2008 Toyota Corolla: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Toyota Corolla: 6 recalls, 314 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V036000 · 2010 · 153,418 vehicles
What's wrong: 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Why it matters: A driver May overload a vehicle which May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #10V384000 · 2010 · 1,128,659 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine control module (ECM) for the subject 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.
Why it matters: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine May not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of September 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners…
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V128000 · 2016 · 71,163 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Virgin islands, guam, saipan, american samoa, georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that May be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for gm owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V127000 · 2016 · 147,242 vehicles
What's wrong: This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which May produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that May have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag May…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for gm owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V627000 · 2019 · 229,460 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag May not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #19V741000 · 2019 · 928,220 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 47 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (138): the most common themes are fails to deploy (26), warning light on (8).
- Speed control / throttle (54): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (18).
- Engine & cooling (33): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (13), warning light on (13), noise or vibration (3).
- Electrical (22): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), electrical failure (4), warning light on (2).
The 2008 Toyota Corolla has 314 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 37 Corolla model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 315). Complaints peaked in 2016 (96 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 39,693 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (836 complaints, 6 recalls), 2009 (1459 complaints, 13 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 29 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Toyota Corolla.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Corolla problems?
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (138), speed control / throttle (54), engine & cooling (33).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Corolla get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Toyota Corolla repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.