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2009 Toyota Corolla Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Jan 28, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,459 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
14
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
9

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 42 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 42, in the owner's own words

Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 28, 2021
Crash reported

MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT ON 01/27/2021, SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE CAUSING HER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD SIDE STREET

NHTSA ID
11390450
Incident
Jan 27, 2021
Mileage
149,340 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 28, 2020
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MERGING ONTO RT3 FROM I-95-S TOWARDS CAPE COD BY SOUTH QUINCY AREA. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY AND I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS, THE CAR BEHIND ME ENDED UP REAR-ENDING MY CAR WHICH RESULTED IN ME HITTING MY HEAD ON MY HEAT REST WHICH RESULTED IN WHIPLASH. THE WOMAN WHO HIT ME CLAIMED SHE CALLED THE POLICE AND SAID THAT THE COP TOLD HER WE NEED TO EXCHANGE LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS. WE DID EXACTLY THAT BUT NOT PHONE NUMBER OR ANYTHING. AFTER WE EXCHANGED, SHE TOOK OFF RIGHT AWAY. THE CAR THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME LEFT THE SCENE RIGHT AWAY. THIS WAS MY FIRST ACCIDENT SO I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT NOW I AM REALIZING THAT SHE MAY NEVER HAVE CALLED THE POLICE CONSIDERING THAT NO ONE SHOWED UP AND THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11376839
Incident
Nov 24, 2020
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jan 24, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V741000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNCH TOYOTA LOCATED AT 179 TOLLAND TURNPIKE, MANCHESTER, CT 06042, (860) 464-4321) WHERE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP, THE DOOR LOCKS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO CLOSE SECURELY. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THE DOORS FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000.

NHTSA ID
11301565
Incident
Nov 13, 2019
Mileage
128,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 14, 2020

NOTICE WHITE SPOTS ON CAR THAT IS STARTING TO PEEL A CLEAR FILM FROM THE PAINT , IT SPREADING FROM THE TRUNK TO THE HOOD AND THE SIDES.

NHTSA ID
11299397
Incident
Oct 4, 2018
Body & structure
Filed Oct 23, 2019

THE PAINT IS GRAY BUT NOW COMING UP WHITE CIRCLES THAT DOES NOT WASH OFF. THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR PANEL DOES NOT STAY TOGETHER. HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR ONE YEAR AND 9 MONTHS OR SO.

NHTSA ID
11270361
Incident
Feb 14, 2018
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 22, 2019

THE RUBBER SEAL FROM THE WIND SHEALD IS FLYING OFF ALSO THE BACK WINDOW SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11182043
Incident
Jan 21, 2019
Mileage
77,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY AND COMPLETELY MELTED DUE TO THE SUNSHINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 211,000.

NHTSA ID
11150344
Incident
Jul 1, 2017
Mileage
211,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 3, 2018

PAINT IS CHIPPING

NHTSA ID
11082634
Incident
Oct 5, 2016
Mileage
98,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Nov 7, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON SEP 27 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN REAR ENDED ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 880 FREMONT CA AND ALL THE AIRBAG WERE DEPLOYED (THE CAR WAS TOTALLED), THE AIRBAG CAUSED INJURY TO MY FOREHEAD AND I AM STILL SUFFERING FROM HEADACHE.

NHTSA ID
11044023
Incident
Sep 27, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Sep 5, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TAKATA AIRBAGS-THIS IS THIRD TIME THAT I AM FILLING THIS OUT. THIS WEBSITE IS DIFFICULT AND I COULD NOT CHECK ALL THE BOXES THAT I NEEDED. THIS CAR HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. IT IS THE WORST CAR THAT I HAVE EVEN OWNED. ALL OF THE PAINT WAS PEELING OFF. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT. THE LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT. I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I HIT THE STEERING WITH MY FACE. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I KNOCKED MYSELF OUT. I HAD FACIAL CONTUSION AND ALMOST KNOCKED MY TEETH OUT.

NHTSA ID
11021394
Incident
Jun 6, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 23, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HAD A VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 5/11/17 OF WHICH CAUSED A PERSONAL HEAD INJURY LACERATION DUE TO NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYING INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE. IT ADVISES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS BACK IN 2014 FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS AND THERE IS NO INFORMATION STATING THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN DONE ON MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR TOTAL LOSS RECORDS FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAVE ATTACHED 3 PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE, AS WELL AS A PICTURE SHOWING NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYING IN THE VEHICLE. ANY INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THIS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO ASK.

NHTSA ID
10991277
Incident
May 11, 2017
Mileage
107,225 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 10, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR ALSO BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. THERE WAS NO POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,820.

NHTSA ID
10971754
Incident
Apr 10, 2017
Mileage
114,820 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 31, 2016

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY. FREEWAY IS PAVED AND AREA OF INCIDENT WAS LEVEL. WEATHER WAS CLEAR. LATE AFTERNOON WITH AMPLE SUN LIGHT. SPRING WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR IN OPEN AND FOLD POSITION BECAME DISLODGED INSIDE MIRROR. ENTIRE MIRROR KEPT SWAYING IN TRAFFIC 15 MPH AND ABOVE. SERIOUS VISIBILITY CONCERN WITH ABSENT OF DRIVER'S MIRROR. WOULD NOT PASS YEARLY SAFETY CHECK.

NHTSA ID
10871489
Incident
May 24, 2016
Mileage
76,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 29, 2016

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON CITY STREET AND GEAR WAS PARK. KEY BECAME DISLODGED IN DRIVER DOOR LOCK ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. KEY WAS STUCK IN THE FAR RIGHT POSITION. KEY WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION AND WAS UNABLE TO PULL KEY OUT. KEY HAS MICROCHIP TO START THE VEHICLE. COULD NOT DRIVE ANY WHERE UNTIL LOCKSMITH ARRIVED. LOCKSMITH HAD TO CUT SPINDLE TO RELEASE KEY.

NHTSA ID
10871370
Incident
May 27, 2016
Mileage
76,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 10, 2016
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT TRYING TO TURN AROUND WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATORS AND CRASHES INTO MI RANCHO RESTAURANT IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS TYPE OF ISSUE . THE FIRST TIME WAS DECEMBER 4, 2011 IN GIANT PARKING LOT AS I WAS PARKING IT ACCELERATED AND HIT THE POLE . PLEASE THERE IS A ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE I HAVE TWO GRANDDAUGHTER WHO COULD HAVE BE IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10864161
Incident
May 7, 2016
Mileage
111,750 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 26, 2016

I HAD SPOKEN TO MIKE FROM CARSON TOYOTA REGARDING THIS RECALL MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL FROM MY COWORKER WHO HAS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR CAR AS MINE. MIKE HAD TOLD ME THAT ONLY A FEW TOYOTAS WERE ON RECALL AND THE LAST TIME I HAD GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED THERE, HE TOLD ME THAT MY MODEL WAS NOT IN THAT RECALL.. BUT I DID GET A LETTER IN THE MAIL. I TOLD HIM THAT MY COWORKER TOLD ME ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL WINDOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE. MIKE HAD TOLD ME THAT IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $400 PLUS FOR THAT WINDOW THAT GOT STUCK. MIKE DID TELL ME THAT MY VIN MODEL WAS NOT COUNTED FOR. I AM REAL UPSET. THIS PAST DECEMBER, I DROVE TO SAN FRANCISCO WHEN IT IS RAINING AND WINDY, THIS IS A REAL BIG HAZARD FOR A BRANCH TO HAVE COME INSIDE MY CAR WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER BEING ABLE TO CLOSE TO THE WINDOW AND HAD POKED HER ARM SOME HOW.

NHTSA ID
10822422
Incident
Jan 6, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 3, 2015
1 injury reported

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 THE "REPAIR" AND ALLEGEDLY TOOK CARE OF IT. IT HAS SINCE STILL COME DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND HAS HIT ME IN THE HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. IT OCCURRED YET AGAIN ON 11/30/2015 AND REALLY GAVE ME A BAD BUMP ON MY SCALP AND ULTIMATELY A LARGE BRUISE ON MY FOREHEAD. I AM AS CAREFUL AS I CAN BE BUT IT IS HARD TO KEEP IT FROM OCCURRING REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA ID
10808288
Incident
Nov 30, 2015
Mileage
58,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 18, 2015

DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR PLASTIC HOLDING SNAPPED THAT KEEPS MIRROR IN THE OPEN/ CLOSED POSITION. DUE TO THE PLASTIC HOLDING BEING SNAPPED, THE MIRROR WOBBLES AND DOES NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION. IT MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS WITH THE LACK OF A MIRROR TO TURN AND MERGE SAFELY. AS SPEEDS INCREASE, THE FORCE OF THE WIND WILL FORCE THE MIRROR INTO THE CLOSED POSITION MAKING THE MIRROR USELESS.

NHTSA ID
10749620
Incident
Aug 14, 2015
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 18, 2015

DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WHEN PRESSING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB AND PRESSING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND PASSENGERS DOOR.

NHTSA ID
10749619
Incident
Aug 7, 2015
Body & structureDriver assistance
Filed Oct 9, 2014
Crash reported

I WAS BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY CAR JUST SPED BACKWARDS AND I RAMMED INTO A POLE. MY ENTIRE TRUNK WAS SMASHED IN. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND IT STILL LEAKS WATER AS OF TODAY. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $2K TO $3K TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE I KNOW ABOUT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643502
Incident
Apr 7, 2010
Mileage
35,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Aug 16, 2014
Crash reported

MY WIFE REAR ENDED A TAXI, SHE COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE HOUSE, I FREED THE HOOD AND REMOVED THE BUMPER COVER TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE. WHEN I GOT IN AND TRIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I OPENED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO CHECK THE FLUID, THE BRAKES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THAT INDICATES A VACUUM TO ME, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL.I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST ANALYSIS OF THE EVENT DATA RECORDER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622657
Incident
Aug 8, 2014
Mileage
92,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Jul 24, 2014

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE WATER PUMP GO OUT THE BRAKES THE ALTERNATOR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES THE AIR BAG HAS HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED THE GAS LEVER STOPPED WORKING AND NOW THE TRUNK RELEASE WON'T WORK I HAVE REPLACED NOW 5 TIRES BECAUSE ONE BLOW RIGHT AFTER I GOT THE CAR AND NOW MY CAR HAS JUST 85 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I HAVE HEARD SO MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT TOYOTA BUT THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWN I WILL NEVER BUY OR ADVISE ANYONE TO BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10616049
Incident
Jul 23, 2014
Mileage
8,500 mi
Body & structureEngineSteering
Filed Jan 13, 2014
Crash reported

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 APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS, WHILE FEELING AS IF IT WAS FLOATING/HYDROPLANING, AS I ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL. MY ATTEMPTS AT CORRECTING THE POWER STEERING ISSUE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND ULTIMATELY THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT GUARDRAIL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS UNHARMED IN THIS FRIGHTENING ACCIDENT AND THE STATE TROOPERS AND TOW TRUCKS RESPONDED IN A TIMELY MANNER. NO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE HURT AND THERE WAS ONLY MINOR GUARDRAIL DAMAGE. MY CAR, HOWEVER IS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS WAS NOT A RESULT OF DRIVER ERROR OR UNFORESEEN WEATHER CONDITIONS. ONE OF THE STATE TROOPERS THAT REPORTED TO THE SCENE EVEN COMMENTED, "EVERYONE OUT HERE IS DRIVING THE SAME SPEED AS YOU AND NO ONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANY OF THESE WIND GUSTS.' I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WHO HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2009, WITH NO PRIOR POWER STEERING CONCERNS OR ISSUES. MY CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, I HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION, ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. I INTEND TO FILE A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559668
Incident
Jan 12, 2014
Mileage
54,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Dec 23, 2013

SAFETY BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR LAST 2 DAYS AND TURNED OFF TODAY DEC 23, 2013. *TR

NHTSA ID
10557115
Incident
Dec 21, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Nov 16, 2013
Crash reported

ON 10/21/2013 AT ABOUT 12 AM I WAS DROPPING OFF MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN FRONT OF OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX. I WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA 2009 COROLLA (VIN-[XXX]). THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN, ABRUPT AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT STOP. IT WENT OVER A CURB IN THE PARKING LOT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE STANDING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR...UPDATED 11/03/14 *BF UPDATED 8/5/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10552563
Incident
Oct 21, 2013
Mileage
67,235 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .