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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine111
- Power train40
- Electrical system35
- Service brakes24
- Air bags19
- Visibility/wiper17
- Fuel/propulsion system14
- Structure13
- Seat belts9
- Steering8
- Forward collision avoidance7
- Wheels7
- Vehicle speed control5
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
14
32
17
25
26
114
57
28
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 114 |
| 2025 | 57 |
| 2026 | 28 |
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.
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…”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.