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2020 Toyota Corolla Steering Problems

8 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data

8
Complaints
1
Crashes
Jan 2020Nov 2022
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (8)

criticalSTEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2025

Your car suddenly stalled while driving normally, and the steering became very difficult to control. The dashboard showed "engine stopped, steering power low" warnings. Your car wouldn't restart for about 10 minutes while sitting in the middle of the road, requiring help from other drivers to push it to safety. After 10 minutes, it restarted and drove normally; the battery and alternator tested fine, but your mechanic couldn't identify the cause. This electrical or engine control issue could be diagnosed by checking the vehicle's computer error codes and testing the starter motor and fuel pump.

NHTSA #: 11695131
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2025

after shortly pumping gas, I received a alert on my car that I needed to check my fuel cap, after checking fuel cap I proceeded to drive on the highway during this time a multitude of sensors started to go off on my car, and it started to drive weird there were light such as my interlock, being deactivated, parking, brake, deactivated, malfunction of VSC, collision deactivated. Then suddenly while driving at an accelerated speed, and trying to slow down, my engine turned itself off, and I was not able to re-crank my car. There is an active recall with Toyota for the fuel pump, which I was told by Toyota was the issue, but due to my VIN not being associated they would not repair as a recall

NHTSA #: 11657355
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2022

The steering makes a thumping noise. The car also veers off to the left or right while driving. I had a front-end alignment performed by the dealer. It still does the same thing. I did take it to the Dealer, twice and they claimed there was no issue. I've never heard a thumping noise in any other car that I've owned. I have not had an accident but there is something going on with the steering of the car. I'm not sure if the steering column was broken or attempted to be stolen. There are scratches around the ignition switch that were there when I bought the car.

NHTSA #: 11495247
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering momentarily malfunctioned causing the vehicle to drift into the opposite lane. The contact indicated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started drifting into the left lane and would not respond when the steering wheel was turned to the right. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that moments later the vehicle drove normally. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who identified steering failure codes but indicated that the failure was due to a low-powered battery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA #: 11467741
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing a steering shaft replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA #: 11429787
mediumSTEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Apr 2021

DRIVE ASSIST OCCASIONALLY SWERVES OUT OF LANES AT PARKED VEHICLES, PEDESTRIANS, AND EVEN CARS IN ON COMING LANES. HAPPENS INCONSISTENTLY AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. WHEN THE CAR IS PERFECTLY CENTERED WITH DRIVE ASSIST ON, YOU BEGIN TO LET YOUR GAURD DOWN. WHICH IS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT YOUR CAR TO FORCIBLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT AN UNSUSPECTED BICYCLIST.

NHTSA #: 11407337
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PETERSON TOYOTA OF SARASOTA (7435 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA, FL 34231, (941) 924-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABLE ASSEMBLY AND THE COLUMN SUB-ASSEMBLY, BOLTS, STEERING LOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE SERIAL CABLE - CHECK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED HIM THAT AN ALIGNMENT TO THE STEERING WAS COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

NHTSA #: 11297299
mediumSTEERING,WHEELS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
CrashFiled: Aug 2019

AFTER ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY, I EXPERIENCE A FAULT WITH THE AUTOMATED DRIVING ASSIST SYSTEM WHICH DURING A MERGE OF TWO HIGHWAYS IN CALIFORNIA; AND FAILURE OF ROAD STRUCTURES ALLOWED AN OLDER PASSENGER TRUCK TO HIT THE TOYOTA'S DRIVER'S REAR TIRE AND WHEEL WELL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT EVASIVE, DEFENSIVE OR WARNING FROM THE 2020 COROLLA HYBRID'S

NHTSA #: 11246259

Other 2020 Toyota Corolla Issues