2010 Toyota Corolla: known issues, changes and recalls

Overview

Engines: 1.8L four-cylinder, 2.4L four-cylinder, XRS
Came as: Sedan
On record: 2 warnings, 11 recalls

What changed for 2010

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

Compare 2010 with 2009

Colors

Desert Sand Mica4Q2, 2009–2010
Capri Sea Metallic779, 2009–2010
Blue Streak Metallic8T7, 2009–2010
Super White040, 2009–2013
Classic Silver Metallic1F7, 2009–2013

Show all 8 colors

Magnetic Gray Metallic1G3, 2009–2013
Black Sand Pearl209, 2009–2013
Barcelona Red Metallic3R3, 2009–2013

Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Interiors in the generation, years not known: Bisque (Cloth) Edmunds, Ash (Cloth) Edmunds

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
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

Figures for the whole 10th gen

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

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)

Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.

Open the checklist

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with 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
2009–2011 Recall 16V340000
The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture after long exposure to heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

Show all 11 recalls

2009–2011 Recall 15V689000
Grease may have been applied unevenly inside the power window master switch, which can then short, overheat and melt. NHTSA
2009–2010 Recall 14V168000
A flat cable in the steering column can be damaged as the wheel turns, cutting the connection to the driver's airbag. NHTSA
2009–2010 Recall 10V023000
An unsecured or wrong driver's floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. NHTSA
2009–2010 Recall 10V017000
The accelerator pedal can become slow to return, or stick, when its friction lever wears smooth and condensation forms. NHTSA
2009–2010 Recall 09V338000
In extreme cold, condensation from crankcase ventilation can freeze and block the brake vacuum port, so the car takes longer to stop. NHTSA
2010 Recall 09V332000
The airbag label on the driver sun visor can come away from the visor. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

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

No service schedule is added yet.

Warranty when new

Basic	36,000 miles or 3 years Edmunds
Drivetrain	60,000 miles or 5 years Edmunds
Rust	5 years EdmundsAny miles

Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.