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EnginePart report

2008 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
7%of 314 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Toyota Corolla, 7% of the 314 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10734955, filed 2015-07, 39,645 miles

“I had my Toyota Corolla 08 serviced on 4/5/11 due to a recall for the engine control module. After the Toyota dealer looked at they determined it did not need to be replaced according to lot #7238 and on 8-21-2012 my wife was driving on the highway going 55 MPH when all of the sudden the vehicle's electrical system just cut off. Luckily there were no cars in front of her at a distance and it started to slow down until she was able to control it and manage to park at the median. She said that the breaks did not work and the power steering did not work. …”

NHTSA complaint #10473090, filed 2012-08, 57,704 miles

“The engine light went on and black smoke was coming out and I went from 70 miles down to 40 miles an hour . Then it would not start had to be towed home. Was told the engine was gone. Had the engine replaced. 5-18-2015”

NHTSA complaint #10732417, filed 2015-07, 64,100 miles

“My wife was pulling into a parking spot in front of a bagel shop and the car just lost control accelerating , not stopping until it crashed into a pillar. Causing extreme damage to the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10579722, filed 2014-04, 53,000 miles

“During driving in freeway, the engine light came up and then shut down the engine. During trips to Toyota dealership they were unable to discover the problem or duplicate it in first occasion. However after returning of the car and insisting of the problem, with repetition of the problem, Toyota replaced the electronic control module. This should have been resolved through previous recall but it may have not been fully addressed. The issue was potentially ECM internal fuse was shutting down the electronic control module causing the car to stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10648996, filed 2014-10, 65,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202616%
202526%
202469%
20231318%
20221414%
20214122%
202011136%
20193919%
20181612%
2017106%
2016136%
2015178%
2014187%
2013168%
201241%
2011193%
2010333%
2009916%
2008217%
2007334%
2006243%
2005293%
200492%
2003162%
200254%
200122%
200032%
199911%
199821%
198814%

Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Corolla

Air bags
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
54 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Corolla

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology