Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had the airbag repaired during the recall. However, the airbag warning light remains on. In addition, the speedometer has stopped at 299,999 although the trip meter still works. The paint is peeling and the roof is rusting which is classic for toyota.
Complaint about an accident on September 12, 2009 I was driving on old hwy 75 between salix and sloan in iowa at about 6-7 pm on September 12, 2009. My car was a Corolla 2005 ce [redacted] which has 4-cylinder and about 67,000 miles on it. As I was driving on old hwy 75, I experienced a sudden acceleration, the car lurched and pulled me to the ditch on the right hand side. I immediately loosen the acceleration pad but it didn't slow down but accelerated towards the right hand side. Then I was scared that it will roll over in the ditch and so I pulled it back to the left, but there was a van coming in the opposite direction (next lane) and thus we had a head-on collision. The two old ladies incurred leg injuries and they couldn't come out of the van. The two boys (about 4 years old) seemed fine and came out of the van. …
I was parking my 05 Corolla in my private parking space, facing a sidewall of the apartment building in which I reside. The parking space also faces a narrow sidewalk and an equally narrow garden space alongside the building. I drove in slowly, when I was suddenly airborne and managed to turn the car to my right in order to avoid smashing into the building, the car moved along in the only space possible, leaving scrapes on the left side of the car and on the building , and on right, damaging the fronts of two parked cars. In order to avoid going into the public sidewalk or street, I managed to turn the car into a garden area to my right, doing some damage to plantings, and ending up back in the parking area, from which I was able to turn the car, this time safely, into the parking space. I note that Toyota does not list 05 corollas as subject to their concern. …
This is an amendment to the complaint previously reported 10137143 - making a turn from a parking space, drove to opposite curb, foot on brake, shift to reverse, back up slowly to curb, with foot on brake, turned wheel slightly to left to go down street, shifted into drive, took foot off brake, car suddenly lurched forward toward curb at excessive speed in 3-4 seconds from a stopped position, front of car hit curb and cement bricks forming a square border around a tiny, thin tree, car stopped with foot on brake,front underside of car was damaged, bar bent, radiator dented, leaking, no A/C; previous week had noticed car was idling faster upon starting (like a winter idle, not a summer idle) but idle slowed by itself when driving; car was taken to collision repair, after insurance adjuster came, damaged parts replaced; extensive damage; one passenger in front seat, seat belt restraint …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact started the vehicle with the gear shift placed in the "drive" position and suddenly there was an aggressive acceleration. The driver applied excessive force to the brake pedal and the vehicle began to slow down. In addition, whenever in the "reverse" position the failure was more pronounced. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The contact experienced failure while in the reverse and rear ended a tree. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician was unable to repair the vehicle due to the manufacturers design. The failure mileage was 10. The consumer stated he placed the vehicle in drive and the vehicle suddenly lurched forward. The consumer stated when he started the vehicle and put it in reverse he backed into a tree shortly after he purchased. Updated 05/20/10.
The brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a wall while attempting to park in a garage. Also, power steering did not work during inclement weather, making the ability to maintain control of the vehicle difficult. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer. Prior to the accident, the brakes locked up and skidded in dry road conditions. Vehicle surged forward when attempting to stop vehicle. When the power steering failed the battery light came on. Dealer found nothing wrong and no adjustments were made. After vehicle came back from dealer's inspection there was a grinding/scretching noise. Consumer had to take vehicle back to dealer and found that the backing plate behind the rotors was bent. Backing plate was bend back into place. Consumer felt grinding noise was not a result of accident and/or damages occured to vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. On two separate occasions, while driving, when the contact applied the brakes, they failed to catch and the vehicle continued to roll. The contact was finally able to get the vehicle to stop. Later on, when the contact backed into her driveway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse to an estimated 25 MPH. The vehicle crashed through the garage door and the wall adjoining garage to the house. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle did not stop. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop for diagnostic testing. However, they were unable to find any problems. Updated 3/25/11 the consumer stated there were three other incidents where the brakes failed to catch. Updated 10/12/11
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The driver stated that 2 years ago in December 2008 she was involved in a crash. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The dealer stated that there were no related recalls. The contact was driving 70 MPH when a vehicle changed lanes in front of her which forced her to apply extreme pressure to the brakes and her accelerator pedal at the same time. The contact was on the left side of the road and crashed into a concrete wall when the vehicle spun out of control. The rpms have also increased rapidly while the contact was at a stop sign and when she engaged the accelerator pedal the vehicle accelerated. The failure mileage was 37,000. The current mileage was 90,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact was driving approximately 4 MPH in reverse into a driveway when sudden acceleration occurred without warning. The brake pedal was depressed; yet, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into a utility pole. There were no injuries. A police report was filed for the incident. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the insurance company would investigate to determine the cause of failure. The contact stated thirty days prior to the failure, routine maintenance was performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 6/21/10 updated 06/24/10.
I was pulling into a supermarket parking place at approx 5mph speed, I applied the brakes in order to stop . Instead of stopping car started to accelerate (happened at 3-4 second), jumped over cement barrier (curb), hit the sign, colliding into another car. At the time of acceleration the smoke came out from the front of the car. I steered away, car slowed down and I was able to drive back to parking area. The failure mileage was 70K. A police report was filed and is available if needed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. I called to Toyota and they promised to get back to me with the steps of how to proceed further.
Acceleration complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 8% of the model year's 854 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Corolla acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2005 Toyota Corolla, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Corolla acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 36 crashes, 0 fires and 24 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.