COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Toyota Corolla electrical problems

878 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

52 crash reports78 fire reports24 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

539 reports with mileage · 339 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

878 reports
2003 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521775

2003 model year · 59,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DOME LIGHT WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DOME LIGHT WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10520614

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment

2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CONSOLE ACCESSORY FUSE BLOWING OUT. *SMD WHEN THE FUSE BLEW OUT, HE WAS UNABLE TO CHARGE HIS PHONE, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUSE WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10506100

2010 model year · 31,800 miles · May 29, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DISCONNECTED THE SWITCH AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DISCONNECTED THE SWITCH AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,800. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514100

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · May 20, 2013
Electrical System

TOYOTA CENTRAL DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THE RECALL OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE(ECM),I'VE BEEN TO CENTRAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWO TIMES AND THEY TURNED ME AWAY BY GIVING ME EXCUSE OF PARTS UNAVAILABILITY. THEREFORE PLEASE ADVICE ME WHAT TO DO NEXT?. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512754

2008 model year · 78,200 miles · May 16, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE 50 MPH AND THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE 50 MPH AND THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,200.

NHTSA ODI #10512372

2005 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2013
Air BagsElectrical System

. . TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. A RELATIVE OF MINE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON MY BEHALF FROM TOYOTA FOR MY VEHICLE. MY RELATIVE SAID HE SENT IT TO ME BY MAIL. I CONTACTED TOYOTA REALLY CONCERNED BECAUSE OUT OF NOWHERE MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND HORN. I HAVE HAD A RECALL BEFORE WHICH WAS SERVICED…

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. . TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. A RELATIVE OF MINE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON MY BEHALF FROM TOYOTA FOR MY VEHICLE. MY RELATIVE SAID HE SENT IT TO ME BY MAIL. I CONTACTED TOYOTA REALLY CONCERNED BECAUSE OUT OF NOWHERE MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND HORN. I HAVE HAD A RECALL BEFORE WHICH WAS SERVICED IN AUGUST OF 2011. I DECIDED TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT THE LETTER AND IF IT WAS OKAY TO TAKE IN CAR WITHOUT LETTER. THEY RAN MY VIN# AND STATED THAT THE RECALL FOR MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED. I ASKED WHY I RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL AND WHY OUT OF NOWHERE MY CAR IS STARTING TO HAVE SOME MALFUNCTIONS THAT CAN BE A RISK TO MY LIFE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE REP AT TOYOTA SAID TO GO IN TO SERVICE CENTER-BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I NEED HELP AND WOULD LIKE THIS RESOLVED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509430

2004 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2013
Air BagsElectrical System

I HAVE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA TO FIX THE SRS ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE ISSUE. BUT I AM ABLE TO HEAR THE ELECTRICAL NOISE AFTER THE FIX ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505944

2010 model year · 85,000 miles · Apr 5, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A WHILE, IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STARTER TRIED TO RESTART THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A WHILE, IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STARTER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS STARTED AND IT MADE AND LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507207

2003 model year · 80,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Air BagsElectrical System

TOOK MY CAR INTO TOYOTA DEALER JIM COLEMAN TOYOTA - BECAUSE OF THE 2003 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED 2 WEEKS AGO, MADE AN APPOINTMENT 2 DAYS AGO WITH THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL - SAID TO COME IN TODAY AT 2:00 PM FOR THE REPAIR. ONE HOUR AND 45 MINUTES L…

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TOOK MY CAR INTO TOYOTA DEALER JIM COLEMAN TOYOTA - BECAUSE OF THE 2003 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED 2 WEEKS AGO, MADE AN APPOINTMENT 2 DAYS AGO WITH THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL - SAID TO COME IN TODAY AT 2:00 PM FOR THE REPAIR. ONE HOUR AND 45 MINUTES LATER - FIX WAS NOT COMPLETED BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION ONLY ALLOWS FOR 12 SUB-WIRE HARNESS (FILTERS) TO BE INSTALLED EACH DAY AT EACH DEALER THROUGH OUT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THEY DID NOT THAT THE PART AND TOLD ME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SERVICE THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART - BUT STILL NEEDED TO CHECK MY CAR TO SEE IF IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THEY WILL HAVE THE PART TOMORROW AND WILL FIX TOMORROW - HOPEFULLY. SO MY COMPLAINT IS WHY DOES TOYOTA NOT SEND THE PARTS TO THE DEALERS TO FIX THIS SAFETY RECALL AND WHAT WILL THE NHTSA DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH NO PARTS FROM TOYOTA TO FIX THE PROBLEM - ONLY 12 PER DAY PER DEALER? ALSO I DON'T NO IF THIS IS RELATED BUT THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK - WHEN IT RAINS IT MIGHT OR NOT WORK - PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2005 AND UNTIL THIS DAY - RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY ENDED ON THE CAR? LIKE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR - NOT SURE IF IT IS RELATED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507153

Related Official recalls

3

95V195001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Oct 11, 1995

THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION, OR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BATTERIES.

94V220000 · Electrical System:wiring

Nov 8, 1994

AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED, THE SALT WATER OR SNOW CARRIED INTO THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER'S SHOES CAN PENETRATE THE CARPET AND DRIP ONTO THE CONNECTOR RESULTING IN THE FORMATION OF A SALT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.

83V133000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Dec 8, 1983

VOLTAGE REGULATOR WHICH CONTROLS THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR, MAY HAVE MANUFACTURING ERRORS IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. THE REGULATOR MAY OVERCHARGE THE BATTERY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AT NO CHARGE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

1

PE87057 · Igniter Assembly Failure

Opened Sep 10, 1987 · Closed Mar 30, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

SUMMARY: TOYOTA RECOVERED SOME FAILED IGNITION CONTROL MODULES FROM THEFIELD. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A SOLDER JOINT IN THE POWER TRANSISTOROF THE MODULE WAS SUBJECT TO FAILURE. BECAUSE THE PART IS AN EMISSIONRELATED COMPONENT A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS CONDUCTED.THE PREDOMINANT MODE OF FAILURE IS AN INABILITY TO START THE ENGINE,ALTHOUGH A STALLED CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.SINCE THE REPORTED OCCURENCE OF ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS SMALL, AND THEREPAIR IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN, THELIKLEHOOD OF FURTHER ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS REMOTE.===