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 · 66,737 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. SUDDENLY THE CAR WON'T MOVE FORWARD AND ON THE DASHBOARD ALL THE LIGHTS KEEPS LIGHT UP AND BLINKING AND THE CAR GRADUALLY DIED ON THE ROAD. IT'S SO DANGEROUS. I SEE EMC IS LISTED RECALL BUT I DON'T RECEIVE ANY LETTER FROM DEALER TO FIX ITS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WITH VIN NUMBER ABOVE IS…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. SUDDENLY THE CAR WON'T MOVE FORWARD AND ON THE DASHBOARD ALL THE LIGHTS KEEPS LIGHT UP AND BLINKING AND THE CAR GRADUALLY DIED ON THE ROAD. IT'S SO DANGEROUS. I SEE EMC IS LISTED RECALL BUT I DON'T RECEIVE ANY LETTER FROM DEALER TO FIX ITS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WITH VIN NUMBER ABOVE IS ON THE LIST OF RECALL. I HAVE CHECKED THE ALTERNATOR, IT WORKS OK AND THE BATTERY IS OK (JUST REPLACE A FEW MONTHS AGO). IF IT IS RECALL, SHOULD I BRING IT TO DEALER TO FIX IT EVEN I DIDN'T RECEIVE THEIR LETTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641903

2010 model year · 66,000 miles · Oct 5, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THE CAR SEEMS TO INCREASE IN SPEED EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY RADIO SELDOM WORKS, THE ANTI SKID CONTROL DOES NOT ACTIVATE, THE LIGHTS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT BLINK ON AND OFF, INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE AC AND HEATING UNIT CUTS ON AND OFF. IT SEEMS A…

Read full complaint

THE CAR SEEMS TO INCREASE IN SPEED EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY RADIO SELDOM WORKS, THE ANTI SKID CONTROL DOES NOT ACTIVATE, THE LIGHTS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT BLINK ON AND OFF, INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE AC AND HEATING UNIT CUTS ON AND OFF. IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR IS IN NEED OF REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641499

2009 model year · 2,967 miles · Oct 5, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineCrash

ENGINE BY DRIVING WHEN EXCELLING ENGINE SHUT OFF THIS CAR WAS T TAKEN TO THE DEALER UP TO FIVE TIMES AND THREE ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER SHIP KEITH PIERSON TOYOTA 6501 YOUNGERMAN CIRCLE JACKSONVILLE FLA 3 2244. ALSO I HAVE CLAIM NUMBER FILE WITH TOYOTA CORPORATIONS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR…

Read full complaint

ENGINE BY DRIVING WHEN EXCELLING ENGINE SHUT OFF THIS CAR WAS T TAKEN TO THE DEALER UP TO FIVE TIMES AND THREE ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER SHIP KEITH PIERSON TOYOTA 6501 YOUNGERMAN CIRCLE JACKSONVILLE FLA 3 2244. ALSO I HAVE CLAIM NUMBER FILE WITH TOYOTA CORPORATIONS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641561

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10638745

2012 model year · 28,394 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE I-75 HOME DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE METRO-DETROIT AREA, THE VEHICLE SPED UP IN EXCESS OF 90MPH! I ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION. THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT REACT TO MY FOOT NOT EVEN BEING ON THE PEDAL! I BRAKED AND PUMPED THE BRAKE TO ONLY CONTROL MY SPEED. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO PARK, TH…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE I-75 HOME DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE METRO-DETROIT AREA, THE VEHICLE SPED UP IN EXCESS OF 90MPH! I ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION. THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT REACT TO MY FOOT NOT EVEN BEING ON THE PEDAL! I BRAKED AND PUMPED THE BRAKE TO ONLY CONTROL MY SPEED. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO PARK, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT A HIGH RATE LIKE THE ENGINE WAS REACTING TO PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR SMELLED LIKE SMOKE FROM THE BRAKE PAD. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE BRAKE PAD, I MIGHT OF BEEN MORE SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE. I PLAN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP MY FAMILY AND I OUT.....WE HAVE A 2014 COROLLA VIN # [XXX] , ANOTHER 2008 COROLLA VIN # [XXX] , AND JUST RECENTLY A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 VIN # [XXX] ............IT WAS A VERY SCARY ORDEAL....I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE WELL BEING OF MY FAMILY DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS FIX ALREADY????? MAYBE NOT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637103

2010 model year · 125,000 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

2010 COROLLA MAIN BODY WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHERE IT ENTERS CAR THROUGH FIREWALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633138

2010 model year · 92,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ALL ENGINE POWER, WITH NO WARNING, STUTTER, JOLT OR ANY SORT OF NOISE. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER BUT COULD NOT GET MY CAR TO TURN OVER AND HAD TO TOW IT AWAY. OBD CODE READER WOULD NOT CONNECT WITH ON BOARD COMPUTER. WHEN CRANKING THE ENGIN…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ALL ENGINE POWER, WITH NO WARNING, STUTTER, JOLT OR ANY SORT OF NOISE. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER BUT COULD NOT GET MY CAR TO TURN OVER AND HAD TO TOW IT AWAY. OBD CODE READER WOULD NOT CONNECT WITH ON BOARD COMPUTER. WHEN CRANKING THE ENGINE THERE WAS NO SPARK TO THE COILS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631994

2003 model year · 108,010 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE RECEIVED 3 SAFETY RECALLED NOTICES APPLIED TO MY CAR. ON JANUARY, 2014 I WENT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION, BUT DID NOT GIVE ME AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF NOT A COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL BACK. I CALLED THEM 10 TIMES AND THEY NEVER HAD COMPUTER SYSTEM OR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE MY CALLS.I…

Read full complaint

I HAVE RECEIVED 3 SAFETY RECALLED NOTICES APPLIED TO MY CAR. ON JANUARY, 2014 I WENT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION, BUT DID NOT GIVE ME AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF NOT A COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL BACK. I CALLED THEM 10 TIMES AND THEY NEVER HAD COMPUTER SYSTEM OR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE MY CALLS.I CALLED TOYOTA PUERTO RICO, I GAVE MY PHONE NUMBER AND A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. ON JULY, 2014, I VISITED ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER WITH THE SAME RESULT: NO MASSAGE NOR CALL BACK. THERE IS ENOUGH TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES TO FULFILL WITH THIS CAR RECALL, THE REASON TO SUBMIT RESPECTFULLY THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630199

2009 model year · 58,950 miles · Sep 1, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED STALLING REALLY BAD AND LOSING POWER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP AND I COULDN'T SPEED MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE MILES, BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED TRYING TO SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET CHECKED OUT AND THE TROUBLESHOOTING CODES CAME OUT AS BEING THE IGNITION CO…

Read full complaint

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED STALLING REALLY BAD AND LOSING POWER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP AND I COULDN'T SPEED MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE MILES, BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED TRYING TO SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET CHECKED OUT AND THE TROUBLESHOOTING CODES CAME OUT AS BEING THE IGNITION COILS DUE TO THE ENGINE HARNESS BEING BAD, (DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE I SAID ), CABLES DON'T GO BAD LIKE THAT IN FLORIDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629836

2010 model year · 128,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL UP. TODAY, I STOPPED MY CAR AT A REST STOP AND MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED SMOKING. THE WAFTED UP THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND THE WINDOW CONTROLLED BUTTON. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WAITED. TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE S…

Read full complaint

ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL UP. TODAY, I STOPPED MY CAR AT A REST STOP AND MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED SMOKING. THE WAFTED UP THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND THE WINDOW CONTROLLED BUTTON. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WAITED. TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE SMOKE CAME OUT INSTANTLY. TOYOTA HAS HAD A RECALL ON THEIR CAMRYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. COROLLAS NEED TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST. I'M SUCK IN ANOTHER STATE WITH A CAR THAT CAN CATCH ON FIRE AT ANY MINUTE IT SEEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629298

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.===