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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,055 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.

2009 Toyota Corolla electrical problems

electrical problem

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2009 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Jan 062016

Corolla

  • 120,000 miles

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

I had spoken to mike from carson Toyota regarding this recall more than 6 months ago. I found out about this recall from my coworker who has the same model and year car as mine. Mike had told me that only a few Toyota were on recall and the last time I had gotten my oil changed there, he told me that my model was not in that recall.. but I did get a letter in the mail. I told him that my coworker told me about the electrical window on the right side. Mike had told me that it wouldn't be covered. I would have to pay about $400 plus for that window that got stuck. Mike did tell me that my VIN model was not counted for. I am real upset. This past December, I drove to san francisco when it is raining and windy, this is a real big hazard for a branch to have come inside my car without my daughter being able to close to the window and had poked her arm some how.

- Gardena, CA, USA

problem #62

Oct 112015

Corolla

  • miles
I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla (le). I bought it almost exactly 3 years ago with about 12,300 miles on it. Currently, it does not have 50K. I have to drive downtown for nursing school, it takes roughly 20-30 minutes. The very terrifying and incredibly dangerous issue that I have been having is that I will be driving 65mph on the expressway and it will suddenly just drop down to 30/40mph. Due to this issue, I have almost been in a crash. I will change lanes thinking my car will accelerate to pass someone and it will just drop down to 30mph! also, while I am idle, it will shake and rev..so the RPM will be up close to 2; yet, I am idle! I have read of others experiencing similar issues. This is so dangerous and I do not understand why this has not been addressed sooner. The worst part is no one knows what is wrong. I took it and had a diagnostic test run, it said one of the ignition coils was faulty..on a 2009 Toyota with less than 50K miles...that doesn't sound, right huh. Well, I took it to a mechanic and they gave me a new battery, an oil change and ran another diagnostic test (after switching the ignition coil(B) to another (acord). It recorded nothing. I spent $500 it was fine for about an hour then the check engine light came back on and it started doing the same thing. I am very angry with Toyota for not addressing this issue, especially since others have experienced it and it is dangerous. My safety and the safety of others is at risk.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #61

Oct 052015

Corolla

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. During inclement weather, the vehicle would not start. The contact constantly had to wait for the weather conditions to improve in order for the key to turn over to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #60

Oct 212015

Corolla

  • 78,000 miles

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

After replacing the alternator in my 2009 Corolla in July 2015. My timing chains and water pump malfunctioned while driving on the highway. I was unaware and so was the mechanic that the timing belts were damaged until after the water pump and serpentine belt was replaced. Due to timing issues from the previous malfunctions, I am now in need of a new motor. My vehicle has all required repairs or maintenance completed as scheduled and my vehicle has not even made it to 80,000 miles.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #59

Nov 092015

Corolla

  • 60,500 miles
7.5Y old Corolla le with 61,000 miles of gentle driving/excellent maintenance, all of a sudden, the alternator failed and the car steering wheel is locked, throwing me into panic. I managed to pull into a bank parking lot at chase bank on 161 w spring creek pkwy, plano. My previous car was 1995 Corolla, had same experience. I would never feel safe in these vehicles. I feel these denso alternators may be defective at such low mileage and gentle use. Anyone else have similar issue with denso alternator [model 104210-5480]?

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #58

Oct 202015

Corolla

  • 62,000 miles
Driver side power window switch started smoking and I had to take it out to prevent a fire. One of the switches would not operate freely and seemed to get stuck. Thought I was going to have a fire and when I removed it I found components melted. Cannot operate window and it is in open position. Vehicle was moving at the time and I had to return to home and park since switch was smoking.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #57

Oct 082008

Corolla

  • 1,275 miles

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

Dangerous car to drive. Vehicle drifts hard left when driving in a straight line. Problem is made worse when driving next to a large trailer truck with crosswinds. Car steering has a large loose, dead center feel disconnected to the road. When turning, the power steering does not move the steering wheel to the center. The driver has to manually correct the wheel every time. I purchased the car "new" from the dealer. I still own it today, and the steering is just as bad. In bad weather, the problem is absolutely terrible. The dealer has no solution.

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #56

Aug 072015

Corolla

  • miles
Driver's door lock does not lock/unlock when pressing the lock/unlock button on the key fob and pressing the lock/unlock button on the driver's door and passengers door.

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #55

Jul 082014

Corolla

  • 27,000 miles
I am the original owner of a 2009 Toyota Corolla which I purchased new from a local Toyota dealership. I have always had them do recommended service, etc. And have taken great care of this vehicle. In July 2014 my car was making a rattling sound and I took it in for service. At that time it barely turned over and started, although I had replaced the battery in 2013. The car had a faulty alternator and when they were doing service they also discovered a broken water pump. The car only had apprx. 27,000 miles at that time. On 8-9-15 the car barely started and as I backed out the battery light came on and I lost my power steering. I had to have the car towed to the dealership and the problem was another defective alternator! the car only has less than 32,000 miles and another alternator. Although the part was just out of warranty, the dealership covered the part, but I had to pay $132 labor and go without a vehicle for 2 days. My family and I always own Toyota and have excellent service from the cars. This one, not so much! now I'm wondering what will go next. I think this will be my last Toyota.

- No. Charleston, SC, USA

problem #54

Aug 032015

Corolla

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while traveling on a hill, the alternator assembly warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #53

Jun 012015

Corolla

  • 126,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #52

Jun 232015

Corolla

  • 87,700 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 40 mph, the ABS and battery warning indicators illuminated. The odometer, blinkers, and front windshield wipers failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,700.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #51

May 092015

Corolla

  • 10 miles
The high beams on the headlights come on without the control being touched. This began when I first bought the car & still does. At first it would happen at any time of the day but now it happens only when it is dark or getting dark. This could impair the vision of the driver of an oncoming vehicle. It is most dangerous on narrow streets. There are other electrical problems that occur from time to time such as the cruise control, power mirrors, air conditioner, driving & dash lights not working. Also the dome light has remained on causing the battery to run down.these latter problems do not seem to pose the threat that the headlights do but they seem to be connected & they are a distraction that could cause problems. I have taken my car to the dealer many times but they never corrected the problem.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #50

Mar 182015

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
At 89,000 miles, the battery light came on early in the day but I continued to drive it after stopping at Toyota who confirmed it was a "battery light." Later in the day, while traveling close to home at about 25mph, all the lights came on in the dashboard and the car started to seize up: Steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and I could barely get the car over to the curb (it happened within minutes). The car completely shut down. It turned out to be an alternator gone bad. Frightening experience but I am glad it happened at 25 mph and not on the freeway earlier in the day, or it could have caused an accident. In the future, I will get all warning lights checked out promptly and not assume that a battery symbol means only the battery is dying. Perhaps Toyota needs an "alternator light" as well, as this is a serious situation.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #49

Dec 302014

Corolla

  • 80,000 miles
My 2009 Toyota Corolla, which I bought new in 2009, power window panel, caught fire on December 30 while I was driving it and when I brought it to the franchise I purchased it from on December 31, they told me, it was regular wear and tear and that my car was old and I would have to pay for it myself.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #48

Nov 092014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 73,318 miles
While traveling nw on hwy 99 through merced ca at 08:30 am Nov. 9, 2014, I experienced a sudden acceleration of my car while in cruise mode going up the ramp just at the nw edge of merced. It continued to accelerate till the RPM gauge was into the red. At the same time, I was very tense, maneuvering in traffic while applying the brakes in an effort to slow down or stop, which heated up until they were barely working. I shut the motor off while in drive and turned it back on a few times and each time the engine went right into high rev mode again. I finally put the transmission into N and shut the engine off and coasted to the side of the road about a mile or so from where the problem started, regained my composure and allowed the car to sit a few minutes. I tried the engine starter and things seemed normal again so I cautiously exited the highway about a 1/4 mile from where I had stopped. Things continued to act normally so I came back home 18 miles and had no more problems. What do I do with this car" keep driving it this way? take it back to Toyota" they did the recall repair for this problem already, yet now this!! very troubling!

- Chowchilla, CA, USA

problem #47

Jun 152008

Corolla

  • 2,967 miles
Engine by driving when excelling engine shut off this car was T taken to the dealer up to five times and three accidents. The dealer ship keith pierson Toyota 6501 youngerman circle jacksonville fla 3 2244. Also I have claim number file with Toyota corporations [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #46

Jun 302014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 58,950 miles
While I was driving the car started stalling really bad and losing power, the engine light came up and I couldn't speed more than twenty five miles, because the car started trying to shut off on me in the middle of the street again. I took the car to get checked out and the troubleshooting codes came out as being the ignition coils due to the engine harness being bad, (difficult to believe I said ), cables don't go bad like that in Florida.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #45

Jul 142014

Corolla

  • 48,000 miles
1. while driving at approx. 25 mph, the car suddenly lost power; I was able to drive about 2 mph into a nearby gas station. The battery light was not on, but the orange engine light came on. After 5 minutes, the employee was able to start the car and I drove one mile to my home. My repair mechanic did a computer scan indicating possible problems with a switch and suggested that I drive around for about a week before returning. 2. a similar incident occurred 10 days later. I glided into a parking lot, waited 10 min., and the car resumed at regular speed. 3. on 8/7/14, I drove 2 mi. Back to the repair shop at a regular speed. A second scan could not be completed because the car suddenly stopped responding to the repair shop's computer. At this point the car is completely inoperable and must be towed to a Toyota dealer. I was advised that I may need a new computer. My 2009 Toyota Corolla has about 48,000 miles on it. I do not believe that a computer failure is normal within the age and mileage range of this car. Thank you for looking into this issue..

- Pikesville, MD, USA

problem #44

Jul 232014

Corolla

  • 8,500 miles
This vehicle has had the water pump go out the brakes the alternator has had problems with the emergency brakes the air bag has had the struts replaced the gas lever stopped working and now the trunk release won't work I have replaced now 5 tires because one blow right after I got the car and now my car has just 85 thousand miles on it. I have heard so many good things about Toyota but this is the worst car I have ever own I will never buy or advise anyone to buy a Toyota again.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

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