ToyotaCorolla (VIN:L)2009Overview/toyota/corolla-vin-l/2009/base/

2009 Toyota Corolla (VIN:L)

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Corolla.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Toyota Corolla is a passenger car that requires 4 quarts of 0W-20 or 5W-20 API engine oil. This model year has recorded 13 recalls and 1,533 total owner complaints, with air bags cited as the top complaint area. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1990 to 2026, 2009 represents the highest volume of complaints, contrasting with the 11 complaints reported for the 2026 model.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZF1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turn10AOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-55R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZF1 alt 9030169011
Engine air filter178010T030 alt 17801YZZ06
Spark plug9091901275 alt 9008091180
Battery2880043262
Front wiper blades8521228170 alt 852220T030
Serpentine belt90916A2018 alt 90916A2011
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 9091603145
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2820 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Corolla of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2009 XRS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009XRS Sedan 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.10 sec158 hpFWD
2009XRS Sedan 2.4L I-47.90 sec15.90 sec158 hpFWD
2009Sedan 1.8L I-48.60 sec16.60 sec132 hpFWD
2007LE Sedan 1.8L I-47.90 sec16.50 sec126 hpFWD
2011LE Sedan 1.8L I-49.80 sec17.40 sec132 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 0W-20 / 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 27.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil0W-20 · API · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · API · 5W-20

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts133 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 800, AT: 750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing5-15, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle46 ft-lbs / 79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
136 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
345 degrees.45 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Toyota Corolla stands out as the single worst year in the entire federal record for complaints at 1,533—more than double the prior year (344 in 2008) and nearly twice the already elevated 2007 figure (883). This spike is part of a broader generation-wide surge from 2003‑2010, with 2009 and 2010 representing the apex, likely tied to the widely publicized unintended acceleration investigations that plagued Toyota during this period. The target year recorded 13 recalls, 3 investigations, and 372 TSBs, with the dominant complaint areas being Air Bags (538), Steering (303), and Vehicle Speed Control (127)—the latter two directly implicated in the acceleration controversy. Crash complaints reached 194 and fire complaints totaled 13. By 2011, complaints fell sharply to 590, indicating the worst of the generation's issues had passed. The concrete takeaway: 2009 is the worst model year in this dataset and should be avoided; the 2010 model year (1261 complaints) remains elevated, but 2011‑forward shows normalized complaint levels making later years in this generation far safer choices.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
372
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,533
Owner complaints
194 involved a crash · 13 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,533 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags538
Steering303
Vehicle Speed Control127
Engine70
Electrical System38
Service Brakes, Hydraulic36
Power Train25
Engine & Engine Cooling22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

18V024000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered… Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 372 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Corolla take?

4 qt of 0W-20 API, 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Corolla have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.