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2008 Toyota Corolla

The Verdict

40 Proceed with Caution

The 2008 Toyota Corolla has 340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (165 complaints) and body (72 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 40/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Corolla, consider the 2025 model year which has 92% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 92% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Toyota Corolla dashboard →

40

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000571022587
2001431234409
2002641529328
20031802837412356
2004133142647914
20051483653415734
20061313050915542
20071734049212622
200872271656511
200957911260916933
20105301664326439
201192194053516
2012431036056
2013772366248
201490141132822
20157613762627
20167128742018
20176125681914
2018371029507
20194412267444
202098163612229
2021489643918
20222712271315
202326324135
202424101276
2025126322

By Category

Electrical
165
Body
72
Engine
65
Brakes
27
Transmission
11

By Severity

1
128
2
135
4
76
5
1

Worst Problems

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See how the 2008 Toyota Corolla stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

The seller of this vehicle rolled back the odometer to 135,000 when the carfax reports in April of 2024 the car was at 200,000 miles

19mo ago
Electrical 2

The airbag indicator red light has turned on without any collision or accident.

20mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the driver was idling in an intersection and making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle causing it to turn 180 degrees during the impact. The air bags did not deploy. The bumper detached during the crash. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the driver sustained a fractured wrist and whiplash that required medical attention via the hospital. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

21mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contacted stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

28mo ago
Engine 2

The plastic fuel tank has a heat shield below it that keeps the fuel tank from getting too hot, and from debris hitting it. There is a strap that goes around the fuel tank. The heat shield has this plastic piece that holds on to the strap. On my car, this plastic piece snapped off and the heat shield was rattling loose against the exhaust pipe and exposing the fuel tank. I took my car to a Toyota dealer (Glen Mills, PA) and was told the only way to fix that plastic piece is to replace the whole heat shield and fuel tank strap. Even though this was due to their defective piece. I was told it would be $950 for this repair. I was forced to deny the repair due to the obscene price tag and took it to a dealer for a temporary fix until Toyota can be reasonable with their price. Upon further research, this plastic piece is known to break off on this type of car frequently. After watching many videos and going through many forums of people having the same issue, it seems Toyota is known for charging an outrageous price for this. To me, it appears they know this piece is defective and will be recalled at some point, and are trying to make money off of unsuspecting people. I would appreciate this being investigated further.

34mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash, the front driver's side air bag deployed and the contact sustained multiple fractured ribs and a left ankle injury which required medical treatment. The contact indicated that upon the vehicle's impact, the air bag did not immediately deploy and was delayed contributing to the rib injuries sustained. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 168,841.

34mo ago
Body 2

I am the original owner of my car since the end of 2007. For some strange reason, my car just suddenly started to show large signs of rust on the roof. This is apparently a very common issue with the similar timeframe of model years. This is a manufacturing defect from the beginning as Toyota did not properly paint the car properly.

37mo ago
Electrical 2

Unable to get remedy in a timely manner for air bag recall. Part has been unavailable for over a month and dealer has delayed ordering of part by two weeks. Dealer providing recall service is IRA Toyota of Danvers in Massachusetts

44mo ago
Body 1

The ODO meter of my Corolla 2008 model has not been functioning since around November 2021 when it stopped at 299,999 mile. Recently in August 2022, I asked a Toyota dealership, named Fox Toyota located in Rochester Hills, MI, to fix the issue, but they told me they couldn't do it and I needed to look for other repair shop. Then I contacted Toyota Brand Engagement Center and requested them to fix because it appeared to be a Toyota manufacturing or design issue. They also refused their responsibility to do the repair. I attach the photos of ODO meter and vehicle. Please have Toyota take corrective actions on this issue. Thank you for your support in advance.

47mo ago
Engine 1

Engine light stays on

59mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact declined the diagnostic fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

60mo ago
Electrical 2

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF POSSIBILITY OF 600.00 FEE

63mo ago
Electrical 4

SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT THEM WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING 40 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET. IT CRASHED IN THE FRONT END, RADIATOR, FENDERS AND HOOD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD BEEN SENT A RECALL NOTICE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE CRASH HAPPENED TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V-627

67mo ago
Electrical 4

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 HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DUE TO SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. .

68mo ago
Electrical 2

MY 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX WAS UNDER RECALL SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED IN OCTOBER 2019. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND I WAS PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH THE TOYOTA AIR BAG REMEDY ON JUNE 11, 2020 BUT IT SEEMS THAT THE REMEDY HAS CAUSED THE COVER TO POP UP AND A CREASE IS FORMING ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE AIRBAG COVER. ALSO, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE PASSENGER INDICATOR LIGHT WORKED PROPERLY WHEN I LAST DROVE MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2019. *TR

73mo ago
Body 1

MULTIPLE TIMES MY CAR HAS SLID ON THE PAVEMENT UPON AN ABRUPT STOP. DEER IN MY TRAVEL ROUTES ARE ABUNDANT. BUT ON JUNE 2, 2020 I HEARD A NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING. IT APPEARED TO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE CAR. THE TIRE HAVING OVER HALF IT'S TREAD THREW A BELT OR HAD A HUGE BULGE IN THE TIRE. IT WENT FROM A NOISE TO A LOAD GRUMBLING SOUND AND A LOT OF VIBRATION VERY QUICKLY. THE SLIDING WAS ONGOING AND I ASSUMED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SMALL AND LIGHT BUT NEVER HAD THIS SLIDING EFFECT FROM MULTIPLE OTHER SMALL CARES I'VE OWNED. THEN THE TIRE BULGE. I RESEARCHED THE TIRE AND IT APPEARS COOPER TIRE HAS MAJOR ISSUES WITH THEIR TIRES BUT THIS TIRE SIZE I DID NOT SEE AS A RECALL. (MST P185/65R15 MC STRATEGY BW 88T(N)) IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OR FLIPPED THE CAR AT A FAST SPEED. SPEED LIMIT WAS 45MPH WHERE THE TIRE SEPARATION HAPPENED. I'M NOW SCARED TO DEATH TO EVEN THINK OF USING A COOPER TIRE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT AS A NOVICE DRIVER THIS WOULD CAUSE MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. FORTUNATELY I HAVE DRIVEN PROFESSIONALLY FOR MULTIPLE YEARS AND KNOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXTRA 20 FEET OR MORE SKID THAT IS NOT PREVENTABLE WITH THESE TIRES WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY. THE TIRE WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED JULY 2, 2012 WITH 23126 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NOW MILES ARE 46184. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURE AND TIRES PURCHASE RECEIPT IF NEEDED. *TR

74mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. TOYOTA OF GREER (13770 E WADE HAMPTON BLVD, GREER, SC 29651) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

75mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED THROUGH EMISSIONS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA AND THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMED THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

76mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. KOONS ARLINGTON TOYOTA LOCATED AT (4045 LEE HWY, ARLINGTON, VA 22207, (703) 522-6000) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

77mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED FLORENCE TOYOTA 2300 W PALMETTO ST, FLORENCE, SC 29501 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

78mo ago

340 total

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