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7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$820
Average Mileage:
82,600 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace computer (5 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. secure gas cap (1 reports)
2005 Toyota Corolla electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 072013

Corolla LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,600 miles

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

Fairly significant since we just bought it and can not get emission tested until light is off.

No passing emissions test = No registration.

- D S., Oak Creek, WI, US

problem #7

Apr 082013

Corolla CE 1.8L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,500 miles

Went to dealer in 2008 and they said I had to replace the charcoal filter and was not covered warrenty expired. The dealer wanted to charge me $1100 for front brakes and the charcoal canister filter. so I said no and got charged $98.00 Diagnostic fee. Went to a Mechanic they did a diagnostic found nothing wrong and had the front brakes replaced. Back in march 2013 engine light went on had a diagonostic check for free by my mechanic and said its a charcoal filter problem or the gas cap was not properly closed. checked the cap it was not on correctly and that was the problem. engine light off. July 1st engine light back on, car running fine, had a dignostic done by a mechanic and its a evap problem. they said its a big problem with toyota, there should be a recall. There was a recall on my car in 2011 I was notified and brought it in to get the computer on the car replaced. Toyota dealer said no other problem with the car.

- rond3, Woodbridge, NJ, US

problem #6

Dec 012008

Corolla S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Engine light came on, code was the ECM. Went to Toyota they were reluctant to help me and were very rude. Dropped it off and the light went off, they called me 6 hours later and said they didn't find a problem and my 100$ was non-refundable. I told them to drive it for 5 minutes and the light would come back on, sure enough it did and was to replace the ECM, this was in 2008 and it was replaced under warranty.

Now, 2010 my light is on again this time prompting my torque converter, which I found is damaged because the ECM is defective and controls the transmission. Went to Toyota, same Clairmont Toyota, they basically pushed me out the door and wouldn't help me. Called corp and opened a claim which they closed before I even had a chance to bring the car in for diagnosis. Then after re-opening and after the diagnosis they denied my claim. Manager of the service dept was rude and completely unwilling to even explain why. So I paid 2000$ to have my transmission rebuilt, drove out of the shop and light came on, car was shaking violently, shifting so hard, missing gears and then when downshifting in traffic almost stalling. 5 times I have brought it back and now Toyota says the ECM needs to be replace again and they don't want to honor it and fix it.

Any advice???

- bosrock, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, US

problem #5

Jul 312010

Corolla LE 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,500 miles

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

First an last Toyota for me.Reliability,0. Dealer,-0.

- Joe H., Ssf, CA, US

problem #4

Jul 072010

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Car has always shifted hard. 2 dealers told me this was just how the corolla's with AT transmissions were. Now that the car is out of warranty the check engine light comes on. P2716 Harsh shift code - replace ECM for $700.00. This problem is well documented on the internet and with Toyota yet they won't recall it until somebody dies when the car completely stalls. Toyota has updated the ECM several times and issued a technical service bulletin in 2006 on how to fix this problem. Still no recall. Called 800 # and got nowhere. Some poor sap that Toyota lets read off some canned response that means nothing. Can't even talk to a supervisor. What a crock. Local rep said if I'd had my oil changes done at the dealership he might assist. What in the hell does where I have my oil changed have to do with Toyota's bad ECM's. Greedy bastards. I'm selling my Toyota and Lexus and going back to Honda and Acura.

- tysonf, Ozark, MO, US

problem #3

Apr 192010

Corolla S 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

The engine light on my 2005 toyota corolla came off. I took the car to the dealer and had to pay $105.00 for the diagnostic test. Was told that the ECU ( something about computer) had to be replaced and quote as $800 to fix it. I told the technician that my car is only five years old and well taken care off. Could it be a factory defect and should be replaced free of charge considering the toyota's massive recall going on today.The technician said there is nothing they can do.

I was so disappointed with this car. I once own a honda civic and drove it for 15 year and did not give me this ECU problem. A friend told me to call corporate office to complaint. Same thing, they also told me that I am on my own. There is nothing they could do. I asked them do I have to replace this ECU every five years? They did not give me an answer. May be I got a lemon car? I couldn't believe that the life of this ECU is only five years. For now I don't have choice but to take it back to the dealer and have it fix. Hopefully everything ends well.... I thought I bought a dependable car that I can drive for at least 10 years plus like my first car (honda) but guess not....so disappointing.

- Vicky S., Chino Hills, CA, US

problem #2

Aug 272009

Corolla LE 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

A known problem with these cars that Toyota refuses to take care of. They are defective and could cause serious injury or death as the transmission is controlled by the ECM or Electronic Control Module. The transmission slams in and out of gear probably causing damage to it will making the car undriveable.

- arastos, Saratoga, NY, US

problem #1

Jul 062009

Corolla LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Bought my car new with 21 miles.... 2yrs ago with 40k miles on it computer replaced. Then 2 weeks ago at 90k miles after having a 90k checkup in May, the check engine light came on and there was hesitation as car goes into gear. Took it to Toyota, they dx. computer and replaced it for $900. One week later the light comes back on, took it back in for 2days, light went off and they couldn't figure out what was wrong so they dx. gas cap. Then yesterday light came back on after 6d of having car back, took it back in. They got error codes, but said those parts checked out ok. Now light has gone back off and they haven't been able to consistently diagnosis the problem so they are keeping for a couple days to see if light comes back on. This is ridiculous!!! I bought a Toyota as they are supposed to be dependable! Then to tell me the error codes the computer they just put in are wrong.. something just isn't right! For now, still no answer!!!!

- shelittle65, Jessup, MD, US

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