Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
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 at a red light, the vehicle shut off with the check engine and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the failure was duplicated. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P1603; "Engine Stall History" (ECM recording an unexpected engine shutdown or a communication error with the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. Several dealers were contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving, at any speed, as the contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle would stop, however when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle would move backwards with a jolt before moving forward. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that an abnormal buzzing sound was coming from the engine compartment. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle was not accelerating above 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a rocker arm actuator system performance failure and several other unknown failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered the Technical Service Bulletin: 0098-19; however, it was not verified if the vehicle was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
We rented a 2020 Toyota Corolla from Hertz at the McCarran Airport Las Vegas NV and almost past out while driving due to Carbon Monoxide poisonings. My wife was sick 3 out of the 4 days while this auto was being driven in our possession. At first our sickness was thought to be motion sickness or maybe from something we ate. It wasn't until we drove this car out of town when we both my wife and I started getting very sick weak dizzy and vomiting. We tried to drive out to the Hover Dam but stop about 10 miles short. After a brief rest we decided to had back to Las Vegas. Just outside of Las Vegas I could hardly breath and had all the same symptoms previously stated. Luckily I was able to get out of traffic and pulled off the high stopping at the first place I was able to pull into. I believe that If I didn't do so I would have passed out and may have caused an accident. …
I received a "voluntary Customer Support Program" letter from Toyota saying that a small engine coolant leak can occur that "can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can cause 'Engine Maintenance Required' to be displayed or cause the A/C not to function normally." Then it concludes that repair with a new "flow shut-off valve" will fix the problem, "under the terms of this Customer Support Program." I thought this was a recall and took my car in only to find that they wanted nearly $700 for the repair, because I did not have an extended warranty. When asked whether this could cause a safety problem if unfixed the reply from the Service Advisor was yes -- the coolant leak could potentially cause the engine to seize up on the highway. I was shocked that a defective part in the car I purchased new for $20,000 plus would not be replaced free of charge. …
Just bought a used 20 Corolla SE and put less then 500 miles on it and got a "maintenance required return to dealer" notification on the dash and a warning message in my information screen via infotainment system. Dealer said they got nothing via a scan. The issue is the Coolant Bypass Valve. I reset the light on the dash and restarted my car with air off and it did not come back on. The second you turn on the air (the A/C in particular) the light immediately popped back on along with a new warning message. I've looked around and there's literally THOUSANDS of people reporting the same issue all on vehicles between 15k and 100k miles. The dealers also charge at least $600-$1100 to remedy this all too common issue as they will tell you it is not covered under warranty. I'm unsure of what promised damage to the vehicle could be but I know for a fact it's not nothing. …
The engine maintenance required message appeared on the dash. I was travel from work to home (about 40 miles). I pulled over immediately at a store, left my car and walked over a mile to the mechanic shop down the road (in 95 weather with a knee that has been through 3 surgeries in less than 5 years). The gentleman took me back to my car. Followed me as i took my car back to the repair shop since it was close and did not have any lights on the dash and I was not overheating. He plugged a reader in it and the error was a coolant bypass valve issue (i can't remember the exact verbage). I purchased a replacement valve 6-17-25, along with toyota coolant. I am having to wait and save up the money to have the valve replaced at the shop got the message code from. I can not afford the dealerships cost to replace the valve. The valve and coolant was expensive in itself. …
"Engine Maintenance Required - Visit Your Dealer" message popped up on my car's (Toyota Corolla 2020) dashboard all of a sudden and I didn't have any issues with engine before. I brought up my card to Toyota Service Center in Sunnyvale, CA and they told me that my car's coolant bypass valve has to be replaced and re-check if it's needed which is an uncertain thing and advised me not driving the car as it may damage the cooling system components or even the engine itself. All of these will cost me 911.58$ which is too much but it's not all yet. I was researching this issue on the Internet and figured out that many people who has the Corolla 2020 and 2021 had the exact same issue. I don't think it's a coincidence. People also complaining about the same issue for Toyota Rav4 and Toyota Camry. I don't want to pay so much money which is almost 1k. I never had any accidents and or crashes. …
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. …
The Coolant Bypass Valve on my Toyota Corolla 2020 is faulty. An "Engine Maintance Required" code appeared a couple months ago, when the vehicle was still under 60K miles. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. A faulty coolant bypass valve can cause the engine to overheat or leak coolant, leading to potential breakdowns or accidents. It may also trigger warning lights and reduce cabin heating, creating further safety risks. Not confirmed by dealership/indepenent service center. Only confirmed by personal inspection. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by manufactuer/police/insurance representatives. "Engine Maintance Required" message appeared on digitial display of vehicle. Message does not appear when the vehcile is turned on while A/C system is left OFF, but upon turning on the A/C, the maintaince required message appears, indiciating a faulty bypass valve.
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 112 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Toyota Corolla, 36% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.