Engine problems of the 2007 Toyota Corolla

In March 2007, I bought a brand new Toyota Corolla. More than three months ago my car started having major problems when I try to turn to car on. First the car engine did not turn on right away, so I had to keep trying to turn it on, then the car did not turn on at all. I got stock at the supermarket parking lot one day because the car was dead. I took it to have a battery check and the mechanic told me that the batteries of the car was in excellent condition, so the problem was the engine of the car. Couple of weeks later, I received a letter by Toyota explaining me that they recalled my car with a major problem in the engine, the letter stated that I needed to be careful because my car engine can turn off while I am driving. I took the car to the Toyota dealer to have then check the car, and they did not even touch my car, they told me that when my car turn off again, to call them or have my car toll to their place. Two days after I went to the dealership the car started having the same problems. It makes a wear sound when I put my keys in the engine and try to turn the car on. I take any tries before the car turn on, so I called Toyotas corporate number and they told me to take my car to the dealership, and it did it; however, they did not even touch my car. They leaved parked on a side of the lot and they waited more than two hours to tell me again that I have to wait until the car does not turn on again so they can take a look of the engine. They told me that Toyota is working on a resolution for my problem and by the end of November, I will get a second letter from Toyota stating the solution for the problem and to take my car to the dealership so they can fix in. Today is December 14, 2010 and I have not received any other communication from Toyota. I have not driven my car because I have to kids and I'm afraid that something can happen to us while I am driving my unsafe car. I request an action from Toyota because I am paying for a car that I am not using.

The engine suddenly lost power on 1/04. 3/02 and 3/12 and eventually replaced the conputer control part on 3/16.

Unexpected, sudden, full acceleration while at a complete stop [with the transaxle in "drive"].

Unexpected, sudden, full acceleration while braking/slowing and little or no response from brakes.

Re my 2007 Corolla ce. Driving with my husband in my 2007 Corolla in 8/09 was making right turn out of residential subdivision onto heavy traffic roads during rush hour. With no warning engine literally stopped dead as I was moving into lane and perhaps 20% of way into lane. Engine had been running fine before that with absolutely no indication of problem. Fortunately--when engine stopped dead--front of car was not fully in lane into which I was turning and oncoming traffic could move around me. Turned off ignition, let set for perhaps 60 seconds; was able to re-start engine; car started and I was able to make it home, driving 1. 2 miles. Garaged overnight; car started next morning but died halfway out of garage. After 5-10 minutes started again but died after driving 30 yards. Had towed to dealer; learned there'd been a "dealer's technical service bulletin in 9/08, TSB ego42-07, in re defective part, to quote service mgr "bad batch of ecm's in "some" 2007 Toyotas. " dealers were supposed to have informed customers of this defective ecm when they brought Corollas in for service. Please note that I had this Corolla serviced at 2 different Toyota dealerships between 9/08 and 8/09, date of incident, and neither informed me of this TSB. My husband and I could have been killed in this incident and, since I transport my 4 yr old nephew, he, too, had been at risk. Dealership rep shrugged . . . Could have cared less. This defect should never have been a mere TSB . . . There should have been a recall and Corolla owners should have been notified. Online research at the time indicated that there had been Corollas which had died at highway speed, so we were probably fortunate. This could have been catastrophic for us.

Our son was driving my car at approx 55 mph, in the afternoon, in cool clear spring weather. . . A clunk was heard, the engine died, he was lucky to find a wide spot to pull off the rural two lane highway and coast to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, diagnoses revealed dtc 607 ecm performance, description computer,engine . The computer was defective, and was replaced with 1 quantity. . . . Fp number 89661-02k21 computer for the engine under warranty. (31,858 miles on odometer) thurston's dealership in ukiah gave us great service and a quick turn around time enabling son to commute to college once again with little inconvenience. I'm greatly concerned about this incident and hope my data submission will serve to alert service departments, manufacturers and investigators to our experience with the engine computer chip defect. I want to help prevent the possibility of other drivers being placed in a potentially hazardous situation of loss of engine computer control while driving.