Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel seized with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering module and the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
The CVT transmission on my 2016 Toyota Corolla initially suffered a complete mechanical failure and was repaired on 01/08/2024, forcing me to pay $3,696 out of pocket for a replacement at an independent shop. Last week, the transmission experienced issues again, and this time a certified Toyota dealership serviced it for free under an active factory recall. This proves the vehicle has a documented factory defect. However, Toyota is currently refusing to reimburse me for the original $3,696 repair expense incurred due to this exact defect.
problem with transmission at low sped code by Toyota p0841 p2829 the car has 35000miles Toyota toll me That I have to change the CVT transmission cost: 7380.$ by Bev Smith Toyota Fort Pierce FL 34982 Thanks [redacted]
I was driving on the highway and the transmission gave completely out!! with no warning! No check engine light no error message. Car only has 160000 miles on it, if i wasn't calm as I was that could've been lethal!!!!
We own a 2016 Toyota Corolla Sport model. 4 door sedan. We first started to notice a loud sound that was seemingly coming from the front of the car. It was a whining, rattling sound. The car's mileage is 87k. We took it into the shop, we were first told that it sounded like a bearing going out in the wheel. Then we took it to a licensed Toyota dealership. The dealership then tells us that it is actually due to the transmission chain, and our transmission will need to be replaced for $8900!! So I begin to dig online, and find that our model is the same years of other Toyota models that Toyota has a KNOWN problem with. This is a major issue, and puts our safety at risk if the transmission just suddenly goes out. …
My 2016 Toyota Corolla suddenly showed a Check Engine light, and the dealer diagnosed a CVT transmission failure with code P2757. This code is linked directly to Toyota's own TSB T-SB-0150-16 for torque converter clutch/valve-body failure. The dealer confirmed the issue and quoted me $11K to fix it. This is frightening because a failing transmission can slip, hesitate, or lose power at any moment, which puts me and others at risk. There were no early warning signs, just the sudden light. I brought it in immediately, and the problem was fully reproduced and documented by Toyota. My car is available for inspection whenever needed. Toyota corporate reviewed my case but offered very little help since my vehicle is just outside the 7-year timeframe for CA. I bought the extended warranty when the car was brand new. …
The car seems to be making a whining noise when first started from the transmission or torque converter, while in park, neutral. Also a rattling noise in reverse and drive! Also on uphill roads from a stand still the transmission slips and makes a loud noise without accelerating occasionally. Also there seems to be a vibration coming from the car in higher speeds of 40+ and rubber banding when in slow less than 15 MPH.
While travelling on the highway in my 2016 Toyota Corolla, I am noticing frequent issues where if I slow down on the highway for any reason (such as traffic) and go to speed up or while accelerating uphill, the vehicle jerks while shifting into a lower gear, which startles me every time, and even hard enough to wake my 3 sleeping children in the backseat. This has been going on since August 2018 , and has been happening more often as time has passed. I have taken this vehicle to the dealership I purchased it from several times and they were unable to duplicate. Today, I took the mechanic on a ride along in the vehicle, and when it hesitated, I told him that was what it did (which is obviously a car characteristic going uphill) before jerking. …
I drove to Toyota arlington for tire rotation on 2/4/21 and the car was running fine. Odometer was 44091 miles. After leaving the dealership, I drove about a mile then the engine lost power. The car could only go about 5 MPH. The car jerk up and down as if I drove on the rail road tracks. The check engine light, trac off and red steering wheel symbol lit up but not flashing. I went back to the dealer right away. I turned the car off, the attendant turned it back on. The check engine, track off and steering symbols were off. The code was not saved, so on 2/8/21 the independent shop could not duplicate the problem (44132 miles). On 2/12/21 the same symptoms came back at 44175 miles. This time the check engine light flashing, track off light and steering wheel symbols came on but not flashing. My wife turned the car off, waited for a few minutes then turned it on. …
Transmission is clunking and it seems like an extremely rough downshifting mostly at freeway speeds and it actually sounds and feels as though you've hit something on the road even though road was clear. I called the dealer and was told if it could not be duplicated that they wouldn't be able to figure out the problem. When I last brought it to dealer for oil change they put on the vehicle report that the transmission fluid was black and when I asked what should be done the service adviser didn't text back. The transmission seems to be slipping more often and I estimate the clunking and strange noise has happened 10-15 times at least. It is nerve wracking when it occurs because it is scary to feel that when you are driving on the freeway.
Transmission complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Toyota Corolla, 10% of the model year's 215 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Toyota Corolla transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Toyota Corolla, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Corolla transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.