2020 Toyota Corolla Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 11%of 311 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Toyota Corolla, 11% of the 311 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was waiting at a stoplight with my foot on the break waiting for it to turn green. I turn the wheel to make a left turn and put my foot on the gas and the car diedall the buzzers whistles and lights were flashing on the dashboard.. I was able to shift the car to park and back to drive but nothing happened I was in the middle of traffic on a busy street and was just getting ready to call the tow truck when I decided to turn the car off. When I turned it back on it was fine and I was able to turn left. That happened to me twice on different occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363735, filed 2020-10, 2,296 miles“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 complaint #11486344, filed 2022-09, 60,000 miles“I was driving on the road and I heard something like an explosion, I turned the emergency lights on and stopped to find out what had happened. I saw the sunroof completely broken, fortunately I didn’t get hurt but I got so scared and I don’t know if I will feel comfortable driving my car again.”
NHTSA complaint #11524407, filed 2023-05“I am unable to lock or unlock the driver’s side door of my 2020 Toyota Corolla using the key fob because the door lock actuator is no longer functioning properly. I must manually use the physical key to lock and unlock the driver’s door. I consider this a significant safety concern because the power locking system is no longer functioning as intended, potentially affecting my ability to quickly secure or access the vehicle, particularly in an emergency. …”
NHTSA complaint #11768984, filed 2026-10“I am reporting a severe, recurring safety hazard on my 2020 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle suddenly displays 'Drive-Start Control Malfunction' and completely cuts off engine power in motion, leaving the car stranded in active traffic. This happened after accelerating from a STOP sign on a main avenue. This is an inherent manufacturing defect present since delivery. In total, this chronic electrical surge has burned through 6 batteries and 3 Engine Control Modules (ECMs) at different mileages. …”
NHTSA complaint #11770186, filed 2026-10Related service bulletins
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11020670Jun 25, 2025Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, and 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 vehicles with…
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service…
- 11019332Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11018329Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11016786Feb 11, 2025Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11015500Feb 11, 2025Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11016781Feb 10, 2025The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys…
- 11015495Feb 10, 2025The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 14 | 19% |
| 2022 | 21 | 21% |
| 2021 | 23 | 12% |
| 2020 | 34 | 11% |
| 2019 | 15 | 7% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 21 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 7% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 52 | 19% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 75 | 6% |
| 2009 | 89 | 6% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 89 | 11% |
| 2006 | 85 | 10% |
| 2005 | 59 | 7% |
| 2004 | 24 | 5% |
| 2003 | 34 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 18 | 10% |
| 1994 | 12 | 7% |
| 1993 | 14 | 11% |
| 1992 | 12 | 19% |
| 1991 | 7 | 10% |
| 1989 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota Corolla
111 complaintsOther or unknown
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology