2020 Toyota Corolla Reliability Report

The Data Communication Module fails and triggers a "Communication Module Failure" voice alert, a flashing SOS button, and hands-free calls where the other person cannot hear. Two reports place this near 37,000 to 38,000 miles, and replacement can exceed $800 out of warranty. Other complaints describe many safety systems flagged as malfunctioning at once, no-start conditions, and an "Engine Stopped - Steering Power Low" message. A false seat belt warning paired with an SRS air bag malfunction message also appears. One fire report describes flames under the front driver's side shortly after a parked car was driven.

Collisions end with no deployment in most of the crash reports here, including head-on, side, and high-speed rear impacts. These complaints account for 9 crashes and 12 injuries, and some cars showed a safety malfunction warning afterward. The other main theme is the recall for the front passenger seat OCS sensor, campaign 23V865000. Owners report that dealers have no parts and quote long waits for the remedy, and some avoid letting anyone ride in the front passenger seat until the repair is done.

Brakes fail to stop the car, according to several reports, with the pedal pressed to the floor at low speed and no warning light. Three of these reports involve crashes. One hybrid owner describes the car lunging forward while braking in a parking lot. Other reports cover automatic emergency braking that activates during turns, an ABS control unit failing at 25,000 miles, a front caliper rusted and seized at 40,000 miles, a recurring "EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated" message, and a springy pedal vibration at walking speed.

The engine stalls while driving and steering turns heavy, with an "engine stopped, steering power low" message on the dash. In one case, a dealer linked steering failure codes to a weak battery. Other reports describe the wheel becoming hard to turn at highway speed, a steering shaft replacement at about 12,000 miles, and thumping or clicking noises from the column that come back after repair, with the car pulling to one side. Lane assist is also reported to steer suddenly toward parked cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The driver's front buckle fails to latch or lock, according to several reports, and dealers often find no fault. One crash reconstruction report from state highway patrol describes the webbing that anchors the buckle tearing in a head-on collision, after which the driver suffered fatal injuries. Another owner describes a belt that did not hold during a hard stop. Some owners linked their buckle problem to campaign 19V877000, but their VINs were not included. False seat belt chimes with the belt fastened are also reported.

Tires fail at highway speed on nearly new cars, according to both crash reports here. One describes a rear tire exploding near 6,000 miles and the other a tire coming off the wheel at 8000 miles, with both drivers losing control. Other complaints describe replacing all four tires before 40,000 miles, along with a shaking, unbalanced feel that an alignment did not fix. A body panel around the wheel well that lacks a bottom connector and keeps separating from the bumper is also reported.

Radar cruise and lane assist shut off at random with a "radar cruise unavailable" message. One owner reports this since new, with no fix after 4 dealer visits. Another reports that using cruise control lights up nearly every warning on the dash for about a week at a time. One dealer blamed a film on the inside of the windshield that can affect the safety camera, which was not covered by warranty. One crash report describes brakes that would not hold at a stop sign, ending in a collision with a pole.