2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

I am reporting Certification Fraud and severe safety violations by Central Florida Toyota. This vehicle was sold as "Toyota Gold Certified" on March 28, 2026, while having an active safety recall (NHTSA 26V203) with no available remedy. Furthermore, a professional inspection revealed a high-voltage hybrid system leak and structural damage (bondo/rust) on engine mounts, indicating a hidden prior collision. The 160-point inspection was falsified to mask these defects. Although the contract was eventually unwound, this vehicle was sold in a lethal condition, violating federal safety standards.

I was driving on a cold day. When I stopped at a stoplight seeking to make a left turn, the car would not accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal. I looked down and saw the following warning sign "Engine Stopped, Steering Power Low" appear on the dashboard. However, since the car was not in park, it had rolled forward and was close to the being in the nearest lane of oncoming traffic. It was also difficult to steer to avoid creeping closer to oncoming traffic. Although it did not cause an accident, it easily could have. I took the car to several mechanics, because the car is under a CarMax warranty. However, none of the diagnostics revealed anything of concern (no weak battery, lack of power steering fluid, etc.). The mechanics said they had heard about this happening, but were unable to pinpoint any reason for it occuring. This seems like a serious flaw.

Vehicle displayed a “power brake loss” on the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid instrument cluster upon trying to start it. After not being able to turn the vehicle on, I exited the vehicle to ensure my key fob was in my pocket. All electronics worked. After roughly 4 minutes of being in the car all power was loss - battery drained. Towing company that my Toyota Dealership Provides had a number out of service so a different towing service came out and jumped my car - my warranty couldn’t be used since the towing company didn’t answer. The towing technician let me know that Toyota put in an extremely low voltage battery in my Hybrid. He expressed how the standard for these vehicles is AGM or high performance batteries to ensure stable voltage for hybrid management, and compatibility with regenerative systems - using the right part prevents electrical issues. My brakes are connected to my electrical system. By putting in weak batteries and below standard expectation is putting their consumers at many risks with electrical malfunctions. I was informed by the dealer after getting it replaced this is the Toyota Manufacturer issue and I had a technician even agree the weak batteries will only help in getting consumers back to a dealer quicker.

ATTACHMENTS OF PICTURES FOR COMPLAINT NUMBER 11688637. [XXX] [XXX] . 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross The scanned pictures shows all the warning lights displayed on my vehicle. A NEW COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED YET IT CONTINUES TO REFLECT THESE LIGHTS. A NEW SWITCH ASSY, HOSE VENTILATOR, VALVE ASY, OI AND COMPUTER ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY THE DEALER ORDERED INJECTOR SET, ALONG WITH SWITCH, PUSH. HONESTLY, THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND, PARTS WILL BE ORDERED CONTINUOSLY. THE DANGER WAS WHEN THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD WENT BLANK, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION STALLED TO SHIFT GEAR. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE CEO OF TOYOTA IN PUERTO RICO. I EXPLAINED TO THEM MY LIFE IS AT RISK. THEY DECIDED TO GIVE ME A RENTAL UNTIL THE NEW PARTS COME IN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. MY VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND TOYOTA DOES NOT CARE IF I DIE OR LIVE. WHO KNOWS IF OTHER INDIVIDUALS IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS IMPERATIVE MATTER. THIS VEHICLE WILL BE TWO YEARS IN NOVEMBER 2025. VEHICLE COMPUTERS LAST IN EXCESS OF TEN YEARS. ALL THE LIGHTS BELOW STAYED ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE TECHNICIAN KEEP REMOVING THE BATTERY FOR RESETTING PURPOSES, WHEREAS ALL WARNING SIGNALS DISPLAYED ONCE MORE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I purchased a brand-new 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross LE on [XXX], in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, selling price, $31, 500.00 Early July 2025, I started the vehicle, and unexpectedly, multiple lights emerged on the dashboard screen per below, Exhibit 1 - Check Engine - Visit your dealer Exhibit 2 -Drive Start Control Malfunction - Visit your dealer Exhibit 3 - Parking Brake Malfunction Exhibit 4 - Secondary Collision - Brake System Malfunction Exhibit 5- Parking System Malfunction The vehicle was taken to Island Toyota on July 5th. The codes were cleared by removing the battery terminal. Two days later, the warning lights reappeared. After the technician performed diagnostic testing, I received a phone call to pick up the vehicle. The total cost of the ordered parts exceeds $2,000, which includes a computer. This vehicle is under warranty, particular vehicle IS NOT TWO YEARS OLD. This vehicle is a LEMON. I spoke with Carlos Rivera, a Customer Service Agent at Toyota of Puerto Rico. I notified him of this matter via phone calls, and he responded. He stated that his department is the warranty department, solely responsible for ordering parts for vehicles with warranties. He advised me to speak Ms Charla Green, the General Manager for Toyota St. Croix. Not quite sure why she never returns calls and is virtually unfeasible to speak with customers is atrocious. The front desk agents seems to be programmed to let you know Ms Green is not available and the supervisor, Ms Francis, seems uninterested in the daily chronicles with ones vehicle. The Entire department running blind while upper management is collecting hefty salaries. When the poor man cries out in distress, it’s a deep yearning for help and reassurance from the workers getting paid to help. While traversing on the [XXX], with a passenger in the vehicle, approximately, on [XXX], the instrument cluster display went BLANK, the vehicle lost power, slowed down, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

On [XXX], and again on [XXX], vehicle began beeping while driving on the freeway and flashing the following warning messages: 1) 12-Volt Battery Charging - System Malfunction - Stop in a Safe Place - See Owner's Manual 2) AWD System Malfunction - 2WD Mode Engaged - Visit your Dealer 3) Voltage Abnormality - Steering Power Low - Visit Your Dealer Vehicle shut down and lost power steering while driving on the freeway. My safety was put at risk as I could not easily pull my car over to a safe place due to the car losing power, not turning back on, and power steering turning off. This may have resulted in severe injury or death if I had not been able to eventually pull over. Additionally, the safety of others was put at risk as we were travelling at freeway-level speed, which may have resulted in other vehicles being unable to stop, and consequently crash, if my car had stayed in the freeway lane. Both times I had the vehicle towed to Beaverton Toyota Dealership (Address: 4300 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005 / Phone: (503) 626-7200) to be inspected and serviced. The first time I was told it was a bad battery cell, which was replaced on 07/26/25. However, the same situation happened after this replacement on 07/27/25. Currently, vehicle is at Beaverton Toyota dealership being inspected. Vehicle was purchased at Wilsonville Toyota (Address: 9155 Boeckman Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070 / Phone: (503) 582-9040). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving at a moderate speed (june 7, 2025), multiple critical systems of the vehicle suddenly failed. Both dashboard screens (driver and center display) went black, and numerous warning lights appeared afterward, including oil pressure, engine, lane departure, tire pressure, and airbag (SRS) system malfunction. The vehicle accelerated involuntarily, the brakes did not respond, the steering became stiff, and the airbags failed to deploy upon impact with concrete and metal highway barriers. A "System Malfunction" and "SRS Airbag System Malfunction" message appeared. The police report attributes the crash to a vehicle system malfunction. Two days before the incident (June 5, 2025), the vehicle had been serviced by the dealer, and the electronic screen issue had been reported but not addressed. This failure put our lives at serious risk and demonstrates a catastrophic malfunction across safety-critical systems. Photos and documentation are available, and the vehicle is under insurance and legal review.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated the vehicle was designed with the Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking. The contact stated stated while parked and pulling out of a parking lot, the automatic braking system slammed on the brakes abruptly while there was a pedestrian 25 feet away from the vehicle. The contact stated that she sustained whiplash. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and shifting to reverse(R), the alarms sounded, and the vehicle failed to respond because there was another vehicle parked nearby. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was opened. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a Toyota field inspector performed a full inspection of the vehicle several months ago; however, the contact had not been informed of the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the field inspector's diagnostic report was not available. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The contact stated that she was suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the vehicle failure had been affecting the contact's mental health significantly. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact followed up with the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Vehicle horn. It does not sound loud enough to be heard under all conditions by other drivers or pedestrians. Similar vehicles come with two horns: one high frequency and one low frequency. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The described condition certainly can put at risk the driver safety or others. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem was reported to the Toyota Dealership. They said that they tested the horn sound, was compared to a known good model, and did not find a difference in the sound intensity or pitch. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the dealer said that it tested the horn sound and compared it to a known good model. Were th. any warning lamps, mess. or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. When I first took delivery of the vehicle, the horn sounded louder. Below is a copy of the email I sent to Mossy Toyota dealership in San Diego, CA on 11/30/2023: Brian, This morning I left my Green 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE for repair. One of the issues, in the list is the horn not working correctly. FYI, the Cross has TWO horns. One high note and one low note. Horn - Repair or Replace Did you know most vehicles have two horns that sound in concert? If your horn suddenly sounds thin or weak, your 2023 TOYOTA Corolla Cross may need to have its horn replaced. Contact us to help. For more info, see the weblink below: [XXX] 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Horn - 865200R010 | Toyota Parts Overstock, Lakeland FL Horn. 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. Genuine Toyota Part - 865200R010 (8652020300, 86520-0R010). Ships from Toyota Parts Overstock, Lakeland FL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving in the rain with my windshield wipers on, my car suddenly stopped and the message on the car said “engine stopping, steering slowly” and after that it said “press on brakes slowly, engine stopping , steering slowly” and then it started to cut off. I forcibly put it in park and then the engine came back on and the car started to drive fine. An hour later, I turned my car back on and started driving and my screen went black. I turned the car off and turned it back on and it started working again. I think it could be an electrical issue but I don’t know for sure. I bought this car used with a little over 30k miles on it.