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 · 91,000 miles · Mar 18, 2010
Electrical System

TOYOTA COROLLA'S ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART REPLACED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320789

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLS OR LOOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING , COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320705

2000 model year · 204,500 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

MY CAR USED EXCESSIVE OIL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AFTER A WHILE THAT I BOUGHT IT, AND ON FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010, I PARKED MY CAR AT 4:00 PM AND DID NOT USE IT ANYMORE AND THEN ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010 AT 5:00 AM THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND THEY SAID THAT PR…

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MY CAR USED EXCESSIVE OIL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AFTER A WHILE THAT I BOUGHT IT, AND ON FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010, I PARKED MY CAR AT 4:00 PM AND DID NOT USE IT ANYMORE AND THEN ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010 AT 5:00 AM THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND THEY SAID THAT PROBABLY THE FIRE STARTED ON THE FUSE SYSTEM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MAYBE BECAUSE OF A RELAY THAT MAY HAVE HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320030

2010 model year · 4,200 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Electrical System

I HAVE LEASED A 2010 COROLLA IN JULY 2010 IT NOW HAS APPROX. 4200 MILES ON IT I CONTINUE TO HAVE UNEXPLAINED WHAT APPEARS TO BE ELECTRONIC OR COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ONE INSTANCE WAS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I THEN PUT THE…

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I HAVE LEASED A 2010 COROLLA IN JULY 2010 IT NOW HAS APPROX. 4200 MILES ON IT I CONTINUE TO HAVE UNEXPLAINED WHAT APPEARS TO BE ELECTRONIC OR COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ONE INSTANCE WAS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I THEN DROVE APPROX 6 MILES ROUND TRIP AND RETURNED HOME, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND MY HANDS WERE TOUCHING NOTHING I WAS READING SOMETHING THAT I HAD IN MY HAND AND THE HIGH BEAMS POPPED ON THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT WAS FAIRLY LIGHT OUT SO I DON'T IMAGINE THAT IS A FEATURE, IT WAS A BIT OVERCAST AND CLOUDY. THE ODOMETER AT SOME POINT CHANGED FROM DISPLAYING MILES WITH 10THS AND ONLY DISPLAYS FULL NUMBER MILES, I THINK IT WAS AFTER I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ALARM BUTTON ON THE REMOTE KEY THAT IT CHANGED BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. I ALSO BELIEVE THE CAR'S COMPUTER WAS NOT PROPERLY SET UPON DELIVERY, OR THEY PUT IN A SOFTWARE UPGRADE WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE INVOICE SHOWS THEY DID A COMPUTER RESET. THE RECALL FIX HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE, AND I AM NOW UNABLE TO GET A RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA, I HAVE BEEN WAITING 3 DAYS SINCE I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE, AND TODAY I CAN NOT GET THROUGH TO TOYOTA OR THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO HIGH CALL VOLUME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319872

2006 model year · 67,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ECM COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 05/05/10. *LJ UPDATED 05/06/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10319830

2007 model year · 30,000 miles · Mar 13, 2010
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. TWICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR A PERIOD OF 24 HOURS AND THEN WENT OFF FOR A WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER. I AM REPORTING THIS AS I KNOW THERE IS SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE COMPUTER ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE TOYOTAS. I THOUGHT THIS PIECE OF INFO…

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I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA. TWICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR A PERIOD OF 24 HOURS AND THEN WENT OFF FOR A WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER. I AM REPORTING THIS AS I KNOW THERE IS SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE COMPUTER ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE TOYOTAS. I THOUGHT THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319390

2003 model year · 80,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PURCHASED 2003, TOYOTA, COROLLA, VIN: [XXX] WITH DAUGHTER. VEH WAS PURCHASED FROM TOYOTA OF ORANGE IN CA. TWO DAYS LATER A HIT AND RUN DRIVER FORCED VEH TO SKID ACROSS FIVE LANES ON INTERSTATE 10 IN ONTARIO, CA, AND LANDED ATOP CENTER …

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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PURCHASED 2003, TOYOTA, COROLLA, VIN: [XXX] WITH DAUGHTER. VEH WAS PURCHASED FROM TOYOTA OF ORANGE IN CA. TWO DAYS LATER A HIT AND RUN DRIVER FORCED VEH TO SKID ACROSS FIVE LANES ON INTERSTATE 10 IN ONTARIO, CA, AND LANDED ATOP CENTER DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO REPAIR SHOP AND "REPAIRED" AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MONTHS. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS NEVER PROPERLY REPAIRED, AND I COMPLAINED TO BOTH TOYOTA , AND TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, BUT TOYOTA ADAMANTLY STATED THE VEH WAS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS CONTINUALLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE BRAKES. EVENTUALLY THE CARPET CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR TO BECOME STUCK AND THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS FORCED TO REACH DOWN WHILE THE CAR MOVING AND PULL THE CARPET WITH BOTH HANDS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. NEITHER TOYOTA REPAIR NOR ALLSTATE WOULD HELP RESOLVE OUR COMPLAINTS SINCE 2003, WE WERE SIMPLY TOLD THAT THE VEH WAS FINE. ADDITIONALLY I BELIEVE THE FRAME IS BENT, LACK OF INTERLOCKING BRAKES CAUSING SKIDS, BRAKES ARE SOFT AND DROP TO FLOOR, AND POOR STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT INVOLVING NEAR MISS ACCIDENT EPISODES. THE CAR SKIDS IF GOING AS LITTLE AS 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. I OFFERED TO GIVE THE CAR AWAY TO ANYONE WHO WAS WILLING TO INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINTS, ALL TO NO AVAIL. I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I HEARD IN THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. TOYOTA CONTINUALLY DENIED THIS FOR 5-6 YEARS, THEN BY ACCIDENT A VERY YOUNG NEWLY EMPLOYED STAFF AT TOYOTA OF ORANGE, INFORMED US THAT OUR COMPLAINT ABOUT LOUD AIR SOUNDING NOISE WAS A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST, WHICH HAD BEEN CONTINUALLY MAKING THE NOISE, AND BURNING OF EYES (MIGRAINES). THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED EVERY 2-4 MONTHS OR LESS UNTIL I JUST REPORTED LESS FREQUENTLY. THE CAR IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY IT NEEDS SOME BRAKES, ROTORS, DRUMS, CALIPERS, AND SHOCKS AS ALWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319371

2007 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

2007 TOYOTA COROLLA EXPERIENCING THROTTLE SURGING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF SUDDENLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS HE COULD, BUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT CRASHED INTO A HEAVY TOOL BOX AND SOME OTHER CONTAINERS AND INTO THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. THE BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THE SECOND TIME, WHILE BACK…

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2007 TOYOTA COROLLA EXPERIENCING THROTTLE SURGING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF SUDDENLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS HE COULD, BUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT CRASHED INTO A HEAVY TOOL BOX AND SOME OTHER CONTAINERS AND INTO THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. THE BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THE SECOND TIME, WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AGAIN. HE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE FORCEFULLY, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP BEFORE HE REACHED THE STREET. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE. THE THIRD TIME, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD IN THE MIDST OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS SPACE BETWEEN IT AND THE CAR AHEAD, SO HE WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE CONTACT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR AND IGNITION. HE HAD FOUR DIFFERENT BATTERIES IN THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST TWO HAD BAD CELLS IN THEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10317588

2010 model year · 178 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TOYOTA 2010 COROLLA BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WENT ON , WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, BRAKE, CHECK-ENGINE, PANIC MODE AND AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS WENT ON. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE ALREADY, FIRST STARTING AS A BRAKE FAILURE, THEN ALMOST LEADING TO THE ACCIDENT WHEN …

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TOYOTA 2010 COROLLA BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WENT ON , WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, BRAKE, CHECK-ENGINE, PANIC MODE AND AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS WENT ON. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE ALREADY, FIRST STARTING AS A BRAKE FAILURE, THEN ALMOST LEADING TO THE ACCIDENT WHEN EVERYTHING FAILED AT ONCE. ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE IN THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME RUN AROUND, THEY STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT OR WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. THIS CAR IS BEYOND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES BOTH TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318982

2006 model year · 20,434 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS WORKING WAS THE BATTERY. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN AUGUST OF 2006 AND THE COMPUTER COMPLETELY FAILED ON JA…

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MY 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS WORKING WAS THE BATTERY. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN AUGUST OF 2006 AND THE COMPUTER COMPLETELY FAILED ON JANUARY 09, 2008. THE CAR ONLY HAD 20,434 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE COMPUTER FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318793

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.===