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. Engine, Jun 26, 2024

    Coolant Bypass Valve seems to have an issue at 60k miles which seems to happen to many people at mileage even lower than mine sometimes! My dad had this issue on his 2021 Corolla at 50k miles.

  2. Engine, Jun 24, 2024

    "Engine Maintenance Required See Dealer" Message on Dash Display Engine Coolant Bypass Valve I see this incident repeated for the recent Corolla SE and RAV 4 multiple times with no recall/resolution other than Toyota customers should be prepared to spend close to $750 to fix and replace this part that only takes about 20 minutes to be replaced. This is not new to Toyota. This a rip off. A lot money was paid for the car. Went to dealer less than a year ago and purchased a 2020 SE with a $23,323 price tag. Including dealer fees, finance charges and extended warranties the total price comes to $39,000+. I feel cheated as a customer. A practically new car comes with a defective part and it is not covered by warranty?? Come on. I've trusted and recommended Toyota for years. Do you no longer stand by your company name? Need a better resolution. Please.

  3. Engine, Jun 21, 2024

    The engine coolant bypass valve has been confirmed faulty at 47,000 due to failure to actuate. Known issues of engine coolant leaking failure have been reported.

  4. Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2024

    The coolant bypass valve is failing. Engine Maintenance Required message popped on car display. Toyota is trying to charge over $600 to fix it. Many have reported same issue

  5. Engine, Jun 18, 2024

    The engine coolant bypass valve is coming up as a code. Around 44k miles. Others have had this problem.

  6. Air bags, Jun 15, 2024

    I have a recall on my vehicle which there's no remedy for it yet. My California registration was due and I wasn't able to complete my renewal until I had my recall certificate saying it was fixed. Now I'm unable to drive my vehicle in feared to be ticketed or being towed. Toyota needs to do better why am I paying for a car I can't drive. Please help!!!!!

  7. Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2024

    coolent valve

  8. Engine, Jun 7, 2024

    The car is showing an engine maintance required which ended up being a faulty coolant valve

  9. Engine, Jun 7, 2024

    "Engine Maintenance Required" sign came on, I took it to the dealership and was told it was the coolant bypass valve and it would be $800. Upon doing some research is see that this is a very common issue for 2020 Toyota Corollas. My car is still under 60,0000 so I'm surprised I need work this experience done already

  10. Engine, Jun 3, 2024

    coolant bypass valve is malfunctioning in 2020 toyota corolla se. upon research this is a known problem in toyota corollas, camrys, rav 4 and prius, and was recommended to report this as a possible recall. "engine matinence required, visit your dealer" message does not go away. takes 5+ minutes to blow cold air.

  11. Engine, Jun 3, 2024

    The car is at 58,125 miles and I’ve had a “engine maintenance required, please take to dealership” message for the past 3 months which will not go away and is just stuck on my dash. An OB2 port scanner shows nothing wrong, but after a diagnosis at toyota it appears I need a new engine coolant bypass valve. As it turns out, many other corolla, rav 4, and camry owners of the same generation (2020 and up) also receive the message and need to get the coolant bypass valves replaced around 30k-60k miles.

  12. Other or unspecified, May 30, 2024

    I have a message that says engine maintenance required. I ran a diagnostic and it is for the engine coolant bypass valve.

  13. Engine, May 29, 2024

    Engine maintance required/coolant bypass valve issue

  14. Engine, May 25, 2024

    Coolant bypass valve bad at 26000 miles

  15. Engine, May 22, 2024

    "Engine Maintenance Required - Visit Your Dealer" message popped up on my car's (Toyota Corolla 2020) dashboard all of a sudden and I didn't have any issues with engine before. I brought up my card to Toyota Service Center in Sunnyvale, CA and they told me that my car's coolant bypass valve has to be replaced and re-check if it's needed which is an uncertain thing and advised me not driving the car as it may damage the cooling system components or even the engine itself. All of these will cost me 911.58$ which is too much but it's not all yet. I was researching this issue on the Internet and figured out that many people who has the Corolla 2020 and 2021 had the exact same issue. I don't think it's a coincidence. People also complaining about the same issue for Toyota Rav4 and Toyota Camry. I don't want to pay so much money which is almost 1k. I never had any accidents and or crashes. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  16. Engine, May 20, 2024

    The coolant bypass valve was constructed of poor quality plastic, and has cracked at a mere 50,000 miles. It's Leaking coolant into the sensor. Along with potentially causing major damage to the engine.

  17. Power train, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2024

    At 55K miles for my 2020 Toyota Corolla, the Engine Maintenance Required notification popped up on my screen and is not removable. Upon further verification numerous 2020-2021 corollas have been having this issue at similar amounts of mileage. It is a faulty Engine Coolant Bypass Valve that needs to be replaced. If I were to take it in to a dealership, they would charge $500+ just as they have for many others when it should really be a recall. As of now I have not taken it to be inspected due to fear of steep labor costs. My safety is at risk because if this does not get replaced my engine will overheat causing total failure of the car, and as a 2020 model with such low mileage, this is ridiculous.

  18. Engine, May 18, 2024

    Engine maintenance required . bypass coolant valve defected

  19. Engine, May 18, 2024

    coolant bypass valve issue under 60k miles.

  20. Power train, Engine, May 16, 2024

    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving, at any speed, as the contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle would stop, however when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle would move backwards with a jolt before moving forward. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that an abnormal buzzing sound was coming from the engine compartment. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

  21. Power train, May 16, 2024

    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The contact noticed a failure with the transmission; however, there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was concerned that the vehicle might stall while driving. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was instructed to contact the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

  22. Engine, May 15, 2024

    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle was not accelerating above 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a rocker arm actuator system performance failure and several other unknown failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered the Technical Service Bulletin: 0098-19; however, it was not verified if the vehicle was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

  23. Other or unspecified, Engine, May 15, 2024

    Coolant bypass valve failed at 52k miles.

  24. Other or unspecified, May 14, 2024

    My son and daughter in law moved from California to Georgia due to military duties in Hinesville Georgia. They drove their 2020 Toyota Corolla from California to Georgia. They paid the fee to obtain their 2024 registration sticker but got denied by the DMV in California due to a recall on this vehicle. My son took the vehicle to Chatham Parkway Toyota in Savannah Georgia to fix the recall. He received documentation that the recall has been fixed. My daughter in law took this documentation to the DMV and they said it was not sufficient, we needed to provide the original pink copy of the recall. Chatman Parkway Toyota never gave my son the original copy. Where can we obtain this so we can receive our registration sticker? Can you please help us out and contact Chatham Parkway Toyota to see if they even fixed the recall problem or not and why they did not give my son an original copy of the fixed recall situation. It has been a struggle to obtain the registration sticker when the recall was a problem. This situation has been very stressful due to an expired registration and not being able to drive u til we receive the correct sticker. Please help if you can. Thank you, [XXX] . [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  25. Other or unspecified, May 14, 2024

    Check engine light is giving a false positive. There is something wrong with the coolant bypass valve. I checked online and this is not an isolated event.