Problems · by component

2009 Toyota Corolla electrical system problems

93 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Corolla cite electrical system, 6% of all 1,533 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
93
6% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2024Electrical systemODI 11570463
“My driver’s side window controls are slowly falling into the doors. I read where there was a recall online, but I have never received any paperwork. I am the original owner and have had all work done at various Toyota’s for 13 years now. Will I be able to have a dealer fix this? Thank you,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2022Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11465452
“I have had my 2009 Toyota Corolla since day 1. I seen another post in here that is having the same issue as myself. I have had to replace my battery 3 times all because the “wiring harness” on this vehicle is faulty. Toyota knew about this beforehand. As customers we put our trust and faith in these big corporations to do the right thing when making these vehicles. We, as customers, shouldn’t have to purchase and pay for labor when all while Toyota was aware of the faulty wiring harness. This causes more issues than 1 because it controls everything inside and outside of your car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2021Electrical systemODI 11418234
“My Toyota power door lock actuators continue to fail, even after multiple replacements. The failure mode starts as intermittent operation, often leaving doors unlocked when using the electronic locking system. Eventually the door lock actuator fails to respond at all. The intermittent nature of the failure onset puts consumers at risk for not realizing the system left their car unlocked, providing an opportunity for someone to enter the vehicle and wait in the car for vehicle owner to return or to have things stolen from the vehicle. Based on the repeated failures, the actuator design or manufacturing process is clearly defective. The repeated actuator failures requires the customer to be vigilant for failures and the pay for replacement, several hundreds of dollars each time, out of their own pocket since Toyota refuses to acknowledge an egregious failure rate on their power door lock mechanisms. Cynical observers may note that the failures generate a regular revenue stream for Toyota service departments. Thank you for your time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2021Electrical systemODI 11417402
“POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND NEARLY KILLED MYSELF 149,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS. FROM WHAT I READ, PLENTY OF OTHER MATRIX DOING THE SAME. BRAKES, WINDOWS ALL WENT OUT AS WELL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11377340
“MY CAR HAS 91,414 MILES AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRES WITH MY NORMAL DAILY COMMUTE OF SIX MILES EACH WAY. IN THREE YEARS ON A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE I HAVE HAD THREE IGNITION COILS REPLACED, TWICE WITHIN TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND 10,468 MILES ON THE #2 COIL. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY TOYOTA CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITIES WITH TOYOTA OEM PARTS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR SERVICE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2020Electrical system, EngineODI 11307935

Showing 6 of 93 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.