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
2007 model year · 66,000 miles · Sep 8, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO "DRIVE" AND THEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY MOVED IN REVERSE. THE "ENGINE" AND "BATTERY" WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED O…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO "DRIVE" AND THEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY MOVED IN REVERSE. THE "ENGINE" AND "BATTERY" WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ONE MILE AND THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; ALTHOUGH, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HE WOULD RECEIVE DOCUMENTS IN THE MAIL REGARDING HIS COMPLAINT HE FILED IN SEPTEMBER 2009. UPDATED 03/22/10

NHTSA ODI #10283338

2007 model year · 42,000 miles · Aug 23, 2009
Electrical System

TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL POWER. CAR TOWED TO DUNNING TOYOTA, ANN ARBOR MI. DEALER REPLACED ELECTRIC ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER...COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281471

2005 model year · 125,000 miles · Jul 8, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ECU MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ECU MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10276117

2009 model year · 18,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TECHNICIAN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHTING AND EXCESSIVE RAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY DIAGNOSED AN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TECHNICIAN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHTING AND EXCESSIVE RAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/20/09

NHTSA ODI #10274594

2006 model year · 36,125 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Electrical System

2006 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH APPROX. 36,125 MILES STARTS BUT SOON STALLS WITHIN A TIME SPAN OF 15 SECONDS TO 5 MINUTES. EFFORTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FAIL POSING A SAFETY RISK IF THE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC (WHICH OURS WAS). AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO RESTART BUT STALLS AGAIN WITHIN T…

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2006 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH APPROX. 36,125 MILES STARTS BUT SOON STALLS WITHIN A TIME SPAN OF 15 SECONDS TO 5 MINUTES. EFFORTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FAIL POSING A SAFETY RISK IF THE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC (WHICH OURS WAS). AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO RESTART BUT STALLS AGAIN WITHIN THE SAME TIME SPAN OF 15 SECONDS TO 5 MINUTES. THE BATTERY IS WORKING AS EVIDENCED BY INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS. GAS IS AT OR ABOVE 3/4 TANK FULL. CAR RECENTLY PASSED (APRIL 2009) PENNSYLVANIA STANDARDS FOR EMISSIONS AND INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273972

2007 model year · 30,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JANUARY 2007. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. THE IS A VIBRATION I FEEL COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR STOPPED ON THE LI EXPRESSWAY DUE TO 2 SENSORS THAT NO LONGER WORKED. THERE IS A SHAKING IN MY TIRES & EVERY TIME I TU…

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I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JANUARY 2007. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. THE IS A VIBRATION I FEEL COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR STOPPED ON THE LI EXPRESSWAY DUE TO 2 SENSORS THAT NO LONGER WORKED. THERE IS A SHAKING IN MY TIRES & EVERY TIME I TURN MY CAR ON THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273799

2007 model year · 4,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTER IS RELATED TO THE GEARS AND POWER WINDOWS. WHENEVER THE GEARS ARE BEING SHIFTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE SEVERELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOUR TIMES SINCE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTER IS RELATED TO THE GEARS AND POWER WINDOWS. WHENEVER THE GEARS ARE BEING SHIFTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE SEVERELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOUR TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE RECEIVED NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TWO SENSORS ALSO CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURES STILL PERSIST. ALL OF THE FAILURES BEGAN FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273790

2007 model year · 28,358 miles · Jun 12, 2009
Electrical System

MY HUSBAND'S 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND AAA TOWED HIM TO A TOYOTA DEALER/SERVICE DEPT. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER HAD THE MAIN COMPUTER REPLACED AT NO CHARGE ON THE WARRANTY. HE TOLD US THAT THEY HA…

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MY HUSBAND'S 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND AAA TOWED HIM TO A TOYOTA DEALER/SERVICE DEPT. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER HAD THE MAIN COMPUTER REPLACED AT NO CHARGE ON THE WARRANTY. HE TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THE MAIN COMPUTER SUDDENLY FAIL ONLY ON TOYOTA COROLLA'S 2003 - 2007. THIS IS SERIOUS AND I AM VERY SHAKEN -- IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN AN INTERSECTION OR ON THE FREEWAY. HIS ATTITUDE IMPLIED THAT IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273633

2005 model year · 34,271 miles · May 26, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERINGS WERE DISCOLORED, WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER COULD CLEAN THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH WOULD MAKE THEM THINNER. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE. THE F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERINGS WERE DISCOLORED, WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER COULD CLEAN THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH WOULD MAKE THEM THINNER. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,271. UPDATED 06/09/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENS THAT COVERS THE HEADLIGHT WAS STARTING TO DISCOLOR. THE PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT THAT HE HAS A DIFFICULT TIME SEEING THE ROAD AT NIGHT. UPDATED 06/10/09.*JB THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENGINE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS A PART OF THE RECALL. HE IS CONCERNED THE ENGINE MAY SHUT DOWN BEFORE THE RECALL IS PERFORMED, DUE TO LIMITED PARTS. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING HOSE, BATTERY, AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED EVOQ 09/22/10. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10269964

2006 model year · 32,000 miles · May 21, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FAILED. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER; THEREFOR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FAILED. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000. UPDATED 6/4/09 *CN UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10269617

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.===