RoadVitals

2009 Toyota Corolla Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
34
Latest Sep 15, 2020
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.
2%
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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 34 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 powertrain

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2020

IT'S THE TRANSMISSION THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE A CHILD AND I DONT WANT THE TRANSMISSION TO BRAKE ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11355079
Incident
Aug 12, 2020
Mileage
209,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 17, 2019

MY LIGHT CAME ON 80.000 MILES AND I WAS INFORMED IT IS THE SHIFT SOLENOIDS VALE P2757, WHAT WAS REPLACED, AND RIGHT AFTER TAHT THE CODE CAME ON AGAIN P2757 WITH A DIFFEREND DIAGNOSTIC.SHAVINGS FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND I NEED A COMPLETE NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE DEALER 2 IN HOUSTON REBUILD NO NEW ONES . CAN YOU CHECK IN TO THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF COLMPLAINS ON THE WEBSITES

NHTSA ID
11196952
Incident
Feb 22, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 20, 2017

TSB 0087-09 MARCH 13, 2009 CAME OUT SHORTLY AFTER PRODUCTION OF THE 2009 MODEL AND DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THEY QUICKLY INCLUDED IT IN THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (6 MO/60K MILES) RATHER THAN DO A RECALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS DETECTED ON A COLD START, SO MANY USERS WILL IGNORE IT, THINKING IT'S JUST A SQUEAKY BELT, AND USED CAR BUYERS WILL GET TAKEN BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DETECT IT IF THE SELLER HAS STARTED THE CAR AND IT DOESN'T OCCUR UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AFTER YOU'VE PURCHASED THE CAR. TOYOTA SLID UNDER THE RADAR ON THIS ONE. IT'S A PRICEY REPAIR THAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A FEW MECHANICS THAT ONLY THE DEALER SHOULD HANDLE. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PURSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. IN FACT, THE DEALER SAID THEY SHOULD GO 250K WITHOUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. IT'S NOT JUST THE '09 COROLLA. IT IS WIDESPREAD, AND IF YOU GOOGLE THIS, THE WEB IS FILLED WITH COMPLAINTS FOR SEVERAL TOYOTA MODELS. PLEASE LET THE CONSUMER KNOW YOU'RE BEING VIGILANT AND INVESTIGATE THIS OVERLOOKED ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11024644
Incident
Sep 6, 2017
Mileage
110,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 30, 2017
Crash reported

A 2009 CAR THAT WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED (INCLUDING REGULAR OIL CHANGES) WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ALLEGEDLY NEEDS A NEW DRIVE TRAIN?!?!?!?!!!!

NHTSA ID
10992332
Incident
May 8, 2017
Mileage
35,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 14, 2017

AFTER DECELERATING INTO A LEFT HAND TURN THERE IS HESITATION OF UP TO 3 SECONDS OR MORE AFTER DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN . ONLY HAPPENS ON LEFT TURNS. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A 1.8 L 4 CYLINDER 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. CAR ONLY HAS 31K MILES- MOSTLY CITY DRIVING - I'M RETIRED / DON'T DRIVE MUCH.

NHTSA ID
10954491
Incident
Jan 19, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 6, 2016

ENGINE HAS A KNOCKING SOUND AT START UP

NHTSA ID
10914346
Incident
Sep 30, 2015
Mileage
41,996 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2016

WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHILE WE HEARD SOME NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF OUR CAR. WE THOUGHT WE HIT SOME METAL, SO WE SLOWED DOWN AND CHANGED TO THE SLOW LANE, THEN THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN BY ITSELF, AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULDN'T MOVE FREELY. WE PULLED OVER, OPENED THE FRONT, AND SAW SOME SMOKE AND SOME LIQUID FELL DOWN. WE SPENT $300 FOR TOWING OUR CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT OUR CAR FROM. AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS THE WATER PUMP PULLEY FAILED THAT CAUSE THE DRIVE BELT BROKE AND ENGINE OVERHEATED...I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WILL CAUSE ABOUT $4000 FOR A SECOND-HAND ENGINE!! OUR 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA WAS BOUGHT NEW IN NOVEMBER, 2008 AND ONLY HAS 68000 MILES ON IT. WE JUST DID THE OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP 5 DAYS AFTER THIS HAPPEN! NOW THE CAR IS SITTING AT THE PARKING LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP, WE CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER ON THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVE A POSITIVE RESPOND YET. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT PASS THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, WHEN I DID THE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT NOT ONLY ME HAS THIS PROBLEM, THERE ARE 35 MORE COMPLAIN ON RECORD ABOUT THE WATER PUMP FAILURE. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THE WATER PUMP AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10906928
Incident
Sep 5, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 25, 2016

THE CAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS SHIFT VERY HARD. THE MECHANIC REPLACED PRESSURE SOLENOID VALVE. I WAS INFORMED THAT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. THE SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO A VOLUNTEER SAFETY RECALL A0J FOR 2007-2008 COROLLA MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 1ZZ-FE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE ECM FOR CERTAIN 2005 THROUGH 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX 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. IN MOST CASES, IF A CRACK OCCURS AT CERTAIN POINTS OR ON CERTAIN VARISTORS, THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED*, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, OR THEENGINE MAY NOT START. IN LIMITED INSTANCES, IF CRACKING OCCURS ON PARTICULAR SOLDER POINTS OR VARISTORS, THE ENGINE COULD STOP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

NHTSA ID
10888487
Incident
Jun 28, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 18, 2016

VEHICLE IS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON A FLAT SURFACE, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING, EXITED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE TO DISCARD TRASH, REENTERED THE VEHICLE, AND WENT THROUGHT STANDARD PROCEDURE TO DRIVE OFF, IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE AND THE BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ID
10865651
Incident
May 18, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 6, 2016

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 3-29-16, A CRACKED CV JOINT BOOT LEAKING GREASE WAS DISCOVERED (59K MILES) THIS IS THE 2ND OCCURRENCE FOR ME, THE 1ST ON MY 2010 COROLLA JUST A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. LOSS OF GREASE WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE CV JOINT & DISCONNECTING FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF PROPULSION AND POSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. IT WOULD SEEM THAT SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT SHOULD NOT FAIL SO EARLY IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFESPAN.

NHTSA ID
10853922
Incident
Mar 29, 2016
Mileage
59,798 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2016

2 RECALLS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THROUGH THE MAIL. IM AFRAID DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AS THEY MENTION THAT WHEN THE LIGHT SHOW ON AIRBAGS 6 SECTIONS WE CAN GET INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO AIRBAGS BURSTING OUT.

NHTSA ID
10819421
Incident
Jan 14, 2015
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 9, 2015

THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS AS IT SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE SYNCHRO RING. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION ON MY '09 COROLLA S. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DESCRIBED IN A 2010 TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (T-SB-0282-10), BUT TOYOTA DID NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SYNCHRO RING IN MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS APPARENTLY DOOMED TO FAIL AT SOME POINT UNLESS THE LOCK BALL SPRING STRENGTH WAS INCREASED TO REDUCE STRESS ON THE 3RD GEAR SYNCHRO. FOR ANYONE WHO DIDN'T SHOW SYMPTOMS BEFORE THEIR WARRANTY EXPIRED (LIKE ME), THEY WERE JUST A TICKING TIME BOMB.

NHTSA ID
10809351
Incident
Sep 7, 2014
Mileage
75,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2015

H FIRST TIME THE CAR MALFUNCTION I WAS COMING BACK FROM RETURNING THE RENTAL TRUCK, I WAS PULLING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND AT THAT TIME THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON, ABS BRAKE LIGHT COME ON, AND REST OF THE IDIOT LIGHTS ON THE PANEL COME ON. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR, WILL ALL MY EFFORT WITH TWO HANDS I CAN STEER THE WHEEL AND CONTROL THE CAR. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING REALLY ROUGH AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO QUIT. THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS IT SEEMED LIKE, AND THEN THE CAR STARTED RUNNING RIGHT NOW AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE PANEL WENT OUT. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS THINKING MY CAR WAS FAILING AND I KNEW THAT THERE IS PROBABLY SOMETHING THE MATTER WITH IT BUT WHEN IT STARTED RUNNING RIGHT, I FIGURED I JUST CAN'T FIX SOMETHING THAT'S NOT BROKE AND REALLY TAKE NO NOTICE OF IT. HOW MY DAUGHTER GOT A DRIVER'S LICENSE ON AUGUST THE 4TH AND THEN ON AUGUST THE 6 YOU WANTED TO USE THE CAR. SO I LET HER USE IT. THE CAR MALFUNCTION AGAIN ON THIS DAY AND AND IT TOOK OUT THE ALTERNATOR WHEN IT DID. SO I CHANGE THE ALTERNATOR IN THE CAR AND LET MY WIFE USE THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS BECAUSE SHE TRAVELS A SHORT DISTANCE TO WORK TO SEE IF IT'S OK. AFTER TWO DAYS OF MY WIFE DRIVING AND THEN I RESUME DRIVING IT TO WORK. DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL AUGUST 13TH, AND THAT'S WHEN MY DAUGHTER ERICA DROVE THE CAR AGAIN AND WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR MALFUNCTION, SHE COULDN'T STEER THE CAR THE BRAKES WON'T WORK AND NATURALLY GROWN IN REVERSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT THAT EFFECTIVE IN SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND DAMAGE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10749626
Incident
May 29, 2015
Mileage
79,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 14, 2015

A YEAR AFTER THE WARRANTY YEAR PERIOD ENDED AND LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT BOTH FAILED. UNDER THE HOOD, HOT COOLANT WAS SPRAYED ALL OVER. THE COOLANT LEVEL LEAKED DANGEROUSLY LOW, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE ROSE WITHOUT ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH NO SOUND FROM THE ENGINE UPON STARTING AND DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10748824
Incident
Aug 14, 2014
Mileage
59,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 20, 2014

THE TRANSMISSION HITS SO HARD THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT A SPEED BUMP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648769
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
5,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2014

I TOOK MY CAR FOR A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION. IT WAS FOUND BY A LICENSED STATE INSPECTOR, THAT THE LEFT FRONT AXLE SHAFT CV BOOT PREMATURELY WORE, AND WAS SPLIT OPEN AND ACTIVELY LEAKING GREASE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626203
Incident
Aug 18, 2014
Mileage
78,771 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HER THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 23,840.

NHTSA ID
10598583
Incident
May 15, 2014
Mileage
23,840 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND FAILED TO GO BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS A SHIFT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID
10598099
Incident
Jan 15, 2013
Mileage
86,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 2, 2014

01/02/2014 AT 7:15AM: VEHICLE IDLED NORMALLY FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES WHILE I CLEARED SNOW FROM DRIVEWAY. I ENTERED VEHICLE, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. I MANAGED TO SHIFT BACK INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED TO RED-LINE LEVEL. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. I RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE A MINUTE LATER AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT WHICH WAS NOT CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AT LEAST 4" AWAY. MY FOOT NEVER DEPRESSED THE PEDAL. I AM A MECHANICAL DESIGNER AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS WAS NOT A MECHANICAL ISSUE. I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY ACCELERATOR ISSUES PREVIOUS TO THIS EVENT. I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10558153
Incident
Jan 2, 2014
Mileage
58,150 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 8, 2013

I NOTICED LAST MONTH A "BRIEF ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE AT COLD STARTUP. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY COLD START SINCE LAST MONTH. I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND FOUND A TSB-0087-09 ISSUE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS SINCE CORRECTED THIS PROBLEMS ON THEIR 2010 MODELS - BUT DID NOTHING FOR THE CURRENT OWNERS OF THE 2009 MODELS. WITH A ENGINE ANY THING COULD HAPPEN REGARDING SAFETY!!! I BELIEVE IT IS SELFISHNESS ON THE PART OF TOYOTA, FOR WHAT I CALL A SAFETY ISSUE. THE GEAR IN THE INTAKE OR EXHAUST IS BAD IN THE ENGINE. NOT KNOWING WHAT IT COULD LEAD TOO FOR ELDERLY THAT LOVE TO DRIVE THESE VEHICLES?!!! IT IS COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY - 3 YR/60K. BUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM DEFECT ON TOYOTAS MANUFACTURING END - IT SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER WHAT. MORE PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE, AND PROBABLY DO NOT COMPLAIN TO THIS AGENCY. PROBABLY NEVER THINK TO - THAT IS WHY YOU MAY NOT HAVE MORE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE (TSB-0087-09). I WISH YOU WOULD ADDRESS THIS TOYOTA OVER IN JAPAN. PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED IF ANY THING WILL COME AVAILABLE FOR THE UNFORTUNATE CONSUMER!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10534343
Incident
Jul 24, 2013
Mileage
76,100 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2013
Crash reported

WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL AFTER COMING OUT OF A CAR WASH THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL, THE CAR HIT SEVERAL CURBS WENT ACROSS A LAWN AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL WHERE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE MINUTE THAT THE WENT INTO GEAR THE ENGINE STARTED TO RACE AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10510974
Incident
May 4, 2013
Mileage
23,913 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 31, 2013

I HAVE A LOUD KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE ON COLD STARTUP ON MY 2009 COROLLA. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BELT. BUT, AFTER REPLACING BELTS ON SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE, PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE WOULD START BUT RUNNING IN ABNORMAL SOUND WITH CONSTANT BIG VIBRATIONS. LOOKING UP ONLINE TO SEE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2009 COROLLA, I AM SURPRISED THIS IS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND EVEN ISSUED THE REPAIR THE BULLETIN. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, THIS NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT TIMING GEAR ASSEMBLY, WHICH AFFECT 2009-2010 COROLLA AND MATRIX. I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY OTHER OWNER WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND THAT SOMEDAY IT MIGHT CAUSE BIG ACCIDENT WHEN THE ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL WHEN THEY KNEW THERE IS THIS PROBLEM ON THE PARTS. I SINCERELY HOPE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505145
Incident
May 2, 2012
Mileage
96,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 23, 2013

TOYOTA COROLLA S 2009 TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH ISSUE / ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH, 2013 AT 86000 MI. EXPERIENCED SAME LACK OF ACCELERATION TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AFTER I PURCHASED IN 40 MONTH AT 79,000 MI. RIGHT AFTER I STARTED THE ENGINE, NO ACCELERATION / NO SHIFT. TERMINATED THE DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. RESTART THE ENGINE, IT ACCELERATE NORMAL. HOWEVER, AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT. I DROVE MORE THAN 80 MILES TO WILLSONVILLE TOYOTA IN OR WHERE I HAD A FULL DIAGNOSIS IN EARLY MARCH THIS MONTH (CHANGED TRANSMISSION FLUID/FIRST THEY DENIED THAT IT IS TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE FREE). SERVICE MANAGER WITNESSED ENGINE LIGHT BUT REFUSED TO DIAGNOSIS RIGHT A WAY EVEN THOUGH I HAD ADDRESSED THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM LAST DECEMBER TO TOYOTA JAPAN, US AND WILLSONVILL TOYOTA. SERVICE MGR FAILED TO CHECK THE CODE FOR ENGINE LIGHT WHICH THEY COULD HAVE FIND THE CAUSE. ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEARED IN A DAY. CALLED TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE TWICE. NO RESPOND FOR LAST 3 DAYS. NHTSA ADVICE TOYOTA CUSTOMER TO CALL TOYOTA HEADQUARTER. STEERING WHEEL ISSUE ALSO REMAINS. IT LOCKS, DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL.. LAST .5 MIN -1 MIN. THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. STEERING WHEEL ISSUE CONTINUES. DEALER REQUESTS TO BRING IN OVER NIGHTS TO DUPLICATE. HOWEVER, STEERING LOCKS AFTER ENGINE START FOR LESS THAN SEVERAL SECONDS. HOW THEY ARE GOING TO DIAGNOSIS IS IT ONLY LAST SEVERAL SECONDS? BY THE TIME THEY PUT IN THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS, IT IS ALREADY NORMAL. NHTSA IS ADVISING TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER TO CALL TOYOTA. PAST HISTORY ON TRANSMISSION ISSUE AT 79000 MI: ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT BUT LASTED ONE DAY. FAIL TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10 - 15 MILES /HR. NEVER SHIFT IT UP TO AND GO FASTER. STOPPED ENGINE. RESTART ENGINE AGAIN AFTER 10MIN. LOW SPEED OF 10-15 MILES. RESTART ENGINE AGAIN, AND PICKED UP THE SPEED TO NORMAL. ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEAR IN A DAY. I WAS CONCERNED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. TOYOTA IGNORED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504218
Incident
Mar 20, 2013
Mileage
86,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 27, 2012
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING ON CA HWY 101 AT 7:30PM WHEN I SMELLED, THEN SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR. LUCKILY, I HAD A GALLON OF DRINKING WATER WITHIN REACH. I POURED IT ON THE FIRE WHILE SWERVING TO THE MARGIN SO AS TO AVOID COLLISION. I EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE WINDOWS-SWITCH PANEL. APPARENTLY, A SHORT-CIRCUIT IN THE WINDOW SWITCHES IGNITED THE SOUND-INSULATION MATERIAL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRE-PROOF TO BEGIN WITH. THE FIRE MELTED MOST OF THE DRIVER-SIDE PLASTIC DOOR COVER AND PARTIALLY FRIED THE SWITCHES AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. I FOUND THE ARTICLE 'BURNING TOYOTA CAMRY/RAV4 WINDOW SWITCHES PROMPT NHTSA INVESTIGATION' AND MANY OTHERS THAT EXPLAINED EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE CAR. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE CAR AT NO COST TO ME BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THE FIRE RESULTED FROM AN INHERENT DEFECT. THE DEALER SAID HE WON'T REPAIR THE CAR FOR FREE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LEGAL COUNSEL DID NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY EITHER, AND, BASICALLY, KEPT ON HARASSING ME OVER THE FOLLOWING 3 WEEKS WITH MANY PHONE CALLS REQUESTING THAT I BRING MY CAR HERE AND THERE AT THEIR WHIM. INCIDENTALLY, THIS HARASSMENT CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY JOB. I REPORTED THAT MUCH AND MORE TO TOYOTA ON THEIR FORM. HERE IS WHAT I REQUESTED: 1.REPAIR MY CAR AND GIVE ME A LOANER AT NO COST TO ME. 2.COMPENSATE ME MONETARILY, WITH $10,000, FOR THE EXTREME 'INCONVENIENCE' YOU HAVE BEEN CAUSING ME OVER THE LAST THREE (3) WEEKS. 3.CONGRATULATE ME FOR SURVIVING A VERY-CLOSE CALL. MIRACULOUSLY, NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463355
Incident
May 31, 2012
Mileage
68,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 5, 2012

BOUGHT USED 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA (5 SPEED MANUAL CLUTCH) VEHICLE IN MID 2011. NOTICED THAT THE GAS PEDAL, BRAKE AND CLUTCH ARE ODDLY VERY CLOSE, AND GAS PEDAL SEEMS TO STICK, WHICH SEEMS TO CAUSE ERROR IN SHIFTING/ ACCELERATION/ DE-ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN USING IN BETWEEN GEARS. NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS ALL ABOUT, OR WHETHER OR NOT THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS OR RECALL, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION AND FIXED BY TOYOTA FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442495
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
48,000 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.

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