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
345 reports, newest first.
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
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
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2008
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, DISSATISFIED WITH NHTSA'S RESPONSE TO HIS CONCERNS RE THE DARKENING OF THE ODOMETER DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS ON HIS 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA, WANT TO KNOW WHY NHTSA WON'T OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. *NJ
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
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 1, 2008
LOUD, CRACKING SOUND IN BRAKES. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2008
LTR FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WHO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT DARKENING OF THE ODOMETER ON HIS 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. *KB THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMED IN THE SUNLIGHT AND WAS UNREADABLE. *JB
Suspension, Wheels, May 29, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A WINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WINDING SOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEELS CAUSED THE INNER WALLS OF THE TIRES TO DISINTEGRATE. IN ADDITION, THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE CONTINUOUS BECAUSE THE TIRES AND WHEELS WERE AFTERMARKET AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR AS PART OF THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,828.
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
Electrical system, May 22, 2008
2008 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH UNREADABLE ODOMETER DIAL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DIAL BECOMES UNREADABLE IN THE SUNLIGHT BECAUSE IT DIMS. HE HAS STATED THAT THE DEFECT ALSO EXISTS IN OTHER 2008 TOYOTA COROLLAS. *KB
Equipment, May 17, 2008
RADIO IS SWITCHING STATIONS AND RANDOMLY JUMPING STATIONS WILL NOT STOP AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. *TR
Equipment, Electrical system, May 5, 2008
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS UNREADABLE IN DAYTIME. *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
Visibility, Mar 17, 2008
MY 2008 TOYOTA HAS A DISTORTED UNCLEAR AND WAVY WINDSHIELD. IT IS UNSAFE. THE SELLING AND THE SERVICING DEALERS MUST ABIDE BY THE FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO SAID THAT IT IS NOT A DEFECT BECAUSE THE OTHER NEW CARS ON THE LOT ALSO HAD WAVY WINDSHIELDS. THEY SHOWED ME OTHER CARS WITH DISTORTED WINDSHIELDS RIGHT ON THE LOT. THEY SAID BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL DISTORTED, THAT IS NOT A DEFECT. I DISAGREE. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY OUT OF CERTAIN PARTS OF THE WINDSHIELD . IT IS UNSAFE. THE WINDSHIELD MARKING IS TOYOTA LAMISAFE AP TECH M314 AS1 DOT376. TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE THIS FURTHER ONCE THE FIELD TECH RULES. *TR
Visibility, Mar 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD (AP TECHNO GLASS DOT 376 M314 AS1) IS DISTORTED AND WAVY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LAMINATE CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF MARCH 17, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THEY STATED THAT ALL OF THE WINDSHIELDS FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL ARE MANUFACTURER'S THIS WAY. AN AUTO GLASS OWNER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS DISTORTED CLOUDY AND UNCLEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,700. UPDATED 04/16/08. *LJ
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 29, 2008
2008 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER ALMOST FELL OFF. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED A SHIM KIT AND THEN TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY ONLY CHECKED ONE SIDE NOT BOTH. *KB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 17, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO REAPPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER 30 SECONDS, THE PEDAL MOVED SLIGHTLY, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. WHILE AT THE DEALER, THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE WAS DENTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000.
Steering, Dec 4, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER LEFT TO RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,083 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
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
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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 15, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 35 AND 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BRAKES MADE A CRUNCHING SOUND. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE.