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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,115 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

May 212022

Corolla

  • miles

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

Vehicle speed control / sudden unintended acceleration. This was NOT a "misapplication of pedal" by driver! It was clearly a mechanical failure-€"apparently accelerator pedal (not floor mat, which was secured on its pegs). NO warning lamp, msg, symptom prior to crash. Afterward, saw NHTSA rpts others FIXED speed control issue & same prob STILL recurred! My VIN wasn't listed as unrepaired (likely the original owner repaired recall issue/s)-€"yet car was still dangerous! At slow speed, approx 1-2 mph, I was entering my garage in usual way, turning R. Car abruptly sped up uncontrollably (self-accelerated); couldn't stop it! Crashed thru garage doorpost & wall, then backyard fence. Lucky I'm alive & no one in yard. VERY traumatic! Physical injury (neck/back) helped by ibuprofen. FWIW air bag didn't deploy. AAA said they'd only tow for repair, not inspection. I wasn't going to repair; I'd NEVER trust driving that car again & wouldn't sell to ANYONE to drive, due to grave concern same issue'd recur! Available for inspection at PickNPull, Moss Landing, CA. PnP corp agreed they'd haul away ONLY for its OTHER parts-€"order taker understood it had UNTRUSTED accelerator pedal / vehicle speed control. They also promised me they wouldn't let anyone drive it! Of 2009 Corolla NHTSA's 1,523 rpts, "vehicle speed control" is 3rd highest, far > nearly all other rpts. Below, a few of MANY related examples. (Note: dates may be either report or incident dates.) 10/26/21 NHTSA #11438174; 5/31/17 #10992371; 7/16/16 #10885246 ("CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL...STILL AN ISSUE WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.); 6/3/16, #10872355; 10/2/14 #10640760 ("VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT FAILURE RECURRED"); 9/30/14 #10640098; 9/25/14 #10639073; 11/16/13 #10552563; 3/4/12 #10450183; 2/10/12 #10450183 ("ALREADY HAD ALL OF TOYOTA'S "RECALL" REMEDIES";) 1/29/12 #10447756; 6/22/10 #10343426 (recall work had been done); 6/23/10 #10340943 (work had been done); 6/6/10 #10339969; 5/18/10 #10330952.

- Monterey, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 122021

Corolla

  • miles
The car speed variable when I try speed up became slow or sometimes it speed up one time it stops in the middle of rail crossing and completely stop then I moved out and the car pushed up other side and the car accelerated not working properly nod the fuel system also I have big doubt about this car!

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #30

Apr 172021

Corolla

  • 514,330 miles
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.

- Elmira, NY, USA

problem #29

Jan 272021

Corolla

  • 149,340 miles

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

My 17 year old daughter got into a car accident on 01/27/2021, she pressed on the brakes but they did not engage causing her to hit another vehicle on a neighborhood side street

- Havelock, NC, USA

problem #28

Oct 032020

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
THE BREAK STOPPED WORKING. I HAD ALMOST GOTTEN INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, I HIT A CLOSE DONATION METAL CONTAINER AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE MY CAR CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC AND THE ISSUE IS NOT RELATED TO BREAK PADS AND/OR ROTOR. IT IS A DUE TO A MANUFACTURING RELATED ISSUE; HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT TOWED FOR A RECALL SERVICE TO DARCARS TOYOTA DEALER IN SILVER SPRING MD WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS MODEL AND YEAR IS UNDER RECALL FOR BREAKS BUT NOT IN THE STATE OF MD OR DC. YOU CAN REACH ME AT [XXX] OR [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).-€

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #27

Nov 012017

Corolla

  • 69,638 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that there was a manufacturer campaign to address the failure and that the rear wheel bearing harnesses needed to be replaced. The manufacturer issued four technical service bulletins on the brake system, but there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,638.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #26

Mar 312017

Corolla

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V006000 (air bags), 10V023000 (vehicle speed control), and 09V338000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (gambrel Toyota dealer, located in corbin, ky), but the parts were not available for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect and VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Bledsoe, KY, USA

problem #25

Oct 172016

Corolla

  • 49,500 miles
Takata recall power window master switch recall smart stop technology

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #24

Jul 262016

Corolla

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V340000 (air bags) and 09V338000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #23

Oct 112015

Corolla

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 40 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes malfunctioned. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The front passenger sustained a minor head injury that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.

- Millbrae, CA, USA

problem #22

Aug 272009

Corolla

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V168000 (air bags), 12V491000 (visibility) and 09V338000 (service brakes, hydraulics); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Kemah, TX, USA

problem #21

Oct 082008

Corolla

  • 1,275 miles
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 #20

Jan 292015

Corolla 6-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
ABS and brake lights came on. The mechanic tells me that both rear ABS sensors are bad (codes C0210 and C0215). This is a Toyota Corolla 2009 le with only 81K miles and I hear the same problem exists in some friend's cars. We have lots of snow in cleveland area and it is ridiculous not to have ABS working because of this problem. Looking at discussion groups, this sounds like a recall to me.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #19

Oct 102014

Corolla

  • 61,955 miles
Toyota sent me an undated notice of a limited service campaign to install smart stop technology. When I took my car in for the installation, Toyota said I first had to have an inspection because I had actually experienced an unintended acceleration though there was no damage or injury. Despite my daily phone calls, they have yet to schedule that inspection and to install smart stop, leaving me without a car because they tell me not to drive mine until smart stop is installed.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #18

Aug 072014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Foot removed from accelerator and car accelerates upon applying the brakes, happens frequently and causes concern when parking or approaching a vehicle stopped in front of you, lengthens time to stop---vehicle was purchased just prior to date of first incident.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #17

Aug 272014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 73,036 miles
I was driving back home and slowed down with the intention of stopping at a traffic intersection. My brakes did not engage at the normal level of pressure that I use, and I had to press it all the way down. When the brake was slammed all the way down the brakes did engage, but the engine started revving up and the RPM meter was to its maximum. I did not take my foot off the brakes because I knew if I did, the car would have travelled at 120mph. I immediately pulled the handbrake lever up, changed the gear to park, and switched off the ignition. I am just happy to be alive today, and am very thankful for my presence of mind. I immediately called a tow truck and towed the car to the nearest Toyota dealership. We did take the car to the dealership a week back to do a software upgrade and a couple of other recalls, and the unintended acceleration that I experienced happened a week after that. Toyota after their investigation concluded that the brake and the accelerator were engaged at the same time. They are essentially saying that my 5.5 shoe size foot was both on the brake and the accelerator pedal at the same time. I did look at my foot to make sure that it was indeed on the brakes when the car was revving up. So I can say with 100% certainty that my foot was only on the brake and the brake pedal was slammed all the way down. Like in previous cases e.g. Oklahoma court case, Toyota is blaming the driver when in fact, the software responsible for throttle control was clearly shown to have over 85000 bugs by expert testimony given in the Oklahoma case. If not for my presence of mind, I would certainly have been dead yesterday, and I am still in shock and awe recovering from the incident.

- Streetsboro, OH, USA

problem #16

Aug 082014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
My wife rear ended a taxi, she complained that the brakes did not stop the car. We had the car towed to the house, I freed the hood and removed the bumper cover to inspect the damage. When I got in and tried the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. When I opened the brake fluid reservoir to check the fluid, the brakes returned to normal. That indicates a vacuum to me, which is not normal.I would like to request analysis of the event data recorder.

- Sparrows Point , MD, USA

problem #15

Aug 112014

Corolla

  • miles
I was leaving the drive thru to park my car and wait for my food to come out. I made an immediate left followed by an immediate left to park in a handicap spot. I pressed the brakes and my car didn't slow down at all. I kept pressing it and nothing happened. My car went over the concrete block in front of the handicap thru bushes and finally stopped when I hit the corner of the building I pulled the car into reverse and pulled the E-brake. Thankfully I was pulling off so I was going slow and no one was hit and I didn't break through the glass but, I turned my car off for about 20 mins to clam down. When I turned the car back on it operated as if nothing happened. I dealt with recalls when the car first was out but, I didn't see any recent ones pop up but, looking through other complaints I see that some people are having the same experience. I called up Toyota so many times in regards to my breaks and nothing ever came of it every single time they told me nothing was wrong they didn't feel or hear anything or see anything. Clearly something is wrong scared to drive my car but, I really do not want to purchase a new car. Its crazy to be having issues like this. Now I have to get my front bumper fixed.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #14

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

problem #13

Jul 032014

Corolla 6-cyl

  • 93,500 miles
I was merging onto traffic heading West on I-10 in houston. The cars in front of me suddenly stopped and I started applying the brakes hard when there was at least 10 feet distance between my car and the car in front of me. I was merging at peak traffic hour and was not more than 40-45 miles/hour speed. When I applied the brakes, the car refused to stop and I hit the vehicle in front of me. I applied the brakes hard such that any other car would have skidded the tyres. This car just plain refused to stop and I ended up in a wreck which caused extensive damage to my car and now am having to go through insurance. I have driven other similar cars and their brakes are a lot more effective. I am currently driving a rental car of similar size and their brakes are highly effective. I do not know if this is related to an early recall about brakes on the car, but I have been prompt about getting all my recalls fixed in the car.

- Katy, TX, USA

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