Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Toyota Corolla problems
Owners filed 1,533 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA between Jul 2008 and Mar 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (592).
Complaints
1,533
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
194
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
118
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags592
- Steering388
- Vehicle speed control204
- Engine104
- Electrical system93
- Service brakes, hydraulic71
- Structure46
- Power train45
- Engine and engine cooling43
- Service brakes36
- Suspension32
- Electronic stability control (esc)21
- Visibility15
- Fuel system, gasoline15
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
10
102
480
50
41
53
76
58
160
401
39
17
21
10
6
5
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 102 |
| 2010 | 480 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2012 | 41 |
| 2013 | 53 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2015 | 58 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 401 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
592 reports66 crashes1 fire5 related recalls
“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.”
Steering
388 reports46 crashes
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
204 reports69 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“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 /…”
Engine
104 reports7 crashes2 fires
“Subject: Request to Consider Recall for 2009 Toyota Matrix Excessive Oil Consumption Dear Toyota Motor Corporation/NHTSA, I am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue with my 2009 Toyota Matrix, which has been experiencing excessive oil consumption. Despite regular maintenance and oil changes, the vehicle continues to burn through oil at an alarming rate, posing potential environmental and safety hazards. After researching this issue, I found that numerous 2009 Toyota Matrix owners have reported similar problems, suggesting a possible design or manufacturing flaw. I believe it is essential for Toyota to acknowledge this issue and take corrective action to ensure the safety and well-being of drivers and the environment. I respectfully request that you consider adding excessive oil consumption to the list of recalls for the 2009 Toyota Matrix. I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter and take necessary steps to address this issue. Please find below the details of my vehicle: - Year: 2009 - Make: Toyota - Model: Matrix - Mileage: 92000 - Engine: 2.4L 2AZ-FE Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
Electrical system
93 reports8 crashes7 fires
“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…”
Service brakes, hydraulic
71 reports24 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON TOGETHER. THIS IS TURNING OUT TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WHICH IS DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE SENSORS ON THE RARE WHEELS. WITH ABS LIGHT TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE IS INCAPABLE OF APPLYING ABS WHEN REQUIRED DURING BRAKE, CREATING A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.