2019 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 204 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 23 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 15 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJan 13, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Campaign 20V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 28, 2019
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
Campaign 19V503000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMar 27, 2019
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
Campaign 19V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, torque converterDec 19, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback vehicles equipped with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT). The pump impeller blades within the torque converter may detach, especially when driven under high load, potentially causing a vehicle stall.
A vehicle stall, especially when driving a high rate of speed, can increase the risk of a crash.
Toyota has notified owners, and dealers will replace the CVT and torque converter, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J17/J07.
Campaign 18V901000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
204 reports, newest first.
Power train, Sep 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was depressed; however, the clutch system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the clutch was stuck to the floorboard. The contact stated that due to the failure, there was an excessive amount of clutch fluid leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Power train, Sep 16, 2026
Component that failed was the CSC Concentric Slave Cylinder. I went to press the clutch and it stuck to the floor. I checked for leaks in the cabin beneath the clutch and it was dry. I then proceeded to check the reservoir and saw that it needed fluid. I managed to get it to a nearby convenience center to purchase and fill the reservoir when that did not work I called a tow truck to move it to an auto repair shop. This put others at risk, should the clutch have remained in neutral I would have, and or all the break fluid would have leaked and i would have been without brakes since the clutch and break share a reservoir. This issue could have caused serious life threatening injuries not only to myself but others had there been an accident. Thankfully this took place at 4 am before other drives were out and about for the morning commute. The component has since been looked at by an independent service center. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the issue. the vehicle currently has roughlty 84,000 miles.
Power train, Sep 10, 2026
Slave cylinder on clutch failed and leaked fluid in to clutch and flywheel. Clutch pedal would not rebound after being pressed in to shift gear, stuck in middle of road trying to get vehicle in first gear. Had vehicle towed to dealership, estimate of 5800 to repair. Apparently this is a known problem with this manual transmission, many others have experienced similar failure at around 60,000 miles.
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 45,709, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage listed on the title was 46,091. Additionally, the contact later became aware that the vehicle was a salvaged vehicle. The seller was contacted several times but blocked all communications.
Electrical system, Tires, Jun 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated, with several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. However, the independent mechanic stated that the tire pressures were not low, and that the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Air bags, May 4, 2026, crash
I was driving on a two lane state road. Two vehicles we traveling in front of me in the left lane. The further vehicle in left decide to make a sudden stop at a traffic light. The silver sedan behind that vehicle was traveling too close to react appropriately. The sedan avoid the vehicle in front of it and impeded into my lane and collide with my vehicle. My airbags in my 2019 Corolla failed to deploy.
Power train, Apr 11, 2026
Premature slave cylinder failure at ~70k miles. Suddenly started leaking brake fluid profusely. Inspected and confirmed by Toyota dealership. No symptoms prior to failure. Clutch stopped functioning, unable to shift while driving. Pulled over to inspect and all of the brake fluid had leaked out. Refilled brake fluid and bled system, reservoir leaked to minimum fill line within 24 hours.
Power train, Apr 7, 2026
DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY ISSUE: The Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) on my 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback 6-speed manual failed during normal driving at around 60mph, creating an immediate and uncontrolled safety hazard. The clutch pedal depressed fully to the floor while I was shifting from 5th gear to 6th gear and the vehicle became unable to be shifted out of gear, leaving me unable to properly control vehicle speed or movement. The only way to release the transmission was to physically reach down and lift the clutch pedal up with my foot while attempting to drive. CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN - SHARED BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR: On this vehicle, the brake fluid reservoir and clutch hydraulic system share a single reservoir. When the CSC fails and leaks fluid, brake fluid is consumed directly from the same reservoir that supplies the braking system. A CSC failure does not only result in loss of clutch function — it results in loss of brake fluid, and with sufficient fluid loss, partial or complete brake failure. This is not a theoretical risk. This vehicle can fail in a way that simultaneously removes the driver's ability to control vehicle speed via the transmission AND reduces or eliminates braking capability — both at the same time, without warning I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this as a safety defect and consider whether a recall or service campaign is warranted given the risk of simultaneous clutch and brake failure on these vehicles.
Power train, Apr 2, 2026
6 speed manual transmission. 79K miles. Vehicle was checked at a dealer due to a sluggish clutch. Dealer found low brake fluid, but no problems with the clutch. The next day the clutch failed completely and car had to be towed off the highway. Slave cylinder for the clutch is a design flaw on these vehicles.
Power train, Mar 28, 2026
Clutch release bearing/slave cylinder failed at 29,900 miles. Without warning or unusual symptoms, clutch pedal stuck to floor and was unable to shift gears without manually pulling clutch pedal up.
Power train, Mar 27, 2026
The clutch slave cylinder in my 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback failed, causing brake fluid to leak out. The leaking fluid contaminated the clutch assembly, resulting in both the slave cylinder and clutch needing replacement. The failed components should be available for inspection from the repair facility upon request. The failure led to a loss of proper clutch operation, which made it difficult to shift gears and control the vehicle. This created a risk of stalling in traffic or being unable to accelerate when needed, increasing the potential for a collision, especially in busy or high-speed driving conditions. Yes, the issue was diagnosed and confirmed by the dealership. They identified the failed slave cylinder and verified that brake fluid leakage caused contamination of the clutch, requiring replacement of both components. The vehicle has been inspected by a service technician/mechanic at the Toyota dealership. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lights or dashboard messages indicating a problem. The issue appeared suddenly when the clutch began to malfunction due to the fluid leak causing me to not be able to shift gears and the clutch pedal not returning.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2026
Error message that said 'drive start control malfunction. Took 6 mos and numerous attempts to resolve. Replaced numerous parts including the fuel pump because the plastic it's made out of was just disintegrating and and cracking. This has cost thousands of dollars in parts and labor. Also getting a msg on info screen 'connected device not supported' now. Apparently toyota did an update and there was a bug in the program yet I have to pay to fix their error to the dcm.
Power train, Mar 9, 2026
2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback. Complete transmission failure.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 27, 2026
The slave cylinder failed l3aving me stranded in a parking lot. Luckily I wasnt driving down the highway as the slave cylinder is also part of the brake system they use the shared brake fluid reservoir. This is a very common problem and is a 4k plus cost to fix. Not including the time that has to go into fighting the warranty companies and dealers.
Steering, Jan 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The hazard, power steering, and LDA warning lights were illuminated. The message "Lane Departure Alert Malfunction - Visit your Dealer" was displayed. The contact stated that when the LDA was deactivated, a red power steering warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where a battery replacement was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it remained for further investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,488.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 2, 2026, fire
While the vehicle was parked and powered off, a fire originated inside the driver seat area. There was no collision, no aftermarket electrical equipment installed, and no heated seat or accessory usage at the time of the incident. The vehicle was stationary when the fire began. The fire damage was concentrated within the driver seat assembly, consistent with a suspected electrical failure involving seat wiring, seat-mounted components, or associated harnesses. This is not consistent with owner misuse or external ignition sources. The insurer (Allstate Insurance Company) declared the vehicle a total loss but declined further fire-origin or electrical defect investigation. The vehicle is at risk of being sold or dismantled through a salvage auction, which would destroy critical evidence related to a potential manufacturer defect. The vehicle is currently listed on Copart (Lot# 99091095 highlighted as ‘Run and Drive’) I have completed a Power of Attorney (HSMV 82053) per Allstate requirement, along with a limited conditions notification for evidence preservation however Allstate is refusing to accept the conditions stating their intent to sell it as salvage. This incident presents a serious safety concern involving spontaneous ignition within the passenger compartment. Similar failures pose a risk of injury, death, or property damage, particularly if ignition occurs while occupied. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident for potential electrical system or seat assembly defects and preserve this complaint as part of any pattern or trend analysis involving Toyota vehicles.
Power train, Dec 27, 2025
Clutch stopped working while driving. Car has 61,000 miles.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2025
My 2019 hatchback clutch failed Clutch Release Bearing and Slave Cylinder Assembly is leaking. Toyota part # 31400-19027
Power train, Nov 20, 2025
rattle in transmission. Car hesitates to accelerate randomly leading to unpredictable acceleration sometimes. Transmission is failing.
Power train, Nov 10, 2025
All 2019-2022 Toyota Corolla 6 Speed Manual Transmission cars are affected. The slave cylinder is a defective part that fails prematurely anywhere between the 20,000-70,000 mile range. The slave cylinder on this car is made out of plastic and is located inside of the transmission, when the slave cylinder fails, it leaks brake fluid all over causing the car to lock into gear and not be able to shift which is a major safety risk when there is no signs of failure. My car locked up in the middle of a busy highway and had to be pushed off the side of the road. Not only is this a safety risk, but since the part is located inside of the transmission, which is not normal, it leaks brake fluid all over the clutch and flywheel, which will all need replacement. The dealership quotes between 4-5 thousand dollars to repair, and is not covered under warranty. Toyota knows that this part is a defective part because the new models received an updated slave cylinder made out of metal, rather than plastic, but no cars have been recalled. The car was towed to my local dealership and it is currently being worked on. The incident was reported to Toyota Corporate and a case was opened to investigate this issue. Every single model made between those years are effected and has caused thousands of people to be left with an expensive repair that is unavoidable.
Service brakes, Nov 9, 2025
I believe the break booster on my 2019 Toyota Corolla is defective. This caused my stopping distance to increase significantly, making it difficult to control my vehicle and putting myself and other drivers at risk. There were no warning lamps or messages or other symptoms prior to the start of the issue on October 10, 2025. I quickly took my car to a local mechanic the next day who said I had an issue with my brake booster. To make sure this was the issue I followed up and went to a Toyota dealership for a diagnostic. They initially told me that "all brake systems components were functioning normally at this time" and that all I need to do was to change the break fluid. I did this, but the problem persisted. I then returned to the Toyota dealership for a second diagnostic. This time they noted that the brake master cylinder and brake booster are loosing pressure internally and need to be replaced. When I googled this I saw that some 2019 Corolla (and other hybrid) vehicles were included in a 2019 recall for a brake booster pump that could fail, leading to a loss of braking assist, similar to what I was experiencing. I brought this up with the Toyota brand engagement center. They said there was no recall at this time on file, but that they would put me in touch with a representative who would manage my case (case # 251015000598). The representative would not pick up my phone calls. I was not able to speak with him. After many calls, a different representative spoke with me and told me that the case was already closed and that the assigned representative said he had explained to me why. This is not true as I had not had the chance to speak with him. I am concerned that Toyota has not given my break booster pump due diligence and is dismissing my legitimate safety concern and I would like to report this safety problem to the NHTSA.
Power train, Nov 8, 2025
Manual transmission intermittent failure to/rough to engage first gear and reverse. Clutch slave cylinder high rate of failure/total failure of manual transmission. Transmission incidents happen at least once per day.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 8, 2025
Faulty slave cylinders , that lead to more damage such as the clutch & flywheel and
Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2025
At approximately 66,200 miles, the slave cylinder on the clutch started failing. It will be dropped off at the dealership tomorrow afternoon for repair, hopefully driven under its own power. The clutch feels spongy and friction point is unusual. This puts others’ safety at risk because the clutch could fail, causing the car to lurch forward from being stopped, and puts my safety at risk because the car could break down at any time when it finally completely fails. There are no warning lamps, just a clutch prematurely failing. This is a very common problem with the manual transmissions in this model. I purchased a Toyota for reliability, and this part should not fail for several hundred thousand miles, if ever. There needs to be a recall on these cars.
Exterior lighting, Oct 18, 2025
I have a 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback and the headlight went out. Instead of replacing the bulb Toyota has made it so you had to purchase the entire unit which is called a headlight assembly unit and that’s in the thousands of dollars the LED lights are supposed to last the lifetime of the car so it makes it really unsafe to drive at night Currently my passenger side light has gone out and like I said it’s in the thousands to replace it so I’m unfortunately not in a position where I can do that and now my driver side light is starting to flicker and starting to cut out. There’s no way to just replace a bulb you have to replace the entire unit which is in the thousands of dollars it makes it very unsafe to drive at night. And Toyota has stated that the LED lights should last the entire life of the vehicle if not longer.