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2020 Toyota Corolla Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Corolla, most often about the engine (36% of complaints, typically around 10,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2020 Toyota Corolla problems
Engine
112 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Engine abnormal shift downward while driving regularly. I feel the shift is not smooth even feels like a defect in the engine shift system 17,000 miles mostly happens regularly driving on city streets and a bit less happens on the parkway but does happen. The shifts are hard to ignore I remember the very time I felt…
On more than one occasion I was going between 5-10 miles an hour and the car sputtered and felt like it was going to shut off. I told the dealership when I took the car in for regular service and the told me the computer did not find anything wrong and they could not replicate the problem when driving it. Also when…
Other or unspecified
79 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
A glare from the steering column prevents you from seeing the instrument cluster during the day. Hazardous as you can't see your speed or the information screens about the vehicle. Car is affected anytime during the day.
Vehicle has a very hard shift out of launch "first gear" when low on fuel or the engine is cold. Dealership (sheehy Toyota in fredericksburg va) and could experience the same feeling on light to moderate acceleration. I informed the dealership that the feeling they were experiencing is minor compared to what it…
Transmission
40 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of fort walton beach located at 777 beal pkwy nw, fort walton beach, fl 32547, to be diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the…
Vehicle has a very hard shift out of launch "first gear" when low on fuel or the engine is cold. Dealership (sheehy Toyota in fredericksburg va) and could experience the same feeling on light to moderate acceleration. I informed the dealership that the feeling they were experiencing is minor compared to what it…
Electrical
33 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "communication module failure" was activated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure…
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the contact started driving, and a voice message was heard coming from the speaker on the driverâs side door, stating that the communication module had failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed…
Brakes
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles.
I was driving down a hill approaching a stop sign when my brakes gave out and stopped working the road was damp and it was slight rain. I pressed down on my brakes 5 times and nothing happened to make the car stop so my car kept driving towards a ditch and I almost fell off a hill into more trees.
On slow braking at speeds like 1-2mph, the pedal vibrates with spring effect. The issue is with brake pedal spring which Toyota is not ready to fix. Shown to dealership, and service director at dealership said they cannot reproduce the issue and sent me away. Second time, I filed complaint and had Toyota tech had a…
Air bags
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 3,500 miles.
I was hit from behind by a speeder in which caused significant damages to my vehicle. No airbags deployed. I was advised when purchasing this car that Toyota connects detects crashes and that the emergency system would call the car. Unfortunately, not only did the airbags not deploy but the emergency system didn't not…
When I was driving on the way to work. Other car from the side hit to my car. I wore the seatbelt but the airbags didn't work. One day, after the accident my body felt hurt especially the shoulder and the back. I went to see a chiropractor to check then they said I needed to do treatment at least a few months.
Visibility and wipers
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
The windshield washer fluid sprays over the car onto cars/road behind the car. The washer fluid also sprays into the car of the sunroof is open. Toyota dealership reports that it's 'operating as designed' and did not fix the problem. This is concerning because it could distract the driver behind me when I try to clean…
I was driving down the road and my driver window blew up. Yes, it blew up into a million pieces all over me and hit my face. Nothing had hit my windshield. None of my windows were down. I thought I was getting shot at, the noise of it blowing terrified me! I took my car to Toyota and said there was nothing they could…
Fuel system
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to move off from a standstill, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure…
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle became difficult to operate. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Toyota Corolla recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2020 Toyota Corolla
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (112 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles); other or unspecified (79 complaints, typically around 1,000 miles); transmission (40 complaints, typically around 9,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 20, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Toyota Corolla?
- It is 11th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints, with 310 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.