2009 Toyota Corolla Reliability
The 2009 Toyota Corolla has 1,533 owner complaints and 13 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and steering. Compared with other Corolla model years, it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Corolla's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
1,533
NHTSA owner complaints
13
Recall campaigns
194
Complaints citing a crash
13
Complaints citing a fire
2009 Toyota Corolla complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 model year, filed between 2008 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 592 | 39% |
| Steering | 388 | 25% |
| Speed control / throttle | 204 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 124 | 8% |
| Engine | 104 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 93 | 6% |
| Body structure | 46 | 3% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 45 | 3% |
2009 Toyota Corolla recalls
13 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2009 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09V338000 | Aug 27, 2009 | Service brakes — power assist / vacuum | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 scion xd and my 2009-2010 Corolla, and Corolla matrix vehicles equipped with 1.8l engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine,… |
| 10V017000 | Jan 21, 2010 | Speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, Corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in… |
| 10V023000 | Jan 27, 2010 | Speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's… |
| 10V035000 | Feb 3, 2010 | Equipment — other / labels | Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between September 1, 2005 and June 2, 2008… |
| 10V036000 | Feb 3, 2010 | Equipment — other / labels | 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… |
| 12V491000 | Oct 10, 2012 | Visibility / wipers — power window devices and controls | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of… |
| 14V168000 | Apr 9, 2014 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical… |
| 15V689000 | Oct 22, 2015 | Visibility / wipers — power window devices and controls | Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010… |
| 16V340000 | May 23, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C,… |
| 16V396000 | Jun 2, 2016 | Seats — front assembly / seat heater/cooler | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011… |
| 17V006000 | Jan 9, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered,… |
| 18V024000 | Jan 9, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA,… |
| 19V741000 | Oct 17, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | 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… |
How the 2009 compares with nearby Corolla years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Corolla analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 883 | 6 | Air bags | Avoid |
| 2008 | 345 | 6 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2009 (this page) | 1,533 | 13 | Air bags | Avoid |
| 2010 | 1,264 | 17 | Air bags | Avoid |
| 2011 | 590 | 9 | Air bags | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2009 Toyota Corolla
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 13 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2009 Toyota Corolla can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2009 Toyota Corolla reliability FAQ
Is the 2009 Toyota Corolla reliable?
The 2009 Toyota Corolla has 1,533 owner complaints and 13 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and steering. Compared with other Corolla model years, it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Corolla's typical year.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Corolla problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Corolla are air bags (592), steering (388), speed control / throttle (204), service brakes (124). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have recalls?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Corolla, including 09V338000 (service brakes — power assist / vacuum) and 10V017000 (speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2009 Toyota Corolla compare with the 2008 and 2010 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2008 has 345 complaints and 6 recalls (caution); the 2010 has 1,264 complaints and 17 recalls (avoid). The 2009 has 1,533 complaints and 13 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2009 Toyota Corolla?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Toyota Corolla research
Other Toyota Corolla model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2009 Corolla, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.