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2020 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Corolla years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Corolla are substantially higher than the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 68 of 305 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports1 fire reports15 injury reports

Power Train complaints

38 reports
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15,000 miles · Jul 1, 2020
Power Train

TROUBLE SHIFTING DOWN FROM 3 TO 2

NHTSA ODI #11331924

3,589 miles · Jul 1, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF FORT WALTON BEACH LOCATED AT 777 BEAL PKWY NW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32547, TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF FORT WALTON BEACH LOCATED AT 777 BEAL PKWY NW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32547, TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,589.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11331916

350 miles · May 25, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY CAR AFTER COMPLETELY STOPPED THE CAR (BRAKED WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE DRIVE) THEN MOVE MY STICK SHIFT TO REVERSE AND THE STICK SHIFT IS FULLY IN REVERSE BUT CAR MOVES FORWARD. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11325859

1,345 miles · Dec 12, 2019
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

WILL DRIVING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT GO PASS 20MPH. BREAK,ENGINE,ECT. LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE CAR HAS ONLY 1345 MILES. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. SECOND TIME GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11288777

500 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Power Train

BETWEEN 10 AND 20 MPH OCCASIONALLY, NOT ALWAYS, THERE IS A HARD SHIFT THAT DOESN'T FEEL NORMAL. IT IS USUALLY UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION AND CONDITIONS. EVEN TRYING TO MIMIC IT UNDER THE SAME EXACT CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT DO IT.. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE A HARD THUMP. OTHER TIMES IT WILL FEEL PREMATURE. (SHIFTING BEFO…

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BETWEEN 10 AND 20 MPH OCCASIONALLY, NOT ALWAYS, THERE IS A HARD SHIFT THAT DOESN'T FEEL NORMAL. IT IS USUALLY UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION AND CONDITIONS. EVEN TRYING TO MIMIC IT UNDER THE SAME EXACT CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT DO IT.. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE A HARD THUMP. OTHER TIMES IT WILL FEEL PREMATURE. (SHIFTING BEFORE IT SHOULD) I WANTED TO BELIEVE IT IS THE TRANSITION FROM THE LAUNCH GEAR TO THE CVT BUT THE TIMING OF THE TRANSITION AND THE DEGREE OF THE HARD SHIFT EVEN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS TENDS TO VARY CONSIDERABLY.

NHTSA ODI #11276870

1,500 miles · Oct 23, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE HAS A VERY HARD SHIFT OUT OF LAUNCH "FIRST GEAR" WHEN LOW ON FUEL OR THE ENGINE IS COLD. DEALERSHIP (SHEEHY TOYOTA IN FREDERICKSBURG VA) AND COULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME FEELING ON LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE FEELING THEY WERE EXPERIENCING IS MINOR COMPARED TO WHAT IT USUALLY FEELS LIK…

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VEHICLE HAS A VERY HARD SHIFT OUT OF LAUNCH "FIRST GEAR" WHEN LOW ON FUEL OR THE ENGINE IS COLD. DEALERSHIP (SHEEHY TOYOTA IN FREDERICKSBURG VA) AND COULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME FEELING ON LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE FEELING THEY WERE EXPERIENCING IS MINOR COMPARED TO WHAT IT USUALLY FEELS LIKE WHEN DRIVING. THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WHEN DRIVING ANOTHER 2020 COROLLA OFF THE LOT WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. THEN A DAY LATER THEY DROVE ANOTHER 20202 COROLLA SUPPOSEDLY FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE HARD SHIFT AND NOTED THAT WHEN DRIVING BOTH THE CUSTOMERS CAR AND A NEW CAR THE SHIFT FEELING VARIED FROM TIME TO TIME SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. THEY ALSO SAID THEY CONTACTED THE ENGINEERS AT TOYOTA WHO SAID THAT THIS HARD SHIFT FEELING WAS NORMAL. LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA IS BACK AT IT WITH JUST DENY EVERYTHING AND HOPE THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY WITH HOW TOYOTA HAS HANDLED THIS SO FAR. I WILL NOT GO AWAY UNTIL THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11270535

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

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 C…

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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 STALLING OUT. SEPARATE OCCASION WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING ON, A ROUGH IDOL TOOK PLACE. AT TIMES IF PUT IN SPORTS MODE SHIFTING IS SMOOTH WITHOUT TOO MUCH TROUBLE; WITH EXCEPTION OF AT HIGHER SPEED OPEN ROAD REMOVING OFF THE GAS PEDAL WILL MAKE A WHINING HIGH REV NOISE LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND DID NOT DOWN SHIFT EVEN WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. WILL THEN DOWN SHIFT AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15-20 SECONDS. LANE DEPARTURE INDICATORS HAVE GONE OFF WITHOUT THERE BEING A CORRECT RESPONSE FOR THAT ACTION TAKING PLACE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED FOR LESS THAN NINETY DAYS AND APPEARS TO CONTINUALLY FURTHER IN ITS DEFECTS.

NHTSA ODI #11269579

199 miles · Aug 31, 2019
Power Train

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…

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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 PROBLEM. 08/06/19 - MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN STOP AND GO CONDITIONS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WITH HIS FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKED OR JUMPED SEVERAL TIMES IN SUCCESSION, STOPPED AND THEN DID THE SAME THING TWICE MORE. IT FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO LOSE POWER OR NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. I TOOK IT BACK TO SAME DEALER FOR SERVICE. ONCE AGAIN, NO ERROR CODES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE FOREMAN TOLD ME THOSE 2 INCIDENTS WERE DEFINITELY RELATED. I REPORTED BOTH ISSUES VERY DANGEROUS INCIDENTS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AS I FEEL THAT I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, THEY WERE RECEPTIVE AND EVEN SENT A TOYOTA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE CAR. THEN MY CASE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND "COULD NOT VERIFY MY CONCERNS". SHE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS TO BE MADE. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THE 2019 COROLLA HATCHBACK WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER 2018 TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR THAT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. THE INFO I READ STATED THE EXACT SAME ENGINE IS IN THE 2020 COROLLA SEDAN, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY, AS WELL AS THAT OF MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11252601

Official recalls

3

23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 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 & remedy

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.

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

19V877000 · Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly; Seat Belts:rear/other

Dec 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly

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.

Seat Belts:rear/other

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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