VehicleVerdict

2008 Toyota Corolla problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2008 Toyota Corolla carries two red flags at once: 378 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.5× the Corolla norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). It is one of the Corolla years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 63 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 138 reports (37% of the total).

378

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations · 1 open

95

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

63

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Corolla years?

Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted1,770 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 15 complaints1988: 33 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 31 complaints1991: 96 complaints1992: 115 complaints1993: 154 complaints1994: 199 complaints1995: 226 complaints1996: 151 complaints1997: 149 complaints1998: 278 complaints1999: 188 complaints2000: 176 complaints2001: 163 complaints2002: 141 complaints2003: 860 complaints2004: 560 complaints2005: 972 complaints2006: 971 complaints2007: 983 complaints2008: 378 complaints2009: 1,770 complaints2010: 1,573 complaints2011: 690 complaints2012: 496 complaints2013: 269 complaints2014: 381 complaints2015: 308 complaints2016: 309 complaints2017: 275 complaints2018: 196 complaints2019: 289 complaints2020: 391 complaints2021: 249 complaints2022: 128 complaints2023: 116 complaints2024: 94 complaints2025: 40 complaints2026: 18 complaints
Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corolla years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Toyota Corolla problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags13837%
Engine5414%
Speed Control5414%
Brakes267%
Electrical System267%
Transmission133%
Steering123%
Suspension113%
Other92%
Fuel System92%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Tires & Wheels72%
Body & Structure62%
Seat Belts51%
Lighting10%

Does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V741000AirbagsOctober 17, 2019 · 928,220 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

19V627000AirbagsAugust 28, 2019 · 229,460 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.

Consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

16V127000AirbagsMarch 3, 2016 · 147,242 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.

16V128000AirbagsMarch 2, 2016 · 71,163 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.

10V384000EngineAugust 26, 2010 · 1,128,659 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Consequence

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA21002

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SEATBELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN UP INITIALLY DURING A WRECK CAUSING MORE EXTENSIVE INJURY. THEN TIGHTENED UP SNATCHING PASSENGER INTO SEAT FROM MIDAIR CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS HIT BY A CAR WHO RAN A LEFT TURN ARROW ON A CITY STREET. WRECK WAS UNDER 50MPH BUT PASSENGER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 5, 2020 · crash

“ACCELERATOR STUCK "ON" AFTER CAR STARTED AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. OWNER/DRIVER COULD NOT AVOID STRIKING OTHER VEHICLES. OWNER/DRIVER IS ASSISTED BY [XXX]ATTORNEY AT LAW [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 12, 2014 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE RECENT INCIDENT. THE CURRENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 29, 2009 · crash

“I HAVE HAD FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BRAKE HAD DIFFICULTY. I HAD A BAD ACCIDENT AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA TO WITHER REPAIR MY CAR OR SETUP RENTAL OR MAKE A PAYMENT FOR RENTAL. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 8, 2016 · crash

“I HAVE HAD FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BRAKE HAD DIFFICULTY. I HAD A BAD ACCIDENT AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA TO WITHER REPAIR MY CAR OR SETUP RENTAL OR MAKE A PAYMENT FOR RENTAL. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 8, 2016 · crash

2008 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 2008 Toyota Corolla reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 378 complaints put the 2008 model at #12 of 55 Corolla years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Corolla years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Corolla problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (138 complaints), engine (54 complaints), speed control (54 complaints).

Does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Toyota Corolla under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Toyota Corolla years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Corolla years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2007, 2005, 2006, 2003, 2011, 2004, 2012, 2020, 2014, 2008, 2016, 2015, 2019, 1998, 2017, 2013, 2021, 1995, 2018. The cleanest record among Corolla years belongs to 1978.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.