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 2009 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata airbags-this is third time that I am filling this out. This website is difficult and I could not check all the boxes that I needed. This car had so many problems. It is the worst car that I have even owned. All of the paint was peeling off. I had to have the engine rebuilt. The lights kept blowing out. I had an accident and I hit the steering with my face. The airbag never deployed. I knocked myself out. I had facial contusion and almost knocked my teeth out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering failed and was difficult to control. In addition, the engine stalled. As a result, a crash occurred. The contact was injured and received medical attention. A police report was not filed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
At approximately 11:00 a.m. On a beautiful sunny day, I was driving on the pa turnpike at the speed of 65 MPH when the power steering in my 2009 Toyota Corolla failed. My car unintentionally veered left and right as if I was encountering hurricane-like strong wind gusts. The car bounced back and forth for approximately 5 seconds, while feeling as if it was floating/hydroplaning, as I attempted to regain control. My attempts at correcting the power steering issue were unsuccessful and ultimately the front right side of my car crashed into the right guardrail. Fortunately, I was unharmed in this frightening accident and the state troopers and tow trucks responded in a timely manner. No other individuals were hurt and there was only minor guardrail damage. My car, however is extensively damaged. I am confident that this was not a result of driver error or unforeseen weather conditions. …
In 2013, we discovered that my 2009 Toyota Corolla s was using excessive oil. We reported this to our local dealership service department and they added a note to my service record, but nothing was done about it. Since we always have our service done there, and I have the oil changed long before it's due, we don't normally check the oil ourselves. However, while washing the car on Sunday, 03/08/2015, my husband checked it and had to put in 1-1/2 quarts of oil. On Monday, 03/09/2015, I took the car in for an oil change and apprised the service department again of the excessive oil use. They again made a note to my service record. The service tech told me she had a lot of cars in with the same problem and that Toyota did not have a fix for it. She said mine was not one listed as having this problem, but it is. She also stated that they had to put in 1-1/2 quarts of oil. …
My mother is 75 years old. Here Corolla is 6 years old. She took it to Toyota on April 23rd, 2015 for the recall of the airbag (spiral cable sub assembly and cable kit) and updated software and install update label (Smart stop technology and elsbos update ECM software) to correct the recall issue. She was sent home as it was supposed to be fixed. On Friday April 24th, 2015 at 10 pm she was driving home from an event at approx 45 MPH the vehicle stalled. She took it to Toyota the next date on Saturday April 25th, 2015 at 11:00 am. Toyota inspected the vehicle and sent her home. On the way the home the same day at 5:26 pm she was going approx 10 MPH coming through a light and it stalled again. The engine kicked back in and then it stalled again. Her vehicle was running fine until Toyota changed out the recall parts. There is something very wrong with this and needs attention. …
Toyota has a TSB for 2009 - 2010 Corolla with the 2zr engine, it is t-sb-0087-09 brief engine knock/rattle noise at cold startup, my car has this problem and needs the camshaft timing gear assembly replaced. I called "Toyota care" at the recommendation of the local Toyota service manager. Toyota care said my VIN number was not included in this TSB and that it is out of warranty. (my Corolla was an early 2009 production model, mfd in 2/2008, in service beginning in May of 2008 ( I believe) and that there is nothing they could do to help me. My VIN is not included in the range of eligible VIN numbers and is out of warranty. My Corolla has had the noise for a long time and only has appx. 60K miles on it, it is obviously a manufacturing flaw or error and Toyota should recall all 2009 corollas for repair. The website toyotanation and corolland note many owners with the same problem. …
We were driving on a highway while we heard some noise came from the front of our car. We thought we hit some metal, so we slowed down and changed to the slow lane, then the car started slowing down by itself, and the steering wheel couldn't move freely. We pulled over, opened the front, and saw some smoke and some liquid fell down. We spent $300 for towing our car to the Toyota dealership where we bought our car from. And we were told that it is the water pump pulley failed that cause the drive belt broke and engine overheated...I was informed that the repair will cause about $4000 for a second-hand engine!! Our 2009 Toyota Corolla was bought new in November, 2008 and only has 68000 miles on it. We just did the oil change at the dealership 5 days after this happen! …
Takata recall & water pump. Failure to provide replacement parts in a timely manner on the Takata air bags. Was told not to use front passenger seat. Not practical! Also, failure of water pump and indicator light to warn of the failure. Resulted in total replacement of engine. Temperature gauge showed normal when in fact the engine was over heating. Car was just over the the mileage of 54,000 in July 2014. We were coming back from a trip to myrtle beach, and it died on the highway three hours from our house in ohio, just as dusk was falling. Very frightening not knowing what was going on. No warning what-so-ever. Had an expensive tow back to mogadore from new philadelphia, ohio. Without a car for three weeks and forced to purchase a re-built engine from Toyota. Ganley Toyota in akron was upset and mr. Ganley, the owner, would not even talk to us when we requested an appointment. …
One month after buying my car from another consumer, I noticed the oil was low. I filled full the first day I got it and had not put any serious mileage on it. Two weeks later I start to hear this ticking noise and realized the oil filter needed changed the prior week. Changed it. Nothing happened. This ticking occurs on start up, gets louder with the RPM, and vibrates the entire car at stops. Took my car to Toyota the next month thinking it was the accelerator belt or the connection rod bearing plate. They had me pay pay 120$ to take off the valve hood only to tell me I needed a new engine and there was nothing they could do. I did a bunch of research after this and hundreds of consumers have complained about the overconsumption of oil from this year's model leading to the failure of many engines. …
My car was running fine until recently, when I had a few services done at the dealership: brake fluid, transmission drain/fill, oil change, and fuel injection service (this last item I did not ask for or approve beforehand). A couple days later, my car began stalling when I was driving (while coming to a stop/ not pushing the accelerator). No CEL / overheating/ low oil issues- always regular maintenance. Took it back to the dealer, they said the engine had low compression and they suspected a cracked engine block. They also checked to see to see if my ECM was updated. That was all they said after being there 5 hours. I had to leave for work, brought it back a few days later, they said they didn't have time to look at it without an appointment. A few days later, my car wouldn't start at all. …
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 133 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 9% of the model year's 1,459 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Toyota Corolla, though it has 13 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 2009 Toyota Corolla engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 2 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.