Owners have reported 14 crashes, 3 fires and 9 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Toyota Corolla. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints60
STEERING
Owners report several steering-related issues with the 2023 Toyota Corolla. A common problem involves the steering column failing to lock into place, often requiring replacement, with some instances occurring around 35,000 miles. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle pulling to one side or oscillating within the lane, even when lane assist features are disabled. Additionally, several owners experience power steering loss accompanied by engine shutdowns, particularly during wet conditions, which can lead to dangerous situations at intersections or on highways. There are reports of crashes linked to steering assist systems misinterpreting road conditions, resulting in loss of control. These issues suggest potential safety risks, particularly at higher speeds or in adverse weather.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints45
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical issues with the 2023 Toyota Corolla, with common failure patterns including unexpected engine shut-offs, particularly when driving in wet conditions with windshield wipers active. Complaints frequently mention dashboard warnings such as "low steering power" and "engine stopping," often necessitating a full vehicle restart. Some reports involve the automatic emergency braking system activating without cause, contributing to at least one crash. Issues are noted across various mileages, with some occurring in vehicles with as few as 5,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as two complaints involve crashes and injuries, indicating potential risks for loss of control. These patterns suggest potential buyers should be aware of these issues when considering a used model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints29
ENGINE
Owners report several recurring issues with the 2023 Toyota Corolla's engine, particularly involving the auto-start/stop feature. Complaints frequently mention the engine shutting off unexpectedly when stopped at traffic lights, requiring the driver to shift into park and restart the vehicle. This issue is often linked to wet conditions and occurs at various mileages, sometimes as early as 11,619 miles. Additionally, there are reports of strong fuel odors and check engine lights related to fuel system components, and one incident of a vehicle fire after noticing a burning smell. These issues, especially the sudden engine shutoffs, pose potential safety risks in traffic situations.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints25
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2023 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues with the vehicle's exterior lighting, specifically regarding the headlights. A common problem involves shadows or dark spots in the beam of the low beam headlights, which many owners describe as obstructing visibility and making night driving hazardous. Some owners link these shadows to design elements within the headlight assembly, and multiple reports indicate that dealerships acknowledge the issue but cite it as normal with no available fix. Several complaints mention incidents where the shadowed lighting contributed to accidents, such as hitting objects on the road. These issues are reported soon after purchase, with some vehicles having as little as 6 miles on the odometer. This pattern of complaints suggests potential safety implications for prospective buyers, especially those who frequently drive at night.
Owner complaints23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Toyota Corolla, with the most common being problems related to the vehicle's start-stop system and electronic displays. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle unexpectedly shutting off while driving or at red lights, often accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights such as "Parking Brake System" and "Check Engine." These incidents are reported even at low mileages, sometimes as early as 390 miles. Additionally, issues with the 12.3-inch display screen not turning on or shutting down while driving are noted. Safety implications include reports of crashes and fires, with one owner describing a fire that led to a total vehicle loss. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported issues and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Toyota Corolla's power train, notably involving the clutch and start/stop system. Complaints frequently mention premature clutch wear and failure, with symptoms including slipping, burning smells, and inability to switch gears, sometimes occurring under 5,500 miles. The start/stop system is another common issue, where the engine fails to restart automatically at stoplights, causing the car to stall and requiring manual intervention to restart, often with warning lights illuminating. These issues carry potential safety implications, such as loss of vehicle control and increased risk in traffic situations. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they might affect vehicle reliability, especially in models with higher mileage.
Owner complaints15
AIR BAGS
Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2023 Toyota Corolla, with multiple complaints describing airbags failing to deploy during crashes, despite significant vehicle damage and impact forces. Some complaints involve unexpected airbag deployment without collision, causing loss of control. Reports frequently mention the vehicle being involved in accidents at various speeds, including while stationary or moving at moderate speeds, with no airbag activation. Six of the complaints involve crashes, resulting in six injuries, highlighting potential safety risks. Some owners also express frustration with unresolved airbag recalls, citing difficulties in obtaining repairs or clear communication from dealerships.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints8
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 Toyota Corolla report several issues related to the service brakes, with frequent mentions of brake pedal resistance and malfunction during wet conditions. Complaints often describe the brake pedal requiring excessive effort to depress, particularly during rainstorms, and in some cases, the brakes fail to engage properly in the final stages of braking, leading to delayed stops. Some owners report incidents occurring at low to moderate speeds, with no warning lights or alerts present. Additionally, issues with the auto stop/start feature are noted, where the vehicle fails to restart after engaging, especially in conjunction with windshield wiper use. The mileage at which these issues occur is varied, with one report at approximately 1,000 miles. Safety implications include potential near-collisions due to delayed braking response, but no crashes or injuries are reported.
Owner complaints5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report issues with the 2023 Toyota Corolla's forward collision avoidance systems, particularly involving the adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic braking features. Complaints frequently mention false pre-collision alerts and unexpected braking when no vehicles are nearby, as well as the ACC failing to detect vehicles in rainy conditions, leading to the need for manual braking to avoid collisions. These issues are reported across various mileages, with one complaint noting occurrences as early as 2,800 miles. Safety implications include the risk of rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking and near-misses when the system does not detect vehicles in adverse weather. One report includes an injury linked to abrupt braking, highlighting potential safety concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2023 Toyota Corolla report issues with vehicle speed control, primarily involving the cruise control system and ECU programming. Complaints frequently mention that the cruise control automatically activates upon vehicle start, with no option to fully deactivate it, leading to potential accidental acceleration if the resume button is pressed. Another reported issue involves incorrect ECU calibration affecting speedometer accuracy, which could result in unintentional speeding and affect other systems like collision alerts and adaptive cruise control. One crash is reported where the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated without response from the brakes, resulting in a loss of control and injury. These issues often emerge shortly after vehicle delivery, highlighting potential safety implications for buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
