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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 308

Of the 2020 reports, 22 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 23 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernEngine108 reports · 35% of complaints
Owner complaints308Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine108
  2. Other or unspecified79
  3. Power train39
  4. Electrical system31
  5. Service brakes23
  6. Air bags18
  7. Visibility/wiper17
  8. Fuel/propulsion system14

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  1. Seat belts, Oct 10, 2019, crash

    THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON US 20 IN WOOD COUNTY OHIO WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A WESTBOUND VEHICLE. THE WEBBING WHICH ATTACHES THE SEATBELT BUCKLE TO THE VEHICLE FAILED AND TORN CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO COME FREE, UNABLE TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER ULTIMATELY SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THIS IS BEING SUBMITTED BY OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CRASH RECONSTRUCTION.

  2. Service brakes, Oct 8, 2019, crash

    EXITING FREEWAY. MADE A LEFT. SLOWED DOWN AT RED LIGHT. REALIZED THE CAR WASN'T STOPPING. SLAMMED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR. CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. POLICE REPORT MADE. COLLISION LOCATION AT 3520 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND NO REASON FOR BRAKES TO NOT BE WORKING.

  3. Visibility/wiper, Oct 2, 2019

    WAVY WINDSHIELD.DISORIENTING WHEN IN MOTION. DEALER SAID ALL VEHICLES HAVE THIS. I HAVE CHECK AND ALL DO NOT. THEY SAID IT IS KNOWN BUT NOT A DEFECT. I BELIEVE IT IS POOR LAMINATION AND ALONG WITH A BAD VIEW MAY NOT PROTECT IN AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS 'NORMAL"

  4. Power train, Aug 31, 2019

    07/09/19 - THREE DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW 2020 COROLLA SEDAN, MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY CITY STREET. I WAS STATIONARY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, IT HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ENGINE POWER LOW. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I WAS NEARLY HIT BY CARS GOING AROUND ME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. 08/06/19 - MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN STOP AND GO CONDITIONS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WITH HIS FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKED OR JUMPED SEVERAL TIMES IN SUCCESSION, STOPPED AND THEN DID THE SAME THING TWICE MORE. IT FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO LOSE POWER OR NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. I TOOK IT BACK TO SAME DEALER FOR SERVICE. ONCE AGAIN, NO ERROR CODES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE FOREMAN TOLD ME THOSE 2 INCIDENTS WERE DEFINITELY RELATED. I REPORTED BOTH ISSUES VERY DANGEROUS INCIDENTS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AS I FEEL THAT I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, THEY WERE RECEPTIVE AND EVEN SENT A TOYOTA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE CAR. THEN MY CASE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND "COULD NOT VERIFY MY CONCERNS". SHE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS TO BE MADE. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THE 2019 COROLLA HATCHBACK WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER 2018 TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR THAT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. THE INFO I READ STATED THE EXACT SAME ENGINE IS IN THE 2020 COROLLA SEDAN, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY, AS WELL AS THAT OF MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES.

  5. Steering, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 25, 2019, crash

    AFTER ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY, I EXPERIENCE A FAULT WITH THE AUTOMATED DRIVING ASSIST SYSTEM WHICH DURING A MERGE OF TWO HIGHWAYS IN CALIFORNIA; AND FAILURE OF ROAD STRUCTURES ALLOWED AN OLDER PASSENGER TRUCK TO HIT THE TOYOTA'S DRIVER'S REAR TIRE AND WHEEL WELL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT EVASIVE, DEFENSIVE OR WARNING FROM THE 2020 COROLLA HYBRID'S

  6. Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 13, 2019

    WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON 07-29-19 AND ON 08-04-19 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MARYLAND THE CAR SENSOR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AFTER ONLY 250 MILES ON THE CAR. THE FLASHING LIGHTS WERE FOR BRAKES AND PARKING BRAKE, LANE DEPARTURE AND ASSIST, BACK UP AND FRONT CAMERA, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, HEAD LIGHTS, AND RSA MALFUNCTIONS. BASICALLY THE ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM OF THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING IT. 7-29-19, 8-2, 5, 9-19 AND THE CAR WAS IN MOTION EACH TIME WHILE ON A HIGHWAY. I HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THE CAR NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE SECOND TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER IS CLAIMING IT IS A WIRE WHICH I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE SINCE THERE ARE MULTIPLE CODES AND I DON'T THINK THEY ALL GO THROUGH ONE WIRE. OUR FAMILY DOES NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN ALL OF THESE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND NOT KNOWING IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND IF THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE CAR WILL OPERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING IF NEEDED. I COULD NOT UPLOAD THEM DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE FILES.

  7. Structure, Jul 16, 2019

    FIRST DAY AFTER I GOT THE CAR COMING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY FRONT OF THE CAR SCRAPED THE GROUND AND THE FRONT FENDER POPPED OFF THE CAR. THIS FENDER IS PLASTIC AND WAS ATTACHED TO THE CAR WITH PLASTIC FASTENERS. IT IS A FLOWINGLY PUT TOGETHER PIECE OF JUNK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE FENDER WOULD COME OFF AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND YOU WHENEVER THIS CAR HITS A SLIGHT BUMP ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT SINCE DURING THE 46 YEARS I LIVED IN THE SAME HOME AND OWNED MANY CARS INCLUDING 2 TOYOTA CAMRY, VW RABBIT, MUSTANG, PORSCHE, MERCURY SABLE , 2 CADILLACS, 3 BUICKS AND I HAD NO PROBLEM OF ANY OF THESE CARS SCOPING GROUND AND LOOSING A FENDER. I RETURNED CAR TO THE DEALER, DAYTON TOYOTA ON 6/28/19 WITH A FINANCIAL LOSS OF $2772.84. BANNING OF THIS COROLLA FROM THE ROADS WILL SAVE NUMEROUS LIVES. PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR

  8. Air bags, Jun 30, 2019, crash

    BAD ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAR WAS TOTALLED. ALSO THE CAR IS SUPOSE TO STOP IF SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY. AND THE SIDE SENSOR DID NOT WORK A COUPLE TIMES SOMETHING GOT CLOSE ON THE SIDE WARNING NEVER WENT OFF. AFTER ACCIDENT A LIGHT ON THE DASH SAID SAFTEY MALFUNCTION.