Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
While driving on pr highway, within 10 mts, the car's engine stopped having enough time to park the car on the emergency side road. When I saw smoke coming out the hood, I grabbed by belongings and walked away from the car. While I'm calling my husband I saw the car in flames. On dec. 28, 2015 I submitted an investigation with Toyota of pr in relation to the fire on my car on dec 24, 2015. Until this date I haven't received any response regarding their case # [redacted]. When I call customer service critical cases coordinator, her only response is that I will receive a written notice from head office. I've being 2 month without a car to get to work and I feel frustrated in the manner Toyota has treated my situation even when I authorized them to pick up and examine the car after the incident. By the way I still have the burned car in front of my house in case they need additional data. …
Air bags did not go off in a hard collision with a deer. Covering of bumper gone, hood bent 18"+-, radiator pushed into engine ,frame bent on driver's side in front of the door. Car not driveable and yet the air bags did not deploy. State farm has the car policy 182 5776-c28-23a. Police report bec icr 16-17141, blue earth county , mn state farm claim 23-0177-0w2. This vehicle has been owned by family members since purchased new. Our concern is that the air bag did not go off and it possibly was unhooked.
Around 1:30 pm on 10/16/2013 as I was leaving a restaurant, I was parked, with my foot on the brakes. My car accelerated violently and I ran right into the back side panel of another car. It was a few feet up the road before I could get it stopped. My son was right behind me and can verify all details. My car was towed to bradshaw collision center in greer, sc. After they inspected my car "thoroughly", they said, "based on our inspection of your vehicle it has been determined it was not the result of any type of manufacturing or design defect. In June 2014, as I was parked in my son's yard it accelerated again but I had to slam it into neutral before I hit his car.once again, my son saw that.when my foot is on the brake, while waiting on a light to change it will lung forward. Therefore, I am resolved to have to take the back roads. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to restart after the initial attempt. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine control module (ECM) failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle continued to stall after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,433.
My toyoda corrolla had two recalls one is the defective ECM which causes the cae to be un risk of a serious accident because it can stall while driving, this problemas damaged my car transmisin after they supposedly changed the part, they either didnt fixed it or replaced it with another defective part, now my car hesitates abd chek engine light is always on due to the ECM again not functioning properly, I contactes Toyota corporate and al they did was to give me the run around I contactes the ceo and he rejected my emails, I want this to be reportes un case me abd my child can get injured due to that defect Toyota didnt fixed properly.any help will be appreciated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. David maus Toyota (located at 1160 rinehart rd, sanford, fl 32771, [phone]) was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
This problem has occurred frequently since the first event: for no known reason, engine rpms drop to point where vehicle barely moving. Can shut vehicle off and restart and problem goes away. Check engine light comes on but no help in diagnosis. Been to dealer several times. Replaced ECM and tried other possible "fixes". So far, has only occurred in rural areas at speeds of 35 MPH or less. Fortunately not much traffic. Check engine light will go off by itself as problem "fixes itself". A potentially dangerous situation but no answers from dealer or manufacturer.
I only have 44,000 miles on my 2005 Toyota Corolla and the air compressor went out. I have read that this problem has occurred in numerous corollas from the same year. I believe this needs to be looked into and recalled or I will sell my car and never buy a Toyota again. I will also post on social media about Toyota's negligence and mistreatment of customers. I have a 2 year old daughter that needs air conditioning, so I am very upset over this issue. It is not just an "inconvienence" as it was called by Toyota's "customer service". Please sort this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. While driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle revved violently and suddenly returned to normal. The failure was recurring. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that there was no cable to adjust the idling because the vehicle had fuel injection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Stall
On August 26, 2010, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with Engine Control Modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2008 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between April 19, 2004 and…
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 14% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is engine (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-384 (engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Corolla engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.