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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-TOYOTA-COROLLA NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2009 · Toyota

Toyota Corolla problems

1,533 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 1 active recall campaign on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Corolla?
Avoid — the steering

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
568 reports · fails ~86,099 mi · avg $1,100
critical
steering
387 reports · fails ~33,514 mi · avg $700
severe
cruise control
142 reports · fails ~26,097 mi · avg $600
severe
engine
103 reports · fails ~68,252 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
brakes
92 reports · fails ~28,719 mi · avg $450
severe
electrical
72 reports · fails ~66,345 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
36 reports · fails ~54,191 mi · avg $2,500
severe
body
28 reports · fails ~66,112 mi · avg $1,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 Corolla's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 Corolla?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Corolla · electrical
All dashboards came on and the vehicle stalled. Also when pressing the brake or putting any load on the electrical system the vehicle starts stalling. It is not consistent and can't be repeated consistently.
12/31/2018 · at 90,147 mi · NHTSA ODI #11164197.0 · see electrical pattern →
2009 Corolla · powertrain
Transmission slips in and out of gear while traveling at consistent speeds on roads and freeways with little grades. While in commuter traffic where the transmission is constantly engaged the transmission does not grab and engage every time. *tr
12/31/2009 · at 30,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10297638.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2009 Corolla · brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota matrix. Recall number 09v338000 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum) excludes other cold weather states such as pennsylvania and ohio. Consequently brake failure could occur in vehicles who operate in such cold conditions.…
2009 Corolla · airbags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Toyota corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
View all 1,533 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Toyota Corolla? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V491000 October 10, 2012

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2009 Toyota Corolla reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 1,533 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota Corolla has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2009 Toyota Corolla?

On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Toyota Corolla is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints and 4 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Steering: 387 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 7,600–40,000 mi; Cruise-control: 142 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,000–37,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota Corolla?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 568 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,099 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,099 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota Corolla has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota Corolla?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,533 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Corolla. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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