2020 Toyota Corolla Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 9, 2026 · 310 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Corolla years
More complaints than other years 11th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Corolla. That ranks 11th out of 32 Corolla model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (111 complaints, 36%), typically at around 10,000 miles. Complaints mention 22 crashes, 1 fire, 23 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Toyota Corolla
2019-2022 Toyota Corolla G-X 1.8 (3BA-ZRE212). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2020 Toyota Corolla problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine111 · ~10,000 mi
Unknown or Other79 · ~1,200 mi
Power Train40 · ~9,295 mi
Electrical System33 · ~37,500 mi
Service Brakes24 · ~5,000 mi
Air Bags17 · ~3,700 mi
Visibility/wiper17 · ~1,050 mi
Fuel/propulsion System14 · ~13,530 mi
Structure12 · ~34,825 mi
Seat Belts8 · ~18,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems11136%10,000“bypass valve” (65%)$850
Unknown or Other7925%1,200——
Power Train4013%9,295——
Electrical System3311%37,500——
Service Brakes248%5,000——
Air Bags175%3,700——
Visibility/wiper175%1,050——
Fuel/propulsion System145%13,530——
Structure124%34,825——
Seat Belts83%18,000——
Steering83%12,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance72%73,000——
Wheels72%6,000——
Vehicle Speed Control52%11,500——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)41%2,661——
Exterior Lighting31%3,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline31%55,600——
Tires31%18,000——
Back Over Prevention21%———
Lane Departure21%30,000——
Carry Handle, Shell, Base10%———
Engine and Engine Cooling10%1,500——
Latches/locks/linkages10%85,000——
Suspension10%———
Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle)10%———
Visibility10%3,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 114 complaints
2019: 132019132020: 322020322021: 172021172022: 252022252023: 262023262024: 11420241142025: 562025562026: 27202627

n = 310 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 Toyota Corolla recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationDec 20, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpNov 4, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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 20LA01.

Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly; seat belts:rear/otherDec 11, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V877000 · 9,468 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Electrical System · received Oct 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770186

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…

Power Train · received Oct 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769934

I am unable to lock or unlock the driver’s side door of my 2020 Toyota Corolla using the key fob because the door lock actuator is no longer functioning properly. I must manually use the physical key to lock and unlock the driver’s door. I consider this a significant safety concern because the…

Electrical System · received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768984

My Engine Maintenance light came on around 59,400 miles for my Coolest Control valve !! Needed it to be replaced! Light won’t go off just had it serviced for an oil change before this started!!

Electrical System · received Oct 3, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768781

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…

Service Brakes · received Sep 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11765259

Other Toyota Corolla years

← 2019 Corolla · 2021 Corolla →

See all Toyota Corolla problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 111 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 Toyota Corolla a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Corolla model years, the 2020 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.