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
2006 model year · 69,500 miles · May 18, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ERRATIC HARD SHIFT DURING ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ERRATIC HARD SHIFT DURING ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE FAILURE WAS LABELED AS THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID. THE COMPONENT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE MASSIVE NATIONAL BACK ORDER FOR THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,029.

NHTSA ODI #10269129

2009 model year · 4,800 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Electrical System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON APR. 18, 2009. MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS A COMPUTER FAILURE. COMPUTER REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON THE SAME DAY COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC PLACED CALL TO TOYOTA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. HE WAS ADVISED TO TRY REPLACING WIRING HARNESS. CHECK ENGINE STILL…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON APR. 18, 2009. MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS A COMPUTER FAILURE. COMPUTER REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON THE SAME DAY COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC PLACED CALL TO TOYOTA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. HE WAS ADVISED TO TRY REPLACING WIRING HARNESS. CHECK ENGINE STILL ON AFTER REPAIR. TECH. ASSISTANCE THEN SAID TO TRY REPLACING FUEL INJECTOR. LIGHT STILL ON. TOYOTA HAS CALLED IN A FIELD REP TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 12 DAYS NOW AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. THE COMPUTER IS NOT REGISTERING ANY ERROR CODES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267253

2007 model year · 40,000 miles · Apr 22, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. FOR A YEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE EMISSIONS INSPECTOR STATED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THERE ARE NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MIL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. FOR A YEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE EMISSIONS INSPECTOR STATED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THERE ARE NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10266354

2006 model year · 54,000 miles · Apr 12, 2009
Electrical System

THERE WERE NO DEATHS OR INJURIES FOR THIS COMPLAINT. I'M GUESSING THAT THESE TWO INCORRECT ENTRIES WILL GET THIS COMPLAINT REVIEWED BY A NHTSA EMPLOYEE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. AS NOTED BY SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA'S PCM APPEARS TO HAVE A SERIOUS FAILURE MODE (I.E. CONTROL MODULE TURNS OFF FUEL REL…

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THERE WERE NO DEATHS OR INJURIES FOR THIS COMPLAINT. I'M GUESSING THAT THESE TWO INCORRECT ENTRIES WILL GET THIS COMPLAINT REVIEWED BY A NHTSA EMPLOYEE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. AS NOTED BY SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA'S PCM APPEARS TO HAVE A SERIOUS FAILURE MODE (I.E. CONTROL MODULE TURNS OFF FUEL RELAY CAUSING ENGINE STALL). IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THE FAILURE MODE HAS A HIGH OCCURRENCE. AS OF 4/6/2009 THERE WAS A TWO WEEK NATIONAL BACK ORDER OF PCM FOR THIS VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE, THERE WERE 4 VEHICLES AT A SMALL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN GRAND BLANC MICHIGAN WAITING FOR THIS SERVICE PART. IF THESE 4 VEHICLES ARE TAKEN AS A DATA SAMPLING, THERE MAY BE AS MANY AS 4 * 1400 DEALERSHIPS OR 5600 VEHICLES CURRENTLY AWAITING THIS SERVICE PART AND HAVE FAILED IN THE FIELD. ACCOUNTING FOR INDIVIDUAL DEALERSHIP BUSINESS VOLUME, MY ESTIMATION IS THAT THERE MAY BE AS MANY AT 8000 FIELD FAILURES OF THIS RELATIVELY SERIOUS FAILURE MODE JUST OVER THE LAST 3-4 WEEKS. YOU NHTSA FOLKS MIGHT WANT TO GIVE A CALL OVER TO TOYOTA NA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS BEFORE SOME YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THERE LIVES DESTROYED BY A ENGINE STALL IN HIGH SPEED COMMUTER TRAFFIC. THANKS. CM. AGAIN, THERE WERE NO DEATHS OF INJURIES FOR THIS COMPLAINT.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10265016

2007 model year · 30,447 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Electrical System

WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE AT APPROX 35MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN SMOOTHLY BUT ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION OR POWER. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW TO A STOP AT A VERY DANGEROUS AND BUSY INTERSECTION. I RETURNED HOME AT IDLE SPEED AND PLACED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. CHECK ENGINE L…

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WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE AT APPROX 35MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN SMOOTHLY BUT ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION OR POWER. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW TO A STOP AT A VERY DANGEROUS AND BUSY INTERSECTION. I RETURNED HOME AT IDLE SPEED AND PLACED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DAYS LATER I RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING APPEARED OK AND RECOVERED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY WENT OUT. THEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT ANOTHER INTERSECTION. VERY DANGEROUS, VERY SCARY. THE CAR WAS GARAGED AND LATER TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CONCEDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE COMPUTER OR ECM. THERE IS A TSB CONCERNING THIS AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA COROLLAS. FORTUNATELY, I STILL HAD 6K MILES LEFT ON MY WARRANTY SO THIS REPAIR AND THE TOW WAS COVERED BY TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD THAT HAD THIS BEEN AN OUT OF WARRANTY THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN $1300 FOR AN 18MONTH OLD CAR! I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA SHOULD NOTIFY EVERY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE REPAIRED REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY LIMITATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255885

2005 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2008
Electrical SystemFire

ON DECEMBER 11, 2008 MY DAUGHTER DROVE MY CAR TO HER PART TIME JOB, SHE CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR STOPPED ON HER AS SHE PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE BANK, BUT STARTED BACK UP. THAT AFTERNOON UPON LEAVING THE BANK, THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN. SHE CALLED AND STATED THAT SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR. WITH IN MINUTES …

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ON DECEMBER 11, 2008 MY DAUGHTER DROVE MY CAR TO HER PART TIME JOB, SHE CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR STOPPED ON HER AS SHE PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE BANK, BUT STARTED BACK UP. THAT AFTERNOON UPON LEAVING THE BANK, THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN. SHE CALLED AND STATED THAT SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAR. WITH IN MINUTES THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY BURNED, LEAVING BARE METAL, ALL THE WINDOWS WERE SHATTERED.. THE FLAMES WERE SO HOT THAT WINDOW OF THE STORE BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252156

2006 model year · 51,000 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK THE CARE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT'S A COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I NEED A NEW COMPUTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251969

2007 model year · 19,500 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RPMS DROPPED AND THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAD APPROX. 19,500 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE AND THE FUEL PUMP. FOUR DAYS LATER THE CAR DIED AGAIN WHILE D…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RPMS DROPPED AND THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAD APPROX. 19,500 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE AND THE FUEL PUMP. FOUR DAYS LATER THE CAR DIED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND GASKET. THE CAR HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAS NOT REPEATED THIS INCIDENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY PERCEPTION OF QUALITY IS NEGATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251690

2006 model year · 15 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Electrical System

MY 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA (LE) RANDOMLY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, IT HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING. AS IT HAPPENED, WE WERE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET AND NO ACCIDENT RESULTED. I AM CONCERNED HOWEVER, THAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE ON A HIGHWAY, THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. AT THE D…

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MY 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA (LE) RANDOMLY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, IT HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING. AS IT HAPPENED, WE WERE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET AND NO ACCIDENT RESULTED. I AM CONCERNED HOWEVER, THAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE ON A HIGHWAY, THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COMPUTER OF THE CAR. HOWEVER AFTER REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE, LEARNED THAT THERE WAS ONLY A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE COMPUTER AND STARTING ISSUES. NO INCIDENT HAD BEEN REPORTED WHERE THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT I STILL WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248599

2006 model year · 28,430 miles · Nov 11, 2008
Electrical System

DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR, GOING HOME FROM WORK, CAR STALLED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, LOOKED IN OWNER'S MANUAL AND FOR THAT "MALFUNCTION" FAILURE, STATES TO TAKE TO DEALER. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THEY REPLACED THE "BAD COMPUTER" "IN WARRANTY" (THE NEXT DAY, TODAY) W/ AN "UPDATED ONE", JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE O…

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DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR, GOING HOME FROM WORK, CAR STALLED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, LOOKED IN OWNER'S MANUAL AND FOR THAT "MALFUNCTION" FAILURE, STATES TO TAKE TO DEALER. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THEY REPLACED THE "BAD COMPUTER" "IN WARRANTY" (THE NEXT DAY, TODAY) W/ AN "UPDATED ONE", JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE ONE IN STOCK "FOR OUR CUSTOMERS" "WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE, THE NICE MAN STATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248464

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.===