← New search

2020 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Corolla years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Corolla are substantially higher than the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 68 of 305 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports1 fire reports15 injury reports

Engine complaints

108 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2024
Engine

The coolant bypass valve in some Toyota models has been malfunctioning recently and has become a common issue. Dealer confirmed that this was the issue per attached diagnostic report/invoice copy. Costs were >$800 to repair the issue for a <$100 part and 30 minutes of labor. The "Engine Maintenance Required" warning was visib…

Read full complaint

The coolant bypass valve in some Toyota models has been malfunctioning recently and has become a common issue. Dealer confirmed that this was the issue per attached diagnostic report/invoice copy. Costs were >$800 to repair the issue for a <$100 part and 30 minutes of labor. The "Engine Maintenance Required" warning was visible in the display. Unsure as to the short or long-term effects of this malfunctioning part, but as it's related to the cooling system of the vehicle, it may trigger other more serious issues.

NHTSA ODI #11568354

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

Around 40k miles I received an Engine Maintenance Required warning. After some research Engine Maintenance and Engine Service Required are two very different indicators. I received and P2681 code meaning the electrical coolant bypass valve had failed unfortunately one can’t tell if it’s stuck shut or open this could lead to one’…

Read full complaint

Around 40k miles I received an Engine Maintenance Required warning. After some research Engine Maintenance and Engine Service Required are two very different indicators. I received and P2681 code meaning the electrical coolant bypass valve had failed unfortunately one can’t tell if it’s stuck shut or open this could lead to one’s care over heating and or damaging one’s engine. After some research I’ve come to find out most 2020-2024 corollas have been having this issue tends to happen about 30-50k miles

NHTSA ODI #11566170

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2023
Engine

Coolant bypass valve failure. Replacement part carried the same defect.

NHTSA ODI #11557060

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2023
Engine

In the past week at 30,700 miles, my 2020 Toyota Corolla "Engine Maintenance light; see dealer" service light appeared on the dash. Through talking with a Toyota dealer, they are aware of this issue with Corollas, Camrys, and Rav4's. It is an engine coolant bypass valve, and appears to be faulty in many vehicles according to you…

Read full complaint

In the past week at 30,700 miles, my 2020 Toyota Corolla "Engine Maintenance light; see dealer" service light appeared on the dash. Through talking with a Toyota dealer, they are aware of this issue with Corollas, Camrys, and Rav4's. It is an engine coolant bypass valve, and appears to be faulty in many vehicles according to youtube videos, google, and Toyota service. Perhaps this needs to be a recall? Also, the dealer wants almost $800 to repair even though many people do it on youtube in under an hour. Parts are less than $200, and 1.5 hours of labor do not add up to $800.

NHTSA ODI #11552606

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2023
EngineService BrakesWheels

I had to replace all four tires before reaching 40k miles. Brakes needed to be fully replaced with only two years of driving it. AND Engine Maintenance Light on for an issue with the coolant bypass valve, not covered under warranty. This is causing issues with the engine, when driving even at 25 miles per hour or at 65 the car s…

Read full complaint

I had to replace all four tires before reaching 40k miles. Brakes needed to be fully replaced with only two years of driving it. AND Engine Maintenance Light on for an issue with the coolant bypass valve, not covered under warranty. This is causing issues with the engine, when driving even at 25 miles per hour or at 65 the car sounds like its dragging or forcing itself, the wheel shake & car feels unbalanced even with a tire alignment. Overall i give the car a 2.5 out 5 star in performance. The body of the car is so fragile and made by very cheap materials. Spending a fortune on this vehicle and it hasnt even reached 60k miles yet.

NHTSA ODI #11546144

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2023
Engine

Engine maintenance light came on and found out I had replace coolant bypass valve. Apparently this is an issue many 2020 corollas and RAV4 have issues with and need replacement. There’s no reason or rhyme as to why it becomes faulty but should be recalled as many people have the same issue and dealership are aware of this issue.…

Read full complaint

Engine maintenance light came on and found out I had replace coolant bypass valve. Apparently this is an issue many 2020 corollas and RAV4 have issues with and need replacement. There’s no reason or rhyme as to why it becomes faulty but should be recalled as many people have the same issue and dealership are aware of this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11537654

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

Just bought a used 20 Corolla SE and put less then 500 miles on it and got a "maintenance required return to dealer" notification on the dash and a warning message in my information screen via infotainment system. Dealer said they got nothing via a scan. The issue is the Coolant Bypass Valve. I reset the light on the dash and re…

Read full complaint

Just bought a used 20 Corolla SE and put less then 500 miles on it and got a "maintenance required return to dealer" notification on the dash and a warning message in my information screen via infotainment system. Dealer said they got nothing via a scan. The issue is the Coolant Bypass Valve. I reset the light on the dash and restarted my car with air off and it did not come back on. The second you turn on the air (the A/C in particular) the light immediately popped back on along with a new warning message. I've looked around and there's literally THOUSANDS of people reporting the same issue all on vehicles between 15k and 100k miles. The dealers also charge at least $600-$1100 to remedy this all too common issue as they will tell you it is not covered under warranty. I'm unsure of what promised damage to the vehicle could be but I know for a fact it's not nothing. Everyone is dumbstruck with how many people have this issue and there is still no Recall on this clearly terribly made Coolant Bypass Valve. It seems to apply of us that this is just a cash grab for Toyota

NHTSA ODI #11528747

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2023
Engine

Coolant bypass valve problem. Engine maintenance required light has come on. This part affects several other components of the vehicle. Toyota dealership wants to charge $800 to fix it. It is a very common issue faced by many customers of 2020+ Corollas and 2019+ Rav4s. All dealerships with service departments are aware of this …

Read full complaint

Coolant bypass valve problem. Engine maintenance required light has come on. This part affects several other components of the vehicle. Toyota dealership wants to charge $800 to fix it. It is a very common issue faced by many customers of 2020+ Corollas and 2019+ Rav4s. All dealerships with service departments are aware of this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11527522

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
Engine

Coolant leak due to engine defect from manufacture.

NHTSA ODI #11518912

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I have only had the car for a year and a half, and I have already had to replace the battery which was less than 2 years old, all 4 tires (2 at 40000 miles and 2 at 48000), and now the engine wiring harness somehow got severed and has to be replaced which is almost $6k repair!

NHTSA ODI #11497880

Official recalls

3

23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 20, 2023

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 & remedy

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

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 & remedy

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. 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.

19V877000 · Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly; Seat Belts:rear/other

Dec 11, 2019

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 & remedy

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.

Seat Belts:rear/other

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota Corolla problems