2008 Toyota Corolla Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 314 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,522miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the 314 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,522 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver side axle shaft assembly unexpectedly snapped when I went to shift the car into first gear when a light for which I was stopped turned green. There was enough of a connection for me to get off the busy rush hour road before being struck and killed or hurt by other vehicles. It was towed to a local Toyota dealer where they indicated the shaft had snapped and replaced it. They did not find any problems with the clutch or transmission (5 speed manual). …”
NHTSA complaint #10874149, filed 2016-06, 82,000 miles“Since, I bought this car brand new it would make noise rattle like something was loose. Every time I would take the vehicle in they would keep it the whole day for days and I was without transportation. They refused to lend me a vehicle. And at the end stated there was nothing wrong. Making it look like I was hearing things. The 2nd issue is when I put in reverse for example I want to parallel park and put it in reverse it gets stuck and reverses super fast. When I took back they said they heard it then they did not. Now the reverse part and rattle noise is worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10519407, filed 2013-06, 100 miles“A run away full throttle engine in a 2008 Toyota Corolla (purchased in fall of 2007). I accidentally backed up into a tree at 2 to 3 MPH. The rear bumper of the car hit the tree squarely causing no visible damage to car. The engine of the car did not die out after the impact. Upon shifting from reverse to drive -- the car lurched full speed forward (with full acceleration) despite full application of the foot brake and no application of the accelerator. I quickly placed the car in neutral and shut off the engine to avoid running into pedestrians, building and trees. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304086, filed 2010-02, 12,000 miles“My 2008 4dr Toyota Corolla suddenly stalled while driving to work in the morning on october 7, 2009 without any early warning signs. Car was towed to the longo Toyota dealer in el monte, california. The diagnosis was ECM logic error. The ECM module was replaced under part number 89661-02r00.”
NHTSA complaint #10321220, filed 2010-03, 35,177 miles“When the car is first started in is reved up at 2000rpm. When driving 40mph & up or from third to fourth gear the rpms reve up to 3000rpm before shifting. Car also feels like hard shifting from first to second, lags when taking a turn and pressing gas at same time. Check engine light has now came on p0741. Feels like pushing the max when trying to get fast speeds. Also feels like when slowing down that the transmission is still in high gear and rmps are high. When stopped and foot on the brake the transmission still feels like it's trying to go forward. …”
NHTSA complaint #11128737, filed 2018-09, 123,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10109408Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 -2014 model year remanufactured automatic transmissions.
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109493Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 - 2014 model year automatic transmissions.
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 10061578Jun 13, 2011Summary to be provided on a future date.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 17 | 17% |
| 2021 | 19 | 10% |
| 2020 | 40 | 13% |
| 2019 | 55 | 27% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 15 | 8% |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% |
| 2015 | 30 | 14% |
| 2014 | 28 | 10% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 49 | 4% |
| 2009 | 45 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% |
| 2007 | 26 | 3% |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% |
| 2005 | 37 | 4% |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% |
| 2003 | 61 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 13 | 7% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 19% |
| 1989 | 4 | 17% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Corolla
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
54 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine
21 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 31, 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