2008 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 345 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 77 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 48 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleOct 17, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Campaign 19V741000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleAug 28, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
Campaign 19V627000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMar 3, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.
Campaign 16V127000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMar 2, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.
Campaign 16V128000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingAug 26, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 10V384000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
161 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Apr 18, 2011, crash
MY DAUGHTER HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. OUR 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA S STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON ITS FRONT LEFT FENDER. OUR 2008 COROLLA SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE BUMPER, DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, BOTH FENDERS, RADIATOR, ETC. THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR WAS RIPPED OFF THE CHASSIS. DURING THE IMPACT, THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED, HOWEVER, THE FRONT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!! THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO EAST COAST TOYOTA, RT. 17, WOOD-RIDGE, NJ WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON FEB. 22, 2011 AS A "CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE." WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FAULTY AIR BAGS & THAT THEY DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH OF 30 MPH. THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP & GM OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION & TO HAVE A TOYOTA CORP. REP. LOOK AT THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHY THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO TELL US THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD ONLY DEPLOY DURING A FRONT IMPACT, BUT THE CAR DID IN FACT SUSTAIN HEAVY DAMAGES DO TO THE IMPACT BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT THE STEEL STABILIZER BAR WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF. THAT ALONE SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE NUMEROUS DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT END, MOTOR, RADIATOR & OTHER PARTS. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER, MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER & TOYOTA TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT WORK AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. *TR
Air bags, Mar 30, 2011, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA LE AT 55 MPH, I ENCOUNTERED A DEER AND WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH THE ANIMAL, ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, 2011. THE COLLISION TOTALED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN NEARLY 11K DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DURING THE ACCIDENT BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, AND FELL OUT INTO MY LAP. THE TWO TORQUE SCREWS USED TO HOLD IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA'S COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AND FILED A FORMAL GRIEVANCE. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT TO SEE THE VEHICLE AND INSPECT THE SCREWS, AND SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT AND THAT THE PROBLEM "HAD TO BE MY FAULT" AFTER COMPARING MY VEHICLE TO OTHER TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES, STATING THAT I OR SOMEONE ELSE "HAD TO OF REMOVED THE AIRBAG AT SOME TIME DURING THE VEHICLE'S LIFE". I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN JANUARY, 2011 FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER AND RECEIVED A VEHICLE HISTORY. AT NO TIME WAS THE AIRBAG REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED OR SERVICED, AND THE SCREWS REQUIRE A SPECIALIZED TORQUE SCREWDRIVER TO REMOVE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE ONLY A MONTH, AND HAD NOT DRIVEN IT MORE THAN THREE TIMES, AS I OWN ANOTHER PRIMARY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT, AND I HAVE SEVERAL WITNESS STATEMENTS SHOWING THAT THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. HAD THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE IN MY LAP, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY, CARRIAGE, CHARGE, AND WIRES CAME OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF. UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF UPDATED 06/06/11 *TR
Air bags, Dec 10, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2010, crash
OUR DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A STOP SIGN. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH WHEN IMPACT OCCURRED. MY DAUGHTER'S CAR WAS TOTALED DUE TO FRONT END/ENGINE DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS (BOTH) DID NOT DEPLOY. WHY? THE IMPACT WAS GREAT ENOUGH TO CAUSE BRUISES, SORENESS AND A BUSTED LIP. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AIRBAGS? *TR
Air bags, Jun 28, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, A PRECEDING VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO HER NECK AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,607. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 27, 2010, crash
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-MEMO TO THE SECRETARY FROM -PETITION FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO TOYOTA'S SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURES (FULL DOCUMENT NOT IMAGED) *TGW THE CONSUMER HIT A LARGE DEAR AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE SAW THE DEER, HE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, SO HE TRIED TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED HE HAD BEEN DRIVING. THE CONSUMER APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE DEALER STATED A SENSOR WAS STUCK WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. *JB
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 23, 2010, crash
I WAS DECELERATING WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WAS A CAR AHEAD OF ME AT THE LIGHT, AND AS I PULLED UP BEHIND IT, I PUT MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN I HIT BRAKES, I FOUND THAT THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING AND THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL IT ENDED UP PUSHING ON THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I DID EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF TO STOP THE CAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO UNTIL I TURNED THE KEY OFF. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, NO TICKETS WERE ISSUED AND THE BUMPERS OF BOTH CARS WERE NOT DENTED, BUT HAD VERY DEEP SCRAPES ON THEM. THE MAT WAS HOOKED AT THE TIME AND WAS NOT INVOLVED AND I DIDN'T TOUCH THE GAS. I HAD MY HUSBAND FOLLOW ME TO MY DEALERSHIP, WHERE I ASKED THEM TO INSPECT THE CAR AND LET ME KNOW IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT IT AND REFERRED ME TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID THAT, BUT I ALSO TALKED TO TOYOTA'S SERVICE LINE IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY SAID THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS ARRANGE FOR AN INSPECTION WITH RESULTS IN APPX 74 DAYS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION, BUT ALL HE TOLD ME WAS THAT MY ACCELERATOR WAS NOT "CABLE". THE TOYOTA COMPANY TOLD ME I COULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE BODY WORK DONE AS LONG AS THE REPAIRS DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BRAKE OR THE IGNITION. POLICE WERE CALLED AT THE SCENE, BUT DID NOT MEET WITH US. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Electric, Feb 17, 2010, crash
DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH MY BRAKES DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, CAUSING ME TO CRASH IN TO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
I BACKED MY 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA OUT OF MY GARAGE, WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT. I USED THE REMOTE CONTROL TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, INTENDING TO PULL FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT UP THE DRIVE. I GENTLY GAVE THE CAR SOME GAS, BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY BEFORE I COULD TURN THE WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE UNSTOPPABLE CAR SHOT OFF THE DRIVEWAY AND DOWN A SLOPE WHERE I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 18, 2009, crash
HAD A CAR ACCIDENT. MY 08 TOYOTA COROLLA FLIPPED AND SPUN. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEATBELT LATCH GOT BROKEN. *TR
Air bags, Apr 28, 2008, crash
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHERE THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE WAS DRIVING A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA LE. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT TOYOTA HAVE BEEN ANSWERED WITH CONDESCENSION. *TR