2020 Toyota COROLLA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
304 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
10,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 68 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 108 of 304 complaints (35.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 33 | 10.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 108 |
| Unknown Or Other | 79 |
| Power Train | 36 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
Engine: 108; Unknown Or Other: 79; Power Train: 36; Electrical System: 29; Service Brakes: 22; Air Bags: 17; Visibility/Wiper: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 45 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 45; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 236 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 114 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2019: 13; 2020: 32; 2021: 17; 2022: 25; 2023: 26; 2024: 114; 2025: 56; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11228530 · 2019-06-30 (June 30, 2019)
BAD ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAR WAS TOTALLED. ALSO THE CAR IS SUPOSE TO STOP IF SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY. AND THE SIDE SENSOR DID NOT WORK A COUPLE TIMES SOMETHING GOT CLOSE ON THE SIDE WARNING NEVER WENT OFF. AFTER ACCIDENT A LIGHT ON THE DASH SAID SAFTEY MALFUNCTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11228530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11243453 · 2019-08-13 (August 13, 2019)
WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON 07-29-19 AND ON 08-04-19 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MARYLAND THE CAR SENSOR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AFTER ONLY 250 MILES ON THE CAR. THE FLASHING LIGHTS WERE FOR BRAKES AND PARKING BRAKE, LANE DEPARTURE AND ASSIST, BACK UP AND FRONT CAMERA, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, HEAD LIGHTS, AND RSA MALFUNCTIONS. BASICALLY THE ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM OF THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING IT. 7-29-19, 8-2, 5, 9-19 AND THE CAR WAS IN MOTION EACH TIME WHILE ON A HIGHWAY. I HAD IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11243453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11246259 · 2019-08-25 (August 25, 2019)
AFTER ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY, I EXPERIENCE A FAULT WITH THE AUTOMATED DRIVING ASSIST SYSTEM WHICH DURING A MERGE OF TWO HIGHWAYS IN CALIFORNIA; AND FAILURE OF ROAD STRUCTURES ALLOWED AN OLDER PASSENGER TRUCK TO HIT THE TOYOTA'S DRIVER'S REAR TIRE AND WHEEL WELL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT EVASIVE, DEFENSIVE OR WARNING FROM THE 2020 COROLLA HYBRID'S
Owner-reported narrative. 3,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252601 · 2019-08-31 (August 31, 2019)
07/09/19 - THREE DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW 2020 COROLLA SEDAN, MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY CITY STREET. I WAS STATIONARY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, IT HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ENGINE POWER LOW. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I WAS NEARLY HIT BY CARS GOING AROUND ME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 199 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11265697 · 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
WAVY WINDSHIELD.DISORIENTING WHEN IN MOTION. DEALER SAID ALL VEHICLES HAVE THIS. I HAVE CHECK AND ALL DO NOT. THEY SAID IT IS KNOWN BUT NOT A DEFECT. I BELIEVE IT IS POOR LAMINATION AND ALONG WITH A BAD VIEW MAY NOT PROTECT IN AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS 'NORMAL"
Owner-reported narrative. 291 miles reported. Look up ODI 11265697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11266950 · 2019-10-08 (October 8, 2019)
EXITING FREEWAY. MADE A LEFT. SLOWED DOWN AT RED LIGHT. REALIZED THE CAR WASN'T STOPPING. SLAMMED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR. CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. POLICE REPORT MADE. COLLISION LOCATION AT 3520 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND NO REASON FOR BRAKES TO NOT BE WORKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,093 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11267694 · 2019-10-10 (October 10, 2019)
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON US 20 IN WOOD COUNTY OHIO WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A WESTBOUND VEHICLE. THE WEBBING WHICH ATTACHES THE SEATBELT BUCKLE TO THE VEHICLE FAILED AND TORN CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO COME FREE, UNABLE TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER ULTIMATELY SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THIS IS BEING SUBMITTED BY OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CRASH RECONSTRUCTION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11267694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11269579 · 2019-10-20 (October 20, 2019)
2020 TOYOTA COROLLA SE -(VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW) (CVT TRANSMISSION) UPON MINIMAL TO NORMAL ACCELERATION VEHICLE MAKES A HARD SHIFT FEEL LIKE A BUMP KICK IN ACCELERATION OF SPEED BETWEEN 8-9 MPH. WILL FEEL MORE OF A HARD SHIFT AT TIMES IF COASTING WITH MINIMAL SPEED THEN TO THE NORMAL ACCELERATION (START AND STOP TRAFFIC TYPE OF CONDITIONS). PERIODICALLY ONCE REACHING TO SPEED OF 36 MPH SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP THEN CONTINUES WITH NORMAL OPERATION. WHILE SEDENTARY AT STOP LIGHT VEHICLE HAS HAD LOSS OF POWER IN AND OUT NEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11269579 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V877000 · Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle Assembly | Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2019-12-11 (December 11, 2019)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR and 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
Consequence: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V865000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2023-12-20 (December 20, 2023)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
NHTSA campaign record ↗