MYRModel Year Report

2008 Toyota Corolla

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Toyota Corolla
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
314
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 5 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 26 complaints 1989: 23 complaints 1990: 27 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 65 complaints 1992 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 129 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 145 complaints 2001: 133 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 840 complaints 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 314 2009: 1,459 complaints 2010: 1,244 complaints 2011: 584 complaints 2012: 446 complaints 2013: 201 complaints 2014: 268 complaints 2015: 220 complaints 2016: 214 complaints 2016 2017: 178 complaints 2018: 134 complaints 2019: 203 complaints 2020: 308 complaints 2021: 186 complaints 2022: 99 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 64 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 17 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 5 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 26 complaints 1989: 23 complaints 1989 1990: 27 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 65 complaints 1992 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 176 complaints 1995 1996: 129 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 145 complaints 2001: 133 complaints 2001 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2004 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 840 complaints 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 314 2009: 1,459 complaints 2010: 1,244 complaints 2011: 584 complaints 2012: 446 complaints 2013: 201 complaints 2013 2014: 268 complaints 2015: 220 complaints 2016: 214 complaints 2016 2017: 178 complaints 2018: 134 complaints 2019: 203 complaints 2019 2020: 308 complaints 2021: 186 complaints 2022: 99 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 64 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2025 2026: 17 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 5 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 26 complaints 1988 1989: 23 complaints 1990: 27 complaints 1990 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 65 complaints 1992 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1994 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 129 complaints 1996 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 145 complaints 2000 2001: 133 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2004 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 840 complaints 2006 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 314 2009: 1,459 complaints 2010: 1,244 complaints 2010 2011: 584 complaints 2012: 446 complaints 2012 2013: 201 complaints 2014: 268 complaints 2014 2015: 220 complaints 2016: 214 complaints 2016 2017: 178 complaints 2018: 134 complaints 2018 2019: 203 complaints 2020: 308 complaints 2020 2021: 186 complaints 2022: 99 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 64 complaints 2024 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 17 complaints 2026

2008: 314 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19813
19825
19831
19846
19853
19863
198714
198826
198923
199027
199173
199265
1993134
1994184
1995176
1996129
1997135
1998225
1999155
2000145
2001133
2002117
2003720
2004477
2005853
2006840
2007836
2008314
20091,459
20101,244
2011584
2012446
2013201
2014268
2015220
2016214
2017178
2018134
2019203
2020308
2021186
202299
202373
202464
202531
202617

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

44% · 138 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-15

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-13

My car was involved in an accident that was bad enough that the airbags should have activated, but did not. This was after I had the recall on the airbags repaired at the dealer in late 2017. Who can I address this problem with?

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-22

Vehicle speed control

17% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2008 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden unintended acceleration. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle side swiped another vehicle. The consumer requested the to be reimbursed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-02

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact crashed into another vehicle and came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to an auto shop for body repair.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-20

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While attempting to park the vehicle at 5 MPH, it surged forward and struck another vehicle. The front end sustained damages. The current mileage is 2,580 and failure mileage was 2,480.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-11-20

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

8% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

7% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The engine will lose power and shut off while driving. It will proceed to not start and strand the driver. Other models in the genera of my car had this issue with the engine control module, so Im not sure why my VIN does not have a recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-10

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 314 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 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."

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2010-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2010-09-16 Engine Stall
  4. R
    2010-11-29Engine and engine cooling10V384000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2011-04-07Defect petitionClosed 2011-08-19 Frontal Air Bag Non-deployment
  6. I
    2014-09-19Defect petitionClosed 2015-04-29 Low-speed surging
  7. R
    2016-03-25Air bags16V127000 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...

    Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2016-03-25Air bags16V128000 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...

    Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-10-18Air bags19V627000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 138 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 54 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 33 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V384000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 16V127000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V128000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V627000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Toyota Corolla is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Corolla?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.