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: vehicle speed control

55 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Vehicle speed control, Dec 4, 2009, crash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER IT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BACK INJURY DURING THE CRASH BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,700 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500.

  2. Vehicle speed control, Apr 24, 2009, crash

    TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOT BACKWARDS AT APPROX 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE CEMENT POST IN FRONT OF A SUPERMARKET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE IN THE PAST. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE ISSUE WOULD OCCUR. SHE SPOKE WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 3,200. UPDATED 05/27/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB VIN UPDATED SMCH**THREE VOQS ON SAME VIN: 10256808,10335955,10266580 *SMCH

  3. Vehicle speed control, Jan 29, 2009, crash

    2008 TOYOTA COROLLA ACCELERATED WHILE THE DRIVER STILL HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AT A SPEED OF 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*JB UPDATED VIN SMCH**THREE VOQS ON SAME VIN: 10256808,10335955,10266580 *SMCH

  4. Vehicle speed control, Jan 11, 2009

    FROM THE DAY OF PURCHASE, THE GAS PEDAL WAS WAY TOO HARD TO PRESS. IT IS SIMILAR TO THE TENSION OF A CLUTCH PEDAL. THE REGIONAL/DISTRICT TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER AND THE SERVICE REPS AT THE AT KEARNY MESA TOYOTA IN SAN DIEGO STATED THE IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT ALL OF THE COROLLAS WERE THE SAME. HOWEVER, WHEN SAN DIEGO MOSSY TOYOTA SERVICE PERSONNEL WERE ASKED ABOUT THIS, THEY STATED ON 8 OR 9 JAN 09 THAT THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL HAVING TOO MUCH TENSION AND THAT THERE PROBABLY WOULD BE A RECALL ON IT IN THE FUTURE. WHILE THIS MAY NOT CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT, I AM SURE THAT SOMEONE WILL TRY TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY, AND BECAUSE OF THE TENSION, THEY WILL LUNGE FORWARD AND STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PEDAL REQUIRES A CONSTANT AWARENESS TO AVOID LUNGING. IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO TAKE OFF ON AN INCLINE SMOOTHLY. *TR

  5. Vehicle speed control, Nov 20, 2007, crash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, IT SURGED FORWARD AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END SUSTAINED DAMAGES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,580 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,480. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A TURN, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. UPDATED 04/05/10.*JB