Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
The steering stopped responding, car started spinning hitting both left and right retaining walls. Normal high way driving. Great dry weather. NO WARNING- no shake- no rattle-no lights- no noise-NOTHING
The contact's mother owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while he was driving straight at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to drift to the left and right inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
Steering wheel coil remedy never resolved took vehicle in twice for service update at the dealership on steering column coil and airbags.was turning at 5 miles an hour on way to drive onto a trailer so the vehicle could be pulled when the steering wheel was sloppy and was hit by another car from the left side
My daughter lost control of her 2009 Toyota Corolla while traveling on a wet road at a low speed. She stated that the car pulled to the right and then spun around in 3 tight long circles before spinning out. Had noticed what seemed like a looseness in the steering about 2 weeks before, but because I do not drive it on a regular basis was concerned if it was normal or not. I was concerned that the steering May have played a role in the accident and when researched online if any known issues, I was surprised to learn of a # of individual experiences and concerns similar to mine...all within a few months of the start of 2009. There were many postings regarding the steering in the Toyota 2009 Corolla. I was equally concerned to learn that there is a new power steering system in the 2009 model that is different than that of prior years. …
I had talked with Toyota multiple times regarding what sometimes felt like very loose, uncontrolled steering in my 2009 Corolla xle, & was told each time that it was doing what it was supposed to do & I needed to "get used to it." the steering was hypersensitive & when making easy turns, the wheels frequently turned as far as mechanically possible (could hear them hit the wheel well.) I eventually resigned myself to the steering & quit asking them. While driving on a 2 lane road, around a large curve, I found myself to close to an object on the right side of the road. I instinctively pulled the wheel to the left & immediately felt the car try to make a turn, then start to spin, when I tried to steer back to the right trying to correct, I felt no response or control. My car spun around 180 degrees, off the road, & rolled onto the drivers side & part of the roof. …
On, March 7, 2010 around 6:30 pm, going on the highway, without any warning. The 2009 Toyota Corolla model le, went totally out of control. I was on the far right lane, heading from toa baja to mayaguez on pr-22. Reaching arecibo, by highway mark (km 74.2) the car steering went totally to the left and in fractions of seconds my car invaded the left lane doing a 180 degree turn, had cars coming my way and just when I tough the other car was going to hit me. The steering on the car went completely the opposite direction and the car rolled again and I was going over the green area crazy fast. No control, spinning again over the grass area on the middle of the highway, heading right into the opposite side of the highway, cars coming at 65 MPH or more. Then the car hit a street sign that changed the car trajectory and then came to a stop on the green area on the middle of the highway. …
It was raining on 441 and I was doing 45mph, all of the sudden the steering wheel started drifting a lot switching me from one lane to another. I completely hydroplanned. I started spinning, almost hitting a big wooden pole, and I ended up falling into a big ditch full of water. It was the most scary feeling I've ever had.thanks god there weren't any more cars, so I didn't hit anyone. After that incident I got the car checked by a friend. They told me the dealer was so irresponsible for selling me the car with 2 rear tires that were almost worn out. I thought that could've been the reason why I hydroplanned, so I changed the 2 rear tires for new ones after that. After driving it again, over a bridge, the steering drifted again. I didn't spin, but it pulled me to the right, enough to got me scared again, and it wasn't even raining. …
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. …
Power steering problems. Car is hard to keep in straight line. Power steering over corrects with the slightest movement right or left of the steering wheel. While traveling on I 40 in a one lane construction zone near winston salem n.c. On October 16th 2009, I turned the steering wheel to the right . I then had to correct by turning back to the left. When I turned left the steering over corrected causing me to strike a construction cone with my left mirror. The glass in the mirror broke and I replaced it at my expense. I have had problems keeping the car in a straight line while traveling between 40 - 60 miles per hour ever since the car was purchased. I travel thousands of miles every year driving several makes of vehicles. This vehicle is the only one I have had this problem with. …
NHTSA investigations
Steering Wander or Drift
On February 18, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE10-008 to investigate complaints of steering wander or drift in model year (MY) 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles.The complaint descriptions indicated dissatisfaction with the on-center steering feel in the subject vehicles.
Steering complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 382 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 26% of the model year's 1,459 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Corolla steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 70% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 45 crashes, 0 fires and 27 injuries to steering 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.