MYRModel Year Report

2020 Toyota Corolla

◆ Worse than typical
2020 Toyota Corolla
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Corolla Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2020 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 5 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 26 complaints 1989: 23 complaints 1990: 27 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 65 complaints 1992 1993: 134 complaints 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 129 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 145 complaints 2001: 133 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2004 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 839 complaints 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 313 complaints 2009: 1459 complaints 2010: 1244 complaints 2010 2011: 584 complaints 2012: 445 complaints 2013: 201 complaints 2014: 268 complaints 2015: 219 complaints 2016: 213 complaints 2016 2017: 178 complaints 2018: 133 complaints 2019: 200 complaints 2020: 304 complaints 2020 2021: 185 complaints 2022: 95 complaints 2022 2023: 72 complaints 2024: 62 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 15 complaints 2026
2020: 304 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19813
19825
19831
19846
19853
19863
198714
198826
198923
199027
199173
199265
1993134
1994184
1995176
1996129
1997135
1998225
1999155
2000145
2001133
2002117
2003720
2004477
2005853
2006839
2007836
2008313
20091459
20101244
2011584
2012445
2013201
2014268
2015219
2016213
2017178
2018133
2019200
2020304
2021185
202295
202372
202462
202531
202615

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 36%

36% of complaints: engine — 108 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260806

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing clutch assembly.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

FAILED COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The manual transmission Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) failed internally.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260806

Design issue: The 12th-generation (E210) Corolla manual transmission utilizes a CSC unit containing plastic/ABS components that owners and forum communities frequently cite as a weak point prone to premature leakage and mechanical failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260731

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
VISIBILITY/WIPER 6%

6% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 17 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2020 — complaint volume: 304
R 20200207 — seat belts

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.

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.

Campaign 19V877000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210121 — fuel system, gasoline

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,...

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.

Campaign 20V682000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241031 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 23V865000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2020 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (108 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 19V877000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V682000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V865000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2020 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Toyota Corolla is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.