The contact's mother owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while he was driving straight at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to drift to the left and right inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2009 Toyota Corolla steering problems
382 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 9,500. 45 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 382
- of this car's complaints
- 26%
- typical mileage
- 9,500
- crashes
- 45
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Electric power assist system3
- Rack and pinion1
- Linkages: tie rod assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Toyota Corolla steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Toyota Corolla steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Steering Wander or Drift
On February 18, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE10-008 to investigate complaints of steering wander or drift in model year (MY) 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles.The complaint descriptions indicated dissatisfaction with the on-center steering feel in the subject vehicles. Some drivers (~25%) related the feel to driving in a strong crosswind and others indicated that the effort and attention required to maintain heading increased driver fatigue on long trips.These complaints all relate to the system operating as designed and do not involve failure of any steering system components.The subject vehicles are equipped with an electronic power steering system that was introduced in the MY 2009 vehicles.The power assist, including on-center steering feel, is controlled electronically and is part of the system calibration.Toyota responded to steering feel concerns from some customers by issuing a technical service bulletin (TSB-0140-10 STEERING ON-CENTER FEEL) that released an optional EPS electronic control unit that has a re-calibrated on-center feel.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted by the circumstances.For further details see the attached VRTC and ODI Closing Reports.
PE10008
What 2009 Toyota Corolla owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Power steering fails to operate causing loss of control while navigating turns.
The steering stopped responding, car started spinning hitting both left and right retaining walls. Normal high way driving. Great dry weather. NO WARNING- no shake- no rattle-no lights- no noise-NOTHING
2009 corolla is drifting left and right on the highway. Some vibration. Recently had new tires and wheel alignment and still very unstable, feels like driving a boat and can move left or right at any time. It has electronic power steering not hydrologic. I'm the second owner of this vehicle and have the maintenance records. The alternator was replaced twice on car which is unusual. Any recall of the electrical rack and pinion for this vehicle? My mechanic did not know how to fix besides replacing the whole rack and pinion system.
Extremely loose steering. Car has no control on highway. I almost hit a car. Called toyota and pretty much got hung up by toyota rep.
At highway speed car wanders across lanes. Experienced complete loss of power steering while driving down side street.
I have been experiencing a lot of highway wanders and I have replaced tires and had three or more alignments done since january of this year. It feels as if the wild is blowing a hundred miles an hour around me and pushes my car all over the freeway. I feel it getting worse as well. I'm not sure what else to do or who to contact. I really need to get this fixed asap and we have tried many things.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. While driving unknown speeds, the steering wheel had friction and was not centered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (cross bay toyota, 2001 n bayshore dr., coos bay, or 97420), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 1803082465. The contact was referred back to the dealer by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 188,000.
Most pronounced at highway speeds the car will intermittently not go straight. It feels like a notch both to the left and right of center. It takes both hands to fight the wheel to make it go somewhat straight. Pulling the steering wheel out of one of these notches at 65 MPH makes the car veer a few feet or more in the other direction of the notch. This is very dangerous when a car or 18 wheel semi truck is in the next lane and complicated further with a side wind. I just brought my car in for a takata airbag replacement and the service advisor knew nothing about any steering problems regarding a 2009 corolla. I went to the corporate level and again, toyota customer service knew nothing about any problems. When I asked if I could send them links to reports by abc, consumer reports, USA today and multiple other sources about law suits, judgements and decisions, they said they had no way of accepting these links. Apparently, hundreds of 2009 corollas have this issue. I have experienced this issue at all speeds, although at slower speeds it isn't as dangerous but moving at a highway speed means that a few feet of unpredictability is not only possible but happens every few hundred yards. There are times but very few times where the steering is completely normal. My suspicion is that the electronic steering box or control may be affected by cell phone interference, both from my own phone and others as well as reception towers. I am a driver of almost 45 years and have logged almost a million miles with no accidents. I am mechanically inclined and am sensitive to mechanical malfunction and abnormalities. This steering issue is dangerous and has already cost lives and created accidents according to the articles I have found. Please help me convince toyota to either recall the car or fix my car to normal operating conditions.
The car steering wheel drags to the left while driving in a hilly curvy road. Sometimes the steering wheels gets stuck while driving and cannot move or operate.
Questions about the 2009 Toyota Corolla steering
Does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have steering problems?
Owners have filed 382 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 26% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Corolla steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 9,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Toyota Corolla steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Toyota Corolla have bad steering?
The Toyota Corolla model years with the most steering complaints are 2009 (382 complaints), 2010 (371 complaints) and 2007 (43 complaints).
Other 2009 Toyota Corolla problems
Airbags 552Acceleration 197Engine 133Brakes 120Electrical 89Transmission 45Body 42Suspension 31Fuel system 24Visibility 22Driver assistance 21Tires 14Seat belts 11Seats 9Wheels 9Lights 6Locks 4
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