2009 Toyota Corolla Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Corolla. Part of Generation 11 (E140) — 2009–2013.

20082010
Complaints
1,770
per 10K Sold
59.6
US Sales
296,874
Crashes
276
Fires
16
Injuries
161
Fatalities
2
Recalls
12

Worst 2009 Toyota Corolla Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1543 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:78,504 mi
Crash-related:54
Fires:1
#2379 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:22,159 mi
Crash-related:45
#3170 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:28,596 mi
Crash-related:61
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Corolla.

Airbags
543
complaints
Crashes
54
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,504
Steering Defects
379
complaints
Crashes
45
Fires
Avg Miles
22,159
Unintended Acceleration
170
complaints
Crashes
61
Fires
1
Avg Miles
28,596
Engine Problems
91
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
85,555
Electrical Faults
82
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
7
Avg Miles
57,435
Hydraulic Brakes
60
complaints
Crashes
21
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,200
Transmission / Drivetrain
34
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,691
Brakes
32
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
74,387
Engine & Cooling
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
31,772
Body Structure
28
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
84,816
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
27
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
20,458
Suspension Failures
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
25,772
Electronic Stability Control
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
61,647
Gasoline Fuel System
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
23,442
Service Brakes, Electric
14
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
11,459
Tire Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
24,597
Visibility
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
17,956
Structural Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
6,033
Wheel Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
28,200
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
27,825
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
13,917
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,379
Seat-Related Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
7,103
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
82,077
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
13,817
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
14,308
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
12,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
59,561
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
59,088

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Corolla. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Toyota Corolla

12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~13,498,911 vehicles.

19V741000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~928,220 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

18V024000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~628,018 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V006000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~577,875 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

16V396000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
~7,749 affected

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

16V340000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,754,517 affected

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

15V689000Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
~1,814,284 affected

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

14V168000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~1,486,413 affected

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

12V491000Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
~2,519,424 affected

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

10V035000Equipment:other:labels
~271,417 affected

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

10V036000Equipment:other:labels
~153,418 affected

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

+ 2 more recalls

Other Toyota Corolla Years

2009 Toyota Corolla — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2009 Toyota Corolla has 1,770 NHTSA complaints, 276 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 543 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
Top reported problems: Airbags (543 complaints, avg 78,504 mi); Steering Defects (379 complaints, avg 22,159 mi); Unintended Acceleration (170 complaints, avg 28,596 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 50,271 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Toyota Corolla include 276 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 161 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 13,498,911 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Corolla?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2009 Toyota Corolla shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Corolla reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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