TSB: REVISION NOTICE September 03, 2019 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 ? 2019 model year Corolla vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2014 ? 2019 model year CK313 CVT Corolla vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2757 (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Performance [Shift Solenoid Valve SL]). Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Toyota Corolla powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Toyota Corolla have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 57,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Corolla | 7 |
| 2013 Corolla | 8 |
| 2014 Corolla | 22 |
| 2015 Corolla | 29 |
| 2016 Corolla (this page) | 20 |
| 2017 Corolla | 16 |
| 2018 Corolla | 11 |
| 2019 Corolla | 52 |
| 2020 Corolla | 35 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 20 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Corolla, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2014 ? 2018 model year Corolla and 2017 ? 2018 model year iM vehicles equipped with the K313 Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT) may exhibit a high-pitched hiss or whine noise after the vehicle has reached normal operating temperature. This condition may be caused by the valve body plate inside the CVT assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Region Letter: August 28,2018 The instructions for Option #1 have been corrected. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in the subject vehicles has improper programming that could lead a component in the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to unnecessarily cycle and experience abnormal wear. If this component becomes damaged, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate in the instrument cluster and the vehicle could experience a reduction of speed. After reaching a pre-determined gear ratio, the vehicle can be operated up to approximately 37 mph.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Technical Instructions: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN JSD CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSAXLE SOFTWARE UPDATE CERTAIN 2014-2017 TOYOTA Corolla CERTAIN 2017 TOYOTA Corolla iM CERTAIN 2016 SCION iM UPDATE 8-20-2018
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Corolla's powertrain—specifically the CVT transmission—shows up repeatedly in these complaints. Owners report sudden loss of power, jerking downshifts at highway speed, transmission slipping, and complete failure across a wide mileage range from 35,000 to 98,000 miles. Diagnostic codes tied to transmission issues include P2757, P0301, P0841, and P2829. Multiple owners cite Toyota's Technical Service Bulletin (TSB T-SB-0150-16) for torque converter and valve body defects, yet Toyota has denied warranty coverage for most repairs once the factory powertrain warranty expires at 60,000 miles or 5 years.
Symptoms vary. Some owners hear whining, rattling, or clunking. Others describe violent jerking and rubber-banding, especially during downshifts or uphill driving. Black transmission fluid in one case suggested internal wear. In one instance, a dealership rebuilt the CVT twice but vibration and RPM fluctuation persisted afterward. Replacement costs run $6,000 to $11,000—often approaching the vehicle's used-car value.
One owner experienced engine misfire (P0301) with loss of power at 44,000 miles. Another reported premature front axle failure at 81,000 miles. An AC compressor came apart internally, requiring full system replacement.
A critical point: owners mention Toyota issued a service campaign but suspended or limited it, leaving drivers outside the warranty window stranded with no manufacturer support despite known defects.
Same Toyota Corolla powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission failure
The continuously variable transmission fails, with owners reporting sudden loss of power, inability to accelerate, or complete failure. Some cases show slipping and hesitation; others show the transmission locked up or refusing to engage. Replacement costs range from $6,000 to $11,000. Multiple owners report Toyota has a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB T-SB-0150-16) acknowledging torque converter clutch and valve-body defects, yet the company denied coverage citing warranty expiration or vehicle age.
When: Range from 35,000 to 98,000 miles; one case at 44,175 miles; another at 80,000 miles with warranty already expired at 75,000.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power or inability to accelerate; Vehicle slows to 5 mph or below without driver input; Jerking and hesitation during downshifts; Transmission slipping; Loud whining, rattling, or clunking noises from transmission; Check Engine light (sometimes flashing); Vibration and jerking hard enough to wake passengers; Burning tire smell in one case
Codes mentioned: P2757, P0301, P0841, P2829
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost $6,000–$11,000. One owner chose salvage-yard transmission. One case involved rebuilding the CVT twice, with subsequent vibration and RPM fluctuation persisting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB T-SB-0150-16 for torque converter clutch/valve-body failure. Some owners mention a software update service campaign that failed to resolve the problem. One owner had a recall repair (campaign number unknown) that failed. Toyota refused to cover repairs outside the factory warranty period (typically 5 years/60,000 miles for powertrain). Toyota has issued service campaigns but suspended at least one recall.
Engine misfire and loss of power
Engine misfires with Check Engine light, Trac Off light, and steering symbols illuminating. Vehicle loses power and jerks violently. One case involved repeated misfires and a burning tire smell. Symptoms are intermittent and difficult for dealers to reproduce.
When: At 44,091–44,175 miles on one vehicle; occurred twice within a week.
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light (sometimes flashing); Trac Off light; Red steering wheel symbol; Engine loses power; vehicle slows to 5 mph; Jerking and violent vibration (described as railroad-track feeling); Burning tire smell; Intermittent nature; hard to reproduce at dealership
Codes mentioned: P0301
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired at the time of complaint. One shop recommended bringing it to the dealer under powertrain warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer recommended warranty repair, but no action taken by owner at complaint date.
Transmission shift hesitation and jerking
Transmission hesitates or jerks violently during downshifts, especially when slowing on the highway or accelerating uphill. Symptoms worsen over time. Dealers either cannot duplicate the issue or dismiss it as normal vehicle behavior, leaving owners without a fix.
When: Starting August 2018 on one vehicle; worsened over time. Another vehicle at 87,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking during downshifts; Hesitation before jerking; Occurs during highway slowdowns and uphill acceleration; Vibration accompanying the jerking; Worsening frequency and severity over time
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. Dealers unable to duplicate or blamed normal transmission behavior.
Transmission slipping and loss of power at highway speed
Transmission suddenly slips or loses power while driving at highway speeds, causing the vehicle to decelerate dramatically. One owner lost power on a freeway on-ramp, creating a safety hazard.
When: One case at 80,000 miles; another at unspecified highway speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power at highway speed; Vehicle unable to accelerate beyond 45 mph; Transmission slips; Clunking and strange noises
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement estimated at $8,000–$9,200.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated the affected vehicle was not covered under CVT recall for certain 2014–2017 Corollas.
Transmission noise and component wear
Owners report whining, rattling, and clunking from the transmission. One case involved black transmission fluid, suggesting excessive internal wear. Another involved a transmission chain failure diagnosis. Noise worsens over time.
When: At 87,000 miles (chain noise); black fluid noted at unspecified mileage; clunking reported 10–15 times over an unspecified period.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining noise when starting, in Park or Neutral; Rattling in Reverse and Drive; Clunking at freeway speeds; Transmission chain failure; Black transmission fluid indicating wear; Noise worsens and becomes more frequent
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement estimated at $8,900.
Transmission valve body wear and failure
Valve body assembly in the CVT wears out prematurely. One owner reports the failure occurred after Toyota applied a computer patch via recall to address early wear on the same part—suggesting the fix was insufficient.
When: At 98,000 miles, after a computer patch/recall remedy was applied.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission failure; Recurrence of the defect despite recall repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued a recall with a computer patch to address early valve body wear, but the remedy failed to prevent subsequent failure.
Front axle premature wear
Both front axles require replacement at 81,000 miles. Owner expresses concern about premature failure so early in the vehicle's service life.
When: At 81,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Axle failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimate $1,300 for both front axles.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Received a service bulletin that the CVT needed a software update. We had this done at inver grove Toyota. However, the RPM's continued to fluctuate while driving at lower speeds. Took it back to the dealer and then told the transmission needed to be replaced at the cost of $6000. Car has just over 62000 miles and Toyota would not grant an exception to the warranty to cover the new transmission.…
My 2016 Toyota Corolla suddenly showed a Check Engine light, and the dealer diagnosed a CVT transmission failure with code P2757. This code is linked directly to Toyota’s own TSB T-SB-0150-16 for torque converter clutch/valve-body failure. The dealer confirmed the issue and quoted me $11K to fix it. This is frightening because a failing transmission can slip, hesitate, or lose power at any…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 41,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2016/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.