2020 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 308 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 22 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 23 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 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.
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 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.
Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/other, buckle assemblyDec 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.
In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 19V877000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
308 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 7, 2021
At slow speeds and stop and go driving the car suddenly stalls. The car was taken into a Toyota service center and they were unable to find an error code or replicate the problem. This has happened twice in a week.
Wheels, Jul 24, 2021, crash
My son was driving on the freeway when one tire came off the wheel. He lost control and hit by truck on the passenger side. There's only 8000 miles on the car.
Power train, Jul 2, 2021
Transmission stuttering at steady speed more pronounced on inclines. Violent skipping or slipping on acceleration
Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2021
My car was sold with the odometer rolled back (fraud odometer). I bought with 6074 miles and when I went to the Toyota for maintenance they reported me more than 88.000 miles.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2021, crash
The contact leased a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 62 mph, another vehicle was driving above 100 mph, crashed into the rear driver side bumper and moved up to the rear driver side door. The vehicle then bounced into the front driver side door ripping off the driver's side view mirror and continued driving. The contact's vehicle slid upon impact and the contact hit his head on the roof of the vehicle then hit the front driver's door window. The contact's right side hip hit the center console. No air bags were deployed. A police report was filed. The contact did not receive medical attention on the scene but later went to the hospital for hip injuries. The vehicle was not towed and the contact was able to drive the vehicle after the collision. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a claim was opened. The manufacturer wanted to inspect the vehicle, however the vehicle rental company had already repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 16,535.
Seat belts, Jun 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the driver’s side front seat belt buckle mechanism malfunctioned and failed to lock as designed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. The Vin was not available.
Steering, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 10, 2021
DRIVE ASSIST OCCASIONALLY SWERVES OUT OF LANES AT PARKED VEHICLES, PEDESTRIANS, AND EVEN CARS IN ON COMING LANES. HAPPENS INCONSISTENTLY AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. WHEN THE CAR IS PERFECTLY CENTERED WITH DRIVE ASSIST ON, YOU BEGIN TO LET YOUR GAURD DOWN. WHICH IS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT YOUR CAR TO FORCIBLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT AN UNSUSPECTED BICYCLIST.
Power train, Mar 19, 2021
VEHICLE IS JERKING AND SHUTTERING WHILE IN MOTION BETWEEN 4-20MPH COLD OR HOT AND A/C ON OR OFF. THIS OCCURS BEFORE BRAKING AND SEEMS TO JERK FORWARD. TENDS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN IN PARKING LOTS. THIS ISSUE IS ACCOMPANIED BY AGGRESSIVE ENGINE SHAKING AND ALL PASSENGERS CAN FEEL THE ROUGH IDLE. THIS ISSUE IS PROGRESSIVE GETTING WORSE WITH TIME OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, SPARK PLUGS WAS THE ASSUMED ISSUE FROM TECHNICIAN. FIRST DIAGNOSIS WAS SPARK KNOCK. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SECOND DIAGNOSIS WAS "OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL CAUSING STABILITY CONTROL TO OVERRIDE DRIVER THROTTLE INPUTS AND LEAD TO JERKY OPERATION" CASE IS ONGOING AND A RESOLUTION HASN'T BEEN PROVIDED OR SOLVED. TOYOTA CORP. IS OPENING AN INVESTIGATION/CASE.
Tires, Wheels, Feb 12, 2021
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY AND THE 2 REAR TIRES BLOW OUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 18K MILES ON IT AND I ASK TOYOTA IF THE TIRES HAVE A WARRANTY AND THEY SAID NO SO MY DAUGHTER HAD TO BUY 3 NEW TIRES SHE SPEND 1200 ALSO A SENSOR GOT DAMAGED HER CAR SPIN OUT OF CONTROL SHE WAS LUCKY SHE DIDN'T HIT OTHER CAR . WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS, PLEASE HELP MY PHONE NUMBER IS +[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2021
NO ANDROID AUTO
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2021
STARTING MONDAY AFTERNOON (01/18/2021) MY CAR HAS BEGUN TO STALL EVERYDAY. IT CONTINUES TO STALL NOW. THURSDAY (01/21/2021) I ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THE GAS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE I AM LEASING IT (01/21/2021) AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I SAW ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE THAT MY CAR WAS APART OF THE FUEL PUMP RECALL EVEN THOUGH WHEN I ENTER MY VIN NOTHING POPPED UP. MAY YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME? I HAVE TO WORK AND I NEED MY VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID SPRAYS OVER THE CAR ONTO CARS/ROAD BEHIND THE CAR. THE WASHER FLUID ALSO SPRAYS INTO THE CAR OF THE SUNROOF IS OPEN. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT IT'S 'OPERATING AS DESIGNED' AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT COULD DISTRACT THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WHEN I TRY TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD AND THEY COULD RUN INTO MY VEHICLE, POSSIBLE CAUSING A MULTI-CAR CRASH.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 15, 2020, crash
WAS ON A HEAD ON COLLISION THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPEN NO BREAKS OR INDICATION THAT THE BREAKS WERE FAILING.ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP SHORTLY AFTER THE BATTERY EXPLODED SED .NOW THE CARE IS TOTALLY FOR ALL THE FROND END DAMAGE AND THE COST OF THE BATTER WOULD BE TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.I WAS DRIVING INTERSTATE 15 IN RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2020
WITH ONLY ABOUT 630 MILES ON MY NEW 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA, THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER I HAD JUST MADE A TURN IN CITY TRAFFIC; I BELIEVE I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND IT WOULDN'T START UP AGAIN WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I'D BOUGHT IT FIVE MONTHS EARLIER; THEY GAVE IT A THOROUGH INSPECTION, ACKNOWLEDGED THE FACT OF THE STALL, BUT NEVER FOUND THE CAUSE OF IT (COULDN'T "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM"). THEY HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING THE CAR ONCE IT WAS AT THEIR SERVICE. THIS WAS A ONE-TIME INCIDENT AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE; I AM NOW AT OVER 1,400 MILES. BUT IT MAKES ME UNEASY THAT THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE WAS NEVER UNCOVERED--ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON 2020 COROLLAS FOR FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. (THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE ONE THING THAT WAS NEVER INVESTIGATED AT THE TIME OF THE STALL; THE SERVICE PERSON DIDN'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARY.)
Air bags, Structure, Oct 24, 2020, crash
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SPEEDER IN WHICH CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS ADVISED WHEN PURCHASING THIS CAR THAT TOYOTA CONNECTS DETECTS CRASHES AND THAT THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM WOULD CALL THE CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ONLY DID THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY BUT THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM DIDN'T NOT CALL THE VEHICLE AS I WAS ADVISED. MY VEHICLE HAS DEFECTS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW THINKING IT COULD KEEP ME SAFE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED ME AND FAILED TO ADHERE TO VEHICLE SAFETY.
Service brakes, Oct 20, 2020, crash
HAS TWO ISSUES ONE WHEN BREAKING FROM 45PH OR SO IT SKIDS AND BRAKES SKIP BAD SECOND ISSUE WHEN THE AUTO BREAKING IS ON, AND WHEN CAR BREAKS IN FRONT OF YOU IT STOPS NO PROBLEM, BUT THEN IT JUST STARTS MOVING AGAIN AND WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP IT WON'T LET YOU.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 10, 2020
I WAS WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN. I TURN THE WHEEL TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIEDALL THE BUZZERS WHISTLES AND LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD.. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR TO PARK AND BACK TO DRIVE BUT NOTHING HAPPENED I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON A BUSY STREET AND WAS JUST GETTING READY TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK WHEN I DECIDED TO TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON IT WAS FINE AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT. THAT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THIRD TIME I WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND A TRUCK PULLED IN FRONT OF ME I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. AND THEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND TURNED LEFT THEN RIGHT INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND IT DIED. ITHE DASHBOARD SAID PUT IN PARK WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK IT SAID ENGINE POWER LOW. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA I WAS SITTING THERE FOR SIX HOURS AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE WORKING WITH CORPORATE AND NO ONE HAD AN ANSWER FOR ME. AFTER THE THIRD TIME I CALLED CORPORATE AND WAS DEALING WITH A WOMAN WHO WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND TRY TO BE HELPFUL AND TOLD ME TO TAKE A BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK A BACK LEFT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE OUTCOME WAS THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND NOT TURN IT ON. I AM VERY CONCERNED I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING AND HAVING SOMEONE CRASH IN TO ME IF MY CAR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD A TOYOTA BEFORE AND IT WAS FINE BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU IF I GET THROUGH THIS ONE WHICH IS A LEASE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE AGAIN
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2020
THE REGULAR HEADLIGHT BEAMS DO NOT LIGHT UP THE ROAD. THEY LIGHT HALF OF THE ROAD. THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER IS COMPLETELY DIM. THE ONLY WAY TO MORE THAN A CAR LENGTH IN FRONT OF THE CAR IS TO ACTIVATE THE HIGH BEAMS. EVEN THEN YOU ARE LIMITED ON HOW MUCH LIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS PUT ON THE ROAD. I AM BLINDED BY ONCOMING CARS. I CANNOT SEE DEER WHEN THEY JUMP OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CANNOT READ ADDRESS SIGNS THAT ARE BASICALLY REFLECTIVE AND IN FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE ROAD UNLESS I DRIVE DIRECTLY UPON THEM AND SHINE THE HIGH BEAMS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2020
EVERY TIME IT RAINS THE DOORS GETS FILLED UP WITH WATER FROM THE RAINFALL
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2020
ON SLOW BRAKING AT SPEEDS LIKE 1-2MPH, THE PEDAL VIBRATES WITH SPRING EFFECT. THE ISSUE IS WITH BRAKE PEDAL SPRING WHICH TOYOTA IS NOT READY TO FIX. SHOWN TO DEALERSHIP, AND SERVICE DIRECTOR AT DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND SENT ME AWAY. SECOND TIME, I FILED COMPLAINT AND HAD TOYOTA TECH HAD A LOOK ON IT, THE DEALERSHIP DIRECTOR THEN UPDATED ME SAYING THAT TOYOTA TECH WAS ABLE TO FEEL THE SPRING VIBRATION AND THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX FOR IT NOW AND THE SPRINT VIBRATION EXISTS ON ALL NEW 2020 MODEL TOYOTA COROLLA'S. REQUEST TOYOTA TO ISSUE A FIX FOR THIS AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2020
BOUGHT A 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM SERVCO HAWAII IN FEB 2020. 4 MONTHS LATER CAR WOULD STUTTER, 5 MONTHS LATER CALL STALLED WHILE IN MOTION, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ON A STREET, ON A STRAIGHT AWAY. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. CAR HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES. SERVCO HAWAII COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE STALL AND ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND MONITOR IT. I REFUSED BECAUSE I COULD ENDANGER MYSELF AND OTHERS.
Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2020
THERE IS A DEFECT TO THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE CAUSING THE LIGHT FROM THE LOW BEAM TO BE BLOCKED BEYOND A DISTANCE OF 60 FEET FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IN A SPECIFIC PATTERN TO SUGGEST THAT IT IS THE RESULT OF AN ABBERASION OF THE LENS ASSEMBLY. THE DEFECT IS PRONOUNCED ON UNLIT ROADWAYS BECAUSE IS SEVERELY AFFECTS THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO IDENTIFY THE LEFT HAND LANE MARKINGS AND ANY ROAD SIGNS. THE LIGHT DISAPPEARS IN A "V" PATTERN OF APPROXIMATELY 130 DEGREES FROM WHEN THE INITIAL SOURCE OF LIGHT IS PRONOUNCED UP TO A DISTANCE OF 60'. NOTE THAT THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SUFFERS NO LIGHTING LOSS AND THE FIELD OF VISION LEFT TO THE LEFT OF THE UNLIT PORTION IS WELL LIT. GATEWAY TOYOTA (THE SELLING DEALER) AND PER THEIR SERVICE MANAGER, TOYOTA USA DESCRIBES THIS AS BEING A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE AND ALL VEHICLES WITH PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS PER "SVMSS" GUIDELINES. AS A FORMER VEHICLE DEFECT INSPECTOR, MOTOR VEHICLE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT CAUSE AND ORIGIN LOSS INVESTIGATOR, NJ STATE SAFETY AND EMISSIONS INSPECTOR, ASE MASTER-CERTIFIED COLLISION REPAIR TECHNICIAN, ASE-CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR TECHNICIAN, MERCEDES-BENZ CERTIFIED SERVICE, PARTS AND COLLISION DIRECTOR AND TESLA-CERTIFIED COLLISION ESTIMATOR HAVING OVERSEEN THE SUCCESSFUL REPAIR OF THOUSANDS OF FRONT END IMPACTS REQUIRING HEADLIGHT RE-AIMING AND PROGRAMMING AS REQUIRED, I CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT UNIQUE TO THIS VEHICLE THAT CONTINUES TO AFFECT ITS SAFE OPERATION WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA USA IN REACHING A RESOLUTION.
Service brakes, Aug 22, 2020, crash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT AND STOPPED WORKING THE ROAD WAS DAMP AND IT WAS SLIGHT RAIN. I PRESSED DOWN ON MY BRAKES 5 TIMES AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO MAKE THE CAR STOP SO MY CAR KEPT DRIVING TOWARDS A DITCH AND I ALMOST FELL OFF A HILL INTO MORE TREES.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 19, 2020
DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CHEMICAL BUILDUP ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY CAMERA SENSOR (THEY CLAIMED IT WAS PROBABLY WINDEX). DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE CAMERA ENCLOSURE IS NOT SEALED AND PARTICULATE MAY ENTER THE ENCLOSURE. SAID THE PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WHAT HAPPENS IS SOMEONE IS A SMOKER OR LIVES ON A DIRT ROAD? DOES TOYOTA EXPECT PARTICULATE IN THE ENCLOSURE TO BE ACCEPTABLE? THIS MAY IMPACT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SAFETY SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS SUN GLARE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2019.
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2020
A GLARE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DURING THE DAY. HAZARDOUS AS YOU CAN'T SEE YOUR SPEED OR THE INFORMATION SCREENS ABOUT THE VEHICLE. CAR IS AFFECTED ANYTIME DURING THE DAY.