Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Torque converter clutch solenoid performance. My 18 old daughter just purchased this car from this man who had reset the car so the check engine light would go off. After us driving it home and server miles later it went off. He said he had flushed the transmission oil and that his mechanic had told him to just reset it and it would be fine obviously it was not fine. We took it to our mechanic who is a very honest mechanic had stated that there's nothing wrong with the vehicle . He pulled up some recalls and indicated that there was a recall done on models 04305 Corolla unfortunately the VIN numbers were 1zz -fe. I'm calling the dealerships and all they can tell me is that this May have been an expired recall on my vehicle therefore it's no longer under the warranty of the recall . …
Car was running with the shift in the park position for approximately 5 or 6 minutes. Suddenly it starting rolling fast in reverse. I was standing next to the car on the phone and when it started to roll didn't realize how fast it was moving so I tried to jump in to stop it. I was unable to make it in to the car, fell and rolled underneath it and the front tire ran over the right side of my body. The car continued to move fast until it came to a hill where it then turned around in to the forward position (not in reverse) and started moving very slowly until it hit a tree and stopped. I sustained a crush injury to my right side, fracturing all of my ribs in multiple places (flail chest). Was taken to a level 1 trauma hospital and admitted in to intensive care. Spent a number of weeks in the hospital and a 6 month recovery at home. Still have open fractures. …
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. The contact stated that the cable shifter to the transmission fractured. The contact was unable to shift the gear lever from park to reverse or drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired. The details of the repair was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
The vehicle started showing the "check engine light" and the error code shown was p0741. The error code suggests issue with the transmission clutch converter solenoid. This issues seems to be common on the 2005 Corolla and could be a safety issue if the transmission dies immediately while driving on a freeway or high-speed road.
While attempting to park the vehicle in reverse, suddenly it accelerated without warning. The brakes were applied but would not engage causing the contact to crash into a car and then into a rock wall. The passenger suffered injuries to her back. A police report was filed for the incident.
Here I report an accident which May be caused by Toyota unintended accelerate problem. We bought 2005 Toyota Corolla sport on July 09, 2004. We drive 2000-3000 miles/ per year. As we bought 5 years pre-paid maintenance, we have regular maintenance service with faulkner dealer every half year until July 09, 2009. There has no big problems during the first 3-year warranty period except on around summer of 2007, the check engine light is on and Toyota dealer replaced the computer control system without charge (we're not sure the replaced computer name and we think the dealer should have record). The weather condition is light-medium rain while our car accident happened. When the accident happened, my 5-year old son and I were in the car. The road speed limit is 25 miles per hour, I drove under the speed limit at a local road and it is about 2-3 miles distance to our destination. …
In summer, Corolla experience harsh shifting and indicator light came on. ECM replaced in July - approx one month before recall occurred. At the time of correction, car was at nearly 91,000 miles - research ECM issues online, contacted Toyota and they stated since it was out of warranty they had no obligation to cover ECM repair. Recall released within one month of ECM repair. Less than 60 days later, took Corolla back to dealership. Car still experience harsh shifting. After paying $225 for a transmission flush, and dealer shifting transmission manually, the dealer stated ECM works fine, transmission will need to be replaced at +$3K. Researched and identified similar problem in Toyota rav4 - ECM failure LED to transmission failure. Filing complaint because I think Toyota needs to pay for my new transmission. …
I purchased a 2005 4 door Toyota Corolla ce from a dealer here in puerto rico. I purchased the vehicle brand new. I am still making payments on this vehicle has I am going into my 4th year this year of making payments. The dealer suggested transmission oil change service every 15,000 miles. My vehicle has already over 72,000 highway miles. So far I have done 3 transmission oil changes mainly because they are not cheap. Last December I noticed that the cars transmission at certain periods would not shift while idling and then taking off. My car has an automatic transmission. I took it in for service thinking that it was time for an transmission oil change. Last night again I noticed that the automatic transmission would not shift. I parked the vehicle on the side of the road, shift the vehicle into park, and then started into drive again. …
P2716 harsh shift fault code. I purchased car from dealer as a certified used perfectly reliable on 12/28/08 with 47000 miles on it. The other day out of no where, no warnings, no noticeable changes the check engine light came on, while cruising up the 14 north at 75 MPH. Didn't think much of it, stopped at a friends house and used his obd2 reader and found out the issue, still haven't noticed much of an issue except for the sharp harsh shifting from 1st thru 3rd unless babying it. So I go into the dealer with 94786miles and see what's the issue and why so many problems. I was told yes its known a TSB has been published, yes its a safety hazard to anyone on or around the road due to the fact it could shut down at a moments notice. But since I am past the 80000 mi. …
Transmission complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Corolla transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.