The Lemon Index2009 Toyota Corolla.
The 2009 Toyota Corolla is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 674 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 284, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 13 recalls, and it gets 25 to 30 mpg combined. The best Toyota Corolla year is 2002.
Lemon alert. 2.8× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2002
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,459 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Corolla year. 2009 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 5K to 61K miles on the car (838 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 29K–116K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 0K–31K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 8K–40K miles
Recalls 13
- 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 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 13 recalls
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- visibility 2015
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC).
- visibility 2012
The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies.
- equipment 2010
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 BETW…
- 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…
- speed control 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- speed control 2010
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 …
- brakes 2009
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, …
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 372 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers have experienced amber colored oil like substance found on floor mats
- "tt: some customers may encounter bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: difficulty pairing…
- Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: * Difficulty to pair the…
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
- ClosedSteering wander or drift2010–2011
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 $2150–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Steering not straight, have to constantly adjust the steering to keep car in the lanes.
2009 Toyota Corolla owner · NHTSA complaint 10346001
More owner reports
Steering wanders back and forth at highway speeds.
NHTSA complaint 10311218
Inner and outer tie rod ends bent. It is brand new car. No damage and no acciendent.
NHTSA complaint 10276162
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota Corolla reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 284; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Corolla year by this measure since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Corolla problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (48%), speed control (24%) and brakes (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have?
13 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 2009 Toyota Corolla get?
25 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Corolla problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,300 and 61,000 miles. The middle report was at 23,000 miles, from 838 complaints.
Does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Toyota Corolla cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Corolla year is better than the 2009?
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