The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 112 of 312 complaints (36%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 205 in 2019 to 312 in 2020.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 312
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,200–$2,000
- Combined MPG
- 31–52
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–2,100 | 1,750–2,100 | 1,200–2,000 | 1,200–2,000 | 1,200–2,000 | |
| Combined MPG | 30–34 | 30–36 | 31–52 | 31–52 | 31–52 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 27–30 / 35–40 | 27–32 / 35–42 | 28–53 / 36–52 | 28–53 / 36–52 | 28–53 / 36–52 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 263–297 | 249–289 | 170–280 | 170–286 | 170–286 | |
| Complaints filed | 144 | 205 | 312 | 188 | 103 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 28 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 14 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 20 | 16 | 23 | 13 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
Engine: 112 of 312 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Toyota Corolla get?
EPA rates it 31–52 MPG combined across 10 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Toyota Corolla?
EPA estimates $1,200–$2,000 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S10) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 31 mpg | 40 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 257 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 53 mpg (high) | 52 mpg (high) | 52 mpg (high) | $1,200 (low) | 170 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 36 mpg (low) | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 277 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S10) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 31 mpg | 38 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 265 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 30 mpg | 38 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 267 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 39 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 266 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 274 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (low) | 37 mpg | 31 mpg (low) | $2,000 (high) | 280 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (AV-S10) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 32 mpg | 41 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 250 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (AV-S10) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 30 mpg | 38 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 266 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 112 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 40 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 26 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 25 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 80 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER; SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.