COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Toyota Corolla electrical problems

878 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

52 crash reports78 fire reports24 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

539 reports with mileage · 339 unknown

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 owners actually said

878 reports
2021 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

My 2021 Toyota Corolla's engine coolant bypass valve has shorted out once again. This is the second time this has happened in less than 40,000 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by two different dealers one two separate occurrences for the same issue, even after replacing the failed equipment.

NHTSA ODI #11641337

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2025
Electrical SystemSteeringCrash

While turning left out of a drive through my the steering locked up and shot to the left causing a run up on the curb. However after a second or two it cleared. Upon shutting the car off and restarting driving in a parking lot same problem occured steering wheel shot to left causing me to almost loose control then all electrical…

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While turning left out of a drive through my the steering locked up and shot to the left causing a run up on the curb. However after a second or two it cleared. Upon shutting the car off and restarting driving in a parking lot same problem occured steering wheel shot to left causing me to almost loose control then all electrical power was lost in the vehicle. The steering wheel fault came up on the dash and would not let me control the wheel.

NHTSA ODI #11640746

2019 model year · Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2025
Electrical System

While driving, my vehicle gas pedal becomes unusable, and two warning messages appear on the dash "Charging System Malfunction" & "Low Oil Pressure" forcing me to pull over in traffic to restart vehicle. This has happened to me 9 times already in a span of 2 weeks. This same issue has happened to a few others and one stated "Un…

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While driving, my vehicle gas pedal becomes unusable, and two warning messages appear on the dash "Charging System Malfunction" & "Low Oil Pressure" forcing me to pull over in traffic to restart vehicle. This has happened to me 9 times already in a span of 2 weeks. This same issue has happened to a few others and one stated "Unfortunately the techs at the dealership couldn't figure out the issue as no errors were popping up when they hooked up the car to get a read out, so they called in a Toyota rep and even he couldn't figure it out." and later stated, "I've heard from 5 other people who had the same thing happen with their Corollas; one lady was even driving on the freeway when it happened to her. I reported the issue to the NHTSA and can only hope that enough people did the same so that Toyota is forced to deal with the issue." i am experiencing the same issues as this owner and this needs to be investigated!

NHTSA ODI #11635772

2020 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2024
Electrical System

The vehicle flashes ‘connected device is not compatible’ with the ‘SOS button flashing continuously red then green.’ This message causes the microphone to remove 1 to 3 seconds of sound every 5 to 15 seconds making a clicking noise when speaking on vehicles Bluetooth. This is typically corrected by a DCM reset and firmware updat…

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The vehicle flashes ‘connected device is not compatible’ with the ‘SOS button flashing continuously red then green.’ This message causes the microphone to remove 1 to 3 seconds of sound every 5 to 15 seconds making a clicking noise when speaking on vehicles Bluetooth. This is typically corrected by a DCM reset and firmware update. Not only is this incredibly inconvenient during normal conversation but having to repeat random portions of the conversation is irritating at best. Recently I had to make a 911 call and had to repeat myself several times to request emergency services. This glitch caused the emergency 30 second call to be extended roughly 1 1/2 to 3 minutes delaying response time. If the clicking occurs while the other person is speaking this is not noticeable. This is an identified issue only covered under basic warranty with specific TSB correction. This defect causes portions of vehicle occupants conversation to be removed and replaced with a clicking noise.

NHTSA ODI #11632056

2022 model year · 35,000 miles · Dec 13, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. The contact stated that the windows would roll up and down independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system screen turned black inte…

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The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. The contact stated that the windows would roll up and down independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system screen turned black intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the battery was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the contact had taken the vehicle to another dealer. The contact stated that the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11630556

2023 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, an audible chime was heard, and unknown RED message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause for the failure. The manufacturer …

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The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, an audible chime was heard, and unknown RED message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11629175

2020 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2024
Electrical System

I am experiencing a recurring issue with the Data Communication Module (DCM) in my 2020 Toyota Corolla. This component was previously subject to a recall, which I addressed at a dealership. However, the problem persists, and many other Toyota owners, including those with RAV4 models, are reporting similar issues. Discussions on …

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I am experiencing a recurring issue with the Data Communication Module (DCM) in my 2020 Toyota Corolla. This component was previously subject to a recall, which I addressed at a dealership. However, the problem persists, and many other Toyota owners, including those with RAV4 models, are reporting similar issues. Discussions on forums such as Toyota Nation and Toyota Owners Club highlight these ongoing concerns. My vehicle is out of warranty, and replacing the DCM is estimated to cost over $800. I have confirmed that the issue lies with the DCM system, as removing the corresponding fuse eliminates the error message on the multimedia system. However, this circuit also powers the right speaker and microphone, making it impractical to simply disconnect the module. The local dealership has quoted $205 for diagnostics, despite my prior identification of the problem. Revisiting the original dealership where the recall work was performed is not feasible, as it is located across the country. Toyota has not offered a remedy, leaving me without an affordable or practical solution to address what appears to be a manufacturer fault. I am seeking assistance and accountability for this persistent and widespread issue. Please look at the corresponding links detailing the systemic problem with the system, that other owners have experienced [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11627613

2020 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

Car would not start/turn over - Not battery related. Toyota determined the ECU went bad and stated the cause was improperly jumping the battery. The issue happened randomly one day (car was driving fine previous days)

NHTSA ODI #11626370

2023 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision AvoidanceCrash

To start, on [XXX], I was going through an intersection on a country road and my automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. My car stopped despite no other vehicle or object being in my way or anywhere close to me. I found it really weird but did not think much about after the fact. I have also heard a rattling noise und…

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To start, on [XXX], I was going through an intersection on a country road and my automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. My car stopped despite no other vehicle or object being in my way or anywhere close to me. I found it really weird but did not think much about after the fact. I have also heard a rattling noise under my hood since [XXX] and have reported this to Toyota and tried to have it fixed multiple times (and showed them videos) but they were never able to duplicate the noise so it has not been remedied. On [XXX] I was traveling on a highway during rush hour and the traffic in front of me came to a sudden stop. I braked as hard as I could; my automatic emergency braking did not engage and I rear ended the car in front of me (minimal damage to that car). We both immediately pulled partway onto the narrow left berm (we had both been in the left lane to get onto another highway). My car then turned off by itself and gave me an engine warning (I believe low engine oil- I had just had it serviced 3 days prior). The other car owner and I exchanged information quickly and decided to drive away because we were blocking rush hour traffic and it was dangerous. However, my car would not start back up. I called 911 and they came to use their vehicle to push me to the right side of the highway onto an exit where I was no longer blocking traffic. During the wait, I felt like I was going to die with traffic honking and swerving to avoid me. When the police officer was moving my car, the parking brake engaged when I put the car in neutral and would not turn off, so the smell of burning rubber was strong since the tires would not roll. Once the tow truck driver arrived he was able to use jumper cables to disengage the parking brake but the car still would not start. There were no prior warning lights. The car not starting was confirmed by the dealer- they are holding off doing maintenance to have an engineer check out the car and figure out what happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

NHTSA ODI #11624145

2022 model year · 36,000 miles · Oct 2, 2024
Electrical SystemService Brakes

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the message “Automatic Brake not Available” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure p…

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The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the message “Automatic Brake not Available” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11617748

Related Official recalls

3

95V195001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Oct 11, 1995

THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION, OR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BATTERIES.

94V220000 · Electrical System:wiring

Nov 8, 1994

AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED, THE SALT WATER OR SNOW CARRIED INTO THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER'S SHOES CAN PENETRATE THE CARPET AND DRIP ONTO THE CONNECTOR RESULTING IN THE FORMATION OF A SALT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.

83V133000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Dec 8, 1983

VOLTAGE REGULATOR WHICH CONTROLS THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR, MAY HAVE MANUFACTURING ERRORS IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. THE REGULATOR MAY OVERCHARGE THE BATTERY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AT NO CHARGE.

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

Related NHTSA investigations

1

PE87057 · Igniter Assembly Failure

Opened Sep 10, 1987 · Closed Mar 30, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

SUMMARY: TOYOTA RECOVERED SOME FAILED IGNITION CONTROL MODULES FROM THEFIELD. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A SOLDER JOINT IN THE POWER TRANSISTOROF THE MODULE WAS SUBJECT TO FAILURE. BECAUSE THE PART IS AN EMISSIONRELATED COMPONENT A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS CONDUCTED.THE PREDOMINANT MODE OF FAILURE IS AN INABILITY TO START THE ENGINE,ALTHOUGH A STALLED CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.SINCE THE REPORTED OCCURENCE OF ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS SMALL, AND THEREPAIR IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN, THELIKLEHOOD OF FURTHER ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS REMOTE.===