Makes›Toyota›Corolla›2008

2008 Toyota Corolla

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Toyota Corolla
Pictured: Toyota Corolla Hybrid (E210) IMG 4338. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan FWD Ce/Sport/Le
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Horsepower
126 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 28 city / 37 hwy
Length
178.3 in
Curb weight
2,502 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2008 compact car (21.9 MPG).

Watch out for

  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Toyota Corolla is a compact car offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 178 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,502 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 37 highway), 42% better than the 2008 compact car average of 21.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Corolla — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Corolla →

Trims, performance & features

Engine126 hp1.8L 4-cyl

Trims

ZZE130LZZE132L

Built in: Fremont, California · Cambridge, Ontario

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2008 Corolla configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan FWD Ce/Sport/Le178.3 in66.9 in58.3 in102.4 in57.9 / 57.1 in2,502 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corolla1.8L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 31+42%$2,150287
Corolla1.8L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 29+32%$2,300306
Save $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.9 MPG2008 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Toyota Corolla under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Toyota Corolla (this car)31 MPGNot rated7
2008 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated6
2008 Toyota Prius46 MPGNot rated3
2008 Mazda 327 MPGNot rated0
2008 Volkswagen Golf/GTI25 MPGNot rated0
2008 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport22 MPGNot rated0
2008 Hyundai Elantra28 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (7)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Aug 28, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V627000 · 229,460 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. 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.
Fix
Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V025000 · 116,126 vehicles

Problem
On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. As of January 30, 2018, Toyota is additionally recalling 3,347 model year 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles located in states listed above. Also included in this recall filing is 98,194 model year 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles, located throughout the U.S., that previously received a “like-for-like” interim air bag inflator replacement. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A).
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 3, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V127000 · 147,242 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. 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. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
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.
Fix
The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V128000 · 71,163 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. 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.
Fix
The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 26, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V384000 · 1,128,659 vehicles

Problem
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. 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. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles

Problem
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Toyota Corolla is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

171Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
19Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
15Injuries reported
100,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags135
Engine13
Electrical System8
Power Train5
Service Brakes5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Unknown Or Other4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/09: 218/10: 119/08: 219/10: 219/11: 119/12: 320/02: 220/03: 120/04: 220/06: 220/11: 120/12: 121/05: 121/07: 121/09: 122/09: 122/12: 123/06: 123/09: 224/03: 124/10: 124/11: 124/12: 126/09: 118/0919/1020/0220/0621/0522/0923/0924/11max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Toyota Corolla buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 135 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 13 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Corolla. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Corolla years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Corolla50–Not rated00
2026 Corolla50182.7 inNot rated118
2025 Corolla50182.7 in★★★★★133
2024 Corolla50182.7 in★★★★★368
2023 Corolla50182.7 in★★★★★474
2022 Corolla52182.7 in★★★★★0105
2021 Corolla52182.7 in★★★★★1188
2020 Corolla52182.7 in★★★★★6314
2019 Corolla36182.7 in★★★★★6205
2018 Corolla34182.7 in★★★★★3143
2017 Corolla34182.7 in★★★★★3190
2016 Corolla34182.7 in★★★★★1215

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →