Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% | 27,000 miles |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
| 2022 | 17 | 16% | 81,000 miles |
| 2021 | 19 | 10% | 65,000 miles |
| 2020 | 40 | 13% | 15,000 miles |
| 2019 | 56 | 27% | 9,000 miles |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% | 25,000 miles |
| 2017 | 15 | 8% | 2,000 miles |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 30 | 14% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 10% | 54,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% | 4,000 miles |
| 2010 | 49 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 45 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2007 | 26 | 3% | 39,000 miles |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% | 54,000 miles |
| 2005 | 37 | 4% | 95,000 miles |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% | 91,000 miles |
| 2003 | 61 | 8% | 96,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% | 45,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% | 110,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% | 67,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% | 149,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 13 | 7% | 216,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and decelerating, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure and a case was filed; however, the contact had not received any communication from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 27,000.
This is an issue I have noticed with my car shortly after I bought it. The problem is that the car has a noticable delay in acceleration when accelerating from a complete stop. After doing some research online, I found that the cause was the car's CVT transmission, and that a delay in acceleration happens with other cars with CVT transmissions as well. This could be potentially dangerous especially when making right turns on a red light or when making unprotected lefts on a green, as the window of opportunity to go is sometimes short in those situations, and delaying for even a second could mean the difference between a collision or a safe turn (especially since there are some fast drivers that go much past the speed limit and will appear from behind a hill all of a sudden). …
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 advised to lift the parking brake lever and hold it for 5 seconds and then depress the lever and hold for 5 seconds. The contact was able to shift to any gear, and the vehicle would move after performing the reset. …
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 calling while driving. Toyota said there is no problem with the visibility, that the police is incorrect, and there is a known defect with the computer connecting to android phones (after they insisted it was fine). …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into several intended gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions, where it was diagnosed that a shift linkage cable had detached from the bracket and the part was reassembled. The failure recurred with the spring tension detaching, and the dealer adjusted the spring tension to secure the shifter linkage cable. The dealer then tightened and secured the bracket after the third failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,080. The contact has expressed concern with the vehicle failing to shift gears. The failure has happening multiple times now.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while shifting gears on several occasions, the clutch was sticking. Additionally, while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the clutch was almost stuck to the floorboard. The contact placed a foot behind the clutch pedal to raise the clutch pedal manually off the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake fluid reservoir had drained; however, after adding brake fluid to the brake reservoir, the brake fluid level was low two days later. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the clutch pedal failed to function as intended. The clutch pedal was stuck, and the contact was unable to shift gear. The contact forced the clutch back into neutral while holding the clutch pedal. Once the clutch pedal was released, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and traveled down to the floorboard. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact kicked the clutch pedal upwards to continue driving back to the residence. The contact arrived at the residence and inspected the vehicle, and became aware that there was brake fluid leaking from the vehicle, and the brake fluid reservoir was empty. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the clutch slave cylinder had failed and damaged the clutch and the flywheel. …
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot, the clutch pedal failed to function as intended. The clutch pedal was depressed and failed to return after being released. The contact used his foot to raise the clutch pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the slave cylinder had failed. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the six-speed manual transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted with the labor cost. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback vehicles equipped with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT). The pump impeller blades within the torque converter may detach, especially when driven under high load, potentially causing a vehicle stall.
Remedy: Toyota has notified owners, and dealers will replace the CVT and torque converter, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Power train › Axle assembly
On passenger vehicles with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) starting with 1nx only and built from January 8 through February 13, 2002, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be loose due to insufficient tightening during the assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will properly tighten the bolts. Owner notification began March 21, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Corolla years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (61), 2019 (56), 2010 (49), 2009 (45) and 2006 (43) model years. Transmission complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Toyota Corolla transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 18V-901 (torque converter, Dec 19, 2018); 02V074001 (axle assembly, Mar 11, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Corolla transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (107 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (26).
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.