RoadVitals

2009 Toyota Corolla Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
22
Latest Jul 14, 2018
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.
2
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

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 22 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 visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Visibility
Filed Jul 14, 2018

ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHEN IT WAS RAINING. I HAD TO PULL OVER UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. MY MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND THOUGHT THERE WAS A BAD CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STILL WON'T WORK. I THEN WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

NHTSA ID
11111286
Incident
Jun 18, 2018
Mileage
133,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 16, 2017

MY SUNROOF ON TOYOTA COROLLA (AFTER MARKET GLASS FROM WEBASTO COMPANY) WAS FLEW OFF ON THE FREEWAY 805 IN SAN DIEGO, AROUND 6-7PM.. I WAS SHOCKED WITH UNEXPECTED NOISE. MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 66 M/H. IS ANYBODY ELSE GOT THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THE SAME ISSUE... THE FIRST GLASS COMPANY I CALLED TOLD ME IT IS GOING TO COAST ME $400 TO REPAIR. IS IT REALLY MY FALL????

NHTSA ID
10995525
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Mar 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND 12V491000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10967707
Incident
May 23, 2016
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Nov 3, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V689000 (VISIBILITY). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 05/18/17 *BF UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
10924149
Incident
Nov 9, 2015
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Sep 12, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V689000 (VISIBILITY) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10905841
Incident
Jul 6, 2016
AirbagsBrakesVisibility
Filed Oct 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS), 12V491000 (VISIBILITY) AND 09V338000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10782042
Incident
Aug 27, 2009
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
Visibility
Filed Apr 11, 2015

WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON ALL SPEEDS. THIS IMPACTS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. WIPERS ARE NOW ONLY ONE SPEED AND I NEED TO PULL OVER IF IT IS POURING. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT IS POURING RAIN AND VISIBILITY IS LOW FOR ALL DRIVERS CONCERNED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705149
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Visibility
Filed Dec 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY BECAME LIMITED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT MANUALLY CLEARED THE WINDOW WITH THE WIPERS. THE WIPERS THEN FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID
10554903
Incident
May 20, 2012
Mileage
68,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED. THE WINDOW REMAINED CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE OTHER WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH. THE DEALER APPLIED A SPECIAL GREASE, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT RESOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,230. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,678.

NHTSA ID
10522618
Incident
Dec 14, 2012
Mileage
45,230 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 15, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER CLOSING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE NOTICED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE THAT CONTROLLED THE WINDOW SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR TO BURN. AS A RESULT, BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10448095
Incident
Jan 15, 2012
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 6, 2011

CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HE HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR A REPAIR ON THE LEFT SIDE B PILLAR. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WAS LOOSE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING THREE TIMES WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND A PLUG WIRE WAS BAD, DUE TO A BAD CONTACT.

NHTSA ID
10438433
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
Visibility
Filed Jun 2, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE DYNAMICS OF THE VEHICLE IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW WHENEVER SHE DRIVES IN REVERSE. DUE TO THE VISIBILITY DEFECT SHE WOULD NEED SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE IN REVERSE. SHE NOTICED THE DEFECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE DIDN'T NOTIFY TOYOTA SINCE THEY OFFERED HER NO ASSISTANCE WITH A PRIOR REQUEST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 8,500.

NHTSA ID
10334263
Incident
Oct 3, 2009
Mileage
8,500 mi
Visibility
Filed May 8, 2010

THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE NEAR BY. THE CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD FRONT SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10329401
Incident
May 6, 2010
Mileage
6,770 mi
Tires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Mar 3, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE DRIVER STATED THAT WITH ALL OF THE EXISTING RECALLS HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED SINCE HE PURCHASED IT. THE RUBBER WAS SEPARATING FROM THE WINDOW AND HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 20,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WHENEVER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND HE NO LONGER WANTS THE HASSLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,678.

NHTSA ID
10316067
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
33,678 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceOther / unspecified+2 more
Filed Feb 18, 2010
Crash reported

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. I FELT COMPELLED TO DO SO AFTER READING OTHER ISSUES PEOPLE WERE HAVING WITH THERE TOYOTA COROLLAS (S). I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 1ST 2009. THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE PAINT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS, THE SERVICE DEPT MANAGER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, THE SALES GUY TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO TREE SAP AND THE THIRD TIME I TOOK IT THE SALES MANAGER SAID IT WAS FROM BIRD CRAP ( IT'S GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME). WEEKS LATER I WAS HIT BY A CONCRETE TRUCK, AT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRUCKS FAULT BUT NOT REAL SURE NOW BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULT STEERING WITH THIS CAR. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE SHOP, THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE MY CAR WAS THERE THEY LOOKED AT THE PAINT. I HAVE A BLACK CAR WITH LARGE WHITE SPOTS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLEAR COAT AND IT WOULD COST AROUND 4,000 TO FIX IT. I AGAIN WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BUY A BLACK CAR. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AND WE ALL KNOW WHERE THAT HAS GOT ME. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGENCY AND TOYOTA FAILED TO RESPOND. BOY, FOR A RELIABLE CARE THE ONLY THING I CAN RELY ON IS POOR QUALITY AND A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE A DODGE AND WILL DRIVE IT BEFORE THIS DEATH TRAP. GOOD LUCK TRYING TO DO A LANE CHANGE AND LOOKING INTO THE BLIND SPOTS. I HAVE ALMOST HIT CARS ON MY RIGHT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DO A LANE CHANGE MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10311893
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
3,000 mi
SteeringSuspensionVisibility
Filed Feb 9, 2010

WHEN YOU PICK UP SPEED DRIVING AND REACH AROUND 55MPH OR OVER, THE CAR DUCKS OFF TO THE LEFT AS IF ITS READY TO GO OFF THE ROAD. AND THIS CAR HAS A LOT OF BLIND SPOTS WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP OR SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308081
Incident
Dec 4, 2008
Visibility
Filed Sep 16, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A LARGE IMPRINT ON THE WINDSHIELD. AN IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN OFFERED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. . THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30.

NHTSA ID
10284136
Incident
Aug 22, 2009
Mileage
30 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 31, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CANNOT OPEN A REAR WINDOW AND HAVE THE FRONT WINDOW CLOSED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE DRASTICALLY. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT WAS AN AERODYNAMIC ISSUE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT MUST KEEP HER WINDOWS CLOSED WHILE DRIVING UNTIL TOYOTA CAN REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700. UPDATED 08/19/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IF THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IS UP, AND SOMEONE IN THE BACK SEAT OPENS A WINDOW, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES. UPDATED 08/20/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10278879
Incident
Jul 28, 2009
Mileage
1,700 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 28, 2009

I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA LAST YEAR AND HAVE 8,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT PRESENT. WINTER IS TOUGH IN BUFFALO, NY SO I USE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER EVERY DAY. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY THE WASHER MECHANISM WORKS FINE BUT WHEN TRAVELING FROM 30MPH AND UP, THE WASHER MECHANISM CAUSES THE FLUID TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD VERY LOW EVEN UNDER THE WIPER BLADES AND FLUID RUNS UP THE WINDSHIELD FORCING THE DRIVER TO TURN ON THE WIPERS NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD FOR MINUTES AFTER SPRAYING THE WASHER FLUID. THE WASHER MECHANISM IS NOT ADJUSTABLE BEING MOUNTED UNDER THE HOOD SO REPLACING THEM WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME. I HAVE AN APPT. AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEXT SATURDAY TO SHOW THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260287
Incident
Oct 1, 2008
Visibility
Filed Jan 24, 2009

2009 TOYOTA COROLLA LE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS SIGNIFICANT DISTORTION AND DOES NOT PRESENT A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROAD BEHIND. VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, TO JUDGE WHERE VEHICLES ARE. MIRROR APPEARS TO BE SLIGHTLY CONCAVE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN INTENTIONAL "MAGNIFICATION" FEATURE. PER 49 CFR 571.111, DRIVERS SIDE MIRRORS ON CARS SOLD IN THE US MUST HAVE UNIT MAGNIFICATION, I.E. THEY MUST BE FLAT. I CANNOT FIND ANY EXEMPTION FOR TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256193
Incident
Jan 5, 2009
Visibility
Filed Sep 12, 2008

THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE NEAR BY. THE CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TWO AUTO GLASS COMPANIES CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A STRESS FRACTURE CAUSE BY THE MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE BLAME AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10241971
Incident
Aug 26, 2008
Mileage
5,000 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.

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 .