2009 Toyota Corolla: steering wheel locks up

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 Mar 28, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 81,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the windows failed to function. In addition, the instrument panel lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 79,000 miles · IL

H first time the car malfunction I was coming back from returning the rental truck, I was pulling out on the highway and at that time the steering wheel locked up, the battery indicator light come on, ABS brake light come on, and rest of the idiot lights on the panel come on. It was very hard to steer the car, will all my effort with two hands I can steer the wheel and control the car. The engine was running really rough and sounded like it was going to quit. This lasted for approximately 20 seconds it seemed like, and then the car started running right now and I was able to steer again and all the lights on the panel went out. I was very concerned about this thinking my car was failing and I knew that there is probably something the matter with it but when it started running right, I figured I just can't fix something that's not broke and really take no notice of it. How my daughter got a driver's license on august the 4th and then on august the 6 you wanted to use the car. So I let her use it. The car malfunction again on this day and and it took out the alternator when it did. So I change the alternator in the car and let my wife use the car for two days because she travels a short distance to work to see if it's ok. After two days of my wife driving and then I resume driving it to work. Didn't appear to be the car was working fine until august 13th, and that's when my daughter erica drove the car again and while backing out of the driveway the car malfunction, she couldn't steer the car the brakes won't work and naturally grown in reverse the emergency brake is not that effective in she ran off the road and damage the car.

Filed Aug 9, 2015 · Steering · 94,769 miles · CO

I was driving back to home, when I arrived I need to turn my car to the right side to my apartment but I couldn't steer my car to the right side. I decided to go straight to park in other parking space in front of me. I try to turn steering wheel but it became harder to turn then the beginning. Then I saw the "ABS" light and "battery" light are on, the steering wheel locked and my car stopped working. If I was on the freeway, probably will cause horrible accident!

Filed Aug 28, 2013 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel locked, the brakes failed to stop, and the accelerator failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Steering, Transmission · 86,000 miles · OR

Toyota corolla s 2009 transmission/clutch issue / electric steering wheel on wednesday, march 20th, 2013 at 86000 mi. Experienced same lack of acceleration transmission problem after I purchased in 40 month at 79,000 mi. Right after I started the engine, no acceleration / no shift. Terminated the driving immediately. Restart the engine, it accelerate normal. However, an engine light came out. I drove more than 80 miles to willsonville toyota in or where I had a full diagnosis in early march this month (changed transmission fluid/first they denied that it is transmission maintenance free). Service manager witnessed engine light but refused to diagnosis right a way even though I had addressed this transmission problem last december to toyota japan, us and willsonvill toyota. Service mgr failed to check the code for engine light which they could have find the cause. Engine light disappeared in a day. Called toyota executive office twice. No respond for last 3 days. The federal safety agency advice toyota customer to call toyota headquarter. Steering wheel issue also remains. It locks, difficult to turn the wheel.. Last .5 min -1 min. Then return to normal. Steering wheel issue continues. Dealer requests to bring in over nights to duplicate. However, steering locks after engine start for less than several seconds. How they are going to diagnosis is it only last several seconds? By the time they put in the shop for diagnosis, it is already normal. The federal safety agency is advising to toyota customer to call toyota. Past history on transmission issue at 79000 mi: engine light came out but lasted one day. Fail to accelerate more than 10 - 15 miles /hr. Never shift it up to and go faster. Stopped engine. Restart engine again after 10min. Low speed of 10-15 miles. Restart engine again, and picked up the speed to normal. Engine light disappear in a day. I was concerned and it happened again. Toyota ignored.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Steering · 5,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

2009 corolla toyota steering wheel lock up.

Filed May 4, 2010 · Steering · 29,000 miles · FL

2009 toyota corolla, 29,000 miles, the steering locked up, almost got in a horrible accident. I finally got the car pulled over. The battery was then dead. I had it towed in to the toyota dealer wherei bought it. They said there is nothing wrong with it. This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention!

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Steering · OK

My daughter was driving our corolla sport in november 2009. While turning the corner at an intersection her steering wheel locked in the turning position briefly and then began to work again.

Filed May 17, 2009 · Brakes, Steering · 15,205 miles · WV · crash

We bought a 2009 toyota corolla in oct of 2008. Noticed the touchy steering, but was told that was normal by the toyota dealership. My daughter was driving it on a side street in huntington, wv when she hit a pot hole or a manhole traveling at about 15 to 20 MPH. The steering locked up and she hit a parked car. It broke the ABS wiring harness and caused $10,994.79 damage to car. We then found out that the tires were bald at 15,000 miles and the brakes were very thin. Toyota had just service the car at 13,000 miles and did not tell me the tires or the brakes were bad. We do not know exactly what caused the steering to lock up. The repair shop could not tell us either due to the extensive damage.