2009 Toyota Corolla MPG
EPA ratings for the 2009 Toyota Corolla run from 22–27 mpg in town to 30–35 on the highway, or 25–30 combined, depending on which of its 4 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 30 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 25 mpg combined, 5 mpg less. That is 1 mpg lower than the best gasoline 2008 version (31 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | Regular · 296 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 30 | Regular · 296 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular · 355 g CO₂/mi |
| Corolla | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular · 355 g CO₂/mi |
2009 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 2009 Toyota Corolla costs about $2,180 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (30 mpg combined), or roughly 15 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (25 mpg combined) comes to about $2,610 a year, $440 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.
2009 Toyota Corolla specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2009 Toyota Corolla: 1.8 L 4-cyl and 2.4 L 4-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Compact Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L | 4 | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.4 L | 4 | Manual 5-spd; Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2009 Toyota Corolla problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 1,459 owner complaints about the 2009 Toyota Corolla.
Air bags are the most-reported area (31% of component mentions), followed by steering (22%) and vehicle speed control (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 81 complaints a year: more than the 2008 (16 a year) and the 2010 (73 a year).
No other Toyota Corolla model year from 2008 to 2024 has more complaints per year on sale.
Of the 1,459, 186 mention a crash, 12 a fire and 87 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 554 | 31% |
| Steering | 384 | 22% |
| Vehicle speed control | 198 | 11% |
| Engine | 91 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 89 | 5% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 70 | 4% |
| Power train | 45 | 3% |
| Structure | 43 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 42 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 36 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 32 | 2% |
| Suspension | 31 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 19 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 15 | <1% |
| Visibility | 15 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 14 | <1% |
| Tires | 14 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 11 | <1% |
| Equipment | 9 | <1% |
| Seats | 9 | <1% |
| Wheels | 9 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 5 | <1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Child seat | 1 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Other/i am not sure | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owned a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph and exiting a parking lot when the vehicle accelerated on its own, veered to the left, and crashed into a gate. …
The contact's mother owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while he was driving straight at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to drift to the left and right inadvertently. …
Vehicle speed control / sudden unintended acceleration. This was NOT a "misapplication of pedal" by driver! It was clearly a mechanical failure—apparently accelerator pedal (not floor mat, which was secured on its pegs). …
2009 Toyota Corolla recalls
The 2009 Toyota Corolla has been the subject of 13 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 19V741000 from October 2019, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 5 of the 13 campaigns, more than any other area.
12V491000 · October 10, 2012 · Visibility
Problem: The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Corolla years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V741000 | October 17, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2013 |
| 18V024000 | January 9, 2018 | Air bags | 2009–2010, 2013 |
| 17V006000 | January 9, 2017 | Air bags | 2009, 2012 |
| 16V396000 | June 2, 2016 | Seats | 2009–2010 |
| 16V340000 | May 23, 2016 | Air bags | 2009–2011 |
| 15V689000 | October 22, 2015 | Visibility | 2009–2011 |
| 14V168000 | April 9, 2014 | Air bags | 2009–2010 |
| 10V035000 | February 3, 2010 | Equipment | 2009–2010 |
| 10V036000 | February 3, 2010 | Equipment | 2008–2010 |
| 10V023000 | January 27, 2010 | Vehicle speed control | 2009–2010 |
| 10V017000 | January 21, 2010 | Vehicle speed control | 2009–2010 |
| 09V338000 | August 27, 2009 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2009–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2009 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 2009 models in the EPA's compact cars class, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta (32 mpg) and 2009 Honda Accord (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 |
| 2012 | 29 | 446 | 30 | 5 |
Every Toyota Corolla model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 Corolla a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Toyota Corolla has 81 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the most of its 17 model years), 13 recall campaigns and up to 30 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 Corolla problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (554), steering (384) and vehicle speed control (198). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 Corolla have?
NHTSA lists 13 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 2009 Corolla get?
The EPA rates the versions at 25–30 mpg combined (22–27 city, 30–35 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Corolla per year?
About $2,180 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,610 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).