2020 Toyota Corolla Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Part is the coolant bypass valve. Toyota has been taken to court but dealership claims now that I’m over 100k miles I can’t do it. There was also a second part about 10 years but I wasn’t clear on the details of the outcome. Toyota has acknowledged this issue in court but failed to do so at the customer level in my case. engine light…Owner complaint, filed 2026

A message came on the screen saying “engine maintenance required” and it’s not going away. Upon doing a google search, there is a common failure in the cooling system for these cars reported by a lot of owners.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The CV joint, there is a clicking sound when sharp turns are make to include U-turns. Spoke with a mechanic and was instructed to reach out to the dealership and check for recall on it. I did see any but I see a Technical Service Bulletin ( TSB-0106-20) for 2015- 2021 Corolla models regarding a potential clinking noise during sharp turns…Owner complaint, filed 2026

FAILED COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The manual transmission Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) failed internally. Due to caustic hydraulic fluid contamination and severe system pressure loss, I had to replace the internal CSC unit, the clutch disc, the pressure plate, the flywheel, the master clutch cylinder, and the hydraulic clutch lines.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

DESIGN FLAW & SAFETY RISK: Toyota critically mismatched the standard battery to the vehicle's electrical charging profile; an AGM battery should be specified from the factory. Engine programming drops alternator voltage during cruising, deeply discharging the battery, and forces high-voltage surges (15V+) into it during deceleration.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact purchased a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that they discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook market. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 52,000. It was later discovered that the vehicle’s title mileage was 132,000. The contact stated went the DMV…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 132,483 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am having a problem with my 2020 Toyota Corolla's brakes. I live in [XXX] . In the winter when the car is cold the brakes work normally. When the car has been driven for a while, the car has warmed up, and the brake fluid has thinned, the brakes behave abnormally. When I stop at a red light, after 20 to 40 seconds, the brake pedal…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was shifted to drive and then reverse, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a locked…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 90,249 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 2,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Windshield Wiper Intermittent setting stopped working, and wipers no long return to their home position. This appears to be a common issue with Toyota. When driving in the rain, the wipers will freeze in the up setting, which is very dangerous for it to occur during heavy rain on the highway causing visibility issues. No warnings of any…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The wipers are turning on randomly by themselves, even when the control switch is set to the “off” position. This has occurred multiple times and happens without any input or activation from me. The issue appears to be intermittent but persistent, and it raises concerns about a potential electrical or control system malfunction.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The current recall on this car (passenger front seat weigh sensor issue) has been going on for too long (since 2023). Based on the recall info, i have not been able to drive with anyone sitting on the front passenger seat.Owner complaint, filed 2025

My airbag sensory notifications keeps coming on. When I start my car normally it isn’t on but once I start driving the notification will come on along with the ding noise it makes when you don’t have on a seat belt. I notice there was a recall on this issue for the later model Corolla and wanted to see if possibly this could be…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

My car is at around 42,000 miles and has had an engine maintenance light on. I take it in and it’s a defective coolant bypass valve issue. The dealership tried to charge me 800 dollars to replace it. It’s an apparent fault on their part since it has been an apparent problem with other toyota corollas with a lawsuit already filed.Owner complaint, filed 2024

I purchased my vehicle new in 2020. I am currently at 74,000 miles and noticed my engine maintenance required light come on although I received an oil change service two days prior. It’s a different message from the routine maintenance. I got it checked out at Toyota today and the “engine coolant bypass valve” needed to be replaced. When…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Parts named most: Body (10).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the front driver's side fender liner above the tire detached while driving at approximately 55 MPH. After inspection, the liner was missing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fender liner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 39,650 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after rainy weather, the front driver's and passenger's doors leaked water while opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 30,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

All FOUR Goodyear Exhilarate tires cracked and separated from the sidewall on the interior side of the tire. i have one of the four tired saved and available for inspection. With the tire separating at the bead and sidewall on the interior side completely away from the butyl liner inside of the tire, it was a mere miracle that the car…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Unknown, I can send photos. it comes with new Toyota Description of Complaint Please provide a narrative which describes the problem(s) or concern(s) you are having with your vehicle. Toyota put a cheaper, lower quality tires for my car, it damaged my front bumper when we go curve roadon CA state. I asked Toyota for warranty bumper 2020…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The steering makes a thumping noise. The car also veers off to the left or right while driving. I had a front-end alignment performed by the dealer. It still does the same thing. I did take it to the Dealer, twice and they claimed there was no issue. I've never heard a thumping noise in any other car that I've owned. I have not had an…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering momentarily malfunctioned causing the vehicle to drift into the opposite lane. The contact indicated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started drifting into the left lane and would not respond when the steering…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 30,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The automatic emergency breaking and forward collision warning failed to alert and turn on and I wrecked into an object. My life was put at risk and I wrecked my car. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the independent service center. The vehicle is currently being inspected by insurance estimator. There was no other…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated ad the vehicle stopped independently. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the braking function resumed, and the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 116,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt buckle failed to lock as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 74,500 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact stopped and the seat belt failed to restrain as designed, causing the contact to lunge forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that no failure was found. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 5,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

When using cruise control, all warning lights come on while driving - check engine, parking, abs, everything. It stays like this for about a week and then stops until the next time you use cruise control. I have taken to the dealer and they acted like it wasn’t a problem and turned off the lights but it still keeps happening.Owner complaint, filed 2022

I keep having issues where radar cruise and lane assist shut off randomly with the message that radar cruise is unavailable . This has happened since new and has been looked at by toyota 4 times with no repairOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 11,500 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Front is very low. Right side is tilted without anyone inside. Very unusual tire wear on inside edges of both front tires. Immediately after starting the engine the front ricked side took side and made loud noises.Owner complaint, filed 2025