2023 Toyota Corolla Problems & Owner Complaints

Unknown Or Other 18 1 crash 1 fire

“While driving my vehicle Southbound on [XXX] in the Simpsonville/Fountain Inn area of South Carolina, my vehicle suffered some sort of catastrophic failure while driving and became completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle had been serviced a little over a month prior to this incident happening. The fire department took a report for the fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSA complaint #11682789, 2025 · fire

“We were driving on [XXX] near Norcross, GA about 200 ft from exit [XXX] at a constant speed of around 70 mph, when suddenly the vehicle displayed 'system malfunction' and started veering on its own and the brakes wouldn't work. It kept veering to the right and crashed into a vehicle 2 lanes away and rebounded back to the original lane and came to a halt with a message displayed 'Shifting to P'. The malfunction and loss of control, along with the brakes not functioning those few seconds/minutes put our lives and others' on the road at risk. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehic…”
NHTSA complaint #11628651, 2024 · crash

“Component: VISIBILITY / SUN VISOR Vehicle: 2023 Toyota Corolla Both the driver-side and passenger-side sun visors in my 2023 Toyota Corolla have failed within approximately two years of normal use. The visors no longer remain in their intended position and instead fall downward unexpectedly. When this occurs, the visor drops directly into the driver’s field of vision, creating a significant safety hazard by obstructing forward visibility while driving. This condition can happen without warning and requires the driver to physically move the visor out of the way, causing distraction and increasi…”
NHTSA complaint #11729300, 2025

Steering 16 2 crash

“On [XXX], around 7:45 PM, My husband and I were driving on [XXX] from Atlanta to visit family at John’s Creek. We were driving at a steady speed of approximately 70mph on the second lane from the left when all of a sudden, the vehicle displayed a 'malfunction' alert and began swerving uncontrollably. Despite our attempts to regain control, the car swerved right, striking another vehicle three lanes away. We had no control over the steering or bringing the car to a safe stop. After colliding with the other vehicle, it then returned to its original lane and came to a sudden stop with a message d…”
NHTSA complaint #11623268, 2024 · crash

“I was Useing the lane keeping assist and steering assist. i was driving down the hyw and parts of the solid white line to the right of me was faded or missing with no sholders. a wide truck that was about to pass me going the opposite direction had crossed over the center lane line and the stearing assist jolted me to the right where there was no visible line as i tryed to turn the steerting wheel to the left the assist jolted me to the right as the line became visible again causing us to go in to a big ditch”
NHTSA complaint #11581787, 2023 · crash

“Description of problem/issue: Dear Reader: I recently purchased a new (certified preowned) vehicle and ever since then I have been experiencing some concerns with its handling on the road. This letter seeks to communicate this matter to the proper establishment for some possible recourse. On level roads while the steering wheel is centered straight up (near/over 40mph), the car tends to automatically glide to the left of the lane or coast quickly to the right and won’t stay centered in the lane very long without driver input to steer the car back to the center of the lane. Then when re-c…”
NHTSA complaint #11645890, 2024

Electrical System 13 1 crash

“To start, on [XXX], I was going through an intersection on a country road and my automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. My car stopped despite no other vehicle or object being in my way or anywhere close to me. I found it really weird but did not think much about after the fact. I have also heard a rattling noise under my hood since [XXX] and have reported this to Toyota and tried to have it fixed multiple times (and showed them videos) but they were never able to duplicate the noise so it has not been remedied. On [XXX] I was traveling on a highway during rush hour and the traffic…”
NHTSA complaint #11624145, 2024 · crash

“The drivers side locking mechanism doesn’t work with the key fab all of a sudden and I have to climb in through my passenger side door”
NHTSA complaint #11720209, 2026

“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment screen unexpectedly turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the infotainment system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11733654, 2025

Engine 13 1 crash

“To start, on [XXX], I was going through an intersection on a country road and my automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. My car stopped despite no other vehicle or object being in my way or anywhere close to me. I found it really weird but did not think much about after the fact. I have also heard a rattling noise under my hood since [XXX] and have reported this to Toyota and tried to have it fixed multiple times (and showed them videos) but they were never able to duplicate the noise so it has not been remedied. On [XXX] I was traveling on a highway during rush hour and the traffic…”
NHTSA complaint #11624145, 2024 · crash

“after fueling strong fuel smell in vehicle within 100 miles check fuel cap light came on. next day check engine light came on. made appointment at dealership . dealership performed evap smoke test which found smoke coming from top of fuel cell. installed fuel pump ring and evap hose clip. performed evap test and smoke test -passed cleared codes. got car back next day less than 50 miles later ck engine code and fuel cap and fuel odor back.”
NHTSA complaint #11706705, 2025

“I got a message that the engine needs maintenance and I should go to the dealership and have the coolant bypass valve repaired. I see there's a lawsuit against Toyota for a manufacturing defect in that component on 2019-2023 Corollas. I'd like to know if I'll get a refund.”
NHTSA complaint #11695545, 2025

Exterior Lighting 11

“Moisture and water got into the front head light causing it to go out . The blinker , low light and bright light on front driver went out while I was on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11698825, 2025

“I would like to raise a concern regarding the headlight shadow issue in the 2023 Toyota Corolla. Specifically, there are noticeable dark spots or shadows when using the low beams, which significantly obscure portions of the road during night driving. I believe this is a design flaw in the vehicle’s lighting system. My parents, aged [XXX] and [XXX] , have found this shadow effect to be particularly challenging, making it difficult and unsafe for them to drive at night. Additionally, I understand that many other 2023 Toyota Corolla owners have expressed similar complaints, which further suggest…”
NHTSA complaint #11614122, 2024

“I purchased this car new from Toyota. The first time I drove it at night the lights were not bright enough. You don't test drive them at night. They are OK if you are driving in the city where it is all lit up. On darker freeways and roads, the lights are horrible, even if the bright lights are on. I live in East San Diego, Blossom Valley, it is dangerous! I paid cash for this car, I took it to the dealership right away. They were rude to me, They said they were new led lights, bulbs can't be changed. When I'm turning it is dark. I've had a new car every 3 years, and never had horrible lighti…”
NHTSA complaint #11563853, 2024

Air Bags 6 3 crash 4 injury

“I was in a extremely bad accident, I was parked waiting for the light to turn green, when i felt a massive bang from the back and glided me to the next car, car was totaled and the car was saying the airbags deployed and none deployed at all. There was 4 passengers in total and at the very least one should have deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11603291, 2024 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“Coming home from work at 9:40pm a deer hit my car. I got no notification from my car about an object near my vehicle. I stopped my car lights were flashing and the operator on my car assist came on about detecting an accident. My cab filled with smoke and a funny smell. I thought the car was on fire. So I jumped out ambulance and cops showed up. My car got towed to Clifton collision in Clifton Texas. Later I found out that the air bags should have deployed . All my seat belts are locked up in the front and back. But no air bag deployment. The air bag light is on. After 4 months of my vehicle i…”
NHTSA complaint #11550591, 2023 · crash

“My wife & I were involved in a 4 vehicle accident on Tuesday September 12, 2023 at approximately 4:30pm. We were traveling north on Highway 17 ( Ogeechee road ) toward Savannah Georgia. We had stopped at the 2nd red light at Highway 204 & 17. The light turned green and the vehicles in front of me started moving, we proceeded north and went through the green traffic light at Little Neck road about 500 feet beyond the intersection all of the sudden everyone was stopped, before I could react to it I was rear ended by a 2013 Toyota Venza which in turn made me hit a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck whic…”
NHTSA complaint #11544560, 2023 · crash

Forward Collision Avoidance 6 4 crash

“We were driving on [XXX] near Norcross, GA about 200 ft from exit [XXX] at a constant speed of around 70 mph, when suddenly the vehicle displayed 'system malfunction' and started veering on its own and the brakes wouldn't work. It kept veering to the right and crashed into a vehicle 2 lanes away and rebounded back to the original lane and came to a halt with a message displayed 'Shifting to P'. The malfunction and loss of control, along with the brakes not functioning those few seconds/minutes put our lives and others' on the road at risk. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehic…”
NHTSA complaint #11628651, 2024 · crash

“To start, on [XXX], I was going through an intersection on a country road and my automatic emergency braking engaged for no reason. My car stopped despite no other vehicle or object being in my way or anywhere close to me. I found it really weird but did not think much about after the fact. I have also heard a rattling noise under my hood since [XXX] and have reported this to Toyota and tried to have it fixed multiple times (and showed them videos) but they were never able to duplicate the noise so it has not been remedied. On [XXX] I was traveling on a highway during rush hour and the traffic…”
NHTSA complaint #11624145, 2024 · crash

“On [XXX], around 7:45 PM, My husband and I were driving on [XXX] from Atlanta to visit family at John’s Creek. We were driving at a steady speed of approximately 70mph on the second lane from the left when all of a sudden, the vehicle displayed a 'malfunction' alert and began swerving uncontrollably. Despite our attempts to regain control, the car swerved right, striking another vehicle three lanes away. We had no control over the steering or bringing the car to a safe stop. After colliding with the other vehicle, it then returned to its original lane and came to a sudden stop with a message d…”
NHTSA complaint #11623268, 2024 · crash

Service Brakes 6 1 crash

“We were driving on [XXX] near Norcross, GA about 200 ft from exit [XXX] at a constant speed of around 70 mph, when suddenly the vehicle displayed 'system malfunction' and started veering on its own and the brakes wouldn't work. It kept veering to the right and crashed into a vehicle 2 lanes away and rebounded back to the original lane and came to a halt with a message displayed 'Shifting to P'. The malfunction and loss of control, along with the brakes not functioning those few seconds/minutes put our lives and others' on the road at risk. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehic…”
NHTSA complaint #11628651, 2024 · crash

“I have a Hybrid version of the 2023 Corolla in the SE trim. Everytime the car is cold (engine just started), and I'm pressing the brake, I can hear some clicking noises similar to a CV Axle noise when they are bad. That braking noise goes away as the car heat up. The noise is sensitive to speed, it changes frequency with it. I haven't experience loss of brakes but I'm concerned with the noise and the possibility of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11719548, 2026

“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was shifted to park(P), the word (P) was illuminated on the PRNDL, but the word was not displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that while shifted to drive(D) there was no indication of drive on the PRNDL, or the instrument cluster, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while shifted to reverse(R). The contact had been advised by a mechanic on how to reset the parking brake to be able to shift to park(P), drive(D) or reverse(R). The contact had been…”
NHTSA complaint #11705689, 2025

Lane Departure 5 1 crash

“I was Useing the lane keeping assist and steering assist. i was driving down the hyw and parts of the solid white line to the right of me was faded or missing with no sholders. a wide truck that was about to pass me going the opposite direction had crossed over the center lane line and the stearing assist jolted me to the right where there was no visible line as i tryed to turn the steerting wheel to the left the assist jolted me to the right as the line became visible again causing us to go in to a big ditch”
NHTSA complaint #11581787, 2023 · crash

“Moisture and water got into the front head light causing it to go out . The blinker , low light and bright light on front driver went out while I was on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11698825, 2025

“Description of problem/issue: Dear Reader: I recently purchased a new (certified preowned) vehicle and ever since then I have been experiencing some concerns with its handling on the road. This letter seeks to communicate this matter to the proper establishment for some possible recourse. On level roads while the steering wheel is centered straight up (near/over 40mph), the car tends to automatically glide to the left of the lane or coast quickly to the right and won’t stay centered in the lane very long without driver input to steer the car back to the center of the lane. Then when re-c…”
NHTSA complaint #11645890, 2024

Power Train 5

“I purchased a 2023 Toyota Corolla LE as a Toyota Gold Certified Pre-Owned vehicle on March 8, 2026 at 61,387 miles. Within 30 days of purchase I began experiencing the following safety concerns: •Vehicle revs to 5,000-6,000 RPM unexpectedly •Violent jerking while driving •Vehicle stalls On April 7, 2026 I brought the vehicle to the selling dealership. The technician confirmed experiencing the jerking and stalling personally during a test drive but documented it as “common operation” and “operating as designed.” I disagreed with this assessment in writing on their service document. A second Toy…”
NHTSA complaint #11736927, 2026

“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was shifted to park(P), the word (P) was illuminated on the PRNDL, but the word was not displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that while shifted to drive(D) there was no indication of drive on the PRNDL, or the instrument cluster, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while shifted to reverse(R). The contact had been advised by a mechanic on how to reset the parking brake to be able to shift to park(P), drive(D) or reverse(R). The contact had been…”
NHTSA complaint #11705689, 2025

“Problem 1 there is insufficient visibility of the road at night to drive the car safely. The local police officer helped me measure the distance of road visibility from the front of the car and it was 78 feet. At night with the lights on the top 3/4 of the windshield appears black (opaque) - cannot be seen through. I can only see through the bottom 1/4 of the windshield (left to right, the whole width). Problem 2 the transmission had to be replaced. Problem 3 the computer console only connects to the cell phone 25% of the time. This prevents the ability to use GPS and emergency phone c…”
NHTSA complaint #11536926, 2023

Visibility/Wiper 5

“Component: VISIBILITY / SUN VISOR Vehicle: 2023 Toyota Corolla Both the driver-side and passenger-side sun visors in my 2023 Toyota Corolla have failed within approximately two years of normal use. The visors no longer remain in their intended position and instead fall downward unexpectedly. When this occurs, the visor drops directly into the driver’s field of vision, creating a significant safety hazard by obstructing forward visibility while driving. This condition can happen without warning and requires the driver to physically move the visor out of the way, causing distraction and increasi…”
NHTSA complaint #11729300, 2025

“Volume of media from certain apps can't be adjusted. The vehicle says that if media is not playing, the volume can't be adjusted. This can cause distraction while driving and increase risk of a crash. Specific application where this is the case: Youtube audio through an Android Auto connection. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others is at risk, because all Toyota models with this infotainment system function the same way. Drivers may choose to become distracted by their mobile device while trying to adjust the media volume, risking a crash. The problem has not…”
NHTSA complaint #11607954, 2023

“Low beam headlights have shadows that prevent me from seeing all roadway at night. vehicle has presented at the dealership in 6/07/23, but they failed to correct this potentially safety hazard issue. The issue did cause me to hit a piece of wood in the HYW causing an accident with a result of 2 damage tires and 1ring. I will present the vehicle again in 10-11 -23, but in advance one of the guys told me. is something that they don't have nothing to do because is something normal in some corolla. that alert me to start my investigation. Now I can see, I don't are the only one with this problem…”
NHTSA complaint #11548293, 2023

Back Over Prevention 3 1 crash

“Just today, I was driving my 2023 corolla when I accidentally rear ended someone. We were getting off the highway and they were taking a right turn and second guessed themselves while I was focusing on the oncoming traffic. Usually my car would notify me of there being an obstacle in front of me as it is equipped with a pre-collision system. This time however, it did not brake or notify me resulting in me rear ending the car in front of me and causing damage to my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11515841, 2023 · crash

“There's an electrical problem going on with all Toyota vehicles coming out with the new navigation system where goes out and keeps rebooting. Multiple times on cars a year have reported this issue. Causes a distraction as screen goes on and off randomly as you drive and backing up. Also without it you can't see your GPS and find routes. Just simple search and there's many complaints about this issue from consumers being affected as fast as 10 miles into owning car to month or six. Not worth repairing as goes out every other month and don't even last a year before goes out.”
NHTSA complaint #11690127, 2024

“Multiple malfunctions causing the engine to misfire and eventually seize completely. Toyota never found out the issue but the engine failed. The suspect poor build quality. The engine, brake collision system, fuel pump all went out. Car was rough idling for about two weeks before the engine completely failed. Toyota has lemoned it.”
NHTSA complaint #11626243, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“after fueling strong fuel smell in vehicle within 100 miles check fuel cap light came on. next day check engine light came on. made appointment at dealership . dealership performed evap smoke test which found smoke coming from top of fuel cell. installed fuel pump ring and evap hose clip. performed evap test and smoke test -passed cleared codes. got car back next day less than 50 miles later ck engine code and fuel cap and fuel odor back.”
NHTSA complaint #11706705, 2025

“Fuel Injector failed, causing the engine to run extremely rich, misfire, and cause severe drivability issues. Issue occurred just outside vehicle base warranty. Problem was verified and confirmed by vehicle dealership. MIL was illuminated when drivability issue and malfunction started.”
NHTSA complaint #11603375, 2024

Seat Belts 1 1 crash

“Coming home from work at 9:40pm a deer hit my car. I got no notification from my car about an object near my vehicle. I stopped my car lights were flashing and the operator on my car assist came on about detecting an accident. My cab filled with smoke and a funny smell. I thought the car was on fire. So I jumped out ambulance and cops showed up. My car got towed to Clifton collision in Clifton Texas. Later I found out that the air bags should have deployed . All my seat belts are locked up in the front and back. But no air bag deployment. The air bag light is on. After 4 months of my vehicle i…”
NHTSA complaint #11550591, 2023 · crash

Structure 1

“Component: VISIBILITY / SUN VISOR Vehicle: 2023 Toyota Corolla Both the driver-side and passenger-side sun visors in my 2023 Toyota Corolla have failed within approximately two years of normal use. The visors no longer remain in their intended position and instead fall downward unexpectedly. When this occurs, the visor drops directly into the driver’s field of vision, creating a significant safety hazard by obstructing forward visibility while driving. This condition can happen without warning and requires the driver to physically move the visor out of the way, causing distraction and increasi…”
NHTSA complaint #11729300, 2025

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“Potential Safety Issue regarding the Cruise Control for ALL 2023 Toyota Corollas and possibly all Toyota's with the Safety Sense 3.0 System. On these vehicles the cruise control is turned on automatically when the vehicle is started. There is a white indicator icon illuminated on the drivers display to inform the driver. However the owners manual says you have to turn the system on by pressing the Driving Assist Mode Switch inferring the cruise control should not automatically be turned on. Pressing this switch only allows you to switch modes from Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to Standard Cruis…”
NHTSA complaint #11497852, 2022