This recall is an expansion of a campaign of 3.8 million other toyota vehicles announced in 2009 for the same issue (see 09v-388).

  12. Speed control: accelerator pedal

    NHTSA 10V017000 · January 21, 2010 · 2,230,661 vehicles

    Risk: 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.

    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 performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

    Full defect summary

    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 which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.

  13. Brakes: vacuum

    NHTSA 09V338000 · August 27, 2009 · 95,705 vehicles

    Risk: This could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance and a crash could occur.

    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. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

    Full defect summary

    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, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. When driving under certain unique conditions in extremely low ambient temperatures, the intake manifold suction port for the brake vacuum can become blocked due to the freezing of condensation resulting from positive crankcase ventilation.

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

Questions about the 2009 Toyota Corolla

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (552 complaints, typically around 80,500 miles); steering (382 complaints, typically around 9,500 miles); speed control (197 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have?
13 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 2009 a bad year for the Toyota Corolla?
It is the most complained-about Corolla model year since 2000, with 1,459 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.

Other Toyota Corolla years

Toyota Corolla problems by year