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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 345

Of the 2008 reports, 77 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 48 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernAir bags161 reports · 47% of complaints
Owner complaints345Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags161
  2. Vehicle speed control55
  3. Engine and engine cooling33
  4. Service brakes28
  5. Electrical system25
  6. Engine24
  7. Hydraulic18
  8. Power train13

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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: engine and engine cooling

33 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 19, 2010

    AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF ILLINOIS ROUTE 60 IN VERNON HILLS ON MARCH, 17,2010 MY VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BECAME ACTIVATED AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC ALMOST CREATING A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT . THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS,HOWEVER, WOULD RESTART AFTER APPX.30 SECONDS ON THE SECOND START ATTEMPT. I DROVE THE CAR TO MY PERSONAL REPAIR SHOP WHOM GAVE BE A DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODE OF P0607.(FAULTY ECU) NOTE:THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY AND WATER PUMP HAS ALSO WENT OUT SINCE THIS CAR HAS BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER PROBLEM. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE CONTACT IS NOT AWARE OF THE CURRENT MILEAGE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN.

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Feb 14, 2010

    ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, WITHOUT APPARENT REASON (I.E. NOT BEHIND ON MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE). SHORTLY AFTER, ENGINE STARTED STALLING; FIRST TIME JUST FELL LIKE ENGINE WAS BEING SLUGGISH AND NEEDED TO GIVE MORE GAS TO GET POWER; SECOND TIME, CAR NEARLY FELL STILL (DOWN TO A COUPLE OF MPH'S), EVEN WHEN APPLYING SERIOUS GAS (AND CLEARLY HITTING HIGH RPM & ENGINE ROARING LOUDLY). JUST MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR ASIDE. WHEN TOWTRUCK ARRIVED 30 MINUTES LATER, PROBLEM HAD DISAPPEARED... (FOR NOW). A QUICK CHECK ON GOOGLE SOUNDS LIKE THIS MAY BE DUE TO MANY CAUSES, FROM SIMPLE AIR INTAKE SENSOR, TO MORE SERIOUS ECM PROBLEMS. EITHER WAYS, HAVING YOUR ENGINE STALL SUDDENLY SEEMS PRETTY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF THIS HAPPENS IN BUSY TRAFFIC. PLAN TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2009

    I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. I EXPERIENCED A STALL AT AN INTERSECTION RECENTLY. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WEEKS (IT WAS BOUGHT USED WITH 11,000 MILES ON ODOMETER). *TR

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2009

    2008 TOYOTA COROLLA 4-DOOR SEDAN CE SHOWED SUDDENLY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WHILE BEING DRIVEN. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CAR ABRUPTLY TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. INFORMED BY DEALER THAT PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE ENGINE COMPUTER (FP NO 89661-02R00) AND THAT COROLLAS IN MODEL YEARS 2004-07 COMMONLY HAD PROBLEM. HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BY COMPANY THOUGH IT HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE PART. COMPUTER REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AS IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR STRANDING OF THE MOTORIST IN A DANGEROUS AREA. ALSO SENT LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA (THEIR FILE NO. 0907142725). *TR

  6. Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2008

    NEW VEHICLE FOR BODY AND ENGINE NOISE AND VARIOUS OTHER NOISES NOT STANDARD FOR A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

  7. Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2008

    MY SON HAS A 2007 COROLLA. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, HE NOTICED HIS AIR CONDITIONING WAS NOT COOLING. HE TOO IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED SINCE HE ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE CONDENSER. THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY IT IS A ROAD HAZARD AND HIS FAULT. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 AND 2006 COROLLA. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE 2007. THEY WANT TO CHARGE HIM $800.00. THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR SOMETHING TO DAMAGE THE CONDENSER. IF THE CONDENSER WAS PROTECTED, THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO WORK WITH US. *TR

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SIX ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,000.