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
2001 model year · 68,000 miles · Oct 30, 2007
Electrical System

MY 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WITH ABOUT 68,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD MY MECHANIC RUN THE OBD CODE, WHICH RETURNED THE CODE OF P0446 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM VENT CONTROL CIRCUIT). MY MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE EMISSIONS OF THE COROLLA. …

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MY 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WITH ABOUT 68,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD MY MECHANIC RUN THE OBD CODE, WHICH RETURNED THE CODE OF P0446 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM VENT CONTROL CIRCUIT). MY MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE EMISSIONS OF THE COROLLA. WHEN I WAS READING ON HERE I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I WANT THIS RESOLVED TO NO EXPENSE TO ME. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IT WILL TAKE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207423

2007 model year · 45 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure

THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT ODI # 10204519.. I WAS AT DELUCA TOYOTA TODAY TO HAVE MY TIRE PROBLEM CHECKED AGAIN ( COMPLAINT ODI# 10200011), AND I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PERSON GARRY BRADLEY ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER ONCE THE TILT WHEEL WAS TILTED IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE POSITION FOR…

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THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT ODI # 10204519.. I WAS AT DELUCA TOYOTA TODAY TO HAVE MY TIRE PROBLEM CHECKED AGAIN ( COMPLAINT ODI# 10200011), AND I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PERSON GARRY BRADLEY ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER ONCE THE TILT WHEEL WAS TILTED IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE POSITION FOR ME TO DRIVE.. HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THIS WAS CONSIDERED A "DESIGN FLAW".. THEY GAVE ME A CAR TO DRIVE WHILE THEY WERE INSPECTING MY 2007 COROLLA AND THIS CAR A 2008 TOYOTA SOLARA HAS THE EXACT SAME "DESIGN FLAW".. ONCE THE WHEEL IS TILTED SO THAT I CAN DRIVE SAFELY AND COMFORTABLY I CAN ONLY SEE " 0-20 MPH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER" AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE I CAN ONLY SEE " 140 MPH AND MORE", ANYTHING IN BETWEEN 20 MPH & 140 MPH IS NOT VISIBLE TO ME.. I GUESS TOYOTA IS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ALL OF US THAT ARE SHORT OR WE SHOULDN'T DRIVE THEIR CARS IF WE WANT TO BE SAFE.. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE.. WHY PUT THE TILT WHEEL OPTION IN THEIR VEHICLES IF YOU CANNOT USE THEM SAFELY.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206632

2007 model year · 45 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Electrical SystemVisibility

ON 5/30/07 I PICKED UP A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA CE..AT THE TIME OF THE TEST DRIVE I DID NOT NOTICE THIS SAFETY ISSUE & PERHAPS IT WAS DUE TO THE DISTRACTION OF THE SALES PERSON'S CONSTANT TALKING.. SINCE I AM SHORT I NEED TO MOVE THE SEAT UP FORWARD TO BE COMFORTABLE WHEN DRIVING & TO BE ABLE TO SEE CLEARLY, BUT ONCE I MOVE THE SEA…

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ON 5/30/07 I PICKED UP A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA CE..AT THE TIME OF THE TEST DRIVE I DID NOT NOTICE THIS SAFETY ISSUE & PERHAPS IT WAS DUE TO THE DISTRACTION OF THE SALES PERSON'S CONSTANT TALKING.. SINCE I AM SHORT I NEED TO MOVE THE SEAT UP FORWARD TO BE COMFORTABLE WHEN DRIVING & TO BE ABLE TO SEE CLEARLY, BUT ONCE I MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD & TILT THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT I CAN DRIVE COMFORTABLY & SAFELY I CANNOT SEE ALL OF THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS.. ON THE LEFT I CAN SEE 0-20 MPH & ON THE RIGHT I CAN SEE 90-110 MPH ANYTHING IN BETWEEN IS NOT AT EYE LEVEL & I CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS.. WHEN I DRIVE IN ORDER TO SEE MY SPEED I NEED TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD LOOK DOWN & UNDER THE TOP PART OF THE STEERING WHEEL.. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DOING 70 MPH ON A PARKWAY WHICH I NEEDED TO DO & I CONSIDER IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS TOYOTA.. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA ACTUALLY PUT THIS OUT ON THE MARKET. HOW DID THIS VEHICLE PASS SAFETY TESTS ? ALSO, ON THIS EXACT SAME VEHICLE I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ON THE TIRES ODI # 10200011 WHICH I AM STILL HAVING A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH.. HAS TOYOTA SACRIFICED CONSUMER SAFETY FOR PRODUCTION & INCOME ? THIS IS NOT MY FIRST NEW CAR BUT IT HAS BECOME A HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND I AM AFRAID THAT THESE VEHICLE PROBLEMS WILL BECOME MY STATISTIC.. COMMUNICATIONS WITH TOYOTA HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204519

2007 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2007
Electrical System

2007 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH DASH BOARD CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR TAC ON A CLEAR DAY**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS VERY HARD TO READ ON A CLEAR DAY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE TRIED TO RETU…

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2007 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH DASH BOARD CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR TAC ON A CLEAR DAY**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS VERY HARD TO READ ON A CLEAR DAY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE TRIED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT TO NO AVAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196995

2007 model year · 30 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE CONTROL PANEL. HE STATED THAT ALL THE INDICATORS ON THE CONTROL PANEL ARE RED IN COLOR AGAINST A BLACK BACKGROUND. THE INDICATORS ARE ALSO VERY THIN. AT NIGHT, THE CONTROL PANEL IS VERY EASY TO READ. DURING THE DAY, …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE CONTROL PANEL. HE STATED THAT ALL THE INDICATORS ON THE CONTROL PANEL ARE RED IN COLOR AGAINST A BLACK BACKGROUND. THE INDICATORS ARE ALSO VERY THIN. AT NIGHT, THE CONTROL PANEL IS VERY EASY TO READ. DURING THE DAY, ESPECIALLY A SUNNY DAY, THE INDICATORS ARE NOT VISIBLE AT ALL. THE CONTACT IS MOST CONCERNED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE SPEED THAT HE IS DRIVING ON THE SPEEDOMETER. HE STATED THAT THIS IS AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 390 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.

NHTSA ODI #10192578

2003 model year · 141,000 miles · May 21, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR, IN ADDITION TO A NEW OXYGEN SENSOR. THE LIGHT REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. TOY…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR, IN ADDITION TO A NEW OXYGEN SENSOR. THE LIGHT REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. TOYOTA PERFORMED AN EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEW SENSOR. THE CONTACT HAS SPENT OVER $1,500 ON REPAIRS. INITIALLY, TOYOTA WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. PRESENTLY, DUE TO THE AFTERMARKET FAILURE, TOYOTA IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THEY ARE JUST MAKING AN EXCUSE TO NOT REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #10191322

2006 model year · 500 miles · Mar 27, 2007
Electrical System

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON THE 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH 500 FAILURE MILEAGE BECAME DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE DEALER AGREED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY, BUT CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO…

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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON THE 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH 500 FAILURE MILEAGE BECAME DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE DEALER AGREED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY, BUT CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *AK UPDATE*4/23/07 **TR

NHTSA ODI #10186261

2006 model year · 15,378 miles · Mar 14, 2007
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA CE ON 06-26-06. ON 02-05-07 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STILL DIDN'T START. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME TO GET A JUMP OFF BECAUSE IT WAS THE BATTERY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. I GOT A JUMP OFF AND IT STILL WOULD START. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BAC…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA CE ON 06-26-06. ON 02-05-07 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STILL DIDN'T START. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME TO GET A JUMP OFF BECAUSE IT WAS THE BATTERY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. I GOT A JUMP OFF AND IT STILL WOULD START. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. I DID THAT AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE NEEDED ALL KEYS TO SEE IF IT WAS THE KEYS AND IT WASN'T. HE THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS AND IT WASN'T. THEN HE SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE TROUBLE CRANKING IT NOW. I WOULD TURN THE KEY AND IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, IT WOULD CRANK. BEFORE THIS INCIDENCE, IN JULY 2006, NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE, MY BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING AND THEY STILL DO NOW. THE ROTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. EACH TIME I TAKE IT FOR SERVICING, I'M TOLD THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS WITH NO RESPONSE. NOW I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185072

2005 model year · 19,000 miles · Feb 23, 2007
Electrical System

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH 19000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE SHOOK, AND THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE …

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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH 19000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE SHOOK, AND THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, BUT HE VEHICLE DID NOT START. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT THE VEHICLE STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE. TOYOTA TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. TOYOTA DETERMINED THAT THE EMC WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON DECEMBER 17, 2006 AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19700.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10183365

2006 model year · 200 miles · Jan 14, 2007
Electrical System

OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION DOES NOT TURN TO THE "START" POSITION. TO REMEDY THE SITUATION THE DRIVER USUALLY HAS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MUCH EFFORT TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT. THEN THE IGNITION WILL EVENTUALLY TURN TO THE START POSITION AND THE AUTO WILL START. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10178650

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.===