Most common 2008 Toyota Corolla problems
Share of the 314 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Corolla complaints by model year
Best Corolla years: 2018, 2025, 2023. Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2020, 2009, 2010. Compare all years →
2008 Toyota Corolla recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front…
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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 sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2008 Toyota Corolla:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
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…
Low-speed surging
The Agency received a petition on September 11, 2014 requesting an investigation into, low-speed surging in the 2006-2010 Toyota Corolla [vehicles] with ETCS-i, in which the brakes fail to stop the vehicle in time to prevent a crash.NHTSA conducted a technical review of the material cited and provided by the petitioner, material Toyota submitted in response to a NHTSA formal request, interviews with complainants and…
Frontal Air Bag Non-deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation of model year (MY) 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles for the failure of the frontal air bags to deploy during an alleged serious crash.
What 2008 Toyota Corolla owners say
Air bags all 138 →
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash, the front driver's side air bag deployed and the contact sustained multiple fractured ribs and a left ankle injury which required medical treatment. The contact indicated that upon the vehicle's impact, the air bag did not immediately deploy and was delayed contributing to the rib injuries sustained. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 168,841.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the driver was idling in an intersection and making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle causing it to turn 180 degrees during the impact. The air bags did not deploy. The bumper detached during the crash. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the driver sustained a fractured wrist and whiplash that required medical attention via the hospital. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Speed control & acceleration all 54 →
Was pulling into a parking place to go shopping around 1 pm. It was clear and sunny at the time of accident. There was a speed bump right before the parking spot so the car was going slow and as I pulled into the parking the spot the car suddenly accelerated causing us to hit a brick wall. I was turning left into the parking spot. Car was damaged to the front end and the wall to the strip center. My mom was 89 years old was shaken up and checked out in the hospital. Thankfully she was OK. My husband came to check the car and it was drivable so he took it to fred hass Toyota in spring, texas. They told us it could be up to 2 weeks before they show up to check the car. He called Toyota and filed a complaint. They gave us a claim number and told us they would call us Saturday before noon. We never received a phone call and I hope they will take care of our claim. …
On 8/29/08 I was slowly accelerating as I pulled onto the highway when I experienced what I have come to understand was an sua, a sudden unintended acceleration. With head-on traffic coming at me fast I had no choice but to turn sharply to get off the road. My rear axle was caught on a berm of dirt at the edge of a cornfield. Braking had no effect. As I sat there I realized the engine was racing wildly. There was no obstruction to the gas peddle, so I had to cut off the engine by turning the key off. My car is a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The road was dry, however, it was a damp morning and chilly. I have had no recurrences. I am a safety compliance officer with osha so I immediately began investigating the electronic throttle system. I do not feel the addition of the plate behind the gas pedal is the solution. …
Engine & cooling all 53 →
I had to replace the serpentine belt, because it was squeaking (dry and cracked); I complained to Toyota about having to replace it after such a short time but was told basically that they didn't care, since the car was out of warranty. I have had ongoing - and I thought unrelated - issues with the gears slipping but couldn't identify a cause. In January 2015, I had an accident because the gears slipped. On July 17, 2015, I had the serpentine belt replaced for a second time, because it was starting to squeak again. Much to my surprise, the new belt, not made by Toyota, solved the other problems I've had with shifting (my car is a manual transmission). The mechanic said that he had heard complaints from other Toyota owners about having to replace the serpentine belt, a part that should last approx. 100,000 miles/10 years, after only 3 years. …
Tl. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated after having the vehicle repaired for the engine and engine cooling (10V384000) four months later the vehicle is stalling and shut off without any warning. The stalling caused the vehicle to crash into the rear of another vehicle. No one was injured but the vehicle suffered damages to the front end. The contact has taken the vehicle back to the dealer and the dealer is waiting for the manufacturer to give the "OK" to replace the ECM again. The contact can not duplicate the issue with the vehicle stalling. The contact stated the stalling is very sporadic. The contact stated if the manufacturer does not repair the vehicle someone will get injured. The failure mileage was 42,000. Jo
2008 Toyota Corolla engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 28 / 37 / 31 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 35 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Toyota Corolla a good car?
Based on 314 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Corolla rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Corolla at the same age. It is one of the Corolla years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Toyota Corolla?
The air bags — 138 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the speed control & acceleration (54) and engine & cooling (53).
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2008 Toyota Corolla, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Corolla?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2025 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2012, 2020, 2009 and 2010. See the full Toyota Corolla years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Corolla problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 58% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.