2008 Toyota COROLLA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
313 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
39,694 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 182 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 130 of 313 complaints (41.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 17.3% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 130 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 53 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 25 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Power Train | 9 |
Air Bags: 130; Vehicle Speed Control: 53; Engine And Engine Cooling: 25; Engine: 21; Electrical System: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Steering: 12; Power Train: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 48 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 57 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 48; 25,000 to 49,999: 57; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 9
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (57). 131 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 77 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 96 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
2007: 5; 2008: 13; 2009: 13; 2010: 77; 2011: 23; 2012: 7; 2013: 17; 2014: 13; 2015: 13; 2016: 96; 2017: 15; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10199651 · 2007-08-15 (August 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 277 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208152 · 2007-11-07 (November 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10209540 · 2007-11-20 (November 20, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 2,480 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210766 · 2007-12-04 (December 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212056 · 2007-12-17 (December 17, 2007)
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. …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217145 · 2008-01-29 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10217145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221487 · 2008-03-17 (March 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. UPDA…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221496 · 2008-03-17 (March 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221496 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V036000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 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.
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V384000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2010-08-26 (August 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V127000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-03-03 (March 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V128000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-03-02 (March 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V627000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-08-28 (August 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.
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V741000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗