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.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL DEDEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF YORK (1885 WHITEFORD RD, YORK, PA 17402, (717) 755-2961) WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN ACCELERATION DELAY WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESIGNED TO OPERATE IN THAT MANNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1712081065. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Air bags, Seats, Jan 29, 2018
BEEN WAITING FOR DEALERS TO FIX THE RECALLS MY CAR HAS, THEY SAY THEY WILL CALL WHEN THEY RECEIVE PARTS. STILL WAITING.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 21, 2018
WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS, DITCHES, OR ANY ABRASIONS MY BRAKES SKID AND KEEPS GOING AND I HAVE TO SWERVE OR GO AROUND TO FIND SOLID ROAD TO STOP MY CAR. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME NOT OCCASIONALLY. I'VE HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED BY PEP BOY, AND MY PERSONAL MECHANICS THAT I TRUST AND THEY SAY THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE PERFECT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S THE CAUSE. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE, I FIGURED I SHOULD JUST DRIVE SLOW BUT IT DOESN'T HELP AND I RECENTLY ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2017, crash
I WAS PULLING IN TO PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW SPEED. MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND LUNGED INTO PARED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR AND MINE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT IT DIDINT STOP THE CAR. A COUPLE IF DAYS BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND WHEN HE WAS PULLING INTO PARKING PLACE AND CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND LUNGED FORWARD. WE GOT BACK THE RESULTS FROM TOYOTA AND THE SAID THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CAR. WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT WE ARE TO AFRAID TO DRIVE. WE KNOW THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN BUT JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2017
MY SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE. SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY STEERING WHEEL CONTINUALLY CLICKS WHEN I TURN IT. AND WITHIN THE SAME DAY NOW MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS ALL OF THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORK INCLUDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE LIGHT NEVER WENT AWAY AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORK WHEN THERE IS NO CAUSE OR REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2017
THE CAR START UP TO BEHAVE DIFFERENT BEFORE 5.000 MILES.WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WAS GETTING FIRST VERY HIGH RPM,BEFORE STARTING TO PICK UP SPEED,EXPERIENCING SOME IMPORTANT DELAYS IN RESPONSE.I WAS TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS WITH TOYOTA OF YORK AND THE SPECIALISTS EXPLAINED TO ME ABOUT PRINCIPLES OF CVT TRANSMISSION AND I WAS PUSHED BACK.AT 10.000 AND 15.000 MILES THE CAR BECAME QUITE LAZY AND I JUST HAD TO GO BACK TO THE SERVICES AS THE RPM'S WERE NOT NORMAL. FINALLY THE COMPUTER WAS RESET AND I START UP TO RECOGNIZE THE CAR. IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS THE CAR START UP TO HAVE AGAIN SOME IMPORTANT DELAYS IN RESPONSE. BACK TO THE SERVICE - THE ISSUE WAS NOT RECOGNIZED THE MECHANICS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME AGAIN ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CVT TRANSMISSION...I WAS NEVER INFORMED OR ASKED IF I WILL BE INTERESTED TO BUY A CAR WITH CVT TRANSMISSION BUT NOW I START UP TO READ AND GET FAMILIAR WITH IT TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE AND FEEL BETTER ABOUT WHAT I GOT.BEFORE 25.000 I WAS CLOSE TO BE INVOLVED IN 2 INCIDENTS WHEN MY CAR HAD MAJOR DELAY IN RESPONSE-TRYING TO AVOID AND GET OUT OF A SITUATION, MY CAR FIRST GOT TO VERY HIGH RPM AND ONLY AFTER THAT, DECIDED TO ACCELERATE, WHICH I FIND VERY UNSAFE AND I GOT PANICKED.IN BOTH SITUATIONS I REALIZE THAT THIS CAR IS NOT ABLE TO GET ME OUT OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. AROUND 25.000MILES I DISCUSSED AGAIN WITH THE MECHANICS, THIS TIME EXPLAINING SAFETY CONCERNS.THE MECHANICS WERE SYMPATHETIC WITH WHAT I EXPERIENCE BUT AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN NOT EXPECT MORE FROM A CVT TRANSMISSION IF I WANT TO GET GOOD GAS AND LONG LIFE FROM A CAR.MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ONLY 4 TIMES. SHE FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS CAR'S CAPACITY TO ENGAGE IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS ON THE HIGH WAY.IN OTHER WORDS,THIS CAR WILL FIRST SAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION,WILL PROTECT THE ENGINE AND WILL SAVE GOOD GAS BUT ON PRIORITY LIST MY FAMILY LIFE WILL COME AFTER.
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2017
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR FEW MINUTES, A BURNING SMELL OF RUBBER/PLASTIC IS COMING. THE SMELL ONLY STARTS ONCE STARTED O DRIVE THE CAR, OR WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION REGARDLESS OF CITY OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE SMELL IS NOT DETECTED IF THE CAR IS STARTED AND JUST GETTING WARMED UP IN A STATIONARY POSITION. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE STRONGER FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 26, 2017, crash
I HAD EASED IN MY PARKING SPACE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED TO EXCELERATE AND LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO BUT WATCH HELPLESSLY. IT'S WAS LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. I DID PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE IT DIDINT HELP.IT WAS 10: 15 AM. I WAS PRAKING TO PICK UP MY DOG FROM GROOMER. IT WAS ON 10/24/17. IT WAS A CLEAR MILD MORNING.I NOTIFIED OUR INSURANCE TO REPORT DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER AND THE OTHER CARS BUMPER. THEN CALLED TOYOTA DEALER AND TOOK OUR CAR IN TO TOYOGA. THEY GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL TO REPORT THIS AND MAKE A CLAIM. NOW WE ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GO AND INSPECT OUR CAR. MY HUSBAND HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HIM JUST A FEW DAYS EARILER WHERE CAR EXCELERATED, AND HE HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE.WE BOTH KNOW IT WAS NOT ANYTHING WE DID BUT IT WAS THE CARS FAULT.VERY SCARED TO EVER GET IN THAT CAR AGAIN.
Air bags, Sep 29, 2017
FAULTY AIRBAGS
Visibility/wiper, Sep 22, 2017
THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DARKENED FROM THE TOP TO ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN ( RIGHT IN YOUR LINE OF VISION). THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT , INCLUDING DURING A RAINSTORM. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING IN A DARK CAVE OR A PLACE WHERE YOUR VISIBILITY IS HINDERED. IT APPEARS THAT THE TINTING OF THE WINDSHIELD IS TOO DARK. THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
Suspension, Air bags, Wheels, Sep 18, 2017, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT I WAS IN A ROAD WHERE THE SPEED LIIMIT WAS 25-35 MPH. MOSTLY A STRAIGHT ROAD A FEW SLIGHT CURVES. A CAR CAME OVER INTO MY LANE AND CAUSED ME TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID HITTING THAT PERSON HEAD ON. I WENT INTO A DITCH FULL OF HUGE ROCKS. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHICH IN MY OPINION TFHEY SHOULD HAD, BUT FROM WHAT I HEAR IT MAY HAVE CAUSED EVEN MORE DAMAGE. ANYWAYS I COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAR WHO SWERVED INTO MY LANE. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED IT HIT STRAIGHT FORWARD INTO THE HUGE ROCKS. I WAS PRETTY SORE BUT DID NOT GO TO THE ER. MY CAR HAD A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF DAMAGE BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE DITCH. IT BUSTED UP THE FRONT OF MY CAR NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDED, AND CAUSED QUITE THE DAMAGE TO MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. NORMALLY MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WOULD HAD BEEN RIIDING ON THAT SIDE. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T THAT DAY.
Suspension, Air bags, Wheels, Sep 17, 2017, crash
I HAVE BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS WHERE BOTH TIMES I WAS RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. IN NEITHER ACCIDENT DID ANY OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY BUT I DEFINITELY HIT HARD ENOUGH IN WHICH THEY SHOULD HAD. ONE TIME MY CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. I HIT A DITCH FILLED WITH HUGE ROCKS THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS SETTLED AT OVER $1700 AND THE 2ND ACCIDENT IS STILL IN THE CLAIMS PORTION OF THE ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAD DEPLOYED BUT FROM THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY IT MAY HAD CAUSED MORE DAMAGE, AND THATBIS VERY SCARY TO THINK ABOUT SEEING THAT MY 5 YEAR OLD WAS INVOLVED IN ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS. THE ACCIDENT WAS ON A ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 35-40 MPH WITH NO STOP SIGNS OR STOP LIGHTS UNTIL THE END OF THE ESTIMATED 2 MILE ROAD.
Wheels, Sep 12, 2017
ALL FOUR OEM TOYO PROXES PLUS4 TIRES DETERMINED DEFECTIVE BY TOYOTA DEALER PRESTIGE NJ, DUE TO SEPARATION OF LINER IN ALL 4 TIRES, VEHICLE MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE LESS THAN 18K MILES. TOYO WOULD ONLY PRORATE TIRES, COST OVER $200.00 TO HAVE ALMOST NEW TIRES REPLACE. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BY NHTSA ASAP.
Air bags, Sep 7, 2017, crash
I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON THE I-5 GOING 75 MPH WHEN I VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS DAMAGED, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EMS TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE I HAD HORRIBLE CHEST PAIN AND IT WAS HARD TO BREATHE. I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL SO THAT THEY COULD MONITOR MY CHEST BECAUSE I NOW HAVE A BROKEN MY STERNUM. THE DOCTORS TOLD ME THAT IF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, I WOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN MY STERNUM.
Suspension, Wheels, Sep 6, 2017
ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30TH 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00PM I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 459 NORTH IN THE FAR-RIGHT LANE AND HIT A LARGE POTHOLE ABOUT 150 YARDS BEFORE I-65 OVERPASS. AFTER SWERVING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND CALLED TOYOTA CARE (ROADSERVICE). THE EVENT I EXPERIENCE CAUSED A BENT WHEEL RIM AND FLAT TIRE. I AM REQUESTING A REIMBURSEMENT OF MY COST TO REPLACE MY WHEEL RIM AND TIRE. THE POTHOLES WERE FILLED BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3RE 2017.
Structure, Aug 30, 2017
THE WINDOWS ARE NOT AIRTIGHT, I HEAR THE WIND AS I DRIVE MY CAR DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHICH I CONSIDER A DISTRACTION. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE DASHBOARD MEETS THE WINDSHIELD, THERE IS A STRIP OF A STYROFOAM TYPE OF MATERIAL SHOWING. IT APPEARS IT IS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD IT IS APPROXIMATELY 2-4" LONG ALONG THE DASHBOARD.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHEEHY TOYOTA OF FREDERICKSBURG (3507 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408 (540) 710-8500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND RELAY WIRING HAD BEEN CHEWED. THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING WAS MADE OF A SOY BASED MATERIAL VERSUS A PETROLEUM BASED MATERIAL, WHICH ATTRACTED RODENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Aug 22, 2017, crash
ACCIDENT DUE TO BREAKS LOCKING AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL. BACK SEAT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING PASSENGER TO FLY FORWARD AND BACK; INJURED BREAST BONE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM STEERING WHEEL DID NOT INFLATE FULLY.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2017, crash
I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON MAECH FIRST AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OUT
Suspension, Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 14, 2017, crash
THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WITH ALL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED,DATE OF CRASH APR.16,2016 AT 10.25 PM.HSMV REPORT 385303651,I FEEL THE AIRBAGS DID NOT PROTECT ME PROPERLY,AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO AUCTION CLASS LAW SUITE.
Seat belts, Service brakes, Aug 10, 2017
SEVERAL TIMES THE SEAT BELT CHIME WOULDN'T STOP ALTHOUGH SEAT BELT CONNECTED. BRAKES SCREECHING WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. TOOK MORE EFFORT THAN SHOULD FOR BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED WAS RIGHT AFTER THE 5000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE. IT HAPPENED TWO TIMES AFTERWARDS AND ONE TIME TODAY. I WAS DRIVING ANY WHERE FROM 25 MPH TO 55 MPH. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY BUT I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENS WAS TODAY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2017
TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE 6MOS. INSPECTION DONE AND I REPORTED THAT I WAS SMELLING SOMETHING LIKE ROTTEN EGGS IN MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 1-2 TIMES A MONTH AND IT HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A WHILE. I AM DUE TO TAKE THE CAR IN AGAIN AND I WILL REPORT THAT THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. MY GRAND DAUGHTER WAS IN MY CAR AND SHE ASKED ME WHAT THAT SMELL WAS??? WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY CAR IS USUALLY IN THE PARK POSITION, BUT RUNNING. WHEN I FIRST REPORTED PROBLEM, THEY CK IT OUT AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD KEEP A CK ON THIS PROBLEM
Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2017
ABOUT ONCE A MONTH FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS, MY SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN STUCK AT 0 FOR AT LEAST 15 OR 20 MINUTES OF MY DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, IT SLOWLY STARTS TO INCREASE: IF I'M GOING WHAT I'D ASSUME IS 60 MPH, IT SHOWS AT 40 AND CLIMBING, AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES INTO MY COMMUTE, MY SPEEDOMETER APPEARS TO BE WORKING FINE. THIS ONLY APPEARS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN STARTED. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR ON LEASE, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THAT MAKES SENSE, AS THIS ONLY HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE PER MONTH. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY CHECKED THE CAR'S COMPUTER AND NO ERROR CODES WERE FOUND, AND THAT THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.