Toyota Corolla Complaints (2009)

1,459 consumer complaints on file.

#10261095March 8, 2009
STEERING
I JUST GOT A 2009 COROLLA LE YESTERDAY AND TODAY WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WAS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR STRAIGHT AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50MPH. I NEED THIS CAR FOR COMMUTING BUT AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY AND AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PURCHASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260936March 6, 2009
STEERING
MY DAUGHTER STATED SHE WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WITH THE STEERING AND KEEPING THE CAR CENTERED ON THE ROAD. SHE WENT AROUND A CURVE AND LOST CONTROL. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND LANDED DRIVER'S SIDE DOWN, BACKWARDS IN A DITCH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260647March 4, 2009
STEERING
I HAVE HAD MY 2009 COROLLA FOR ONLY A WEEK AND THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD SWAY TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT MAKING IT HARD TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT MAYBE THIS STEERING ISSUE WAS IN MY HEAD, BUT AFTER READING OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS I JUST FEEL MAD. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS. YOU LITERALLY TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE ROAD FOR A SECOND AND YOU ARE DRIFTING INTO ANOTHER LANE. THIS ISN'T JUST AN ISSUE OF ANNOYANCE, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEBODY COULD POSSIBLY GET KILLED. IF TOYOTA DOESN'T START A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, THERE TOP SELLING CAR'S RECORD OF UNSURPASSED RELIABILITY COULD BE TARNISHED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260287February 28, 2009
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA LAST YEAR AND HAVE 8,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT PRESENT. WINTER IS TOUGH IN BUFFALO, NY SO I USE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER EVERY DAY. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY THE WASHER MECHANISM WORKS FINE BUT WHEN TRAVELING FROM 30MPH AND UP, THE WASHER MECHANISM CAUSES THE FLUID TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD VERY LOW EVEN UNDER THE WIPER BLADES AND FLUID RUNS UP THE WINDSHIELD FORCING THE DRIVER TO TURN ON THE WIPERS NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD FOR MINUTES AFTER SPRAYING THE WASHER FLUID. THE WASHER MECHANISM IS NOT ADJUSTABLE BEING MOUNTED UNDER THE HOOD SO REPLACING THEM WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME. I HAVE AN APPT. AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEXT SATURDAY TO SHOW THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259308February 19, 2009
STEERING, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
I ORDERED A NEWLY-DESIGNED 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA XLE FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. IT ARRIVED IN AUGUST, 2009. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO XLE MODELS ON THE LOT, SO A TEST DRIVE WAS NOT POSSIBLE. AFTER THE CAR ARRIVED, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING INDEPENDENTLY ON THE ROAD TO THE LEFT WITHOUT JUST CAUSE. I THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE TIRES/STEERING/ OR ALIGNMENT ON MY NEXT VISIT. AS THE WEATHER BECAME MORE RAINY IN THE FALL, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR KEPT FEELING AS THOUGH IT WAS NOT HOLDING THE ROAD SAFELY-- PARTICULARLY AT TURNPIKE SPEED. I LIVE RELATIVELY CLOSE TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE I TEACH, SO I DO NOT HAVE TO USUALLY DRIVE THE TURNPIKE, BUT WHEN I DID--THE CAR 'S STEERING OR TIRES ?? FELT OUT OF CONTROL. THEN I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR CAME ON AND I SAW THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE WHEN I WAS AT SCHOOL. THE DEALERSHIP CAME AND TOWED THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP. THEY PATCHED IT. I THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SENSOR KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, EXPLAINING THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND I THOUGHT MAYBE THE STEERING OR TIRES WERE NOT WORKING. THEY WORKED ON IT AGAIN AND I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY BALANCED, ALIGNED, ETC. AND I PAID FOR IT. THEN IT SNOWED AND I NOTICED THAT THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF SNOW INCREASED THE UNSAFE FEELING OF NOT HAVING STEERING CONTROL. I HAVE TIRES THAT ARE BRIDGESTONE/TURANZA TIRES THAT ARE RATED M/S THAT CAME WITH THE CAR PLUS THE NEW TIRE THEY REPLACED IS THE SAME KIND. PLEASE KNOW THAT WE HAVE OWNED ANOTHER TOYOTA FOR 12 YEARS AND NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I FEEL UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257522February 5, 2009
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AND ROADS THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A SUDDEN SURPRISE PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT RANDOMLY. ONE THING TO NOTE WHEN TURNING ANY CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T RECOVER STRAIGHT AS IF IT FORGOT I TURNED. THE CAR IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD. NOTICE THE DANGEROUS PROBLEM ON MY FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE. I LOOK IT BACK FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY. FOR 2 DAYS TOYOTA SERVICE CHECKED ALIGNMENT AND DROVE IT. THEY FIND THE STEERING WHEEL IN TOLERANCE. SCOTTY SAID IT'S NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF NEW ELECTRIC STEERING. YOU MUST KEEP BOTH HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL OR IT WILL STEER OUT OF ASSIGN LANE. AFTER A 2ND TRIP IN A WEEK OF OWNING THIS CAR DECIDED TO TEST DRIVE A DIFFERENT 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA AND DROVE JUST FINE. I ONLY WISHED MINE WOULD HAVE DROVE STRAIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257422February 4, 2009
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY/ROADS THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A SURPRISE PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. ONE THING TO NOTE WHEN TURNING THE CORNER THE STEERING WILL NOT RECOVER STRAIGHT. THE CAR IS LESS THEN A WEEK OLD. NOTICE THE PROBLEM ON MY FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT BACK FOR 2 DAYS AND THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT SCOTTY SAID IT'S NORMAL FOR THIS NEW TYPE OF STEERING. YOU MUST KEEP BOTH HANDS ON WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256193January 24, 2009
VISIBILITY
2009 TOYOTA COROLLA LE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS SIGNIFICANT DISTORTION AND DOES NOT PRESENT A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROAD BEHIND. VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, TO JUDGE WHERE VEHICLES ARE. MIRROR APPEARS TO BE SLIGHTLY CONCAVE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN INTENTIONAL "MAGNIFICATION" FEATURE. PER 49 CFR 571.111, DRIVERS SIDE MIRRORS ON CARS SOLD IN THE US MUST HAVE UNIT MAGNIFICATION, I.E. THEY MUST BE FLAT. I CANNOT FIND ANY EXEMPTION FOR TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253896January 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BOUGHT BRAND NEW (3MILES) COROLLA LE ON FRIDAY, JAN 2, 2009. ON JAN 5, WHILE MAKING A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR COMPLETELY "FROZE": NO STEERING, NO ACCELERATION, NO BRAKING POSSIBLE. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I CAME TO A STOP (LUCKILY, THE PARKING LOT WAS SEMI-EMPTY); TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, RESTARTED THE CAR. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE OFF- BUT THE "CHECK ENGINE" STAYED ON. CALLED THE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED BRINGING THE CAR TO SERVICE FOR A CHECK. DROVE THERE (7 MILES)- THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT REMAINED ON THE WHOLE TIME. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT "THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON". WAS GIVEN THE CAR BACK (AFTER ROAD TEST BY THE MECHANIC AND, PRESUMABLY, A COMPUTERIZED CHECK) AND TOLD THAT "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR". FEEL COMPLETELY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252672December 23, 2008
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN WINDY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THIS WAS A GRADUAL CHANGE IN DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/25/09. JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243507September 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
REFERENCE: ODI NUMBER 1024 3336 CANCEL THIS COMPLAINT - DEALER HANDLED COMPLAINT 100% TO MY TOTAL SATISFACTION. YOUR GOV.'T REPRESENTATIVE SAID TO USE THIS FORM TO ADD FURTHER DETAILS OR TO CANCEL THIS COMPLAINT. THANK YOU. JMV *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243319September 24, 2008
AIR BAGS, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE MASS PIKE IN FRAMINGHAM, MA, AND MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL. I NEITHER HIT ANYTHING NOR DID I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS RESULTED IN MY CAR SWERVING OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING THE BARRIER AND FLIPPING OVER. MY CAR LANDED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF 2 OF THE 6 AIR BAGS I HAVE IN MY CAR, AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER BARREL ROLLING MY CAR. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND I AM UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR SEVERE WHIPLASH TO MY BACK AND NECK. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CONSIDERED THE ACCIDENT A HUMAN ERROR, YET I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. MY FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN A CAR MECHANIC FOR OVER 20 YEARS FEELS THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL FLAW ON THE VEHICLE, AND DOES NOT SEE HOW THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ME. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE REGARDING A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURER'S ERROR ON MY NEW BUT TOTALED 09 TOYOTA COROLLA. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10243336September 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER THAT HIS FEET BECOME TANGLED, AND HE LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 15, 30, AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO MOVE THE CLUTCH PEDAL APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 INCHES TO THE LEFT AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID DEPRESSING BOTH PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE A SHIFT PATTERN AROUND THE STICK SHIFT FOR CORRECT SHIFTING. HE FEELS IT IS EASY TO MISS FIFTH GEAR AND SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR BY MISTAKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242661September 17, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADREST POSITIONS HER HEAD AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE, WHICH CAUSES NECK PAIN. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE HEADREST, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE COULD ACTUALLY TURN THE HEADREST BACKWARDS; HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE HEADRESTS WERE DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO TURN THE HEADREST IN THE BACKWARD POSITION SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE IN PAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,080 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 630.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241971September 12, 2008
VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE NEAR BY. THE CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TWO AUTO GLASS COMPANIES CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A STRESS FRACTURE CAUSE BY THE MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE BLAME AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241420September 9, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR PARKED ON DRY, LEVEL SURFACE. DRIVER STARTED CAR NORMALLY, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE PARKING SPOT, EASED ONTO THE GAS, AND THE CAR WENT FORWARD. STOPPED THE CAR, DOUBLE CHECKED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS FIRMLY IN REVERSE, EASED ON GAS AGAIN AND, ONCE AGAIN, CAR WENT FORWARD. THIS FORWARD LURCH DRUG THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER. CAR STOPPED TO INSPECT DAMAGE. WHEN CAR STARTED AGAIN, EVERYTHING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238482August 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLING WHEN MAKING A QUICK DECELERATION FROM OVER 40MPH TO 15MPH OR TO A COMPLETE STOP. ENGINE DIES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND ELECTRICAL CONTINUES TO FUNCTION. CAR RESTARTS WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED 2CE IN THE PAST 2 DAYS, ONCE THE ENGINE WAS COLD, WITHIN 2 MILES OF START, THE OTHER OCCURRED WHEN ENGINE WAS WARM AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES ON HIGHWAY, AND SLOWING DOWN QUICKLY TO PASS THROUGH ELECTRONIC TOLL BOOTH. TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE, COULD NOT DUPLICATE, NOR DID THE SYSTEM STORE ANY CODES OR EVENT CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237839August 12, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE HAVE A SERIOUS NIGHTTIME DRIVING VISIBILITY CONDITION. THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW MAKING HEADLIGHTS WITH PLASTIC LENS WHICH TEND TO DARKEN IN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME THEREBY INHIBITING NIGHTTIME DRIVING VISION ESPECIALLY FOR OLDER PEOPLE WHO NEED MORE LIGHT THAN A YOUNGER DRIVER. IT IN MY OPINION SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO GO BACK TO GLASS LENSES FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236326July 29, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT, STRUCTURE
ATTACHED IS LETTER SUBMITTED TO TOYOTA 7/22/08 I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM WEST HERR TOYOTA, ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK ON MAY 16, 2008. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK A ROAD TRIP FROM NY TO PA, APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS OF DRIVING. I AM WRITING TO YOU TODAY TO REPORT MY DISSATISFACTION WITH THE FRONT HEADRESTS IN THE TOYOTA COROLLA. I AM AN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST AND HAVE WORKED MANY YEARS IN THE INDUSTRIAL REHABILITATION FIELD. I HAVE A PREVIOUS NECK INJURY FROM YEARS OF DOING GYMNASTICS. THE CURRENT FRONT SEAT HEADRESTS ARE ANGLED AT 35% FORWARD FLEXION, WHICH MAY BE POSITIVE IN A CRASH TEST TO PREVENT NECK INJURIES, HOWEVER, IT IS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR COMFORTABLE DRIVING AND PROPER ERGONOMIC FOR SEATED POSITIONS. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED TO MY FINAL DESTINATION IN YORK, PA, MY ENTIRE RIGHT ARM WAS NUMB AND ACHING. I BROUGHT THIS SITUATION TO THE ATTENTION OF MY SALESMAN AT TOYOTA (BILL BITTERMAN) HE SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT YOUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY. HE ALSO TRIED TO REPLACE THE HEADRESTS WITH AN OLDER COROLLA HEADREST, THEY DO NOT FIT INTO THE ANCHOR HOLES OF THE SEAT. SINCE THEN, I TOOK THE SMALLER BACK SEAT HEADREST AND MOVED IT FORWARD TO THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT IS MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THE PREVIOUS HEADREST, BUT IT IS LOOKS AWKWARD AND IS NOT SAFE. ALSO, I MOVED THE FRONT HEADREST TO THE BACK, IT IS TOO LARGE AND CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES. MY REQUEST OF YOU IS TO? #1. CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR DESIGN FOR THE HEADRESTS SO THEY DO NOT FORWARD FLEX AT SUCH A GREAT ANGLE TO AVOID MANY ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS IN THE FUTURE. #2. SEND TWO NEW FRONT HEADRESTS FOR THE FRONT SEATS (GRAY INTERIOR) THAT FIT APPROPRIATELY AND AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I AM AWARE OF HOW POWERFUL THE ?VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER? IS AND I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THIS LETTER OF CONCERN SERIOUSLY. I TRULY DO LIKE ALL ASPECTS OF THIS CAR, EXCEPT THE FRONT TWO HEADRESTS. SHAWNA R. DOSSER, MS EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST & HEALTH EDUCATOR*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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