2008 Toyota Corolla MPG
The 2008 Toyota Corolla gets 26–28 mpg in the city and 35–37 on the highway (29–31 combined), across the 2 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive, at 31 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive and is rated 29 mpg combined.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | Regular · 287 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 29 | Regular · 306 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Toyota Corolla fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Toyota Corolla costs about $2,110 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (31 mpg combined), or roughly 14 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (29 mpg combined) comes to about $2,250 a year, $150 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Toyota Corolla specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2008 Toyota Corolla: a 1.8 L 4-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a compact car.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L | 4 | Manual 5-spd; Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2008 Toyota Corolla problems
Owners have filed 314 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (36% of component mentions), followed by vehicle speed control (14%) and engine and engine cooling (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 16 complaints a year: fewer than the 2009 (81 a year).
That ranks 15th of 17 Toyota Corolla model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 314, 74 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 35 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 138 | 36% |
| Vehicle speed control | 54 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 33 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 6% |
| Engine | 21 | 6% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 17 | 4% |
| Power train | 13 | 3% |
| Steering | 12 | 3% |
| Suspension | 11 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2% |
| Structure | 6 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 2% |
| Visibility | 6 | 2% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 5 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1% |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 1% |
| Equipment | 3 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The airbag indicator red light has turned on without any collision or accident.
2008 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE TO BE REIMBURSED.
THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WHEN CHECK THERE IS PROBLEM WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
2008 Toyota Corolla recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Corolla.
The most recent, campaign 19V741000 from October 2019, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 4 of the 6 campaigns, more than any other area.
19V627000 · August 28, 2019 · Air bags
Problem: The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners.
16V127000 · March 3, 2016 · Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners.
16V128000 · March 2, 2016 · Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners.
10V384000 · August 26, 2010 · Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Corolla years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V741000 | October 17, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2013 |
| 10V036000 | February 3, 2010 | Equipment | 2008–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2008 Toyota Corolla.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota Corollas can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's compact cars class, the 2008 Honda Accord (25 mpg) and 2008 Volkswagen Jetta (25 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 31 | 314 | 16 | 6 |
| 2009 | 30 | 1,459 | 81 | 13 |
| 2010 | 30 | 1,244 | 73 | 17 |
| 2011 | 30 | 584 | 36 | 9 |
Every Toyota Corolla model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 Corolla a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Toyota Corolla has 16 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (15th most of 17 model years), 6 recall campaigns and up to 31 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Corolla problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (138), vehicle speed control (54) and engine and engine cooling (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Corolla have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Corolla get?
The EPA rates the versions at 29–31 mpg combined (26–28 city, 35–37 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Corolla per year?
About $2,110 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,250 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).