2020 Toyota COROLLA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Toyota COROLLA has 390 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 289. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: engine abnormal shift downward while driving regularly. i feel the shift is not smooth even feels like a defect in the engine shift system 17,000 miles mostly happens regularly driving on city streets and a bit less happens on the parkway but does happen. the shifts are hard to ignore i remembe. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
390
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
108 complaints- • ENGINE ABNORMAL SHIFT DOWNWARD WHILE DRIVING REGULARLY. I FEEL THE SHIFT IS NOT SMOOTH EVEN FEELS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE SHIFT SYSTEM 17,000 MILES MOSTLY HAPPENS REGULARLY DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND A BIT LESS HAPPENS ON THE PARKWAY BUT DOES HAPPEN. THE SHIFTS ARE HARD TO IGNORE I REMEMBE
- • WILL DRIVING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT GO PASS 20MPH. BREAK,ENGINE,ECT. LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE CAR HAS ONLY 1345 MILES. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. SECOND TIME GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP.
- • ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION I WAS GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MILES AN HOUR AND THE CAR SPUTTERED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND THE TOLD ME THE COMPUTER DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHEN DRIVI
“ENGINE ABNORMAL SHIFT DOWNWARD WHILE DRIVING REGULARLY. I FEEL THE SHIFT IS NOT SMOOTH EVEN FEELS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE SHIFT SYSTEM 17,000 MILES MOSTLY HAPPENS REGULARLY DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND A BIT LESS HAPPENS ON THE PARKWAY BUT DOES HAPPEN. THE SHIFTS ARE HARD TO IGNORE I REMEMBE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2020 Toyota COROLLA
Based on 93 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 8K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
BRAKES
ELECTRICAL
ENGINE
OTHER
VISIBILITY
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
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, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Above-average theft risk
The Toyota COROLLA was the #12 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 8,100 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: One of the most common cars on US roads
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Toyota COROLLA
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Toyota COROLLA
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Toyota COROLLA Service Intervals
0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.
These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2020 COROLLA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 390 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: ENGINE ABNORMAL SHIFT DOWNWARD WHILE DRIVING REGULARLY. I FEEL THE SHIFT IS NOT SMOOTH EVEN FEELS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE SHIFT SYSTEM 17,000 MILES MOSTLY HAPPENS REGULARLY DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND A BIT LESS HAPPENS ON THE PARKWAY BUT DOES HAPPEN. THE SHIFTS ARE HARD TO IGNORE I REMEMBE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON 07-29-19 AND ON 08-04-19 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MARYLAND THE CAR SENSOR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AFTER ONLY 250 MILES ON THE CAR. THE FLASHING LIGHTS WERE FOR BRAKES AND PARKING BRAKE, LANE DEPARTURE AND ASSIST, BACK UP AND FRONT CAMERA, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, HEAD LIGHTS,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 07/09/19 - THREE DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW 2020 COROLLA SEDAN, MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY CITY STREET. I WAS STATIONARY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, IT HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. RE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE BATTERY TRAY (PART NUMBER 74404-12560) WHICH HOLDS THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I NOTICED THE BATTERY TRAY IS DESIGNED TO FIT ONLY THE PANASONIC BATTERY THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. THUS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE A DISCHARGED OR DEFECTIVE PANASONIC BATTERY WITH A STANDA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Toyota COROLLA — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 390
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 21
- Injury reports
- 26
- Segment avg
- 289
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Toyota COROLLA