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2020 Toyota Corolla: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data

Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team

Owner complaints
312
Filed with NHTSA
Open investigations
0
None on file
Combined MPG
32–52
EPA rating
Recall campaigns
3

Before you buy a 2020 Corolla

  • Where complaints cluster

    Complaints concentrate on the engine: 27% of the 312 on file. The top components are engine (84, of which 1 mentions a crash and 1 an injury), power train (40, of which 1 mentions a crash and 1 an injury) and electrical system (29, of which 1 a fire). Across all 312 reports, 22 describe a crash, 1 a fire, 15 at least one injury and 1 a death.

  • Recent reports

    33 complaints (11% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the power train (13).

  • Changes from 2019

    A hybrid appears in the 2020 listing for the first time in this range; EPA lists a 2.0-litre four-cylinder for 2020 that does not appear in the 2019 listing; eight recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, equipment, fuel system and others).

  • Fuel economy and running cost

    Its most efficient version (1.8-litre 4-cylinder hybrid) is rated 52 mpg combined, better than most for the 2020 sedans we cover (median 31 mpg across 38 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 32 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $1,240 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,010 in the thirstiest.

Body class
Sedan
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive

Complaint trends

312 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.

Engine 94 (30%)
Other 85 (27%)
Drivetrain 40 (13%)
Electrical 29 (9%)
Visibility & lighting 18 (6%)
Airbag 18 (6%)
Brakes 17 (5%)
Steering 8 (3%)
Fuel system 3 (1%)

Top components as NHTSA logged them:

  • Engine — 83 complaints (27%)
  • Unknown or other — 55 complaints (18%)
  • Power train — 23 complaints (7%)
  • Visibility/wiper — 13 complaints (4%)
  • Air bags — 13 complaints (4%)
  • Electrical system — 12 complaints (4%)

What owners told NHTSA

Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.

“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.”

Engine · received Aug 2026

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned: complete slave cylinder failure resulting in loss of braking and ability to shift.”

Power train · received Oct 2026

“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.”

Electrical system · received Oct 2026

Recalls

3 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classification · 23V865000 · 2023-12-20
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

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.

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump · 20V682000 · 2020-11-04
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012.

Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly · 19V877000 · 2019-12-11
In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

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

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.

Investigations

No NHTSA investigations on file for this model year.

Manufacturer communications

Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.

Equipment 23 documents (2019-10-23 – 2021-02-03)
DateTypeComponent
2021-02-03 service bulletin Equipment
2020-10-27 service bulletin Equipment
2020-10-09 service bulletin Equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility
2020-08-07 service bulletin Equipment, engine
2020-05-28 service bulletin Equipment, structure
2020-04-23 service bulletin Equipment
2020-04-06 service bulletin Equipment
2020-03-19 service bulletin Equipment
2020-03-12 service bulletin Equipment
2020-02-25 service bulletin Equipment, electrical system
2020-02-21 service bulletin Equipment, electrical system
2020-02-18 service bulletin Equipment
2020-02-11 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-27 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-24 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-23 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-22 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-15 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-08 service bulletin Equipment
2020-01-07 service bulletin Equipment, electrical system
2020-01-07 service bulletin Equipment
2019-12-13 service bulletin Equipment
2019-10-23 service bulletin Equipment
Structure:body 19 documents (2020-07-31 – 2024-07-29)
DateTypeComponent
2024-07-29 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-29 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-12 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-12 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-12 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-12 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-12 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-07-12 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-06-21 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-06-21 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-05-17 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-05-15 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-04-19 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-04-19 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-04-19 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-04-19 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-04-19 service bulletin Structure:body
2024-04-19 service bulletin Structure:body
2020-07-31 service bulletin Structure:body
Electrical system 15 documents (2019-11-08 – 2024-04-11)
DateTypeComponent
2024-04-11 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-04-11 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-03-04 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-12-17 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment, engine
2020-11-02 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2020-08-05 service bulletin Electrical system, engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan, equipment
2020-06-18 service bulletin Electrical system
2020-05-18 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2020-05-13 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2020-05-08 service bulletin Electrical system
2020-03-10 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment, service brakes
2020-03-03 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2020-01-29 service bulletin Electrical system
2020-01-15 service bulletin Electrical system
2019-11-08 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
Engine 13 documents (2020-06-12 – 2024-11-13)
DateTypeComponent
2024-11-13 service bulletin Engine
2024-07-15 service bulletin Engine
2024-07-15 service bulletin Engine
2024-06-19 service bulletin Engine
2024-06-19 service bulletin Engine
2024-04-04 service bulletin Engine
2024-04-04 service bulletin Engine
2024-04-01 service bulletin Engine
2024-04-01 service bulletin Engine
2023-11-10 service bulletin Engine, structure
2022-07-07 service bulletin Engine
2020-08-07 service bulletin Engine
2020-06-12 service bulletin Engine
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual 9 documents (1991-01-18 – 2022-12-08)
DateTypeComponent
2022-12-08 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2022-05-26 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2022-03-22 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2021-05-24 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2021-03-22 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2020-12-11 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
2019-12-05 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, electrical system
2001-05-04 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
1991-01-18 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Equipment:electrical 9 documents (2020-01-15 – 2021-10-14)
DateTypeComponent
2021-10-14 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2021-10-01 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2021-09-10 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2021-09-01 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2020-11-10 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2020-10-14 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2020-02-25 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2020-02-18 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
2020-01-15 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
Service brakes 7 documents (2020-12-14 – 2023-04-19)
DateTypeComponent
2023-04-19 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages, back over prevention
2023-02-09 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic, equipment
2023-02-09 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic, air bags
2023-02-09 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic, air bags
2022-03-17 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic, back over prevention
2020-12-14 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic
2020-12-14 service bulletin Service brakes, back over prevention
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) 7 documents (2019-11-18 – 2022-12-07)
DateTypeComponent
2022-12-07 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
2021-05-13 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
2021-05-07 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), electrical…
2020-12-11 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), back over …
2020-08-12 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), electrical…
2019-11-18 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), electrical…
2019-11-18 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), equipment:…
Show all 38 categories
Unknown or other 6 documents (2023-08-17 – 2024-06-17)
DateTypeComponent
2024-06-17 other Unknown or other
2024-06-17 other Unknown or other
2024-06-17 other Unknown or other
2024-06-17 other Unknown or other
2024-02-20 service bulletin Unknown or other, equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning s…
2023-08-17 service bulletin Unknown or other, communication:manufacturer telematics
Structure 5 documents (2020-05-05 – 2022-06-14)
DateTypeComponent
2022-06-14 service bulletin Structure
2022-06-14 service bulletin Structure
2021-11-23 service bulletin Structure
2020-12-14 service bulletin Structure
2020-05-05 service bulletin Structure
Air bags 4 documents (2021-03-17 – 2023-08-16)
DateTypeComponent
2023-08-16 service bulletin Air bags
2023-08-14 service bulletin Air bags
2022-11-23 service bulletin Air bags
2021-03-17 service bulletin Air bags
Steering 4 documents (2019-10-21 – 2022-11-21)
DateTypeComponent
2022-11-21 service bulletin Steering, engine and engine cooling, wheels, back over prevention
2022-07-07 service bulletin Steering, power train
2020-10-21 service bulletin Steering, engine and engine cooling, wheels, back over prevention
2019-10-21 service bulletin Steering
Equipment adaptive/mobility 4 documents (2019-11-27 – 2021-05-19)
DateTypeComponent
2021-05-19 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system, equipment
2020-10-12 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, steering, electrical system, equipment
2020-08-31 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2019-11-27 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment
Electrical system:software 4 documents (2020-06-03 – 2020-08-12)
DateTypeComponent
2020-08-12 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2020-07-23 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2020-07-23 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2020-06-03 service bulletin Electrical system:software, equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. 3 documents (2021-12-21 – 2022-12-19)
DateTypeComponent
2022-12-19 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2022-05-27 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2021-12-21 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
Engine and engine cooling 3 documents (2020-06-23 – 2022-09-28)
DateTypeComponent
2022-09-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-05-27 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2020-06-23 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery 3 documents (2020-07-20 – 2022-03-08)
DateTypeComponent
2022-03-08 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2020-10-06 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2020-07-20 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
Power train 2 documents (2019-12-03 – 2022-07-07)
DateTypeComponent
2022-07-07 service bulletin Power train, steering
2019-12-03 service bulletin Power train, engine
Seats 2 documents (2021-03-05 – 2022-02-01)
DateTypeComponent
2022-02-01 service bulletin Seats
2021-03-05 service bulletin Seats
Visibility 2 documents (2020-04-09 – 2021-09-03)
DateTypeComponent
2021-09-03 service bulletin Visibility, lane departure
2020-04-09 service bulletin Visibility, lane departure
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner 2 documents (2020-03-10 – 2021-07-26)
DateTypeComponent
2021-07-26 service bulletin Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2020-03-10 service bulletin Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Back over prevention 2 documents (2020-12-14 – 2021-03-12)
DateTypeComponent
2021-03-12 service bulletin Back over prevention, service brakes
2020-12-14 service bulletin Back over prevention
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings 2 documents (2020-08-31 – 2020-10-21)
DateTypeComponent
2020-10-21 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
2020-08-31 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings, equipment…
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:key/sender 1 document (2024-03-11)
DateTypeComponent
2024-03-11 service bulletin Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:key/sender
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication 1 document (2024-03-04)
DateTypeComponent
2024-03-04 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication, engine and engine cooling
Lane departure 1 document (2024-02-15)
DateTypeComponent
2024-02-15 service bulletin Lane departure, engine and engine cooling:cooling system, electrical system, se…
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:refrigerant hoses and fittings 1 document (2023-08-21)
DateTypeComponent
2023-08-21 service bulletin Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:refrigerant hoses and fittings
Vehicle speed control 1 document (2023-08-17)
DateTypeComponent
2023-08-17 service bulletin Vehicle speed control, equipment, air bags
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical 1 document (2023-03-27)
DateTypeComponent
2023-03-27 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Electrical system:ADAS 1 document (2022-07-08)
DateTypeComponent
2022-07-08 service bulletin Electrical system:ADAS, equipment
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software 1 document (2022-07-08)
DateTypeComponent
2022-07-08 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software
Communication:manufacturer telematics 1 document (2022-05-13)
DateTypeComponent
2022-05-13 service bulletin Communication:manufacturer telematics
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system 1 document (2022-03-22)
DateTypeComponent
2022-03-22 service bulletin Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system
Electrical system:wiring 1 document (2022-01-28)
DateTypeComponent
2022-01-28 service bulletin Electrical system:wiring
Tires 1 document (2022-01-12)
DateTypeComponent
2022-01-12 service bulletin Tires, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, wheels
Parking brake 1 document (2021-09-02)
DateTypeComponent
2021-09-02 service bulletin Parking brake
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump 1 document (2020-10-16)
DateTypeComponent
2020-10-16 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump, equipment
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system 1 document (2020-07-30)
DateTypeComponent
2020-07-30 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

165 communications on file, grouped into 38 categories.

Fuel economy

TrimEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombined
Corolla Hybrid Hybrid 1.8L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-Wheel Drive 53 52 52
Corolla 2.0L 4cyl Automatic (AV-S10) Front-Wheel Drive 31 40 34
Corolla XSE 2.0L 4cyl Automatic (AV-S10) Front-Wheel Drive 31 38 34
Corolla 1.8L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-Wheel Drive 30 38 33
Corolla 1.8L 4cyl Manual 6-spd Front-Wheel Drive 29 39 33
Corolla 2.0L 4cyl Manual 6-spd Front-Wheel Drive 29 36 32
Corolla XLE 1.8L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-Wheel Drive 29 37 32

Fuel cost calculator

Safety ratings

ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRollover
2020 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD ★★★★★ 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5
2020 Toyota Corolla 5 HB FWD ★★★★★ 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5

Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides