2010 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 230 engine complaints for the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 18% of all complaints for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 8,150 miles. Two recalls (10V023000 and 10V017000) cover accelerator pedal sticking tied to these reports.
- Engine complaints
- 230
- 18% of 1,244 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 1,244
- Crashes reported
- 57
- Fires reported
- 5
- Injuries reported
- 37
- Median mileage
- 8,150 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden, unintended acceleration at low speeds, such as while parking or pulling out of a driveway or garage.
- Several report the accelerator pedal sticking to the floor, preventing the vehicle from slowing when the brake was applied.
- Some drivers say the vehicle sped up unexpectedly while braking at highway speeds and would not respond to brake pressure.
- A few complaints describe the vehicle veering left and right after an acceleration event, making it hard to control.
- One report mentions smoke from under the hood and a fire following a sudden-acceleration crash.
When 2010 Toyota Corolla engine complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 4, 2009, latest Aug 12, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2010 Toyota Corolla
- NHTSA 10V023000Jan 27, 2010Engine1,126,915 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. This recall is an expansion of a campaign of 3.8 million other toyota vehicles announced in 2009 for the same issue (see 09v-388).
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed appropriate. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to the dealers for the repair. Customers who have had the pedal reshape remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire, after replacement pedals become available. In addition, toyota will replace any toyota all-weather floor mat in a subject vehicle with a newly designed mat, free of charge. For those customers who have the previous design all-weather floor mat but do not need or want the newly designed all-weather floor mat, toyota will recover the previous design all-weather floor mat and reimburse its price. The safety recall began march 30, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 10V017000Jan 21, 2010Engine2,230,661 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without a/c) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
Risk: The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the pontiac vibe please see 10v-018. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Engine complaints by Corolla model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2010 Toyota Corolla have an engine recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls affecting the engine area on the 2010 Corolla, campaign 10V023000 and campaign 10V017000, both tied to accelerator pedals that could get trapped or stick, and Toyota's remedy involved modifying or replacing the pedal and adding a reinforcement bar.
- How common are engine complaints on the 2010 Corolla?
- NHTSA records 230 engine complaints for the 2010 Corolla, which is 18% of the 1,244 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 8,150 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2010 Corolla.
- Are the engine complaints linked to crashes or injuries?
- Yes. Of the engine complaints, NHTSA records 57 crashes, 5 fires, and 37 injuries associated with this problem area for the 2010 Corolla.
- Is the 2010 Corolla worse than other years for engine complaints?
- The 2010 Corolla's 18% share of engine complaints is lower than 2005 through 2009, which ranged from 22% to 33%, but higher than most years from 2011 onward.