The Lemon Index2008 Toyota Corolla.
The 2008 Toyota Corolla is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 131 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 38, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 29 to 31 mpg combined. The best Toyota Corolla year is 2002.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 314 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Corolla year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 22K to 77K miles on the car (182 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 45K–130K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 18K–57K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 28K–56K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2019
The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- airbags 2016
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2016
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.
- engine 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.
- equipment 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 S…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 156 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine control
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedLow-speed surging2014–2015
- ClosedFrontal air bag non-deployment2011
- ClosedEngine stall2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 Toyota Corolla. Letter from senator demint on behalf of constituent re Toyota unintended acceleration
2008 Toyota Corolla owner · NHTSA complaint 10328492
More owner reports
New vehicle for body and engine noise and various other noises not standard for a new vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10246468
While applying brake, car suddenly surged forward (hard acceleration). Minor accident ensued, several police officers observed accident.
NHTSA complaint 10330026
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 38; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Corolla year by this measure since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Corolla problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (29%), engine (22%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Corolla get?
29 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Corolla problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 22,000 and 77,100 miles. The middle report was at 39,700 miles, from 182 complaints.
Does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Toyota Corolla cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Corolla year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2013 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works