2020 Toyota Corolla Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Corolla years
- More complaints than other years 11th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- 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.

- 310owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 22complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2020 Toyota Corolla problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 111 | 36% | 10,000 | “bypass valve” (65%) | $850 |
| Unknown or Other | 79 | 25% | 1,200 | — | — |
| Power Train | 40 | 13% | 9,295 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 33 | 11% | 37,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 24 | 8% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 17 | 5% | 3,700 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 17 | 5% | 1,050 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 | 5% | 13,530 | — | — |
| Structure | 12 | 4% | 34,825 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 3% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 8 | 3% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 7 | 2% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 7 | 2% | 6,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2% | 11,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 1% | 2,661 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 1% | 3,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 1% | 55,600 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 1% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 1% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 0% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 0% | 3,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2020 Toyota Corolla recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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 pump
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/other
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…
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…
I am unable to lock or unlock the driverâs 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 driverâs door. I consider this a significant safety concern because the…
My Engine Maintenance light came on around 59,400 miles for my Coolest Control valve !! Needed it to be replaced! Light wonât go off just had it serviced for an oil change before this started!!
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…
Other Toyota Corolla years
← 2019 Corolla · 2021 Corolla →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Corolla | 17 | 1 |
| 2025 Corolla | 31 | 0 |
| 2024 Corolla | 65 | 2 |
| 2023 Corolla | 73 | 3 |
| 2022 Corolla | 101 | 0 |
| 2021 Corolla | 186 | 1 |
| 2020 | 310 | 3 |
| 2019 Corolla | 204 | 5 |
| 2018 Corolla | 135 | 3 |
| 2017 Corolla | 178 | 3 |
| 2016 Corolla | 215 | 1 |
| 2015 Corolla | 220 | 1 |
| 2014 Corolla | 269 | 2 |
| 2013 Corolla | 201 | 5 |
| 2012 Corolla | 446 | 5 |
| 2011 Corolla | 584 | 9 |
| 2010 Corolla | 1,244 | 17 |
| 2009 Corolla | 1,459 | 13 |
| 2008 Corolla | 314 | 6 |
| 2007 Corolla | 836 | 6 |
| 2006 Corolla | 840 | 7 |
| 2005 Corolla | 854 | 6 |
| 2004 Corolla | 477 | 9 |
| 2003 Corolla | 720 | 9 |
| 2002 Corolla | 117 | 0 |
| 2001 Corolla | 133 | 0 |
| 2000 Corolla | 145 | 0 |
| 1999 Corolla | 155 | 0 |
| 1998 Corolla | 225 | 0 |
| 1997 Corolla | 135 | 1 |
| 1996 Corolla | 129 | 0 |
| 1995 Corolla | 176 | 2 |
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.