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Electrical systemPart report

2009 Toyota Corolla Electrical system Problems

Complaints
89about this part
Share
6%of 1,459 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 6% of the 1,459 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“My car has 91,414 miles and has had multiple cylinder misfires with my normal daily commute of six miles each way. In three years on a 4 cylinder engine I have had three ignition coils replaced, twice within two and a half years and 10,468 miles on the #2 coil. All repairs have been completed by Toyota certified repair facilities with Toyota oem parts. This is not normal for a low mileage vehicle maintained with regular service.”

NHTSA complaint #11307935, filed 2020-02, 91,267 miles

“Driver side power window switch started smoking and I had to take it out to prevent a fire. One of the switches would not operate freely and seemed to get stuck. Thought I was going to have a fire and when I removed it I found components melted. Cannot operate window and it is in open position. Vehicle was moving at the time and I had to return to home and park since switch was smoking.”

NHTSA complaint #10785234, filed 2015-10, 62,000 miles

“My 2009 Toyota Corolla, which I bought new in 2009, power window panel, caught fire on december 30 while I was driving it and when I brought it to the franchise I purchased it from on december 31, they told me, it was regular wear and tear and that my car was old and I would have to pay for it myself.”

NHTSA complaint #10670997, filed 2015-01, 80,000 miles

“I have automatic locks and have never had any problems with them until recently when my front passenger side door would not open from inside or out in the unlocked position. All other doors work normally. I tried using my key to unlock it and that also failed. I took it to the dealership and they said it was a problem with a broken cable which they repaired. It was not covered under warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10461942, filed 2012-06, 61,000 miles

“2009 Corolla seems to float all over the road and can't keep it straight. Just today the electric power steering sensor light came on. Until now I thought it may have been the wind or my tires. I purchased new tires but still the same problem of wondering all over the road. I experience this at all speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #10375270, filed 2011-01, 50,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026211%
2025413%
2024812%
20231419%
20222121%
20212312%
20203411%
2019157%
20181310%
20172112%
2016147%
2015188%
20145219%
2013115%
2012133%
2011183%
2010756%
2009896%
2008227%
20078911%
20068510%
2005597%
2004245%
2003345%
200211%
200175%
200064%
199964%
1998167%
199775%
1996129%
19951810%
1994127%
19931411%
19921219%
1991710%
1989313%
198828%
198717%
1984117%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Corolla

Air bags
552 complaintsSteering
382 complaintsVehicle speed control
197 complaintsBrakes
120 complaintsEngine
91 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
45 complaintsEngine cooling
42 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Corolla

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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