TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Corolla cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Corolla have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 38,565 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Corolla | 142 |
| 2010 Corolla | 137 |
| 2011 Corolla | 33 |
| 2012 Corolla | 8 |
| 2013 Corolla (this page) | 15 |
| 2014 Corolla | 16 |
| 2015 Corolla | 12 |
| 2016 Corolla | 14 |
| 2017 Corolla | 20 |
7crashes
3injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report unintended acceleration in the 2013 Corolla, particularly during reversing, parking, and stopped traffic. Several incidents involved brakes applied but unable to prevent surging acceleration, causing crashes into structures, vehicles, and landscaping. One owner reported the vehicle accelerated during exit from a gas station at 38,565 miles, resulting in a median crossing and airbag deployment with injuries; another experienced high-speed backward acceleration while reversing out of a driveway at 13,597 miles. A third owner lost control during parking when the vehicle suddenly surged into a snow bank despite the foot off the accelerator.
Additionally, owners report cruise control failures on highway upgrades at 65 mph—the system disengages abruptly, causing rapid deceleration that one owner tied to four separate incidents. A dealership service manager confirmed receipt of several similar complaints on the 2013 Corolla and related models but stated Toyota has not released a program to correct the problem. One owner also reported the engine shutting down immediately when cruise control was deactivated on the highway, leaving the vehicle unable to restart in gear. Other reports include jerking and unexpected acceleration paired with a check engine light (P02198 code noted), and sluggish throttle response with a TRAC OFF warning indicator illuminating.
Same Toyota Corolla cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while reversing, in parking, or at stops—even with brakes applied or foot off the throttle. Owners report sudden surges that override brake pressure, resulting in collisions with structures, vehicles, and landscape features.
When: 13,597 to 38,565 miles reported; incidents occur at stops, while reversing, or during parking
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input or while foot on brake; Sudden surge forward or backward when braking or coasting; High idle that forces strong brake pressure to prevent motion
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealerships unable to reproduce or diagnose; one owner reported frontal damage requiring bumper, fender, and door repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota requested data recorder on at least one incident; service manager acknowledged several similar complaints but stated no updated program available to correct the problem
Cruise control disengagement with uncontrolled deceleration
On highway upgrades, cruise control disengages abruptly and causes rapid deceleration without any deliberate driver action. This creates a hazard to traffic behind the vehicle.
When: Occurs on highway upgrades at approximately 65 mph; reported to occur multiple times (4+ occasions on one vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control disengages without warning; Rapid deceleration independent of driver input; Complete loss of speed control on highway upgrades
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership service manager confirmed receipt of several similar complaints on 2013 Corolla and related models; Toyota has not issued any updated program or recall to address the issue
Engine stall when cruise control is deactivated
Turning off cruise control causes the engine to shut down simultaneously, leaving the vehicle without power and unable to restart while in gear, forcing the driver to coast and eventually shift to Park.
When: Occurred on highway at 65 mph; timing unknown for frequency
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stops immediately upon cruise control deactivation; Unable to restart while vehicle is in gear; Vehicle coasts to a stop in traffic lane
Jerking and unexpected acceleration with check engine light
Vehicle jerks and accelerates unexpectedly at various speeds; check engine indicator illuminates. Diagnostic testing by an independent mechanic produced a P0219 code (or similar fuel system variant).
When: At 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks and unexpectedly accelerates; Check engine indicator illuminates
Codes mentioned: P02198
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired by the mechanic
Sluggish acceleration response with warning light
Vehicle shakes and fails to accelerate smoothly when the throttle is pressed. Traction control warning indicator (TRAC OFF) illuminates during the event.
When: At 88,500 miles, while driving at 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shakes when accelerator is depressed; Failure to accelerate; TRAC OFF warning indicator illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not taken for diagnostic testing or repair
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Toyota Corolla?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Toyota Corolla?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 6,410 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 38,565. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,410; a quarter make it past 86,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Corolla.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.