2009 Toyota Corolla

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 substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

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 safety exists, NHTSA has concluded that further investigation of the issues raised by the petition is not warranted.The agency accordingly has denied the petition.The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition, as well as copies of reference material related to the denial.Regarding the VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation, the scope as defined by the petitioner is MY 2006 through 2010 Toyota Corollas.Of the 163 VOQs submitted by the petitioner, 149 are within that specific population (11 of the 163 were outside the model and model year scope of investigation as defined by the petitioner and 3 VOQs were submitted by owners from foreign countries) and 6 of the 163 are duplicate submissions.Therefore, there are 143 unique vehicles vins are within the specific population.Of the 143 only 105 fit the alleged defect category as defined by the petitioner.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ.The 143 VOQs are: 10165337, 10166526, 10209540, 10216514, 10256808 (duplicate with 10266580 and 10335955), 10272505, 10293497, 10293688, 10294727, 10297407, 10298012, 10302217, 10302877, 10303106, 10303469, 10303730, 10304192, 10305748, 10305845, 10306012, 10306480, 10307953, 10310973, 10311137, 10311176, 10311185, 10311756, 10312246, 10312272 (duplicate with 10343088), 10312771, 10313972, 10314880, 10315240, 10315442, 10315836, 10315927, 10316192, 10316627, 10316643, 10316800, 10316952, 10317128, 10317598, 10317725, 10317804, 10317894, 10317972, 10317978, 10318562, 10319589, 10320693, 10320720, 10322163, 10322213, 10322333, 10322415, 10324355, 10325755, 10326481, 10327623, 10328492, 10328519, 10329537, 10330026 (duplicate with 10356866), 10330952, 10332679, 10334005 (duplicate with 10340570 and 10547602), 10334028, 10334628, 10334936, 10336649, 10339772, 10339969, 10341515, 10342670, 10342932, 10343174, 10344874, 10345714, 10348120, 10350342, 10351112, 10352668, 10352691, 10353587, 10358767, 10359645, 10360875, 10360905, 10361254, 10363529, 10363685, 10363866, 10364127, 10366100, 10366413, 10369073, 10369494, 10371991, 10376535, 10376721, 10377193, 10379320, 10380210, 10381365, 10381849, 10382018, 10392618, 10396747, 10402827, 10412382, 10433860, 10437011, 10437801, 10450183, 10461118, 10479582, 10482133, 10489344, 10494568, 10496026, 10499932, 10520195, 10521013, 10523677, 10534094, 10537426, 10543949, 10549101, 10551478, 10552563, 10558153, 10562577, 10564980, 10566370, 10572873, 10578871, 10579722, 10587140, 10597296, 10621449, and 10637908 (which is the petitioner's VOQ and not one of the 163 submitted with the petition).The three VOQs that were submitted from foreign countries: 10303105, 10303749, and 10308974. The eleven VOQs that are out of the specified population by model or model year: 10447756, 10453401, 10490200, 10507434, 10521377, 10563214, 10563585, 10575230, 10583796, 10584534,

On February 18, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE10-008 to investigate complaints of steering wander or drift in model year (MY) 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles.The complaint descriptions indicated dissatisfaction with the on-center steering feel in the subject vehicles. Some drivers (~25%) related the feel to driving in a strong crosswind and others indicated that the effort and attention required to maintain heading increased driver fatigue on long trips.These complaints all relate to the system operating as designed and do not involve failure of any steering system components.The subject vehicles are equipped with an electronic power steering system that was introduced in the MY 2009 vehicles.The power assist, including on-center steering feel, is controlled electronically and is part of the system calibration.Toyota responded to steering feel concerns from some customers by issuing a technical service bulletin (TSB-0140-10 STEERING ON-CENTER FEEL) that released an optional EPS electronic control unit that has a re-calibrated on-center feel.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted by the circumstances.For further details see the attached VRTC and ODI Closing Reports.

The contact's mother owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while he was driving straight at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to drift to the left and right inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11583367

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

I purchased my car in March 2023. From the first week, it wouldn't start sometimes. Id wait 5 minutes, then it would start fine. I thought it was when it got wet, at first. I also had a certain part replaced air flow compressor, possibly was called?, thinking this would fix it. It did not. In fact, the problem seemed to be happening more and more but, always, if I waited 5 to 10 minutes, sometimes messed around under the hood, it would start. This was not very comforting however, when it would stall at a light and not start right back up. I took it to AutoZone and was run on the diagnostics machine. Was told it needed new spark plugs and ignition coil packs. Which I got and replaced. Still happening. I took back to AutoZone, had it run again on diagnostic. This time it said battery. So I had a new battery put in. Still happening. All along, might I add, my fuses will blow randomly, my headlights And taillights will blow for no reason. One taillightooks like it melted through the plastic before it decided to blow. I e replaced some fuses, only to have blown again. I also have replaced the light bulb in taillight, only to have blown twice more. This is very dangerous, especially at a traffic light or, late at night if I need to go somewhere or leave somewhere And it won't start. I've been stuck in the middle of the road, on the wring sidevif the riad, in the midfle if a snowstorm, with it not starting for me. Also, it was gett5really cold without heat and, I was nearly hit several times as i was also at the bottom of a steep hill when my car decided to stop sliding backwards and stall on me and would not restart. That was the most fearful I have been with this issue and with good reason! I now see several others having similar issues with their same exact car. Why isn't Toyota addressing this?

NHTSA ID

11570463

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

The contact owned a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph and exiting a parking lot when the vehicle accelerated on its own, veered to the left, and crashed into a gate. No warning lights were illuminated and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injury to the right shoulder, right foot, and right hand, but did not seek medical attention. No police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and towed to a towing company. Additionally, the contact stated in 2021 while reversing from a parking space, as the vehicle was driving forward, it veered to the left and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was towed to the to be diagnosed and repaired. Per the contact, the dealer offered no diagnosis or reason for the acceleration. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11565031

Incident

Jan 5, 2024

Mileage

103,000 mi

I have been sent two different recalls on my cars airbags. I had one repaired. I do not know how to tell what repairs were were not done. They’ve all been marked as being done yet. Four years later less than four years later my airbag warning light is on. I’m concerned that supposedly the sensor was a rotating and warmer climate and then it was that it would propel shop objects and now I don’t have a recall, but I’ve had a light on, and of course, now other Toyotas of the same group that mine is usually in Corolla Tacoma on and on , I’m having a similar problem with the light being on and I’m very concerned that one are both of those airbags are not properly working. I’ve tried to explain to Toyota that I need to be able to identify and have problems fixed that are due to their manufacturing issues. my mats were never fixed by Toyota. I had to fix them myself. Having this repair investigated is going to cost me a lot of money and what I’m gonna find out. I bet is that other colors were recalled for it. What’s the likelihood that my car still has airbag issues , especially where all the recalls are marked is done and I know that I only had took it in once to have it fixed and that was for the sensor and I don’t even know how the parts the flying parts play into this. I hope you can find out if Ty should be expanding this recall, or if they’re just getting nailed with the recent ones Because there’s not enough 2009 Corolla on the road anymore to justify a recall .

NHTSA ID

11562527

Incident

Dec 7, 2023

My daughter was hit by a red light runner at 60mph and her airbags did not deploy at all. Her head hit the door and she sustained a broken collarbone, concussion and mild brain bleed.

NHTSA ID

11562148

Incident

Aug 31, 2023

UNKNOWN airbag light is on and never goes off. This worries me because it could affect my safety.

NHTSA ID

11558664

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

Power steering fails to operate causing loss of control while navigating turns.

NHTSA ID

11549792

Incident

Oct 11, 2023

Vehicle speed control / sudden unintended acceleration. This was NOT a "misapplication of pedal" by driver! It was clearly a mechanical failure—apparently accelerator pedal (not floor mat, which was secured on its pegs). NO warning lamp, msg, symptom prior to crash. Afterward, saw NHTSA rpts others FIXED speed control issue & same prob STILL recurred! My VIN wasn't listed as unrepaired (likely the original owner repaired recall issue/s)—yet car was still dangerous! At slow speed, approx 1-2 mph, I was entering my garage in usual way, turning R. Car abruptly sped up uncontrollably (self-accelerated); couldn't stop it! Crashed thru garage doorpost & wall, then backyard fence. Lucky I'm alive & no one in yard. VERY traumatic! Physical injury (neck/back) helped by ibuprofen. FWIW air bag didn't deploy. AAA said they'd only tow for repair, not inspection. I wasn't going to repair; I'd NEVER trust driving that car again & wouldn't sell to ANYONE to drive, due to grave concern same issue'd recur! Available for inspection at PickNPull, Moss Landing, CA. PnP corp agreed they'd haul away ONLY for its OTHER parts—order taker understood it had UNTRUSTED accelerator pedal / vehicle speed control. They also promised me they wouldn't let anyone drive it! Of 2009 Corolla NHTSA's 1,523 rpts, "vehicle speed control" is 3rd highest, far > nearly all other rpts. Below, a few of MANY related examples. (Note: dates may be either report or incident dates.) 10/26/21 NHTSA #11438174; 5/31/17 #10992371; 7/16/16 #10885246 ("CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL...STILL AN ISSUE WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.); 6/3/16, #10872355; 10/2/14 #10640760 ("VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT FAILURE RECURRED"); 9/30/14 #10640098; 9/25/14 #10639073; 11/16/13 #10552563; 3/4/12 #10450183; 2/10/12 #10450183 ("ALREADY HAD ALL OF TOYOTA'S "RECALL" REMEDIES";) 1/29/12 #10447756; 6/22/10 #10343426 (recall work had been done); 6/23/10 #10340943 (work had been done); 6/6/10 #10339969; 5/18/10 #10330952.

NHTSA ID

11473163

Incident

May 21, 2022

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.