YearToAvoid

2009 Toyota Corolla Brakes Problems

NHTSA has 139 owner complaints about brake problems in the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 10% of all 1,459 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest brake complaint count among 21 Corolla model years. These complaints report 44 crashes, 1 fire, and 20 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 23,000 miles.

Brakes complaints
139
10% of 1,459
Crashes reported
44
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
20
Median mileage
23,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Toyota Corolla brake complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 24, 2008, latest Jul 10, 2022.

2009 Toyota Corolla brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter502008 Q32010 Q22011 Q42013 Q42015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12021 Q3
139 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q3 to 2022 Q3; peak 2010 Q1 (50).

Brakes recalls for the 2009 Toyota Corolla

  1. NHTSA 09V338000Aug 27, 2009Brakes95,705 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 scion xd and my 2009-2010 corolla, and corolla matrix vehicles equipped with 1.8l engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. When driving under certain unique conditions in extremely low ambient temperatures, the intake manifold suction port for the brake vacuum can become blocked due to the freezing of condensation resulting from positive crankcase ventilation.

    Risk: This could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance and a crash could occur.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a newly designed intake air connector which will relocate the brake system vacuum port. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on september 21, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Brakes complaints by Corolla model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200549 (6%)
  2. 200641 (5%)
  3. 200753 (6%)
  4. 200831 (10%)
  5. 2009139 (10%)
  6. 2010189 (15%)
  7. 201123 (4%)
  8. 201213 (3%)
  9. 201327 (13%)
  10. 201422 (8%)
  11. 201520 (9%)
  12. 201632 (15%)
  13. 201730 (17%)
  14. 201811 (8%)
  15. 201916 (8%)
  16. 202025 (8%)
  17. 20219 (5%)
  18. 202216 (16%)
  19. 20237 (10%)
  20. 202410 (16%)
  21. 20258 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Toyota Corolla have brake problems?
NHTSA has 139 owner complaints about the brake in the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 10% of all complaints for this model year, including 44 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 23,000 miles.
Which Toyota Corolla year has the most brake complaints?
The 2010 Toyota Corolla has the most brake complaints (189), compared with 139 for the 2009.
Is there a brake recall for the 2009 Toyota Corolla?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Toyota Corolla concerns the brake: 09V338000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.