2009 Toyota Corolla Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,459 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the 1,459 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“H first time the car malfunction I was coming back from returning the rental truck, I was pulling out on the highway and at that time the steering wheel locked up, the battery indicator light come on, ABS brake light come on, and rest of the idiot lights on the panel come on. It was very hard to steer the car, will all my effort with two hands I can steer the wheel and control the car. The engine was running really rough and sounded like it was going to quit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10749626, filed 2015-08, 79,000 miles“During a routine inspection at the Toyota dealership on 3-29-16, a cracked cv joint boot leaking grease was discovered (59k miles) this is the 2nd occurrence for me, the 1st on my 2010 Corolla just a few months prior. Loss of grease will eventually result in failure of the cv joint & disconnecting from the hub assembly resulting in loss of propulsion and pose a potential safety hazard. It would seem that such a critical component should not fail so early in the vehicle's lifespan.”
NHTSA complaint #10853922, filed 2016-04, 59,798 miles“I took my car for a maryland state inspection. It was found by a licensed state inspector, that the left front axle shaft cv boot prematurely wore, and was split open and actively leaking grease.”
NHTSA complaint #10626203, filed 2014-08, 78,771 miles“01/02/2014 at 7:15am: vehicle idled normally for approx 15 minutes while I cleared snow from driveway. I entered vehicle, put my foot on the brake and shifted into reverse. Accelerator suddenly went to full throttle. I managed to shift back into park and the engine RPM increased to red-line level. I shut off the ignition and the engine stopped. I re-started the vehicle a minute later and everything seemed to be fine. I checked the floor mat which was not close to the accelerator pedal. At least 4 away. My foot never depressed the pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10558153, filed 2014-01, 58,150 miles“I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla xrs and living in northern canada. During extreme temperatures in the -30 and above while driving at 50 km/hr or higher clutch pedal will stiffen to the point that at sometimes it will hesitate to return to position and will pop back and clutch not engaging right away causing slippage at that point. I have also noticed that the brake pedal stiffens during this time, I know that the clutch and brake are on the same hydraulic system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10295437, filed 2009-12, 42,000 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…
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 2009 Toyota Corolla
552 complaintsSteering
382 complaintsVehicle speed control
197 complaintsBrakes
120 complaintsEngine
91 complaintsElectrical system
89 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 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