2020 Toyota Corolla Brake Problems

24 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2020 Toyota Corolla to NHTSA — 8% of all 313 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 7,000 miles. That ranks #10 of 32 Corolla model years for brake complaints (a typical year has 16). No brake recall has been issued for this model year.

24complaints
7ktypical miles
0related recalls
6crashes
0fires
3injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    770%
  • 25k–50k
    110%
  • 50k–75k
    00%
  • 75k–100k
    110%
  • 100k–150k
    110%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated ad the vehicle stopped independently. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the braking function resumed, and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Forward Collision Avoidance was functioning correctly and there were no failure found with the brakes. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact reported that the vehicle had started to shake abnormally while driving at speeds under 40 MPH. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle back to a dealer or mechanic to be diagnosed. …

116,000 miles · Jul 2025

I was going to work on 12/15/2022. There was a stop sign and I needed to take a right turn in order to join the freeway-10 east highway to head on to work. it was about 6: 40 am approximate time. There were too many cars ahead of me at the stop sign. My brakes failed to hold on while I waited for my turn. There were at least 3-4 cars ahead of me. Therefore I did not want to hurt anyone or any other car ahead of me. Therefore I veered off to my right-hand side where there was some space and tried to stop the car but it did not do so. Therefore, My car had to hit the high-way pole to come to a stop. The airbags deployed and hit me more to my right side. The car got totaled as per California casualty insurance information. I am glad to be alive. I went later to the hospital as there were no direct visible injuries.

Dec 2022 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was shifted to drive and then reverse, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a locked cylinder. The dealer stated that there was recall for the failure however, the vehicle had exceeded the mileage limitation. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V544000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,249.

90,000 miles · Jan 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and making a right turn, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she shifted to park(P) and heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to move forward until reaching the curb. The contact stated she had experienced the failure two times. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

36,000 miles · Feb 2023

While driving my car it turned off and it was hard for me to turn and all my lights was hard to steer and all the lights on the dash board turned on and they was not turning off and I got in. A wreck by me not being able to turn and hit a bush and my car got total

Sep 2021 · crash

While operating our 2020 Toyota Corolla hybrid at a slow speed in a parking lot, we began to apply the brakes as we pulled into a parking stall. As the brakes were applied , the vehicle suddenly lunged forward with abrupt force. Both tires left acceleration marks on the painted concrete curb and the vehicle struck a large concrete pillar with such force that the pillar was partially dislodged from the ground. The vehicle was brought to a Toyota dealership and the sales management was notified of the incident. We also filed complaint with the Toyota Corporation. We were contacted by a Toyota Corporation representative and were told that they would conduct the vehicle inspection. Several weeks later we received a letter from the Toyota Corporation legal department which informed us of their findings. …

Nov 2022

At 4 years and 1/2 old car 2020 Corolla XSE an Engine Maintenance Required SEE DEALER light turned on. Did diagnostic with OBD 2 scanner at two locations auto body shop and Uto zone. Nothing appears. It is in fact a NEEDED future recall since thousands if not more people have encountered the same. It is a Coolant By Pass Valve. Cost is only $99.53 + tax at dealer. Problem is that should be under warranty or extended warranty or recall. Dealer likes to charge $800 (180-200 for diagnostic, $110 part, $400 labor. Part only takes 30 minutes to install. I should be able to buy at dealer for $110 and have them install for free or pay 30 minutes of work time = $85. 1 hour is about $175. So instead of trying to be billed $800 I should only be billed for $85 labor (30 minutes) + $110 part = Brand total of $105 USD. …

May 2024

2020 Toyota Corolla EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) Issue. The message "EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated" is being shown since last few months. This message never appeared in the past 2.5 yrs since I purchased the car, started showing up up only now. I took it to the dealership and they asked to keep brakes pressed while starting the car. I now keep my brakes pressed and start the car, and still I keep getting this error message. I have documented this issue and is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTXosvPffMo Please help Toyota help address this issue. Not sure something is not working as expected in the car or if something is started to fail in the car with EPB and so it's showing up the message. The message looks like information message and looks like harmless message, but why its showing up now, i.e after 2.5 yrs of use and never before. …

Jun 2022

I am having a problem with my 2020 Toyota Corolla's brakes. I live in [redacted] . In the winter when the car is cold the brakes work normally. When the car has been driven for a while, the car has warmed up, and the brake fluid has thinned, the brakes behave abnormally. When I stop at a red light, after 20 to 40 seconds, the brake pedal slowly drops towards the floor. My understanding is that this could indicate a problem with the master brake cylinder. My fear is that there could be a sudden failure of the cylinder causing an accident. I brought the car to Rudy Luther Toyota in Golden Valley. When I brought the car in, it was warm and the brakes were malfunctioning. Unfortunately, they let the car sit for several hours, the brake fluid cooled, and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

Jan 2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned: complete slave cylinder failure resulting in loss of braking and ability to shift. Luckily I was traveling at a low rate of speed when this happened, but if this happens to anyone on the freeway or while turning against traffic for example they would have no control of their car and could be seriously injured. I took it to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a slave cylinder failure at only 70k miles. This is incredibly pre-mature. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, only the dealership but I am trying to escalate the issue. No warnings at all, I regularly get my car serviced on there were no instances of the clutch acting strange or brakes losing power (because the clutch and brakes share the same fluid reservoir) prior to this incident.

Sep 2026

Brake complaints in other Corolla years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262113915791283214373545261201662111241718302611162491771083
Brake complaints per model year, Toyota Corolla.

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake problems on the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Toyota Corolla, 8% of the model year's 313 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2020 Toyota Corolla brake problems?

No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2020 Toyota Corolla, though it has 5 recalls 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 2020 Toyota Corolla brake problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 70% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.