2020 Toyota Corolla Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 13%of 311 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,294miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Toyota Corolla, 13% of the 311 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,294 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This is the third time that when I was trying to park my car after completely stopped the car (braked while the car is in the drive) then move my stick shift to reverse and the stick shift is fully in reverse but car moves forward.”
NHTSA complaint #11325859, filed 2020-05, 350 miles“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. Red warning light came on saying engine power low. I was unable to start the car again for several minutes. I was nearly hit by cars going around me. I took it to the dealer for service and there were no error codes and they could not duplicate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11252601, filed 2019-08, 199 miles“Vehicle has a very hard shift out of launch first gear when low on fuel or the engine is cold. Dealership (sheehy Toyota in fredericksburg va) and could experience the same feeling on light to moderate acceleration. I informed the dealership that the feeling they were experiencing is minor compared to what it usually feels like when driving. They experienced the same thing when driving another 2020 Corolla off the lot with light to moderate acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #11270535, filed 2019-10, 1,500 miles“Vehicle is jerking and shuttering while in motion between 4-20mph cold or hot and A/C on or off. This occurs before braking and seems to jerk forward. Tends to occur more often in parking lots. This issue is accompanied by aggressive engine shaking and all passengers can feel the rough idle. This issue is progressive getting worse with time over the last few months. Took vehicle to dealer, spark plugs was the assumed issue from technician. First diagnosis was spark knock. Replaced spark plugs, did not fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11403957, filed 2021-03, 29,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11288777, filed 2019-12, 1,345 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10224134Jul 7, 2022RL: Due to certain programing in the engine ECU, under certain conditions, the vehicle may stall at low speeds when accelerating from a stop. If this low-speed vehicle stall…
- 10224133Jul 7, 2022DL: Due to certain programing in the engine ECU, under certain conditions, the vehicle may stall at low speeds when accelerating from a stop. If this low-speed vehicle stall…
- 10170715Dec 3, 2019TT: On 2019-2020 model year Corolla Hatchback vehicles follow the recommendations when performing the HVAC odor maintenance service using A/C Power Foam Evaporator Cleaner &…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 17 | 17% |
| 2021 | 19 | 10% |
| 2020 | 40 | 13% |
| 2019 | 55 | 27% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 15 | 8% |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% |
| 2015 | 30 | 14% |
| 2014 | 28 | 10% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 49 | 4% |
| 2009 | 45 | 3% |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% |
| 2007 | 26 | 3% |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% |
| 2005 | 37 | 4% |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% |
| 2003 | 61 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 13 | 7% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 19% |
| 1989 | 4 | 17% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota Corolla
111 complaintsOther or unknown
80 complaintsElectrical system
34 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 31, 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