2009 vs 2010 Toyota Corolla

Both years

• Burning oil All years

  What to 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

  What to 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)

Both years

• 09V338000 2009–2010

  In extreme cold, condensation from crankcase ventilation can freeze and block the brake vacuum port, so the car takes longer to stop. NHTSA

• 10V017000 2009–2010

  The accelerator pedal can become slow to return, or stick, when its friction lever wears smooth and condensation forms. NHTSA

• 10V023000 2009–2010

  An unsecured or wrong driver's floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. NHTSA

• 14V168000 2009–2010

  A flat cable in the steering column can be damaged as the wheel turns, cutting the connection to the driver's airbag. NHTSA

• 15V689000 2009–2011

  Grease may have been applied unevenly inside the power window master switch, which can then short, overheat and melt. NHTSA

• 16V340000 2009–2011

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

• 17V006000 2009–2012

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

• 18V024000 2009–2013

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

• 19V741000 2003–2013

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

Both years

Engines

1.8L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 2.4L four-cylinder, XRS (2009–2010) Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference

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, 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

Both years

• Super White 040, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Classic Silver Metallic 1F7, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Magnetic Gray Metallic 1G3, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Black Sand Pearl 209, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Desert Sand Mica 4Q2, 2009–2010 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Barcelona Red Metallic 3R3, 2009–2013 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Capri Sea Metallic 779, 2009–2010 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Blue Streak Metallic 8T7, 2009–2010 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

• 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)