Problems · by component

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross steering problems

44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross cite steering, 25% of all 177 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
44
25% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was driving on a cold day. When I stopped at a stoplight seeking to make a left turn, the car would not accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal. I looked down and saw the following warning sign "Engine Stopped, Steering Power Low" appear on the dashboard. However, since the car was not in park, it had rolled forward and was close to the being in the nearest lane of oncoming traffic. It was also difficult to steer to avoid creeping closer to oncoming traffic. Although it did not cause an accident, it easily could have. I took the car to several mechanics, because the car is under a CarMax warranty. However, none of the diagnostics revealed anything of concern (no weak battery, lack of power steering fluid, etc.). The mechanics said they had heard about this happening, but were unable to pinpoint any reason for it occuring. This seems like a serious flaw.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11731777
“On [XXX], and again on [XXX], vehicle began beeping while driving on the freeway and flashing the following warning messages: 1) 12-Volt Battery Charging - System Malfunction - Stop in a Safe Place - See Owner's Manual 2) AWD System Malfunction - 2WD Mode Engaged - Visit your Dealer 3) Voltage Abnormality - Steering Power Low - Visit Your Dealer Vehicle shut down and lost power steering while driving on the freeway. My safety was put at risk as I could not easily pull my car over to a safe place due to the car losing power, not turning back on, and power steering turning off. This may have resulted in severe injury or death if I had not been able to eventually pull over. Additionally, the safety of others was put at risk as we were travelling at freeway-level speed, which may have resulted in other vehicles being unable to stop, and consequently crash, if my car had stayed in the freeway lane. Both times I had the vehicle towed to Beaverton Toyota Dealership (Address: 4300 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005 / Phone: (503) 626-7200) to be inspected and serviced. The first time I was told it was a bad battery cell, which was replaced on 07/26/25. However, the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2025Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11676618
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated while stopped at a red light, the contact heard a loud, consistent tone emanating from the vehicle, followed by the message "Low power steering" before the vehicle entered LIMP mode and shut off; however, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure but had observed an OBD code related to a failure with the mass airflow sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2025Steering, Fuel system, gasolineODI 11659779
“I was at a red light with my windshield wipers on. I then heard several warning beeps with messages stating "steering power low", battery low, and then the steering locked. I tried to turn the wheel after the last message came up but the steering wheel was locked. I couldn’t accelerate. I had to park the car and turn it off and on again. This has happened twice now and Toyota says it is “fine”.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2025Steering, EngineODI 11641201
“When driving to work it’s the 4 times the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross turns on the engine light and starts beeping with the power steering low message and shuts down and I am unable to continue driving I have taken it 4 times to Toyota dealership with them continue to say no issue is found. For me to get the vehicle working again I have to completely turn it off lock it and then unlock it and turn it back on. This is unacceptable and a big hazard issue because it does this in the middle of traffic without any indication.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2024Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11570655
“In November, the engine stalled at a light when it was raining and the wipers were on. Warning noises were activated and the console read "steering Power Low." The car had to be pushed out of the intersection by other drivers. After a half hour the car was able to be restarted . The Car taken to dealership and they ran diagnostics on it and declared that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Yet on December 27th, it happened again. This time my daughter was driving the vehicle. It was raining, the lights and wipers were on and we stopped at a light. The engine shut off and would not restart. She pressed the brake multiple times and put the car in park. After about 5 minutes of sheer terror, she was able to restart the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2023Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11562688

Showing 6 of 44 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Steering: column

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

SteeringReported Jan 29, 2025NHTSA 25V040000

Steering: column

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

SteeringReported Jul 12, 2023NHTSA 23V480000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2023 Corolla Cross problem areas