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Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2020 Toyota Corolla

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 306 safety complaints about the 2020 Toyota Corolla with the US government. Of those, 22 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 23 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 108 complaints, 35% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 10,000 miles, the median across the 68 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

306 complaints on file

306

Complaints

22

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

23

People injured

1

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints halved year on year: 38 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 79 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 108 · 35%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 79 · 26%
POWER TRAIN 39 · 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 23 · 8%
AIR BAGS 17 · 6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 17 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14 · 5%
STRUCTURE 11 · 4%
SEAT BELTS 8 · 3%
STEERING 8 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 7 · 2%
0 46 92

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 306.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 114.

120 90 60 30
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Toyota COROLLA, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD 5 HB FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.5% 10.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

23V865000 · December 20, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 999,901 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V682000 · November 4, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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 20LA01.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,525,742 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

19V877000 · December 11, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 9,468 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

1 death · 1 injured · crash · towed

THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON US 20 IN WOOD COUNTY OHIO WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A WESTBOUND VEHICLE. THE WEBBING WHICH ATTACHES THE SEATBELT BUCKLE TO THE VEHICLE FAILED AND TORN CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO COME FREE, UNABLE TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER ULTIMATELY SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THIS IS BEING SUBMITTED BY OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CRASH RECONSTRUCTION.

NHTSA complaint 11267694. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 3,700 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 CALL THE VEHICLE AS I WAS ADVISED. MY VEHICLE HAS DEFECTS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW THINKING IT COULD KEEP ME SAFE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED ME AND FAILED TO ADHERE TO VEHICLE SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint 11366231. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

Car hydroplaned and spun out. It collided with a cement barrier on the front, back, and drivers side. Car was deemed a total loss. No airbags deployed at any point. Drivers safety put at risk as she hit her head on the driver's side door. Car displayed the message "ABS system malfunctioned" once Car came to stand still. Also, daughters car seat detached from the seat belt lock, sending her car seat sideways. Locks did not keep her secure.

NHTSA complaint 11476813. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

3 injured · crash

I am not sure what the component is but I am driving and as I accelerate the gas my car will lose power to increase speed. If I am at the stop sign or stop light and I proceed to go the car will stall and not get going once I place my foot on the gas. I have reached out to the dealer by phone and when I have obtained service I am being advised that it's nothing. But I have experienced it on multiple occasions and even had an accident and nothing is being done to resolve the issue. I know that it can't be normal for the vehicle to do that and I am tired of getting the run around in regards to it. I was able to see that there has been a recall but do not see that it is in regard to me vin

NHTSA complaint 11481575, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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.

NHTSA complaint 11765259. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The CV joint, there is a clicking sound when sharp turns are make to include U-turns. Spoke with a mechanic and was instructed to reach out to the dealership and check for recall on it. I did see any but I see a Technical Service Bulletin ( TSB-0106-20) for 2015- 2021 Corolla models regarding a potential clinking noise during sharp turns and u turns. This may have started three months ago. It is more noticeable now that I am driving more.

NHTSA complaint 11764378. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Part is the coolant bypass valve. Toyota has been taken to court but dealership claims now that I’m over 100k miles I can’t do it. There was also a second part about 10 years but I wasn’t clear on the details of the outcome. Toyota has acknowledged this issue in court but failed to do so at the customer level in my case. engine light came on at 97k and now I’m at 104k which is over that 100k mark. Issue is I’ve only take my car to Toyota for repairs. They have known about this but failed to repair or notify me of it. I would have immediately brought my car in at 97k if. I had known. This puts not only me but my 3 kids and entire family at risk every time i drive. This is known to the

NHTSA complaint 11755244, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
FAILED COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The manual transmission Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) failed internally. Due to caustic hydraulic fluid contamination and severe system pressure loss, I had to replace the internal CSC unit, the clutch disc, the pressure plate, the flywheel, the master clutch cylinder, and the hydraulic clutch lines. The failed components have been retained and are available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The plastic housing of the OEM slave cylinder cracked internally, spraying caustic hydraulic brake fluid inside the transmission bell housing and completely coating the flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch friction disc. This caused an immediate, sudden loss of

NHTSA complaint 11755364, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DESIGN FLAW & SAFETY RISK: Toyota critically mismatched the standard battery to the vehicle's electrical charging profile; an AGM battery should be specified from the factory. Engine programming drops alternator voltage during cruising, deeply discharging the battery, and forces high-voltage surges (15V+) into it during deceleration. Because standard batteries cannot handle these rapid recharge loads during deceleration, the internal thermal load routinely overheats and boils the liquid electrolyte, even when brand new. This continuous boiling vents volatile hydrogen gas and discharges corrosive battery acid inside the engine bay. This structural flaw culminated in an immediate safety

NHTSA complaint 11755366, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Design issue: The 12th-generation (E210) Corolla manual transmission utilizes a CSC unit containing plastic/ABS components that owners and forum communities frequently cite as a weak point prone to premature leakage and mechanical failure. This occured to my corolla on a roadway and presented a severe safety hazard.

NHTSA complaint 11754045. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota Corolla

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 17 1 —
2025 31 0 —
2024 63 2 1
2023 73 3 —
2022 101 0 —
2021 185 1 —
2019 203 5 1
2018 134 3 1
2017 178 3 —
2016 214 1 —
2015 220 1 —
2014 269 2 1
2013 201 5 —
2012 446 5 —
2011 584 9 —
2010 1,244 17 —

Other 2020 Toyota models

RAV4 635 Highlander 317 Camry 274 Tacoma 87 C-HR 64 Tundra 46 Sienna 38 4Runner 33

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Toyota on this site — 281 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst