YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota Corolla Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 Toyota Corolla has a complaint index of 70, ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 306 complaints, 3 recalls, and Engine as the top problem area with 113 complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 Corolla years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
306
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
22
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
23
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
33
30 city / 38 hwy
Injuries / deaths
23 / 1

Top 2020 Toyota Corolla problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine113 (37%)
  2. Other80 (26%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain39 (13%)
  4. Electrical System33 (11%)
  5. Brakes25 (8%)
  6. Airbags17 (6%)
  7. Fuel System17 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers17 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body11 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in front and rear-end collisions, sometimes leaving occupants with shoulder and back injuries.
  • Brakes reportedly give out or feel unresponsive when approaching stop signs or exiting a freeway, leading to collisions.
  • Automatic emergency braking is described as re-engaging and then releasing unexpectedly after stopping for a vehicle ahead.
  • Rear seat belt webbing has torn away from the buckle attachment during a crash, failing to restrain the driver.
  • A vehicle caught fire while parked hours after being driven, with the electrical system suspected as the source.
2020 Toyota Corolla complaints: complaints filed per quarter482019 Q22020 Q22021 Q22022 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
306 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (48).

2020 Toyota Corolla recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    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 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    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. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

  2. NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    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. 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.

  3. NHTSA 19V877000Dec 11, 2019Seat Belts9,468 vehicles

    Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly

    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. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

    Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

    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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.

2020 Toyota Corolla fuel economy and fuel cost

City
30 MPG
Highway
38 MPG
Combined
33 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Corolla years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Best5134331
2019Good25202532.5
2020Caution70306333
2021Good40185133
2022Best10100033

All Toyota Corolla years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Corolla reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2020 Corolla a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among the 21 model years with data. Engine problems make up 37% of its 306 complaints.
Does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Corolla, covering airbags, the fuel system, and rear seat belt assemblies. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 113 of 306 complaints (37%), with a median mileage at failure of 10,000 miles.
How does the 2020 Corolla compare to other years?
The 2020 model's complaint index of 70 is higher than most other Corolla years; only 2005-2011 and 2016 score similarly or worse, while 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 earn Best verdicts.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.