COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Toyota Corolla electrical problems

878 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

52 crash reports78 fire reports24 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

539 reports with mileage · 339 unknown

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 owners actually said

878 reports
2023 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

Two weeks and three days after picking up my 2023 Corolla Cross from the dealership, I was in stop and go traffic on a busy road. I came to a stop at a red light and my car started making a continuous beeping noise. The display alternated between "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low" and "Engine Stopped Press Brake Firmly to Resta…

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Two weeks and three days after picking up my 2023 Corolla Cross from the dealership, I was in stop and go traffic on a busy road. I came to a stop at a red light and my car started making a continuous beeping noise. The display alternated between "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low" and "Engine Stopped Press Brake Firmly to Restart." I pressed the brake VERY firmly multiple times, with no effect. When the light turned green, I tried to move my car to the side of the road, but it did not move. The cars behind me -- including the semi truck directly behind me -- started cutting into traffic in an attempt to get around. I finally put it in park and tried to turn it off, which finally turned the engine back on. (I only had to press the start/stop button once.) Once the engine came on, the car worked normally. The dealership has not been able to reproduce the problem, but an internet search shows that this is not an isolated incident.

NHTSA ODI #11509243

2023 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Electrical SystemSteering

Engine stopped at a red light and I had an indicator saying that the power steering was low and to press the brake to reset. Try to once it happened yesterday two 222/2023

NHTSA ODI #11508673

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I purchased a Toyota three years ago, immediately I complained about the brakes scrubbing and squeaky sounds, the dealer denied anything was wrong with the brakes. After paying the last payment the other day, now the brake pedal is stiff as a board and takes alot of pressure to stop, which is a safety hazzard to all. Also there…

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I purchased a Toyota three years ago, immediately I complained about the brakes scrubbing and squeaky sounds, the dealer denied anything was wrong with the brakes. After paying the last payment the other day, now the brake pedal is stiff as a board and takes alot of pressure to stop, which is a safety hazzard to all. Also there have been no warning lights come on notification of any problems. I've also noticed Electrical problems like the dash lights going off and on the clock works when it takes a notion.

NHTSA ODI #11508769

2023 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

At a stop, the engine shuts off. This is normal. In two instances, the vehicle threw up multiple warning lights (Press Brake Firmly to Restart) and would not start on the release of the brake. The second incident happened on a hill and the vehicle began to roll backwards. The vehicle then needs to be put in park, shut off an…

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At a stop, the engine shuts off. This is normal. In two instances, the vehicle threw up multiple warning lights (Press Brake Firmly to Restart) and would not start on the release of the brake. The second incident happened on a hill and the vehicle began to roll backwards. The vehicle then needs to be put in park, shut off and restarted. On the restart it moves again. The dealer was called about this, but said they didn't know it was a problem. They cannot replicate. The safety issue is that the car needs to restart to drive again. At a green light, the car is at risk of being hit since it won't be moving, as expected. It is also a problem that when the brake is released and the issue happens the car can roll backward.

NHTSA ODI #11508173

2022 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

There has been several instances where I’m trying to cross a divided Highway and the accelerator doesn’t respond. I’ve had three near death experiences. There’s been other times where it will just shut off and restart without a warning. It’s been in my driveway thankfully. When I pull out in front of someone, it doesn’t respond …

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There has been several instances where I’m trying to cross a divided Highway and the accelerator doesn’t respond. I’ve had three near death experiences. There’s been other times where it will just shut off and restart without a warning. It’s been in my driveway thankfully. When I pull out in front of someone, it doesn’t respond either. I have had the pedal all the way down to the floor and it wouldn’t go for about 5-6 seconds

NHTSA ODI #11507910

2023 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I was at a stoplight and the car cut off. Not the normal auto power down feature, there was no power. A message saying press the brake down to restart appeared. Then a message saying steering power low appeared. The check engine light came on. I pressed the break down, and the vehicle did not restart. I put the car in park then …

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I was at a stoplight and the car cut off. Not the normal auto power down feature, there was no power. A message saying press the brake down to restart appeared. Then a message saying steering power low appeared. The check engine light came on. I pressed the break down, and the vehicle did not restart. I put the car in park then restarted it and was able to drive again. But at the very next light, the same thing happened.

NHTSA ODI #11507634

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrash

12/09/2019, The ECU did not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that occurred during the collision. Airbags did not deploy in the event of under ride collision, a freak accident involving wildlife crossing the street. Seat belt pretensioners did not engage. I called Allstate insurance that same day. Had I …

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12/09/2019, The ECU did not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that occurred during the collision. Airbags did not deploy in the event of under ride collision, a freak accident involving wildlife crossing the street. Seat belt pretensioners did not engage. I called Allstate insurance that same day. Had I not worn my seat belt, I might have gone through the windshield. Safety was in danger, and not protected. Meineke informed me the oil housing component, fused onto the component that allows for an oil change because it was made with a plastic material, that is an incorrect material, Oxygen sensor lit up after that finding. Vehicle is not available for inspection upon request. Tyler Law Enforcement might have inspected the vehicle in general. My VIN for my vehicle does not describe the style of my vehicle, which is a 2016 Toyota Carolla Sport, Red.

NHTSA ODI #11505391

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

The car was in a traffic jam, when the car automatically turned off and the control panel started to display the battery signal. This event occurred when the car was in the middle of a road. The car was pushed by other person to a safety area and then it was turned on. This situation never happened before. The vehicle battery i…

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The car was in a traffic jam, when the car automatically turned off and the control panel started to display the battery signal. This event occurred when the car was in the middle of a road. The car was pushed by other person to a safety area and then it was turned on. This situation never happened before. The vehicle battery is practically new and after the incident, the battery signal (lamp) has not been activated. The vehicle was evaluated by a Toyota authorized dealer, cleaning the combustion system, but there is uncertainty that this situation can occur again. A car that automatically turned off in the middle of the road is a safety issue for the driver and passengers, and also for other drivers.

NHTSA ODI #11499073

2005 model year · 299,999 miles · Dec 13, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 73 MPH, the contact became aware that the odometer mileage was not changing. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 299,999. The …

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The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 73 MPH, the contact became aware that the odometer mileage was not changing. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 299,999. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11497339

2020 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2022
Electrical SystemPower Train

1. First problem I had with my 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE: SAFETY RECALL 20TA07 (Backup LampsMay Become Inoperative) - 10.29.2020 2. Second problem was with the software draining the battery way too rapidly, which made me unable to start my car. I had to have a tow truck come by and he was able to recharge the battery (he…

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1. First problem I had with my 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE: SAFETY RECALL 20TA07 (Backup LampsMay Become Inoperative) - 10.29.2020 2. Second problem was with the software draining the battery way too rapidly, which made me unable to start my car. I had to have a tow truck come by and he was able to recharge the battery (he knew to do that with my car instead of towing it away, because he was seeing this type of issue with this type of car a lot). I took it to my local toyota dealership and had them inspect it. They told me that they need to update the software of the vehicle and that I should not be having this problem again after. *EL1934 FIRMWARE UPDATE (5.21.2021)* 3. Third problem I had was with the temperature gauge. The needle pointer in the dash did not go up and stay in the middle between C & H. It stayed closer to C (cold). It took longer than it should have to heat up the interior of the car when I turn the heat on in the morning. I took it to my local toyota dealership and after they inspected this issue, they told me that they needed to replace the thermostat unit. *MA001 THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY* (3.19.22) 4. Fourth problem is with the transmission. I felt jerking motions from the car when accelerating and when braking-coming to a stop. **26312 CAR JERKING UPON ACCELERATION /FOUND TRNSMISSION CODE /NEED NEW TRANS ASSY UPON INSPECTION AND HEATLH CHFCK FOUND CODE P07457F AND PO7757F SOLENOID A B BOTH STUCK OFF /REST MEMORY /NO CHANGED /FOUND NEED NEW TRANS MISSION ASSY /REMOVE AND REPLACE TRANMISSION ASSY AND PERFORM RESET AND INITIALIZATION/PERFORM HYDRULIC AND ELECTRICAL TEST /NO PROBLEM FOUND /PROBLEM AT THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF CAR JECKING UPON ACCELERATION** Transmission, Automatic - Replace* (12.10.2022) I found out online that the transmission problem was known for 2018-2020 corolla hatchbacks, but Toyota did not replace it immediately. There should be a general recall for the transmissions for these vehicles ASAP!

NHTSA ODI #11496954

Related Official recalls

3

95V195001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Oct 11, 1995

THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION, OR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BATTERIES.

94V220000 · Electrical System:wiring

Nov 8, 1994

AN UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND SUNROOF WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER THE FLOOR CARPET IN THE LEFT KICK PANEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED, THE SALT WATER OR SNOW CARRIED INTO THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER'S SHOES CAN PENETRATE THE CARPET AND DRIP ONTO THE CONNECTOR RESULTING IN THE FORMATION OF A SALT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT INSIDE THE HARNESS, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED HARNESS CONNECTOR.

83V133000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Dec 8, 1983

VOLTAGE REGULATOR WHICH CONTROLS THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR, MAY HAVE MANUFACTURING ERRORS IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. THE REGULATOR MAY OVERCHARGE THE BATTERY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AT NO CHARGE.

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

Related NHTSA investigations

1

PE87057 · Igniter Assembly Failure

Opened Sep 10, 1987 · Closed Mar 30, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

SUMMARY: TOYOTA RECOVERED SOME FAILED IGNITION CONTROL MODULES FROM THEFIELD. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A SOLDER JOINT IN THE POWER TRANSISTOROF THE MODULE WAS SUBJECT TO FAILURE. BECAUSE THE PART IS AN EMISSIONRELATED COMPONENT A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS CONDUCTED.THE PREDOMINANT MODE OF FAILURE IS AN INABILITY TO START THE ENGINE,ALTHOUGH A STALLED CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.SINCE THE REPORTED OCCURENCE OF ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS SMALL, AND THEREPAIR IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN, THELIKLEHOOD OF FURTHER ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS REMOTE.===