2009 Toyota Corolla: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 105,000 miles · CA

The car automatic transmissions shift very hard. The mechanic replaced pressure solenoid valve. I was informed that electronic control module is bad. The symptoms are similar to a volunteer safety recall a0j for 2007-2008 corolla models equipped with 1zz-fe electronic control module. The ECM for certain 2005 through 2008 toyota corolla and corolla matrix models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain points or on certain varistors, the engine warning lamp could be illuminated*, harsh shifting could result, or theengine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven which may increase the risk of a crash.

Filed Apr 22, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 128,650 miles · CA

My 2009 corolla experienced issues identical to a prior recall circa 2010 for '05-'08 corolla & matrix models regarding engine control modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. On 3/30/16, the check engine light turned on and my vehicle experienced harsh shifting and struggled for gas. Vehicle was in motion with over a 1/4 tank of gas on a residential street at the time. On 3/31/16, I had the vehicle towed to my local toyota dealership. Diagnostics were run and ECM fault codes were identified. Service associates working on my corolla addressed their concerns and were repeatedly denied requests for a replacement ECM. At one point, I was advised by toyota dealership staff to personally order an ECM unit through the parts dept., insisting that the request coming directly from a customer would not be denied. I attempted to place an order with parts, and that request later was denied. After several re-tests and denied requests for a replacement ECM, my vehicle received a replacement tail light bulb (what I refer to as a "band-aid" fix) and was released back to me on 4/5/16. The very next morning (4/6/16), check engine light came back on and vehicle was brought in. Once again, codes tied to the ECM were identified. After another week of tests, denied ECM fix requests, and another band-aid repair, the vehicle was released back to me on 4/14/16. During this two-week ordeal, I incurred over $540 in rental car expenses and $186 in "band-aid" repairs, despite the fact that ECM issues were identified from the beginning. I have opened 2 cases with toyota customer experience center to address this ECM issue with my 2009 corolla, the prior 2010 recall, and have requested that my VIN be incorporated into the recall. So far, toyota has denied any responsibility, insisting that their ecms don't fail, offering no assistance for issues they deem off-warranty/off-recall.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Steering · 87,000 miles · CA

There is a loud clunking noise coming from the steering column. The road surfaces causes the steering wheel to jerk and creates a rattling clunk noise and low speeds. If the steering wheel shook side to side, the apparent noise is clicking. I suspect this is a faulty steering intermediate shaft. At highway speeds, the car tends to drift out of the lane. Uneven road surfaces causes the wheel to jerk at city and highway speeds. Wheel balancing and vehicle alignment were performed. The issue has not been fixed. Replacing the intermediate shaft should be a recall as well as the replacement/reprogram of the eps module.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Steering · 41,128 miles · IN

I was driving down interstate 65 in indiana on a windy day and was having trouble keeping my car in my lane. The car was all over the place and I had to constantly fight to keep it on the highway. I slowed down and it did not help. For a while I have heard a clunk noise in the passenger side front tire when hitting a bump. I thought the noise was a broken strut. I took my car to the shop today (midas) in hammond indiana and they said the noise was probably from a loose tie rod. The mechanic showed me he could move the front wheel while the car was in the air 1 to 2 inches to either direction left or right without moving the steering wheel or front wheel on the other side of the car. The tie rod had over one inch of play going into the steering gear box. The car has never been in an accident and this should have never happened at 41,128 miles. I could have been killed. My car is now at my local toyota dealer getting a brand new electric rack steering gear box and tie rod on the front passenger side.

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Body · 35,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota corolla. Whenever the contact would drive the vehicle she could notice a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. After examining the vehicle the contact noticed a large dent on the rear bumper of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the vehicle was working properly. The current and failure mileages were 35000.

Filed Feb 19, 2010 · Brakes · TX

When starting to operate the vehicle for the first time of the day, and it is cold out, when backing out of the driveway and applying the brakes, the rear brakes make very loud clunking noises like something is broken inside the brake assemblies on both rear wheels. I feel as if the brakes are failing, and this could possibly lead to something worse in the future.

Filed Nov 15, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 32,000 miles · OR

2009 toyota corolla, "s" automatic transmission. The problem was initially identified by me when my car would not catch while on a slope in drive. The transmission would roll back. The dealership said this was normal due to a loss of pressure, however it would do it even if I barley stopped on a gradual incline for a few seconds. This has caused me to roll back unless I had one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas while to keep me steady to start. This happened at from the time I purchased the car. Recently, I my engine has been running really rough and winding at a high pitch while driving. It now intermittently goes between gears and downshifts automatically into gears that are not appropriate for the speeds traveling. This causes a drastic down speed, and example is I will be on the freeway traveling speeds between 50-65 and it will downshift and reduce my speed to 40 MPH or less, then I will try to accelerate and it will redline out, as if I am in neutral and I will have no control to regain speed until it automatically pushes itself back into gear, and then increases my speed at a rapid pace, without me putting my foot on the gas. At this point, I am required to place my foot on the brake to control my speeds. The dealership has taken my car back twice and claimed to have fixed it twice based on the reads, but I have had the same problem. The reads on the computer will say that it is an electrical malfunction... However they can not identify where the malfunction is coming from. Parts have not been replaced and no repairs have been made to fix this at this time. Toyota is not assisting with the recall and I am left with lots of shop hours. Thinking about registering for the lemon law about my car, I drive apx. 1000 miles week and my car is not saving, consistent, and is a safety issue since have no control while my car malfunctions. I can only react to what is happening. It also makes a loud clunking sound, and a high winding sound when redlining.