10th gen Toyota Corolla 2009–2013 E140

Overview

Engines

1.8L four-cylinder, 2.4L four-cylinder, XRS

Came as

• Sedan

On record

2 warnings, 13 recalls

The story

Unveiled at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on October 31, 2007, the 10th gen went into production that November and reached US dealers in January 2008 as a 2009 model, styled after the Camry. A published reference

Toyota aimed it at refinement and quietness. NUMMI built Corollas until March 2010, and Toyota's new plant at Blue Springs, Mississippi began building them in November 2011. Toyota, a published reference

Colors

• Hot Lava An owners' registry (unofficial)4R8, 2013
• Black Currant Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)9AH, 2013
• Desert Sand Mica4Q2, 2009–2010
• Capri Sea Metallic779, 2009–2010
• Tropical Sea Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)8U6, 2012–2013

Interiors

• BisqueCloth, years not known
• AshCloth, years not known

Sources: Edmunds, a published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 1.8L four-cylinder 2ZR-FE Edmunds, a published reference

  132 hp and 128 lb-ft

• 2.4L four-cylinder, XRS 2AZ-FE engine page Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference

  158 hp and 162 lb-ft, the Camry's engine · 2009–2010

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference
• 4-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
• 5-speed automatic (2009–2010) Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan A published reference

Trims

• Base (2009–2011) Edmunds, a published reference
• L (2012–2013) Edmunds, a published reference
• LE A published reference
• S A published reference
• XLE (2009–2010) Edmunds, a published reference
• XRS (2009–2010) A published reference

Packages

• JBL audio Toyota, a published reference
• Navigation Edmunds
• Special Edition (2013) Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Figures

• XRS performance: 0–60 mph in 7.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 16.0 A published reference
• Fuel tank: 13.2 gal A published reference
• Steering: Electric power steering in place of a belt-driven pump A published reference
• Safety award: An IIHS Top Safety Pick A published reference

Years and what changed

1. 2009

   New generation, a little larger, in Base, LE, S, XLE and XRS trims, with a 2.4L in the XRS and available navigation. Edmunds

2. 2010

   Stability control, traction control and brake override become standard, and the S gets the XRS's Optitron gauges. Edmunds, a published reference

3. 2011
   Refresh

   Facelift with a new grille, headlights, bumpers and taillights. The XRS and XLE are dropped in the US, leaving Base, LE and S. Edmunds, a published reference

4. 2012

   The base car, now the L, gets power windows, locks and keyless entry, and the LE a stereo with USB and Bluetooth. Edmunds, a published reference

5. 2013

   A revised grille, touchscreen audio on upper trims, and LE and S Special Editions. Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Burning oil All years

  Check: Check the oil level, ask how much it uses between changes, and watch for blue smoke.

  Toyota's ZE7 program extended cover for oil burning on certain 2009–2011 Corollas with the 2AZ engine, about 7,700 cars built from early January 2008 to mid-November 2011, to ten years or 150,000 miles from first use, so it has ended. On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2009, an unofficial source, 23 owners report burning oil at about 100,750 miles on average, nine ending with a new engine, and comments name both engines. Toyota, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Water pump All years

  Check: Look for coolant leaking at the water pump and on the alternator below it, and ask whether the pump has been replaced.

  CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, lists water pump failure among the 2009's worst problems, at about 62,000 miles on average. In a CarGurus thread, also unofficial, two owners report the pump failing on their 2009s, one leaking onto the alternator. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2011–2019 Recall 20V024000

  In certain crashes the airbag computer may malfunction, so the airbags or seat belt pretensioners may not deploy. NHTSA

• 2003–2013 Recall 19V741000

  Inflators fitted under an earlier recall were of the same design, and can still explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. NHTSA

• 2010–2013 Recall 19V005000

  The passenger front airbag inflator may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

• 2009–2013 Recall 18V024000

  The passenger front airbag inflator may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

• 2009–2012 Recall 17V006000

  The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  2011–2013

  One source so far

  SlashGear picks 2011 to 2013 among the best used Corolla years, for excellent IIHS results and very few NHTSA complaints and recalls. SlashGear

• Avoid

  2009–2010

  Less sought after

  SlashGear says to avoid 2009 and 2010 for oil burning and cooling system faults. CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, counts more complaints for the 2009 than for any other Corolla year. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter 2011

  Replace every 5,000 miles or 6 months Toyota

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Cabin air filter 2011

  Replace every 30,000 miles Toyota

• Engine air filter 2011

  Replace every 30,000 miles Toyota

• Engine coolant 2011

  Replace first at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles Toyota

• Spark plugs 2011

  Replace at 120,000 miles Toyota

Warranty when new