2009 Toyota Corolla: won't start

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 Nov 23, 2016 · Steering · 85,960 miles · MA

I was driving my toyota corolla during the day and went to make a right turn into a parking space and suddenly the steering wheel locked. I just barely could turn into the parking space I was turning into and my car was sideways. My car was still running. I didn't know what was going on with it. I turned the car off and went into the pharmacy. When I came out and went to start my car, it wouldn't start. I had to call aaa for a jump start and even after the jump start, the steering wheel was still locked but the car was running. I was able to turn it enough to make it home because it was a straight ride home and half way home the steering wheel all of a sudden unlocked on it's own. Now I'm scared that this will happen while I'm on the highway or in alot of traffic and I'll be in an accident and kiiled or hurt someone else.

Filed Aug 23, 2016 · Engine · 48,000 miles · TX

Engine hard starts - no starts - or extended starts. Problem is random occurring 2 to 3 times a week. Happens whether engine is warm or cold. This problem has been going on for 2 years now. Toyota can not find a problem with the car.

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 Dec 28, 2015 · Electrical · 118,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. During inclement weather, the vehicle would not start. The contact constantly had to wait for the weather conditions to improve in order for the key to turn over to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Engine · 105,000 miles · CT

While driving on interstate 395 in connecticut the engine died. I was able to coast over to the side of the road and after multiple tries the car stated. I drove a little further and the engine died once again while I was driving. I was able to start the car and get it to my mechanic. The engine error code stated that 2 of the 4 starter coils failed. The mechanic replaced the 2 starter coils and the car drove fine. After the car spent the night in my garage it would not start again. I had the car towed to mechanic and he replaced the crank shaft sensor. The car again ran fine for 1 day than after the overnight in the garage the car would not start. At the recommendation of my mechanic I had the car towed to valenti toyota in westerly. Ri where I purchased the car. They kept the car for a week first stating that the computer was bad and needed to be replaced. I pointed out that toyota had a recall of computers in 2008 corolla and since my car was built in 2008 did they use the same faulty computers? They stated no and would order a new computer and have it the next day. I received a call from the dealership stating that toyota would not release the part to them and they would be dealing with the regional parts engineer. After 4 days and still no computer valenti toyota called me back and stated that all 4 starter coils needed replacing and that the car is running now. The charge for the repair was $768.52 (customer #20437 and invoice #tocs275417) this does not make a lot of sense to me as I have never heard of a company not releasing parts to its own dealership. My question is did my car have a faulty computer and is this a cover-up? Why would the car engine just stop when driving at a speed of 60 MPH? Luckily I had no one behind me and was able to coast to safety.

Filed Jun 30, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 77,798 miles · PA

Car had just been started, was departing a parking garage and power steering suddenly failed, followed by engine failure. Car would not start again; battery was completely drained. Alternator had gone bad and was replaced.

Filed Mar 10, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · CO

Vehicle lost power steering on freeway, all electronic components shut down and I was stranded on the side of the freeway. The car would not start, after $3200.00 in repairs, the mechanic said the pistons looked like they were from a 30 year old car. Regular oil changes, well maintained, this car is not reliable!

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Engine · 13,968 miles · WI

Car would not start, kept cranking, some times would sputter. After 10 minutes or so of repeatedly trying finally it started but sputtered severely for about 30 seconds then rev up normally. Drove to dealer. Had to pay for diagnostic fee of $110 + $10.95 for efi cleaner. Learned symptoms were as stated in tech service bulletin tsb-0182-09 where engine control module (ECM) would cause the engine to misfire terribly. Fix was to have program update and reflash ECM. The efi cleaner added because misfires may foul fuel injectors. Dealer said they would be nice and not charge me for the reflash /update of the ECM. There should have been no charges at all. I hear 8 years warranty on ECM-what does that include, only flash updates and not diagnostic fees? Four recalls and now this. What's next for my 2009 corolla with <14,000 miles and just 7 months out of warranty. Shame on toyota.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Engine · 14,650 miles · OK

Car would not start. Towed to dealer. Car started @ dealer. Advisor said the same thing has happened to five other cars in the last 30 days.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Fuel system · 14,000 miles · NC

2009 toyota corolla - 14,000 miles february 8, 2010 tried to start car. It was firing up but not turning over. Turned key off. It was still firing up. It stopped within a few seconds. This happened several times the same day - unable to start the car. February 9, 2010 - in the morning, tried to start the car - it fired up but did not turn over. Kept firing up when key was turned off. Tried again and it started. Took it to the dealer and they cleaned the fuel injectors. Question - could this be related to the accelerator problem?