YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota Corolla Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#4 most-complained of 16 Corolla years

The 2020 Toyota Corolla ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 306 NHTSA complaints, mostly tied to the engine (113 complaints, 37% share). It carries 3 recalls covering airbags, fuel system, and seat belts, and NHTSA rates it Avoid relative to other Corolla years.

Complaints
306
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
22 / 1
Injuries / deaths
23 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
33
30 city / 38 hwy

Top 2020 Toyota Corolla problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including one that resulted in a fatality, despite the car showing a 'safety malfunction' warning.
  • Brakes reportedly skipped or skidded when applied around 45 mph, with one owner describing the automatic braking system releasing and re-engaging unexpectedly.
  • Owners describe sudden loss of power or stalling when accelerating from a stop, with dealers unable to reproduce the issue.
  • A rear tire reportedly exploded while driving around 65 mph, causing loss of control and a crash into a barrier.
  • The automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning system reportedly failed to alert the driver before a collision.
  • A rear seat belt webbing tore during a head-on collision, letting the driver come free from the restraint.
2020 Toyota Corolla complaints: complaints filed per quarter552019 Q22020 Q22021 Q22022 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
387 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (55).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Best7134331
2019Best20202532.5
2020Avoid80306333
2021Good33185133
2022Best13100033

All Toyota Corolla years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Corolla reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Corolla ranks 4th worst among 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 80. It has 306 complaints and 3 recalls, and the top problem area is the engine, accounting for 37% of complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Corolla?
Engine complaints make up the largest share at 37% (113 of 306 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 10,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Corolla covering airbag sensors, the fuel pump assembly, and rear seat belt assemblies. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 Corolla compare to other years?
The 2020 Corolla has a Complaint Index of 80, higher than most other Corolla years; only the 2010, 2011, and 2014 model years score worse. Years like 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 score much lower and are rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
The 2020 Corolla gets an EPA-rated 33 mpg combined (30 city / 38 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,950.

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.