Problems · by component
2009 Toyota Corolla engine problems
104 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Corolla cite engine, 7% of all 1,533 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
104
7% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“Once you turn on your car the lifters become stuck and make a loud clicking noise on the engine. It makes the car hesitate to turn on and at times it shuts off the car automatically at any time.”
“RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD COMING FROM THE ENGINE ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AT A SLOWING DOWN SPEED THE CAR STARTS VIBRATING AND MAKES THE RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD!! UNSAFE TO DRIVE !! CAR WENT TO THE DEALER WILLIAMS HONDA - SEVERAL TIMES BACK TO CHECK THE CODE AND TO FIX THE PROBLEMS!! WE HAD TO BRING THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, WE ARE REQUESTED A COMPENSATION FROM A DEALER FOR SELLING UNSAFE VEHICLE TO US, WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS WHOLE MATTER IN DETAILS TO BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, WE REQUESTED A MONETARY COMPENSATION $500. WE ARE REQUESTING FROM NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES: TO HELP AND ASSIST US TO COLLECT COMPENSATION OF $500 FROM A DEALER WILLIAMS HONDA THAT IS IN ELMIRA NEW YORK.”
“WHILE DRIVING HOME MY CAR STARTED BURNING. I PULLED OVER WITH SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING UP FROM BEHIND THE ENGINE. THE FIRE GREW UNTIL IT ENGULFED THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE 2009 MATRIX WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. I NOTICED NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS.”
“MY CAR IS A MANUAL. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH WHEN IN BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH THE CAR ENGINE REVVED UP TO ABOUT 5K OR 6K RPM. I TRIED TO JUST HIT THE GAS BUT IT WOULDN'T GO BACK DOWN. I DID NOT RELEASE THE CLUTCH. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT SO IT WOULDN'T DO THAT AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER THAT AND I DID THE SAME THING BY RESTARTING IT. I NOTICED A DIFFERENT PRESSURE IN THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT DURING THIS OCCURRENCE. AFTER THE SECOND TIME, IT DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEND. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 10,000MILES BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 101,500MILES.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHECKING THE OIL, SHE BECAME AWARE THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLAREMONT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 601 AUTO CENTER DR, CLAREMONT, CA 91711, (909) 542-1828, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND REQUIRED 4 QUARTS OF OIL TO BE ADDED TO THE ENGINE WEEKLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.”
Showing 6 of 104 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.