Toyota Corolla Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 1,127 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the Toyota Corolla across 32 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (198). The words owners use most often: “suddenly accelerated” (11% of reports).
- 1,127vehicle speed control complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 423mention a crash
- 163mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Suddenly accelerated: mentioned in 120 of 1,127 complaints (11%)
- Unintended acceleration: mentioned in 77 of 1,127 complaints (7%)
- Foot brake: mentioned in 73 of 1,127 complaints (6%)
- Parking space: mentioned in 64 of 1,127 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 859 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,127 complaints, 423 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 163 an injury.
Toyota Corolla vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Corolla | 2 | 12% | — |
| 2025 Corolla | 2 | 6% | 8,000 |
| 2024 Corolla | 2 | 3% | 10,000 |
| 2023 Corolla | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Corolla | 2 | 2% | 5,474 |
| 2021 Corolla | 7 | 4% | 4,000 |
| 2020 Corolla | 5 | 2% | 11,500 |
| 2019 Corolla | 13 | 6% | 4,550 |
| 2018 Corolla | 11 | 8% | 6,000 |
| 2017 Corolla | 29 | 16% | 4,400 |
| 2016 Corolla | 22 | 10% | 13,000 |
| 2015 Corolla | 18 | 8% | 22,000 |
| 2014 Corolla | 29 | 11% | 12,881 |
| 2013 Corolla | 18 | 9% | 20,000 |
| 2012 Corolla | 16 | 4% | 25,514 |
| 2011 Corolla | 46 | 8% | 10,275 |
| 2010 Corolla | 198 | 16% | 6,300 |
| 2009 Corolla | 197 | 14% | 20,000 |
| 2008 Corolla | 54 | 17% | 36,000 |
| 2007 Corolla | 95 | 11% | 33,000 |
| 2006 Corolla | 75 | 9% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Corolla | 66 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2004 Corolla | 60 | 13% | 43,100 |
| 2003 Corolla | 77 | 11% | 62,500 |
| 2002 Corolla | 11 | 9% | 86,524 |
| 2001 Corolla | 14 | 11% | 43,201 |
| 2000 Corolla | 7 | 5% | 132,000 |
| 1999 Corolla | 13 | 8% | 55,000 |
| 1998 Corolla | 18 | 8% | 64,820 |
| 1997 Corolla | 9 | 7% | 99,876 |
| 1996 Corolla | 7 | 5% | 73,000 |
| 1995 Corolla | 3 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am reporting a severe, recurring safety hazard on my 2020 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle suddenly displays 'Drive-Start Control Malfunction' and completely cuts off engine power in motion, leaving the car stranded in active traffic. This happened after accelerating from a STOP sign on a main avenue…
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle kept rolling forward, and the contact was forced to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The…
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated despite the brakes being applied, causing the driver to crash into a parked vehicle. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Seatbelt sensor system and cruise control system. The seatbelt sensor prevents cruise control activation unless the belt is fastened. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A driver who cannot wear a seatbelt for a valid medical…
The car accelerated on its own when I was attempting to park it. I had no control over the car and it ended up crashing into multiple vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Corollas have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,127 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the Toyota Corolla. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Corolla vehicle speed control?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the Toyota Corolla?
The most frequent phrase is “suddenly accelerated”, in 120 of 1,127 complaints, followed by “unintended acceleration” (77).
Other Toyota Corolla problems
- Air Bags problems (4,560)
- Steering problems (1,169)
- Electrical System problems (828)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (656)
- Power Train problems (637)
- Engine problems (609)
- Structure problems (417)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (385)
See all Toyota Corolla problems.