2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback problems

The Toyota Corolla (E210) is the twelfth generation of the Corolla, a compact car (C-segment) manufactured by Toyota. Introduced in 2018, this generation has also grown to include hatchback and estate (station wagon) configurations in addition to the saloon (sedan).
Since 2022, a high-performance model became available as the GR Corolla. Based on the hatchback model, the GR Corolla is marketed under the Gazoo Racing family of high-performance cars.
Its platform-sharing vehicles include the Toyota Corolla Cross, a compact crossover SUV, and the Toyota C-HR, an SUV with a hatchback-like body.
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Common 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback problems
The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback has been reported to have a few common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues include faulty backup lights, worn load carrying capacity labels, brake failure, and transmission problems.
Faulty Backup Lights and Worn Labels
A significant number of 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchbacks have been affected by faulty backup lights and worn load carrying capacity labels. The backup lights issue may result in the lights not functioning properly, which can be a safety concern for drivers.
Brake Failure
There have been reports of brake failure in the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, with one driver experiencing a "NO BRAKE POWER" warning light. This issue resulted in the driver waiting weeks for a replacement part to be delivered to the dealership. Brake failure is a serious concern, as it can lead to accidents and pose a significant safety risk for drivers and passengers.
Transmission Problems
Some 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback owners have reported jerky transmissions, sudden loss of power, and continuously variable transmission (CVT) issues. These problems can affect the car's performance and drivability, causing it to stall or have difficulty accelerating.
These issues, while not widespread, can still impact the driving experience and safety of 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback owners. It is essential to address these problems promptly and seek professional assistance when needed.
Are there any recalls on 2020 Toyota Corollas?
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR and 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
What is the most common issue of Toyota Corolla?
Some common problems with the Toyota Corolla include:
- Oil leaking/excessive oil use.
- Jerky acceleration.
- MAF sensor problem.
- Car vibrating.
How dependable is the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
The 2020 Toyota Corolla lasts around 300,000 miles with relatively minor stereo and A/C system issues reported. At $19,400 to $23,025, it's pricey, but worth the money for one of the most reliable compact cars on the market.
How many miles will a Toyota Corolla hatchback last?
300,000 miles
If you're considering a Toyota Corolla, you may be wondering, “How long do Toyota Corollas last?” With regular service and maintenance, the Toyota Corolla has a life expectancy of up to 10 years or 300,000 miles. Assuming you take good care of your new Corolla, you could have it for well over a decade.
What is the most common issue of Toyota Corolla?
Some common problems with the Toyota Corolla include:
- Oil leaking/excessive oil use.
- Jerky acceleration.
- MAF sensor problem.
- Car vibrating.
What is the recall on 2020 Toyota Corolla?
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR and 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
Is Toyota Corolla Hatchback safe?
Excellent Safety Ratings
It's also one of the 2023 IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick award winners, which are reserved for the safest vehicles on the road.
What are the disadvantages of Toyota Corolla?
The cabin of the Toyota Corolla might feel upscale, but there is significant cabin noise that can interfere with the feeling of luxury. The road and wind at high rates of speed will make the interior louder than expected. Most compact cars like the Toyota Corolla tend to struggle in the department of cabin noise.
2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Corolla Hatchback vehicles. A rear hatch wire harness connector may have been damaged during assembly, which may cause the back-up lights to fail.
- Consequence: If the back-up lights fail, there can be an increased risk of a crash while the vehicle is reversing.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear hatch wire harness, free of charge. The recall began June 30, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB07 and 20TA07.
- Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
Negative 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback car reviews
Positive 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback car reviews
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I've had my blue flame Corolla for 4 years now and I don't plan on selling it anytime soon. It's been a great investment for me and I absolutely love driving my XSE model. It's just so much fun! I also have paddles, although I haven't had the chance to use them yet. This car really delivers everything I need.
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I purchased my vehicle in August 2019 and got a great deal on it. At the time, I was very excited about it, but I didn't realize how small the trunk space was. As my son got older, he started feeling cramped in the backseat with his car seat. I'm only 5'1'', so in order to see out of the right window, the passenger seat has to be moved back, which can be a bit inconvenient. The car has more blind spots than I'm used to, as I previously owned an 08 Civic Si Coupe, and I miss the pick-up from my old car. However, the technology and safety features are incredible, which was a big reason why I wanted to upgrade my car with a 2-year-old in tow. Overall, the Corolla Hatchback is a great car for solo riders or those who don't carry too many passengers. The phantom seats are a bit of a nuisance, but plugging in the seatbelts will stop the annoying beeping. Unfortunately, the trunk space is limited, and I couldn't even fit our stroller in it, which is why I ultimately traded it in for a 2020 Corolla Sedan. I miss the hatchback, but I needed something with more space.
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I absolutely love driving this car, despite a few minor issues. I purchased the XSE manual and have enjoyed taking it through the winding hills between my home and work. The suspension is well-balanced and the brakes work great without being too touchy. The interior is comfortable and the infotainment system is more functional than my wife's 2018 CR-V. The gauges are well-designed, although the big LCD center gauge is only really useful for fuel economy. The exterior is also very attractive, and I added OEM crossbars and mudflaps for a rally car aesthetic. However, there are a few minor issues that I have noticed. The seat sensors are a bit touchy, resulting in a warning to buckle the imaginary passenger if I carry a case of water in the front passenger seat. Additionally, if my two kids sit in the back, the car will think there is someone sitting in the middle seat, resulting in a need for a ghost buckle. The center console lid in my configuration does not slide forward, so I can't comfortably rest my right elbow. The gas filler looks cheap, and the speakers are overly cheap as well. I took the dash tweeters out and they are the cheapest paper cones you could imagine. I'm not loving the door speakers either. CarPlay generally works, but periodically, the interface will get clipped to an inch tall banner requiring me to replug. Also, it launches too slowly. The space allocated for the phone is too small, and the phone will often slide off. Bluetooth pairing doesn't work while using CarPlay. It would be great if there was a second USB port for a thumb drive of music. I don't care for the OEM tires, to the point where I much prefer my winter Bliztech I rode on during winter. The auto brake hold and rev matching should default to on, and it's not obvious how to show gas mileage per tank instead of gas mileage per trip.Not sure what the difference is between 6th gear and 5th gear. It takes a bit of effort to achieve 34mpg on the highway, more so than in my previous 2003 Civic. The boot space is small and the rear seating is cramped, but I knew this when I chose a short and maneuverable car. Despite these minor drawbacks, I still love the car.
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This car is amazing! It's quick, nimble, and has responsive steering. It sticks firmly to the road and is an absolute joy to drive. I have zero complaints about it. I test drove many cars before this one, but when I finally got a chance to drive it, I knew it was the one for me. Every time I get in it to go somewhere, I like it even more. It also helps that Toyota's reliability is standing behind it. As long as I do my part, such as changing the oil, it'll be around for a long time.
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I've been the proud owner of my 2019 Corolla XSE Hatch 6MT for over a year now and I absolutely love it! The car looks sporty and sleek, and the tight vehicle has no rattles and boasts an awesome fit and finish. The ergonomics are very good and the peppy 6MT is responsive with great steering. It even handles well in the snow! Although the back hatch area is small and the back seat is cramped, I don't mind as it's my go-to commuter vehicle and I don't plan on taking group trips with it. The mileage is respectable, especially considering my short commutes. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend the Corolla XSE Hatch 6MT to anyone looking for a reliable and stylish commuter car.I'm still getting used to the 0W16 oil. I change the oil myself and I've noticed that the oil is quite thin. During our frigid winters with short commutes, I feel like there might be a condensation-oil contamination issue with this engine. When I change the oil in the winter, the oil looks like chocolate milk. I'm cautious and change the oil more frequently than recommended. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to the characteristics of this much thinner 0W16 oil. Overall, I'm happy with everything. I own my vehicles for a very long time, so I'm looking forward to experiencing that Toyota reliability and longevity.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback problems:
2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next ...
2020 Toyota Corolla SE with 20k mi. CVT Transmission FAILED. $8 ...
Jul 5, 2022 ... I have about 46K miles on mine, I've had no issues with the transmission or any other mechanical failure - granted, I use my car mostly for ...
2020 Toyota Corolla Problems Include Faulty Backup Lights, Worn ...
Nov 8, 2022 ... This recall covers just 960 units in total, all 2020 Corollas, all hatchback models. The issue comes down to a rear hatch wire harness connector ...

2019-2021 Corolla hatchback : r/COROLLA
Dec 17, 2020 ... ... issues or problems. I know when the new ... 2020 Toyota Corolla Le CVT reliability? 4 ... 2020 Corolla Hatchback or 2020 Civic Hatchback. 4 ...
CR Not Recommending Corolla Hatchback | Toyota Nation Forum
Nov 19, 2021 ... There are a few threads on here with early gen hatchbacks (J-VIN 2019s) having 6mt transmission issues & resulted in several if not all ...
Sven McDermott 2024-09-23
At first glance, the hatchback may seem like the next step for the Corolla, but it has its differences. While the new and unique look is eye-catching, it comes at a cost of limited storage space and less room for passengers in the back. Unfortunately, the CVT transmission can be quite clunky, which is not what you would expect from a Toyota. Although I am disappointed with my purchase, I would still recommend the standard Corolla or any other car to potential buyers. In the past, I owned a 2015 Ford Fiesta, which had similar space limitations. When the opportunity arises, I plan to trade this car in. Thank you for considering my feedback.
Dayne Rowe 2024-04-02
Hi there! I received this car as a company-provided vehicle. Here are some of the things I love about it: the sporty handling, impressive acceleration, and stylish design. However, there are a few things to note, such as the slightly sharp ride and the fact that rear passengers are sitting above the rear wheels. Unfortunately, I've experienced some issues at 50k miles, including a non-functional microphone, inability to roll down the left rear window from the driver's controls, temperamental Bluetooth and USB connections (and no, it's not the cable), inability to reset the maintenance warning message, and an engine ignition miss. Overall, though, I still enjoy driving this car. Thanks for reading!
Adam Jacobi 2024-02-27
Not as fast as I thought. I gave it a good push to get it moving.
Randy Sipes 2024-02-12
If you're looking for a car with great performance, I would recommend the Corolla with a manual transmission. Unfortunately, the CVT doesn't do justice to the 168hp motor and can be a bit of a letdown. I tried the 'manual' mode with the paddle shifters and the 'sport' button, but neither seemed to help. When compared to the Mazda 3 and the Kia Soul, the Corolla hatch falls short. The 2020 Soul's CVT is new this year and is much better executed, while the Mazda has a larger 2.5L engine and more zip. Either of these cars would be a better choice, with the Mazda being a great option for a FWD hatch and the Soul offering better power delivery and more cargo space. After driving any of these cars back to back with the Corolla hatch, you may find that there isn't much reason to choose the Toyota.