Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Hi, I have replaced my brakes late last year because the brakes don't engage right. Even after I replaced my brakes, I still have trouble with the brakes. Last week, I was on my way to work with my son in my car and someone cut me off with a turn into a school. I hit my brakes really hard, but it was skidding/sliding. I took my car in again for brakes check and like last time, I was told my brakes were fine. I asked the mechanic why was my car sliding/skidding. My car was diagnosed with shock/suspension issue. Which I have had all along, but didn't know it caused my brakes to not function properly. This is a safety issue. I drive very short distant to work and home and I do not abuse my car, how can this happen with such low mileage. I would like an investigation into this issue, it is safety since the car doesn't brake properly. Best, [redacted] '
I was driving 15 MPH in 33 degree temp. I gave it a little gas at the bottom of a small hill and my car went in to a fish tail. I corrected this about 6 times before I could not recover. My car hit the ditch on the passenger side and flipped on it's roof. Prior to the accident my wheel would almost take control of the car between above 30 MPH. The car would swerve all over my lane. I thought this was just me, now I see many others have this problem also. Question being..... Could the alignment be off enough from the EPS problems that it could have made it possible that my car would not have been recoverable from? I would like Toyota to look in to this to determine the problem before another family of 5 ends up upside down in a ditch.
2009 Corolla is drifting left and right on the highway. Some vibration. Recently had new tires and wheel alignment and still very unstable, feels like driving a boat and can move left or right at any time. It has electronic power steering not hydrologic. I'm the second owner of this vehicle and have the maintenance records. The alternator was replaced twice on car which is unusual. Any recall of the electrical rack and pinion for this vehicle? My mechanic did not know how to fix besides replacing the whole rack and pinion system.
My 2009 Corolla le has been having front end alignment / steering problems since new. It started shortly after buying it, I took it in for it's first oil change and asked the dealer to look into the alignment since the steering wheel was off center. This happened again 2-3 times afterwards, then I finally had brakes serviced and had it aligned. 2-3 days later after alignment I noticed the wheel off center again. I am a busy person so I decided to take it for due oil change and have them take a look at the steering once again because now is getting worse, is pulling to the right and the other day I over compensated taking a left turn and hit the curb which caused to bend the lip of a wheel, lucky for me no air got out of the tire. Now I have to buy a new wheel, that one would never balance. …
Within a few weeks of purchasing my Toyota Corolla 2009, I noticed at both slow and fast speeds the car drifts to the right or left depending on the inertia of the car. The car does not stay in its lane -- I.e. The car does not drive in a straight line -- without full attention and steady pressure of both hands on the wheel to correct the drift. On highways (from 45mph and especially from 65mph) this problem is exaggerated -- I.e. Small drifts or corrections can result in swerving and have greater potential for an accident. On one occasion I experienced drifting off the road and was able to correct in time. However, it struck me as such a danger that I stopped driving the car at higher speeds and avoid highways altogether wherever possible. The vehicle failure mileage was about 100 and current mileage is 8,500. This complaint updates a prior complaint filed February 4, 2010.
While driving on expressway and roads the vehicle will make a sudden surprise pull to the left or right randomly. One thing to note when turning any corner the steering wheel won't recover straight as if it forgot I turned. The car is less than a week old. Notice the dangerous problem on my first trip on the interstate. I look it back for service the next day. For 2 days Toyota service checked alignment and drove it. They find the steering wheel in tolerance. Scotty said it's normal for this type of new electric steering. You must keep both hands on steering wheel or it will steer out of assign lane. After a 2nd trip in a week of owning this car decided to test drive a different 2009 Toyota Corolla and drove just fine. I only wished mine would have drove straight.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 60 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact experienced difficulty steering the vehicle. It required greater effort to turn the steering wheel. Unexpectedly, the vehicle gradually changed direction and pulled to the right without assistance. Whenever traveling 60 MPH or greater, the failures would occur without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they rotated the tires and performed a wheel alignment on 3 separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer 3 times for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. The failure mileage was 25 and current mileage was 6,000. Updated 07/08/09 updated 07/08/09.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 20 MPH the ABS and brake light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the left side hub, bearing assembly and the skid control wire. The contact stated that after driving approximately 1,000 miles the ABS and brake light illuminated again on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer stated that the right side hub, bearing assembly and skid control wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired by the dealer when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 62,583 and the current mileage was 64,322.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 30 MPH in windy weather conditions, the contact experienced difficulty steering the vehicle. The vehicle unexpectedly pulled to the left or right without assistance. This was a gradual change in direction. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician performed a front end wheel alignment on the passenger side. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer for identical failures. The failure mileage was 35 and current mileage was 1,100. Updated 02-23-09 updated 02/25/09. Jb
This vehicle has had the water pump go out the brakes the alternator has had problems with the emergency brakes the air bag has had the struts replaced the gas lever stopped working and now the trunk release won't work I have replaced now 5 tires because one blow right after I got the car and now my car has just 85 thousand miles on it. I have heard so many good things about Toyota but this is the worst car I have ever own I will never buy or advise anyone to buy a Toyota again.
Suspension complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 2% of the model year's 1,459 complaints. The component named most often is front (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Corolla suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 78% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to suspension 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.