2016 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 214 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 66 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 56 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJan 17, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Campaign 20V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
214 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jan 9, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL, I WAS DRIVING HOME IN STOP IN GO TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SPEED UP. ONCE I ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 20-25 MILES AN HOUR THE TRUCK STOPPED, I SAW IT AND TRIED TO STOP BUT BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE THAT YOU COULD FEEL AND HEAR AS WELL AS WOULDN'T LET YOU PUSH ALL THE WAY DOWN ON BRAKES. THIS RESULTED IN ME HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. HOOD IS PUSHED UP AND FRONT BUMPER COMPLETELY OFF AS WELL AS LIGHT DAMAGE AND MORE BUT NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. ALL 3 OF MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THIS IS A HUG SAFETY ISSUE.
Seat belts, Dec 11, 2018
THE SEAT BELT ON DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT CLICK AND ITS HARD TO TAKE OUT THE SEAT BELT AS YOU HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE RED BURTON IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 7, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 15 MPH AND WHEN MY FOOT PRESSED THE BRAKE (FOR 2 SECONDS), THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE BRAKING FULLY.
Engine, Nov 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Seat belts, Nov 13, 2018
MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T CLICK " NOT WORKING"
Service brakes, Nov 8, 2018
I WAS DRIVING AND WAS EXITING A FREEWAY. AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGING, AND WAS MAKING A HISSING SOUND EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES, THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED THE CAR, COMING JUST INCHES FROM THE CAR WHICH WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. WHILE THIS HAD OCCURRED AND FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTERWARD, THE ANTI-LOCK DISPLAY LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT EVENTUALLY STARTED TO WORK AGAIN COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THIS INCIDENT.
Seats, Nov 6, 2018
MY DRIVER CAR SEAT STARTED RANDOMLY SMOKING. IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CAR SEAT GOT EXTREMELY HOT. NO, I DO NOT HAVE HEATED SEATS NOR DO I HAVE ELECTRIC SEATS .
Steering, Sep 27, 2018
I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES DURING 2018 AND ALMOST TWICE GOT INTO THE ACSEDENT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH STEERING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE WARNING LIGHT JUST STARTS SHOW THE PROBLEM ON 09.27.2018. I START TO READ ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND REALIZE THAT THIS CAN COURSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD. IT'S DANGEROUS FOR ME AND PUBLIC. THE TOYOTA COROLLA DID THE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR ON JAN 19, 2018 AND THEY NEVER MENTION TO ME ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH DON MEGILL TOYOTA OF KATY, TX. I'M TAKING THIS CAR BACK TO TOYOTA ON 9.28.2018. I'M AFRADE TO DRIVE THIS CAR.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2018
PASSENGERS FROMT DOOR HAS WIGGLED A JAR WHILE DRIVING, HIGH PITCHED HUMMING NOISE FROM UNDER PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE HOOD EVEN WHEN CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR HOURS. HUMS WHILE DRIVING AND IT'S SPARATIC.NOISE APPEARS TO BE NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. HAD A REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK ALSO.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2018
NOTED OVER HEAD LIGHT BY THE BACK SEAT MAKING A ELECTRICAL STATIC NOISE WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON A CITY STREET AND WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE DIED, STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFFED NOT ABLE TO MANUEVER, EPS LIGHT CAME OUT BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGE FOR SOME REASON STILL DRAINING THE POWER DOWN TO 9.6 VOLTS FROM 12VOLTS. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTO PER MY MECHANIC SAME PROBLEM FROM TOYOTA YARIS 2005. THIS PART IS CALLED THE ELECTRIC POWER ACTUATOR FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH ON THE BOARD (GREEN COLOR)HAS MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE EPS OR STEERING WHEEL BECOMING STIFF AND BATTERY TO DRAINED. WHEN CAR IS RUNNING AND ACCIDENTALLY RUN OVER SOMETHING LIKE HUMP OR ANY DEBRIS THE MALFUNCTION WILL START. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENNED TO ME WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT THERES A HUMP.THIS PART COST A LOT AND HOPEFULLY TOYOTA WILL ENLIGHTHEN WITH THIS PROBLEM. I JUST WANT TO HELP AND LET OTHERS BE AWARE. I JUST CURRENTLY BOUGHT MY TOYOTA COROLLA LAST MARCH 2016 AND I DONT THINK I DESERVE TO PAY THE COST OF THIS MALFUCTION WHICH TOYOTA MADE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD FOR YOUR HELP. JUST IMAGINE IF THIS THING HAPPEN TO YOU OR TO YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 13, 2018
TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE, AND MAINTENANCE REQUIRED LIGHTS SUDDENLY APPEARED WHILE THE COROLLA WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A STATE ROAD. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED ITS 20,000 WARRANTY CHECK WITH NO PROBLEMS. I WAS ON THE WAY TO A REGULARLY SCHEDULED ONCOLOGY APPOINTMENT. I HAD TO CANCEL THE APPOINTMENT AND DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TECHNICIANS DETERMINED A RODENT HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL HARNESS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED BY ANY TOYOTA WARRANTY. SO FAR, I'VE BEEN FORCED TO SPEND NEARLY $1,000 ON RODENT-RELATED REPAIRS. I HAVE STAGE IV CANCER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR EXPRESSLY TO HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO CANCER TREATMENTS, MOST OF WHICH ARE OUT OF STATE. I CAN'T AFFORD THESE RAT-RELATED REPAIRS. LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE PROVED FUTILE AND FRUSTRATING. THE RATS ARE CONSIDERED BY THE CORPORATION AS AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, AND THEREFORE, NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. THE "OUTSIDE SOURCE" IS THE SOY THAT WAS STUPIDLY USED TO MAKE THE INSULATION PROTECTING THE ENGINE'S ELECTRICAL WIRING, CRISSCROSSING THE ENGINE. I HAD A 1991 TOYOTA THAT I PARKED IN THE SAME UNPROTECTED, DRIVEWAY SPOT FOR NEARLY 25 YEARS WHERE THE NEWER COROLLA IS NOW PARKED. THERE WERE NO RODENT ISSUES WHATSOEVER. SAME FOR A 1991 JEEP WRANGLER. DITTO A 1997 BUICK LASABRE. THE ONLY CAR BEING EATEN BY MICE AND RATS IS THE NEWEST CAR--THE 2016 COROLLA WITH SOY-BASED WIRING. SOY IS A FOOD SOURCE. I KNOW. I GREW UP ON A FARM AND WE FED IT TO OUR COWS AS A PROTEIN SOURCE. I NEED A RELIABLE, ECONOMICAL CAR TO GET TO LIFESAVING CANCER TREATMENTS. THIS CAR ISN'T IT. TOYOTA COULD CARE LESS. FOR THAT, THE COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEY ARE RISKING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE RAT TRAP CARS. SO FAR, TOYOTA HAS ABSOLVED THEMSELVES OF ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INHERENT AND DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I CAN'T FIGHT STAGE IV BREAST CANCER AND TOYOTA. THANK YOU.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY A RESIDENT WHO INFORMED HER THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO SHEEHY TOYOTA OF FREDERICKSBURG (3507 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, 540-507-0076) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE CUT OR BITTEN THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.
Engine, Aug 29, 2018
2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ILLUMINATED WARNING LIGHT, TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE AND MAINTENANCE REQUIRED LIGHTS. *LD THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF MICE EATING AWAY AT THE VEHICLE CAUSING MUTIPLE VEHICLE FAILURES. *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2018
SRS LIGHT IS ON IN CAR INDICATOR. AND IT SHOWS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH AIR BAG. BU AFTER DIAGNOSED BY AT LEAST FOUR MECHANICS IT STILL DO NOT SHOW WHERE THE PROBLEM IS FROM? ( WHAT PART?) OR WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? OR WHY IS SRS LIGHT IS ON?
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Aug 15, 2018, crash
ON 08/07/2018, I WAS IN A CAR (2016 TOYOTA COROLLA) ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER CAR SLAMMED ME IN THE REAR AND I'VE HIT A CHEVY PICKUP IN THE BACK. THE PICK-UP WAS COMING TO A STOP WHICH I WAS SLOWING DOWN AS WELL AND I'M ASSUMING THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND DID NOT PAID ATTENTION. THEREFORE, HE HIT ME BETWEEN 45-50 MPH IN THE BACK WHICH I'VE HIT THE TRUCK ABRUPTLY AT 30-35MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH IS VERY SHOCKING AND MY SHOULDER ALONG WITH MY ARM SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, I HAD A HARD TIME WITH MY BRAKES BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK AND WOULDN'T GO DOWN AS I WAS PRESSING ON IT. I'M SUFFERING FROM INTENSE RIGHT LEG PAIN AS IF I'VE TORN THE MUSCLE BUT 10X'S WORST. EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT, MY LEG HAS BEEN GOING NUMB QUITE FREQUENTLY WHICH GOES INTO MY TOES. I'M WALKING WITH A LIMP AND MY SHOULDER HAS SHARP PAIN AS WELL. I'M STARTING TO THINK THAT MY AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOY AS SOON AS THE IMPACT OCCURRED BUT IT DIDN'T...
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2018
THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT EXCEED 45 MILES PER HOUR. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AS THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN TO ADDRESS THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE SINCE SUSPENDED THE RECALL LEAVING DRIVERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AT RISK. THE ONLY APPARENT SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $9200 WHICH MAY BE WHY TOYOTA IS HESITATING ON ISSUING A PROPER RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE $9200 SO THE CAR REMAINS UNDRIVEABLE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jun 18, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY 6/15. I WAS REAR ENDED BY A FORD EXPLORER GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR WHILE I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON I495. THIS COLLISION CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CAUSED ME TO SLAM MY HEAD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE STILL HAD HEADACHES AND SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT. I ALSO HAVE HAD SEVERE BRUISING DUE TO THE IMPACT. PRIOR TO THE COLLISION I HAD STICKY BRAKES WHICH SOMETIMES I WOULD BREAK AND THE BREAK WOULD NOT HALT PROPERLY,, BUT WHEN PRESSED AGAIN THE CAR WOULD BRAKE. DURING THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKES DID THIS STICKY EFFECT AND CAUSED THE IMPACT TO BE GREATER.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 18, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL? I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE MY 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WAS T-BONED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE/FRONT CORNER(HEADLIGHT AREA) AND THEN THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO HIT ME ALONG THE BACK HALF OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A CITY BLVD WHEN I WAS HIT. PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS HIT AT A SPEED OR 40-55MPH. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT LET ME GO FORWARD( (I BELIEVE I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL), I HAVE A BRUISED STERNUM AND AN AORTIC ANEURYSM IN MY DESCENDING AORTA AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.
Power train, May 14, 2018
AM HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AXLES AT 81K MILES. DEALER ESTIMATE IS $1300.00. HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AXLES GO BAD THIS EARLY IN CAR'S LIFE.
Vehicle speed control, May 3, 2018
PER TOYOTA'S WEBSITE- (SUSPENDED) AND "REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE" SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN J0D-REMEDY NOTICE CERTAIN 2014-2017 MODEL YEAR COROLLA VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE A REDUCTION OF SPEED WHILE BEING DRIVEN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS RECEIVING AND IMPROPER PROGRAMMING.
Service brakes, Apr 15, 2018, crash
DRIVING MY SISTER HOME FROM HOSPITAL AS WE NEARED INTERSECTION THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED TO RED OF THE SIX CARS IN FRONT OF ME FOUR WENT INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE AS TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN UPON APPLYING BRAKES I DIDN'T GET ANY RESPONSE, APPROXIMATELY TWO PLUS CAR LENGTHS SEPARATED FORWARD VEHICLE AND MY CAR I TRIED APPLYING BRAKES AGAIN HOLDING STEADY PRESSURE STILL NO RESPONSE THE INEVITABLE HAPPENED MY CAR RUNNING INTO THE REAR OF THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 9, 2018, crash
I WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT ON 1/19/2018. WHERE I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH. NEITHER MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEATBELTS LOCK VERY WELL.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 5, 2018
TAMARA INFLATOR RECALL. I PARKED MY CAR OVERNIGHT, IT WAS JUST FINE, NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I STARTED IT THE NEXT MORNING EBS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.I DIDN'T EVEN MOVE THE CAR. NOW I'M TOLD THE SENSORS MAT BE OUT. HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED THEY ARE GOOD. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED TO A CAR THAT WASN'T EVEN MOVING. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND LOCKED
Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2018, crash
2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHCLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO A GUARD RAIL. *JS
Seat belts, Mar 2, 2018, crash
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, OUR TOYOTA WAS REAR ENDED BY A KIA WHOS DRIVER FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE. OUR SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION AND IS STILL SUFFERING 3 WEEKS AFTER TREATMENTS WITH INJECTIONS AND MUSCLE RELAXERS GIVEN BY A NEUROLOGIST