Research · Compact Cars

2020 Toyota CorollaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 313 owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Corolla. Most complaints involve engine (111) and power train (40). The EPA rates it 31–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
31–35mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
313
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: occupant classification

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 20, 2023NHTSA 23V865000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 4, 2020NHTSA 20V682000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Dec 11, 2019NHTSA 19V877000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

313 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine111
  2. Power train40
  3. Electrical system35
  4. Service brakes24
  5. Air bags19
  6. Visibility/wiper17
  7. Fuel/propulsion system14
  8. Structure13
  9. Seat belts9

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

By model year

Complaints for each Corolla model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996133
1997138
1998233
1999157
2000156
2001138
2002144
2003769
2004506
2005943
2006904
2007883
2008345
20091,533
20101,264
2011590
2012446
2013202
2014271
2015220
2016215
2017189
2018136
2019206
2020313
2021188
2022104
202374
202466
202532
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

111 reports1 crash1 fire
“I am reporting a severe, recurring safety hazard on my 2020 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle suddenly displays 'Drive-Start Control Malfunction' and completely cuts off engine power in motion, leaving the car stranded in active traffic. This happened after accelerating from a STOP sign on a main avenue. This is an inherent manufacturing defect present since delivery. In total, this chronic electrical surge has burned through 6 batteries and 3 Engine Control Modules (ECMs) at different mileages. Within the first weeks of purchase, it burned its first battery, which was replaced at Toyota and documented under the VIN history. Dealer staff deceptively called it 'normal,' leading me to replace subsequent batteries at AutoZone. [XXX] Toyota received the vehicle 4 times for this exact failure under Service Advisor [XXX]. They replaced the ECM twice, replaced a destroyed battery on a third visit just 400 miles later, and during this fourth visit on XXX, they only diagnosed the current burned ECM. Under Order XXX, I paid for 4.5 hours of specialized diagnostic labor, but the shop negligently just swapped parts and ignored the root cause. On XXX, an Operations Chief from…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11770186

Power train

40 reports1 crash
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned: complete slave cylinder failure resulting in loss of braking and ability to shift. Luckily I was traveling at a low rate of speed when this happened, but if this happens to anyone on the freeway or while turning against traffic for example they would have no control of their car and could be seriously injured. I took it to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a slave cylinder failure at only 70k miles. This is incredibly pre-mature. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, only the dealership but I am trying to escalate the issue. No warnings at all, I regularly get my car serviced on there were no instances of the clutch acting strange or brakes losing power (because the clutch and brakes share the same fluid reservoir) prior to this incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 11769934

Electrical system

35 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a "Maintenance Required" message was displayed, and the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated. The speedometer was inoperable. The contact stated new tires had been installed previously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Air bags, Electrical systemODI 11772054
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S10) · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corolla Hatchback
Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
324135$1,850250
Corolla
Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
314034$1,900257
Corolla XSE
Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
313834$1,900265
Corolla
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950267
Corolla
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293933$1,950266
Corolla Hatchback XSE
Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950266
Corolla
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,000277
Corolla XLE
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293732$2,000274
Corolla Hatchback
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283731$2,050280
  • Corolla Hatchback
    Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    32 city · 41 hwy · $1,850/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    31 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla XSE
    Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    31 city · 38 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    29 city · 39 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla Hatchback XSE
    Auto (AV-S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla XLE
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    29 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Corolla Hatchback
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Corolla 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14131Vehicle 14129
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Corolla questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Corolla problems?

Owners filed 313 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (111), power train (40), electrical system (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Toyota Corolla get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Toyota Corolla at 31–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Toyota Corolla 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026