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CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware of the NHTSA complaint data for the 2007 Corolla. It is almost certainly misleading.

The problem with NHTSA data for the 2007 Corolla is that for months on end, the news media repeatedly told the public that several Toyota models have an unintended acceleration defect, & to go to safercar.gov (the NHTSA's website) to file a complaint.

So, the NHTSA received a disproportionate number of complaints about Toyota unintended acceleration issues because of the national news media attention, to the point where now the NHTSA data is unreliable taken in context with any other vehicle that did not receive national news attention.

CarComplaints.com typically receives more complaints per day about vehicles than the NHTSA does, but the news media did not repeatedly say "go to CarComplaints.com to report your Toyota acceleration problems" like they did about the NHTSA -- so although we have less complaint data than the NHTSA for the 2007 Corolla, our data for the Corolla is a far more statistically accurate representation of the Corolla's reliability than what the NHTSA data shows.

3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,350 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Toyota Corolla transmission problems

transmission problem

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2007 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #9

Sep 092011

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 83,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased used 2007 Corolla. (purchased as is no warranty from a used car dealership) one week later check engine light comes on and after checking with dealer I bought it from (ezauto) and transmission shop I got conflicting reports of what was wrong so I took it directly to Toyota and they said I have to have new transmission. Is this covered under some extended warranty or am I responsible for getting it fixed?

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #8

Jul 132011

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I drive a 2007 Toyota Corolla S automatic. I bought it brand new & had about 72,000 miles on it at the time of the incident. I had noticed for a few weeks that my car was shifting into reverse quite roughly, delayed & jerking. I figured I would get it checked at my next oil change. While I was stopped at an intersection waiting to turn left, my car stalled. I stepped on the pedal to accelerate but it just revved my car & wouldn't go. I tried switching into reverse with the same result. Then I restarted my car a couple times until it finally started moving again. I thought it was a fluke so I kept driving. Unfortunately, as I drove on, the car just decelerated and stalled again. At that point, I called a tow truck. My car was taken to repair shop where the diagnostic was ECM issues & transmission failure. My mechanic called Toyota to get the ECM replaced & my transmission had to be rebuilt.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 032010

Corolla

  • miles
I bought a brand new Toyota Corolla 2007, recently I have had the check engine light come on and off for several months. When I went to check on what was the problem at the dealership they advised me I needed another transmission. I am concerned because the car isn't even 4 years old and the dealership says it is not my fault. They told me the transmission converter torque is sticking, and that they would replace for $5700. The only way to repair it, is to.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 262009

Corolla

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2007 Toyota Corolla with approximately 68,000 miles is suddenly having harsh to violent transmission shifts after the check engine light came on. I had a shop identify or diagnose the check engine light code. They said it was code P2716. I conducted an internet investigation and discovered several people also experiencing identical issues. Also, the same investigation revealed Toyota was aware of the issue and released a technical service bulletin. To me, the problem is not an issue of wear and tear. Instead, it's clear there's a defect in a part of the car which can potentially lead to an accident.

- San Carlos, CA, USA

problem #5

May 052010

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla with 30K miles on it. Two weeks ago my check engine light turned on and the automatic transmission began shifting roughly. After a while it would start running ok and the check engine light would go off. I took it to jiffy lube thinking that it was low on transmission fluid and it was not. This continued for two weeks and I took it to the dealership this morning. They replaced the ECM under warranty. I looked this problem up on the internet and discovered that this is widespread and very dangerous in certain instances. The web site that I visited is www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php"T=201631&page=3. I strongly urge your organization to get on top of this before someone gets killed. Toyota should have recalled these vehicles. My concern now is that how long will the new ECM last and is it safe. Is the same company manufacturing the replacement ecms? I believe delco manufactured the originals. Can delco be forced to close their doors for endangering the public" shame on Toyota! I won't buy another one.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 122009

Corolla

  • 31,198 miles
While driving to work in the morning, the 'check engine' light for my 2007 Toyota Corolla came on, and the car began to 'jerk' or 'stutter', as though it was switching gears or losing power. My husband and I took the car into the dealer, and they found codes P0441, and most importantly P2716 -- correction was R&R engine control module, and the people working on it seemed to have knowledge of the issue.

- Winnetka, CA, USA

problem #3

Nov 232007

Corolla

  • 6,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The od light comes on intermittently. It stays on. There is a strange whirring noise coming from the engine. A clunking noise is heard in the rear of the vehicle. All these occur intermittently. A Toyota dealer in yuma said of the od light, there is definitely something wrong with the transmission.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 282007

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I was looking for an unfamiliar address on a very steep hill, and I stopped briefly to look around. I took my foot off the brake and, as would be expected, rolled back a bit while moving from brake to gas. I pressed the gas pedal and got no response; my car started rolling uncontrollably and swiftly backward. No gas, no brake. I was able to stop my car only by pulling the parking brake. I learned at the dealership the my car was designed to do this. No kidding; if you roll back more than a couple of inches when your car is in "drive, " as you will necessarily do on a steep hill, your engine will shut off automatically and you will lose control of your car. The tech at the dealership acted like I was an idiot for not knowing this. I asked "so the engine will shut off to save the transmission, at the expense of lives and property threatened by an uncontrollable vehicle?" he just shrugged. It is a miracle that I did not hit anyone or end up in the trees. The 2007 Toyota Corolla is an unsafe car, and should be taken off the road.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 152007

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150 miles
Veh purchased new may, 2007. It had less than 150 miles on it when the 1st incident happened. I was driving down a grade at approx 65 mph. There was a traffic light approx 350 to 450 ft ahead. I knew I could not make the light so I applied my brakes. The transmission or engine seemed to seize up and surge and my brakes were almost useless. It is an auto transmission & all I could think to do to stop was brake hard & shift into park. This did stop it...but I was frightened. Subsequently, approx two months later, while on vacation out of state, the veh started making a ticking sound as soon as the engine hit 3000 RPM's. upon returning to ca I took the car to the dealer and told him about both problems. They supposedly put it on their scope & no diagnoses code appeared. They said the noise was a loose hose"?" funny it only ticked at exactly 3000 RPM's!!!. they could not explain the seizing and surging. This car has now done this seizing and surging thing three more times. It is scary and frightening!! the 2nd & 3rd times, I again was on a down grade going around 65 mph at around 3000 RPM's. again it was a situation where I braked that caused the seizing then surging. The last & 4th time this thing happened was last week. I was idling in a drive through, waiting for my food. The transmission was in drive & I had my foot on the brake. It was in this position for about 5-7 minutes, moving slowly forward every 1-2 minutes. It was a warmer day- as I moved forward again, I pushed the A/C button to circulate some air. Suddenly, the car surged forward..made an awful sound & no amount of braking seemed to hold it. Again, as with the very first time, this brought the car into control! I work out of town and depend on having a car....but I am getting scared to drive this car. I have approx 8,500 miles on it now. I don't know if I trust the dealer to take this matter seriously & would really like Toyota's help.

- Hemet, CA, USA

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