2009 Toyota Corolla: engine stalls while driving

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · Electrical · ME

I purchased my car in March 2023. From the first week, it wouldn't start sometimes. Id wait 5 minutes, then it would start fine. I thought it was when it got wet, at first. I also had a certain part replaced air flow compressor, possibly was called?, thinking this would fix it. It did not. In fact, the problem seemed to be happening more and more but, always, if I waited 5 to 10 minutes, sometimes messed around under the hood, it would start. This was not very comforting however, when it would stall at a light and not start right back up. I took it to AutoZone and was run on the diagnostics machine. Was told it needed new spark plugs and ignition coil packs. Which I got and replaced. Still happening. I took back to AutoZone, had it run again on diagnostic. This time it said battery. So I had a new battery put in. Still happening. All along, might I add, my fuses will blow randomly, my headlights And taillights will blow for no reason. One taillightooks like it melted through the plastic before it decided to blow. I e replaced some fuses, only to have blown again. I also have replaced the light bulb in taillight, only to have blown twice more. This is very dangerous, especially at a traffic light or, late at night if I need to go somewhere or leave somewhere And it won't start. I've been stuck in the middle of the road, on the wring sidevif the riad, in the midfle if a snowstorm, with it not starting for me. Also, it was gett5really cold without heat and, I was nearly hit several times as i was also at the bottom of a steep hill when my car decided to stop sliding backwards and stall on me and would not restart. That was the most fearful I have been with this issue and with good reason! I now see several others having similar issues with their same exact car. Why isn't Toyota addressing this?

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Engine · 176,000 miles · UT

My car was running fine until recently, when I had a few services done at the dealership: brake fluid, transmission drain/fill, oil change, and fuel injection service (this last item I did not ask for or approve beforehand). A couple days later, my car began stalling when I was driving (while coming to a stop/ not pushing the accelerator). No cel / overheating/ low oil issues- always regular maintenance. Took it back to the dealer, they said the engine had low compression and they suspected a cracked engine block. They also checked to see to see if my ECM was updated. That was all they said after being there 5 hours. I had to leave for work, brought it back a few days later, they said they didn't have time to look at it without an appointment. A few days later, my car wouldn't start at all. Took it back in, they said they didn't know why it had low compression/ stalling/ not starting because no oil or coolant leaks or mixing, no overheating, etc. Told me the only option is to replace engine. (cost of tearing engine apart to find crack or cracked gasket not worth cost in labor because of car's age/ mileage- 2009 corolla, around 176k). How is this even possible? I suspect that something was not done correctly during a recent service, or maybe they did not update/flash my ECM correctly. Of course, they are not claiming any responsibility. Very frustrating. The dealership manager did offer me a discount on the used engine repairs, but this seems like either manufacturer error or technician error.

Filed Dec 31, 2018 · Electrical · 90,147 miles · VA

All dashboards came on and the vehicle stalled. Also when pressing the brake or putting any load on the electrical system the vehicle starts stalling. It is not consistent and can't be repeated consistently.

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Engine · 60,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power, stalled, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with error code p2103. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

Vehicles with delco ECM have a common issue where the fuel injectors leak into the cylinder causing engine to loose compression. The lowered compression causes hard start (if able to start at all) and if and when it starts the vehicle emits a cloud of white smoke for several minutes. When vehicle is in drive the engine idles hunts constantly. Engine stalls while driving making braking and steering very difficult and dangerous. Ecm has been replaced but unfortunately the damage is done to the engine and needs a rebuild. Multiple vehicles have reported this issue from 2009 - 2013 toyota corolla ranging from 100 miles - 179,000 miles. It doesn't seem to have any different effect with mileage or maintenance.

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Engine · 84,491 miles · OH

My wife was travelling on I-270 near columbus, oh on 6/19/2016 afternoon (around 2 pm) in a toyota corolla s 2009. She took an exit 22b at around 60-65 MPH and the vehicle after giving brief beeps suffered from an abrupt engine stall. She lost control of the vehicle momentarily as the steering and break jammed. She regained control after great effort and pulled over the vehicle at the roadside. The car did not start immediately but started after about 30 mins and ran properly after that but with some minor vibration post 60 MPH speed.

Filed Jun 5, 2016 · Engine · 190,000 miles · IL

I have been dealing with excesive amount of oil consumption since I bought the car and found out that it was consuming oil while doing random checks on the car. After that I looked on-line for solution and found pages after page and website after website of people complaining about the same issue since 2009 to now and toyota not doing anything about it. I since continued checking and toping the engine oil until december when my car started to stall when I stopped at a light. It would try to idle around 500-600 RPM but couldnt and then the engine would bring it up to 800 RPM. I had it diagnosed and turned out my piston rings are the problem. After further investigation online I saw that the piston and piston rings are the problem on the toyota 2zrfe engine and may other engines. I called my dealership and scheduled a day to have this checked when I got there in feburay I was told that my VIN doesnt have this issue I explained I am having this issue and was turned away. I called 1800 number and was told that there is no issue and the online is just that people complaining about a problem that doesnt exist. Until april when my engine would not accelerate fast. When I went on the high way with it it felt like my engine power was a 3rd or less becuase I was having hard time accelerating faster than semis who were starting from stand still. Since then I filed a complaint with bbb and attorney general and got a call from "toyota customer experience case #1606030224" and was told by jeffery moore that the kits for the fix are shipping now and to take it for repair on 5/26/2016 and I took the car in a couple of days later and they checked the oil and put stickers on the car and told me to come back after 1100 miles. After two days of doing that I got an email and a call. I called back and was told that they will not fix it and they contacted the regional manage and he said no.

Filed Jan 26, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 97,000 miles · CA

Takata recall: how could this have a recall and your company is stalling to complete this recall when you are knowing that when driven we can get into a major fatal car accident with the airbags forcing pressure against our bodies and even can burn our face and moreso death can appear during this incident. I was so frightened to think I see the airbag 6 second light light up and blink driving on the highway. Thank the lord that nothing happened to cause an accident or a 36o turn multple crash on the rain, mudslide roads..

Filed Nov 25, 2015 · Driver assistance · 127,000 miles · CA

My ECM constantly have issues with stabilizing the vehicle on a daily occurrence. When it works as it should the car feels stable like it has added weight and the steering is responsive. The ECM in the late 2000s all have ECM problems which is a safety concern since braking, transmission and steering are all affected in some adverse way. The vehicle had a o2 sensor replaced and it still has the same issues, alternator also replaced. I believe toyota knew about this issue with its toyotas and decided not to issue a recall in order to save money. Ive been dealing with this issue since a month after I got my car 4 or 5 months after I got my car. The code p0607 along with the p0138 are constantly going off in my vehicle. Sometimes the p0138 will go away but the symptoms of a bad ECM still remain. The car shakes, doesn't stall yet, feels sluggish and hard to keep straight at almost any speed.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. The contact stated that while traveling on a hill, the alternator assembly warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 95,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering failed and was difficult to control. In addition, the engine stalled. As a result, a crash occurred. The contact was injured and received medical attention. A police report was not filed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2015 · Engine · 41,000 miles · FL

My mother is 75 years old. Here corolla is 6 years old. She took it to toyota on april 23rd, 2015 for the recall of the airbag (spiral cable sub assembly and cable kit) and updated software and install update label (smart stop technology and elsbos update ECM software) to correct the recall issue. She was sent home as it was supposed to be fixed. On friday april 24th, 2015 at 10pm she was driving home from an event at approx 45 MPH the vehicle stalled. She took it to toyota the next date on saturday april 25th, 2015 at 11:00 am. Toyota inspected the vehicle and sent her home. On the way the home the same day at 5:26pm she was going approx 10 MPH coming through a light and it stalled again. The engine kicked back in and then it stalled again. Her vehicle was running fine until toyota changed out the recall parts. There is something very wrong with this and needs attention. Although there was not accident it was a close call she was almost rear ended. I am writing now because something needs to be addressed with toyota and her car needs to be fixed in the same condition that it was prior to going to toyota. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).