Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Toyota Corolla problems

Owners filed 313 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA between Jun 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (111).

Complaints
313
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
23
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Steering8
  11. Forward collision avoidance7
  12. Wheels7
  13. Vehicle speed control5
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201914
202032
202117
202225
202326
2024114
202557
202628

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Service brakes

24 reports6 crashes
“The concentric slave cylinder in my vehicle is a big issue with these cars. There has been so many reports of issues happening with these cars manual transmission Corolla's. This can cause fluid to spew, brakes to stop working, and no longer able to drive the vehicle safely. This part should be recalled and covered by Toyota.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Power train, Service brakesODI 11765259

Air bags

19 reports9 crashes1 related recall
“When I start the car it informs me that my seat belt is not being worn. Even though it is. Then a message appears on my dash that says "Srs airbag system malfunction visit your dealer" My family's safety is at risk if ever involved in a accident with no airbag deployment.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11697356

Visibility/wiper

17 reports
“Windshield Wiper Intermittent setting stopped working, and wipers no long return to their home position. This appears to be a common issue with Toyota. When driving in the rain, the wipers will freeze in the up setting, which is very dangerous for it to occur during heavy rain on the highway causing visibility issues. No warnings of any kind given, the wiper switch appears to just go bad, or wear out over time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11736152
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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