Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, simultaneous failure of multiple electrical and safety systems. Without warning, the Check Engine light, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) light, Traction Control light, and SRS Airbag light all illuminated simultaneously on the dashboard. Immediately upon illumination of these fault lights, the vehicle lost computer-assisted stability control, began swerving violently, spun out of control, and collided with another vehicle, suffering severe front and rear impact damage. The vehicle was declared a total loss. Despite severe impact forces to both the front and rear structure, the SRS airbags completely failed to deploy. Both occupants sustained injuries due to the impact and lack of airbag protection. …
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds and also vibrating. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal gradually, the steering wheel and brake pedal would vibrate. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the traction control warning light would illuminate intermittently and would cause the vehicle to shut off inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where all four ignition coils were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer losing motive power and stalling; however, the steering failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
After I turned around the corner of etna st /derby st. In berkeley, the steering suddenly malfunctioned and the car veered to the roadside and hit a parked car. I tried to brake immediately. The impact was slight, but my car could not be moved any more. I called the police and the roadside assistance of my insurance company. The person from the roadside assistance told me that the steering mechanism broke and the front axle fell out. On the day following the incident, I reported it to Toyota cooperation and am currently waiting for their response.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became unresponsive and the brakes became stiff. As a result, the vehicle hydro-plane on the wet pavement and crashed against a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Total loss of vehicle..police report is incomplete of details, due to officer "not believing me" and "purposely leaving report incomplete because of this being the second time out here on this call", when I tried to explain what happen while driving this Toyota Corolla, however the tow truck driver is a witness and agreed to testify..I have called Toyota several times and have got nothing.. Property damage was done on third party property as well.
My son got in a crash this past Saturday. His steering wheel completely locked up as he was turning coming out of an intersection and he crashed into a guard rail. We filed a police report and they confirmed he was in this single car crash with no other reason for the crash.
Total lose accident in evansville, in. Acceleration increase, no brakes, no airbag deployed and seatbelt never locked!! This has been going on for years now an I want something done.. All I get is put on hold..!
My car's steering wheel for the past couple of days has been so stiff and hard to maneuver. I went to work fine but as I was about to leave work, I turned the car on, seems like the start was weak, as I backed up 2 feet, the steering wheel was so hard to maneuver. I went to park my car back to where it was from, turned off the engine, then all I hear was a clicking sound, engine won't start. Coworkers jumped the car, it started, took it to advance for diagnosis, they didn't find anything wrong on the alternator or battery (both less than 2 years old). The car ran like nothing was wrong. Went to work driving the car the following day. It was fine, until I have to leave work again. The same thing happened!!! Car's on park, started the car, backed up, turned the wheels, it was stiff and it seemed to have locked, coworkers jump started it, drove home but the steering wheel was acting weird. …
While my daughter was taking a left hand turn into supermarket entrance, her steering locked up on her. She has been driving this car since middle of June 2014 when car was purchased for her. I have owned toyotas in the past, and have known them to be reliable vehicles. This incidence has happened multiple times since this time, and Toyota apparently knows of the problem. They even recognize it as being some form of electronic powering steering issue, whose cost is upwards of 1400.00 to repair. I am completely dumbfounded by this (clearly a safety issue), that is suppose to cost me, the consumer another 1400.00 to repair. I have read of this issue in previous logs, news reports, and complaints. Why has Toyota or NHTSA not forced this issue. I believe now that this is unsafe for my daughter to drive, and do not have the funds to purchase another vehicle. …
I was making a routine turn and lost control of steering. It only happened the one time, police report said car rolled two or three times, total loss to car and injury to driver. I don't remember exactly the cause other than I lost control. Can't say any of the recalls did or did not cause the accident. My primary complaint is that I paid for front and side airbags, and none deployed on a car that rolled two or three times. Why am I paying for equipment that is not effective? If a car rolls over at minimum the side airbags should have deployed. I would also think this would trigger the other air bags. With all the recalls how would we know if any of these contributed to the crash? I understand the rollover rating applies to the stability of the car, but rating the safety in a rollover accident should also be rated. Why don't air bags deploy automatically when car hits sides or the roof? …
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 2010 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 371 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 30% of the model year's 1,244 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Toyota Corolla steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 Toyota Corolla, though it has 17 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 2010 Toyota Corolla steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 1,000 miles, and 83% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 16 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.