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: power train
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 11, 2018
WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN IS REVED UP AT 2000RPM. WHEN DRIVING 40MPH & UP OR FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR THE RPMS REVE UP TO 3000RPM BEFORE SHIFTING. CAR ALSO FEELS LIKE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, LAGS WHEN TAKING A TURN AND PRESSING GAS AT SAME TIME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW CAME ON P0741. FEELS LIKE PUSHING THE MAX WHEN TRYING TO GET FAST SPEEDS. ALSO FEELS LIKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN HIGH GEAR AND RMPS ARE HIGH. WHEN STOPPED AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE TRANSMISSION STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO GO FORWARD. AS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SURGES LOSES POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE THE TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSING THESE ISSUES. THIS IS ALSO THE SAME ISSUE WE HAVE WITH OUR 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA, SAME CODE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE IN COROLLA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Seat belts, Engine, Oct 27, 2016
I PURCHASED MY CAR AS THE FIRST OWNER IN 2008 PAID CASH. WITHIN A FEW YEARS AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE. I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF WHICH WAS STILL VALID AND BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS EXACTLY WRONG - MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER NO REPLACE AND I WAS CHARGED OVER $1500. I TOOK THIS TO BUERU OF AUTOMOTIVE AND THEY RULED IN MY FAVOR SO NOW I WILL BE SUING YOUR COMPANY FOR MONIES OWED ON TOP OF OTHER THINGS DUE TO THE COMPANY NOT BEING WILLING TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR FIXING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL DRIVER OF TOYOTA VEHICLES FOREVER AND A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NEVER GO OUT IN FIRST 5 YEARS - MY CAR IS STILL ON THE ROAD BUT DOES NOT GO BACKWARD - SO THERE IS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS MODEL AMONGST OTHER THINGS. THE DEALERSHIP MANAGE TO BREAK MY HOOD AND THE STICK OF WHICH YOU PUT YOUR CAR INTO DRIVE WITH. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS JUST CLOVIS TOYOTA OR WHAT - BUT I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED AS TO YOU HOW YOUR COMPANY HAS HANDLED MY SITUATION. NOT ONLY HAS YOUR COMPANY ROBBED MY FAMILY OF A CHRISTMAS, HARD EARNED MONEY AS A SINGLE PARENT BUT ALSO PUT US IN DANGER. MY AIR BAGS ARE BAD AS WELL AND I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN WAY BACK WHEN- IT SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. RIDICULOUS. MY CAR IS JUST A MESS AND UNFORTUNATELY - I LOVE MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN MOST FAITHFUL AND GOD IS GOOD TO ME AND MY FAMILY - BUT YOUR COMPANY HAS NOT! *TR
Power train, Jun 14, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY UNEXPECTEDLY SNAPPED WHEN I WENT TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN A LIGHT FOR WHICH I WAS STOPPED TURNED GREEN. THERE WAS ENOUGH OF A CONNECTION FOR ME TO GET OFF THE BUSY RUSH HOUR ROAD BEFORE BEING STRUCK AND KILLED OR HURT BY OTHER VEHICLES. IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE THEY INDICATED THE SHAFT HAD SNAPPED AND REPLACED IT. THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION (5 SPEED MANUAL). THE SERVICE REP IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE AS A CUT BOOT (SHAFT SEAL) WHICH ALLOWED GREASE TO COME OUT AND DIRT TO GET INTO THE JOINT CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE REP NOTED THIS WAS "COMMON". I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING FOR THE CONDITION. HE NOTED THERE IS NONE. THE CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICED (THIS WAS NOTED BY THE REP); NO ABNORMAL CONDITIONS WITH THE SHAFT SEAL WERE NOTED IN ANY SERVICE VISIT. A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY THAT RENDERS THE CAR IMMOVABLE WITHOUT WARNING IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IS NOT COMMON. IT RISKS THE LIVES OF ANYONE IN THE CAR OR ON THE ROAD NEAR IT WHEN THE SHAFT FAILS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A AXLE SHAFT FAIL ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT AND/OR FLAW WITH DESIGN, MATERIAL SPECIFICATION, MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AND/OR THE QUALITY OF THIS COMPONENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO REPORT THE ISSUE. THEY SAID TO WORK WITH THE DEALER ON INSPECTIONS; I NOTED I HAVE. THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE INHERENT LARGE SAFETY CONCERN WITH SUCH A FAILURE. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC A FEW DAYS FOLLOWING RETURN OF THE VEHICLE ON 6JUN2016; NO ISSUES WERE NOTED AT THIS TIME. I QUESTION THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THIS CAR GIVEN THE NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS FAILURE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REVIEW DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING TO ENSURE SUCH A UNSAFE FAILURE IS ANYTHING BUT COMMON. UNSAFE, UNRELIABLE CARS SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED AS COMMON.
Power train, Engine, Oct 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Power train, Sep 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND DOWN HILLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Power train, Sep 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY BOTH INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,522.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2013
SINCE, I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IT WOULD MAKE NOISE RATTLE LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. EVERY TIME I WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN THEY WOULD KEEP IT THE WHOLE DAY FOR DAYS AND I WAS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. THEY REFUSED TO LEND ME A VEHICLE. AND AT THE END STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. MAKING IT LOOK LIKE I WAS HEARING THINGS. THE 2ND ISSUE IS WHEN I PUT IN REVERSE FOR EXAMPLE I WANT TO PARALLEL PARK AND PUT IT IN REVERSE IT GETS STUCK AND REVERSES SUPER FAST. WHEN I TOOK BACK THEY SAID THEY HEARD IT THEN THEY DID NOT. NOW THE REVERSE PART AND RATTLE NOISE IS WORSE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING AND I GO IN TO LEAVE THE CAR TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES BUT ON THE PAPER THEY WOULD ALWAYS CHANGE THE COMPLAINT TO A NEW ONE. THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. AT FIRST THEY WERE NICE BUT ONCE I WAS OUT THEY WERE HELPLESS. THEN I HAD TO RETURN VARIOUS TIMES FOR A LETTER I GOT IN THE MAIL THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON "RECALL". EVER SINCE BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR FROM TOYOTA HAS BEEN A BAD EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I WAS WITH A NEW CAR BUT WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A USED CAR. AND TO TOP IT OFF THEY CHARGE ME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SADLY TO SAY THESE PEOPLE DON'T CAR ONCE THEY GET YOU HOOKED ON THE CAR. ONCE YOU'RE OUT YOUR ALONE AND THEY WON'T BACK UP THEIR VEHICLES. AND ANOTHER ISSUE THE BATTERIES DIED FAST AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW ONE. AND SINCE THEY KNOW ONE NEEDS A CAR THEIR IS NOTHING TO DO BUT TO SUCK IT UP THIS SUCKS!! WARNING!! *TR
Power train, Oct 29, 2010
2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN FEBRUARY 2009 THE DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE SNAPPED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AS SHE SLOWLY MADE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. ACCORDING TO THE WORK ORDER, THE END OF THE AXLE WAS BROKEN OFF IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THE AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE HAD TO BE REMOVED BECAUSE A BROKEN PIECE WAS STUCK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IN MARCH 2010 THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS REQUIRED, BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS MECHANIC PUT THE AXLE IN INCORRECTLY. *JB
Power train, Oct 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS. AFTER DRIVING TWENTY FEET OVER THE TRACKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT INTO ANY SELECTED GEAR AND FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 21, 2010
MY 2008 4DR TOYOTA COROLLA SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON OCTOBER 7, 2009 WITHOUT ANY EARLY WARNING SIGNS. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LONGO TOYOTA DEALER IN EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS ECM LOGIC ERROR. THE ECM MODULE WAS REPLACED UNDER PART NUMBER 89661-02R00. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Mar 15, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31000. UPDATED 06/17/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB
Power train, Mar 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS WITHIN THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS REQUESTED THAT A TECHNICIAN WITH THE MANUFACTURER INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,830. UPDATED 4/23/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING UP OR WHILE IN PARK. THE NOISE ONLY OCCURRED IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES. UPDATED 06/11/10 UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010
A RUN AWAY FULL THROTTLE ENGINE IN A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA (PURCHASED IN FALL OF 2007). I ACCIDENTALLY BACKED UP INTO A TREE AT 2 TO 3 MPH. THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR HIT THE TREE SQUARELY CAUSING NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO CAR. THE ENGINE OF THE CAR DID NOT DIE OUT AFTER THE IMPACT. UPON SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE -- THE CAR LURCHED FULL SPEED FORWARD (WITH FULL ACCELERATION) DESPITE FULL APPLICATION OF THE FOOT BRAKE AND NO APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR. I QUICKLY PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO AVOID RUNNING INTO PEDESTRIANS, BUILDING AND TREES. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR FOR DAMAGE AND ANY CAREFULLY PLACING THE CAR IN PARK WITH PARKING BRAKE AND FOOT BRAKE ENGAGE I RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS RUN NORMALLY SINCE THIS INCIDENT WHICH TOOK PLACE JULY OF 2008. *TR