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
2021 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

Around 1900-2000 miles of ownership, 6 months after purchase, I was driving on I95 in the rain, 65 MPH, traffic in West Palm Beach, Fl, on my way to Apple(Mall). Upon exit, my engine completely stalled out. I pulled off road, not smoothly at all, turned off the car and it restarted 30 minutes later so I resumed my travels. The n…

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Around 1900-2000 miles of ownership, 6 months after purchase, I was driving on I95 in the rain, 65 MPH, traffic in West Palm Beach, Fl, on my way to Apple(Mall). Upon exit, my engine completely stalled out. I pulled off road, not smoothly at all, turned off the car and it restarted 30 minutes later so I resumed my travels. The next day, my vehicle alerted me that the communication module had blown, not in those words. I had called Toyota and told the representative of the spoken alert and she informed me to go to dealership. They were clueless how to fix and reset battery. This communication is vital for all modules to perform safety features. Today I had a large screw in tire and no alerts of low pressure. Tire read 12 lbs pressure. My lane departure/correction doesnt work half of the time. My attorney has informed me that he hears there are concerning issues involved and noncompliance has led to him filing suit today. Software Source code leaked and left open on GitHub for 5 years has compromised the safety of all connected customers and their devices.

NHTSA ODI #11491250

2020 model year · 85,000 miles · Oct 19, 2022
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle emitted an abnormal slushing sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon parking and inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the abnormal sound was coming from the front driver's side…

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The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle emitted an abnormal slushing sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon parking and inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the abnormal sound was coming from the front driver's side door. The contact then moved each door of the vehicle from side to side and noticed that the failure occurred on the front passenger's side door and the front and rear driver's side doors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions and the water was drained from the doors; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the repair of the vehicle. The contact stated that it had been two months and the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that he was concerned for his safety as he was a disabled veteran. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11489938

2020 model year · 60,000 miles · Sep 26, 2022
Electrical System

Battery and alternator died causing power steering to fail and wheels to lock up. Should not happen on a car this new, brought to dealer and charged me $740 to fix it.

NHTSA ODI #11486344

2020 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2022
Electrical SystemStructure

DOORS FILL UP WITH RAIN WATER AND WATER IS SLOSHING AROUND INSIDE DOOR FRAME. NEED DOORS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEING DAMAGED BY MOISTURE CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #11485436

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2022
Electrical System

The wiring inside of the front doors became corroded on two different cars. This resulted in the inability to operate the electric windows of one car. I view this as a safety hazard as the ability to exit the car from the window in an emergency is impaired. Other tasks such as paying tolls is made risky as the door must be op…

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The wiring inside of the front doors became corroded on two different cars. This resulted in the inability to operate the electric windows of one car. I view this as a safety hazard as the ability to exit the car from the window in an emergency is impaired. Other tasks such as paying tolls is made risky as the door must be opened.

NHTSA ODI #11484635

2022 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

please see report number 11479072 for the other information. not once person except the man i talked to there on the phone asked me if the heater went out as well and IT DID! so not only did i lose the ac i lost heat which is what i guess makes this a real problem for everyone. as its friday, after hours i have to wait until mon…

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please see report number 11479072 for the other information. not once person except the man i talked to there on the phone asked me if the heater went out as well and IT DID! so not only did i lose the ac i lost heat which is what i guess makes this a real problem for everyone. as its friday, after hours i have to wait until monday to contact toyota to get an appointment to confirm the heater doesnt work but just like i confirmed the ac doesnt work, when i say theres no heat, theres no heat. and the condenser is literally located right behind the front grill. there is no way to fix this on my own and i cant repair it because i was told if i drive off the lot it could literally happen again. anyone who has a toyota corolla should be specifically told about this FAILURE of a design thank you!

NHTSA ODI #11479083

2022 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or OtherInjury

I was traveling on the interstate through Missouri through to Kansas to get back to California on July 5, 2022 in my brand new just got april 18 2022 toyota corolla hybrid when the entire electrical panel went out on my car. i was driving the speed limit on the interstate with the AC on in 109 degree temps when the whole electri…

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I was traveling on the interstate through Missouri through to Kansas to get back to California on July 5, 2022 in my brand new just got april 18 2022 toyota corolla hybrid when the entire electrical panel went out on my car. i was driving the speed limit on the interstate with the AC on in 109 degree temps when the whole electric panel went out it was out for about ten minutes before it came back on and when it did i had no AC. i was literally in the middle of the desert, there were no stops coming up, no towns, no shade, nothing! and thank god i had just dropped my nine year old son off in indiana or he could've died with me. the AC condenser on this car is located RIGHT BEHIND the front grill of the car, which has over one inch openings in it and toyota is specifically not covering this part under warranty because they know this is a faulty design. i understand and have been told that AC is a luxury but its not for that one week old baby that is going to be traveling with their family is this car and they have no idea that a PEBBLE (is what toyota told me knocked my ac out in the desert!) is going to knock their AC out and that baby will die. Toyota needs to recall this car or put a screen behind the grill i dont care but the public needs to be made aware how easy it is for the AC to be knocked out. additionally the toyota dealership here said that they can repair it for 1400$ but there's nothing to stop it from happening again as soon as i drive off the lot because there is nothing protecting the condenser. i have a brand new car that is broke and cant be repaired and toyota has told me they stand by their design and IF THEY decide to do a recall i will be notified. please notify the public about this! it is hot everywhere and children will die. i cant even go back to pick my son up and now have to fly him out because i dont have AC in my brand new car. like seriously! think of the children and the people who have no idea how easy it is to go out! thank you!

NHTSA ODI #11479072

2010 model year · 100,000 miles · Jul 28, 2022
Electrical SystemSteeringTraction Control System

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds and also vibrating. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal gradually, the steering wheel and brake pedal would vibrate. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had b…

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The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds and also vibrating. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal gradually, the steering wheel and brake pedal would vibrate. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the traction control warning light would illuminate intermittently and would cause the vehicle to shut off inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where all four ignition coils were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer losing motive power and stalling; however, the steering failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11476297

2022 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

There is a high pitch electrical whine coming from the fan blower (right side by the glove compartment) noise causes pain to my right ear after hearing it consistently which I believe will become a health problem. Vehicle has had blower replaced by Toyota dealer with no fix. There are numerous complaints found on Toyota forums d…

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There is a high pitch electrical whine coming from the fan blower (right side by the glove compartment) noise causes pain to my right ear after hearing it consistently which I believe will become a health problem. Vehicle has had blower replaced by Toyota dealer with no fix. There are numerous complaints found on Toyota forums describing this exact issue and nothing has been done to rectify this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11474560

2022 model year · Mileage unknown · May 28, 2022
Electrical System

After 2 months of purchasing the car , interior dashboard wrinkled and below the steep compartment . A week or so the door locks is not functioning all the time. Then after 3 weeks the black door strip is drooping . I emailed the branch manager and took it to the service depot. They said chemicals due to detailing the c…

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After 2 months of purchasing the car , interior dashboard wrinkled and below the steep compartment . A week or so the door locks is not functioning all the time. Then after 3 weeks the black door strip is drooping . I emailed the branch manager and took it to the service depot. They said chemicals due to detailing the car . No one will detail the car of 2-3 months old Newly bought . Then they when they told me to bring again for the door is no longer functioning and the door strips and why the car is falling apart. There was 2 wreaks of rain so I did not car wash the car as I always do . They noticed moisture of the oil on the window outside .That the rubber does not like oil . I anoint the car with few sprinkles for decades on previous cars , Datsun, Nissan and Toyota . They said that caused it and I have to pay for the repair I told them I got Toyota Corolla for 10 years and I do what I do in the car and Nothing like this happened.Why now ? I bought the car 4-5x for the door locks and the 2 other issues they kept on putting in their work order summary - door locks functioning at this time ???? It never did function correctly and it never functioned at all on the 3rd , 4th and 5th time . Then they just give me the work order 2x instead of 4-5 different days of work orders in different months I am stuck .Car insurance does not pay because Toyota said chemicals and the other insurance said it wa not caused by accident . Someone opened the car mistakenly when I was texting because it has to lock manually and (I forgot )for almost a month now . I will email you the work orders next time . Please help .ASAP. Thanks .

NHTSA ODI #11466503

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.===