2008 Toyota Corolla Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Corolla, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags13837.3%
- Driver assistance5815.7%
- Engine5314.3%
- Brakes267.0%
- Electrical215.7%
- Steering123.2%
- Powertrain (other)102.7%
- Suspension102.7%
- Other / unspecified92.4%
- Fuel system92.4%
- Visibility71.9%
- Body & structure61.6%
- Seat belts51.4%
- Transmission30.8%
- Tires & wheels20.5%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The airbag indicator red light has turned on without any collision or accident.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the driver was idling in an intersection and making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle causing it to turn 180 degrees during the impact. The air bags did not deploy. The bumper detached during the crash. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the driver sustained a fractured wrist and whiplash that required medical attention via the hospital. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE TO BE REIMBURSED. *JS
THE CAR I HAVE REFERENCED HAD A RECALL FOR THE ECM UNIT IN 2011. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED (6/29/2011) FOR CAR NOT STARTING OR STOPPING AND SHUTTING OFF. SOLDERING BAD CAUSING CRACKS IN BOARD. ON 10/3/2011 THE CAR HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES TURN OVER BUT NOT START, THEN 30 MIN OR SO THE CARD WOULD START. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN IN MY CAR OVER NIGHT. I STOPPED AT A STORE, TURN OFF THE CAR WENT INSIDE FOR 10 MIN. THIS WAS AROUND 6:00 PM CAME BACK OUT CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AROUND 8:15 AM. I SLEPT IN MY CAR SO I DID NOT HAVE TO LEAVE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR IN A PARKING LOT! EVERYONE SEEMS TO IGNORE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE. THIS IS REPETITIVE FOR THIS CAR. YOU ALREADY HAVE A A COMPLAINT FROM A PERSON DATED 2010 WHERE HIS ECM HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO TO THREE TIMES AND HE IS STILL UNHAPPY. AT LEAST MY CAR HAS GONE A LITTLE LONGER THAN HIS HAD. I DO NOT HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO PAY FOR CONTINUING TO FIGHT WHAT IS ALREADY IN BLACK AND WHITE AT TOYOTA. HELP ME GET THIS CAR FIXED AT THEIR COST. IF THIS WAS NOT A REPEATING ISSUE, I WOULD GLADLY PAY FOR IT, BUT IT IS REPETITIVE!!!!!! THIS IS AN ON GOING THING AND STARTED ABOUT A U=YEAR AGO. MY CASE NUMBER WITH TOYOTA USA IS: 1709051915 WHERE I TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT THIS AT THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER. THEY SAY ONCE A RECALL IS COMPLETE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS HIGHLIGHTED ON THE ATTACHMENT DATED 10/3/2011
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Engine light stays on
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAITED A MINUTE AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BRAKE HAD DIFFICULTY. I HAD A BAD ACCIDENT AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA TO WITHER REPAIR MY CAR OR SETUP RENTAL OR MAKE A PAYMENT FOR RENTAL. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL REPAIRED, THEREFORE RENTING FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CORROLA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V127000 (AIR BAGS), THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,110.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Engine light stays on
I HAVE HAD FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BRAKE HAD DIFFICULTY. I HAD A BAD ACCIDENT AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA TO WITHER REPAIR MY CAR OR SETUP RENTAL OR MAKE A PAYMENT FOR RENTAL. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL REPAIRED, THEREFORE RENTING FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING COLUMN DAMAGED AIRBAG WIRING, CAUSING SRS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE DURING NORMAL DRIVING.
I FOUND OUT THE CAR I PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES BEAKS AND ALIGNMENT. THE CAR HAD WRONG SIZE TIRES , THE BREAKS WERE UNEVEN ALSO WHEN I WOULD DRIVE OVER A PUDDLE IT WOULD SHAKE. I SPEND MONEY ON GETTING NEW TIRES PAYING FOR ALIGNMENT AND THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES, I FOUND THE AXLE AND POWER STEERING RACK WITH PART PROBLEMS. THAT NEED FIXING ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED AND THE WHEEL HUB HAS BROKEN ITS BOLTS I THINK ITS A FAULTY MANUFACTURE ISSUE. THE TMPS HAS ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTING UP ON THE DASH BOARD AND NOT TURNING OFF TMPS I THINK IS THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE WHEELS.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN IS REVED UP AT 2000RPM. WHEN DRIVING 40MPH & UP OR FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR THE RPMS REVE UP TO 3000RPM BEFORE SHIFTING. CAR ALSO FEELS LIKE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, LAGS WHEN TAKING A TURN AND PRESSING GAS AT SAME TIME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW CAME ON P0741. FEELS LIKE PUSHING THE MAX WHEN TRYING TO GET FAST SPEEDS. ALSO FEELS LIKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN HIGH GEAR AND RMPS ARE HIGH. WHEN STOPPED AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE TRANSMISSION STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO GO FORWARD. AS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SURGES LOSES POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE THE TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSING THESE ISSUES. THIS IS ALSO THE SAME ISSUE WE HAVE WITH OUR 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA, SAME CODE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE IN COROLLA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
I PURCHASED MY CAR AS THE FIRST OWNER IN 2008 PAID CASH. WITHIN A FEW YEARS AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE. I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF WHICH WAS STILL VALID AND BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS EXACTLY WRONG - MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER NO REPLACE AND I WAS CHARGED OVER $1500. I TOOK THIS TO BUERU OF AUTOMOTIVE AND THEY RULED IN MY FAVOR SO NOW I WILL BE SUING YOUR COMPANY FOR MONIES OWED ON TOP OF OTHER THINGS DUE TO THE COMPANY NOT BEING WILLING TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR FIXING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL DRIVER OF TOYOTA VEHICLES FOREVER AND A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NEVER GO OUT IN FIRST 5 YEARS - MY CAR IS STILL ON THE ROAD BUT DOES NOT GO BACKWARD - SO THERE IS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS MODEL AMONGST OTHER THINGS. THE DEALERSHIP MANAGE TO BREAK MY HOOD AND THE STICK OF WHICH YOU PUT YOUR CAR INTO DRIVE WITH. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS JUST CLOVIS TOYOTA OR WHAT - BUT I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED AS TO YOU HOW YOUR COMPANY HAS HANDLED MY SITUATION. NOT ONLY HAS YOUR COMPANY ROBBED MY FAMILY OF A CHRISTMAS, HARD EARNED MONEY AS A SINGLE PARENT BUT ALSO PUT US IN DANGER. MY AIR BAGS ARE BAD AS WELL AND I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN WAY BACK WHEN- IT SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. RIDICULOUS. MY CAR IS JUST A MESS AND UNFORTUNATELY - I LOVE MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN MOST FAITHFUL AND GOD IS GOOD TO ME AND MY FAMILY - BUT YOUR COMPANY HAS NOT! *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I FOUND OUT THE CAR I PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES BEAKS AND ALIGNMENT. THE CAR HAD WRONG SIZE TIRES , THE BREAKS WERE UNEVEN ALSO WHEN I WOULD DRIVE OVER A PUDDLE IT WOULD SHAKE. I SPEND MONEY ON GETTING NEW TIRES PAYING FOR ALIGNMENT AND THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES, I FOUND THE AXLE AND POWER STEERING RACK WITH PART PROBLEMS. THAT NEED FIXING ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED AND THE WHEEL HUB HAS BROKEN ITS BOLTS I THINK ITS A FAULTY MANUFACTURE ISSUE. THE TMPS HAS ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTING UP ON THE DASH BOARD AND NOT TURNING OFF TMPS I THINK IS THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE WHEELS.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED VIOLENTLY TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY; HOWEVER, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO BE POSITIONED OUTWARDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V127000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTIPLE TIMES MY CAR HAS SLID ON THE PAVEMENT UPON AN ABRUPT STOP. DEER IN MY TRAVEL ROUTES ARE ABUNDANT. BUT ON JUNE 2, 2020 I HEARD A NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING. IT APPEARED TO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE CAR. THE TIRE HAVING OVER HALF IT'S TREAD THREW A BELT OR HAD A HUGE BULGE IN THE TIRE. IT WENT FROM A NOISE TO A LOAD GRUMBLING SOUND AND A LOT OF VIBRATION VERY QUICKLY. THE SLIDING WAS ONGOING AND I ASSUMED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SMALL AND LIGHT BUT NEVER HAD THIS SLIDING EFFECT FROM MULTIPLE OTHER SMALL CARES I'VE OWNED. THEN THE TIRE BULGE. I RESEARCHED THE TIRE AND IT APPEARS COOPER TIRE HAS MAJOR ISSUES WITH THEIR TIRES BUT THIS TIRE SIZE I DID NOT SEE AS A RECALL. (MST P185/65R15 MC STRATEGY BW 88T(N)) IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OR FLIPPED THE CAR AT A FAST SPEED. SPEED LIMIT WAS 45MPH WHERE THE TIRE SEPARATION HAPPENED. I'M NOW SCARED TO DEATH TO EVEN THINK OF USING A COOPER TIRE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT AS A NOVICE DRIVER THIS WOULD CAUSE MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. FORTUNATELY I HAVE DRIVEN PROFESSIONALLY FOR MULTIPLE YEARS AND KNOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXTRA 20 FEET OR MORE SKID THAT IS NOT PREVENTABLE WITH THESE TIRES WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY. THE TIRE WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED JULY 2, 2012 WITH 23126 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NOW MILES ARE 46184. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURE AND TIRES PURCHASE RECEIPT IF NEEDED. *TR
PURCHASE A SET OF PIRELLI P4 TIRES DOT XL 886A 3017 195/65R15 SIX MONTHS AGO AND KEPT GOING BACK TO FIX THE TIRE. IT KEPT LOOSING AIR AND GOING FLAT. SO AFTER THE SIX MONTHS PAST I HAD A BLOW OUT OF THE SAME TIRE THAT WAS GOING FLAT. AND IT ALMOST KILL ME.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The plastic fuel tank has a heat shield below it that keeps the fuel tank from getting too hot, and from debris hitting it. There is a strap that goes around the fuel tank. The heat shield has this plastic piece that holds on to the strap. On my car, this plastic piece snapped off and the heat shield was rattling loose against the exhaust pipe and exposing the fuel tank. I took my car to a Toyota dealer (Glen Mills, PA) and was told the only way to fix that plastic piece is to replace the whole heat shield and fuel tank strap. Even though this was due to their defective piece. I was told it would be $950 for this repair. I was forced to deny the repair due to the obscene price tag and took it to a dealer for a temporary fix until Toyota can be reasonable with their price. Upon further research, this plastic piece is known to break off on this type of car frequently. After watching many videos and going through many forums of people having the same issue, it seems Toyota is known for charging an outrageous price for this. To me, it appears they know this piece is defective and will be recalled at some point, and are trying to make money off of unsuspecting people. I would appreciate this being investigated further.
I SMELL GAS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR CUTS OUT THEN ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO A LOW GEAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. SO FAR NOTHING MAJOR HAS HAPPENED BUT WHO KNOWS WHEN IT COULD CHANGE. THIS STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO. WE HAD IT CHECKED AND IT SHOWED 5 CODES WHICH INDICATED THE CHARCOAL FUEL FILTER CANISTER WAS BAD. WE WAS TOLD THE COST OF THE PART WOULD BE $300.00 AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH IT AND HAVE REPLACED A LOT IF THEM AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE WHICH IS BETWEEN $300-$500 WITH LABOR COST. TOYOTA HAD RECALLED THIS PART UP TO 2006 BUT NOT BEYOND. WE HAVE CHECKED INTO THIS AND THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP AND HAVE A CASE # 1405291178. WE CONTACTED THEM TODAY AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TO JUST LIVE WITH IT. WE FEEL THIS ISN'T RIGHT. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS AND ON A FIXED INCOME. WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THIS PART BUT WE CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE. WE ARE VERY UPSET THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR VEHICLES.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WINDOW HAS BROKEN. THE BREAK IS IN THE GLASS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN HOW THE POWER WINDOW LIFT TRACK ATTACHES TO THE GLASS. THE WINDOW IS DESIGNED WITH TABS THAT FIT INTO THE LIFT MECHANISM. EACH TIME THE WINDOW BREAKS, IT IS THE TAB THAT IS SNAPPING OFF ON ONE SIDE OF THE WINDOW. THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW TO NOT BE OPERATIONAL. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO LOWER THE WINDOW, SINCE IT'S NOT SUPPORTED FULLY BY THE TRACK, IT WILL ANGLE OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IF YOU CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE OPEN FUNCTION IT WOULD SNAP THE WINDOW. TOYOTA REIMBURSED ME FOR THE 1ST OCCURRENCE AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW WINDOW. NOW IT'S HAPPENED A 2ND TIME. IT WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE NEEDING TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY IF THE WINDOW CAN NOT BE ROLLED DOWN. THE WINDOW HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 45 DEGREES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE 2ND TIME.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER REAR SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN 2008 WHERE A BROKEN SEAL IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,678 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,554.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am the original owner of my car since the end of 2007. For some strange reason, my car just suddenly started to show large signs of rust on the roof. This is apparently a very common issue with the similar timeframe of model years. This is a manufacturing defect from the beginning as Toyota did not properly paint the car properly.
MY DAUGHTER HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. OUR 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA S STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON ITS FRONT LEFT FENDER. OUR 2008 COROLLA SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE BUMPER, DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, BOTH FENDERS, RADIATOR, ETC. THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR WAS RIPPED OFF THE CHASSIS. DURING THE IMPACT, THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED, HOWEVER, THE FRONT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!! THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO EAST COAST TOYOTA, RT. 17, WOOD-RIDGE, NJ WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON FEB. 22, 2011 AS A "CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE." WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FAULTY AIR BAGS & THAT THEY DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH OF 30 MPH. THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP & GM OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION & TO HAVE A TOYOTA CORP. REP. LOOK AT THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHY THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO TELL US THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD ONLY DEPLOY DURING A FRONT IMPACT, BUT THE CAR DID IN FACT SUSTAIN HEAVY DAMAGES DO TO THE IMPACT BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT THE STEEL STABILIZER BAR WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF. THAT ALONE SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE NUMEROUS DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT END, MOTOR, RADIATOR & OTHER PARTS. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER, MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER & TOYOTA TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT WORK AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEATBELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN UP INITIALLY DURING A WRECK CAUSING MORE EXTENSIVE INJURY. THEN TIGHTENED UP SNATCHING PASSENGER INTO SEAT FROM MIDAIR CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS HIT BY A CAR WHO RAN A LEFT TURN ARROW ON A CITY STREET. WRECK WAS UNDER 50MPH BUT PASSENGER HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DUE TO SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. .
I PURCHASED MY CAR AS THE FIRST OWNER IN 2008 PAID CASH. WITHIN A FEW YEARS AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE. I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF WHICH WAS STILL VALID AND BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS EXACTLY WRONG - MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER NO REPLACE AND I WAS CHARGED OVER $1500. I TOOK THIS TO BUERU OF AUTOMOTIVE AND THEY RULED IN MY FAVOR SO NOW I WILL BE SUING YOUR COMPANY FOR MONIES OWED ON TOP OF OTHER THINGS DUE TO THE COMPANY NOT BEING WILLING TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR FIXING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL DRIVER OF TOYOTA VEHICLES FOREVER AND A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NEVER GO OUT IN FIRST 5 YEARS - MY CAR IS STILL ON THE ROAD BUT DOES NOT GO BACKWARD - SO THERE IS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS MODEL AMONGST OTHER THINGS. THE DEALERSHIP MANAGE TO BREAK MY HOOD AND THE STICK OF WHICH YOU PUT YOUR CAR INTO DRIVE WITH. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS JUST CLOVIS TOYOTA OR WHAT - BUT I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED AS TO YOU HOW YOUR COMPANY HAS HANDLED MY SITUATION. NOT ONLY HAS YOUR COMPANY ROBBED MY FAMILY OF A CHRISTMAS, HARD EARNED MONEY AS A SINGLE PARENT BUT ALSO PUT US IN DANGER. MY AIR BAGS ARE BAD AS WELL AND I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN WAY BACK WHEN- IT SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. RIDICULOUS. MY CAR IS JUST A MESS AND UNFORTUNATELY - I LOVE MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN MOST FAITHFUL AND GOD IS GOOD TO ME AND MY FAMILY - BUT YOUR COMPANY HAS NOT! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* 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 THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
TL*THE 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 MILEAGE WAS 31000. UPDATED 06/17/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASE A SET OF PIRELLI P4 TIRES DOT XL 886A 3017 195/65R15 SIX MONTHS AGO AND KEPT GOING BACK TO FIX THE TIRE. IT KEPT LOOSING AIR AND GOING FLAT. SO AFTER THE SIX MONTHS PAST I HAD A BLOW OUT OF THE SAME TIRE THAT WAS GOING FLAT. AND IT ALMOST KILL ME.
2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. *JB UPDATED 05/26/11. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECAME FOGGY AND THE ILLUMINATION WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .