Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Additionally, the vehicle will exhibit DTC(s) P268111 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Ground) and/or P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Toyota Corolla engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Toyota Corolla have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Corolla | 4 |
| 2016 Corolla | 4 |
| 2017 Corolla | 4 |
| 2018 Corolla | 5 |
| 2019 Corolla (this page) | 23 |
| 2020 Corolla | 84 |
| 2021 Corolla | 29 |
| 2022 Corolla | 6 |
| 2023 Corolla | 5 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Additionally, the vehicle will exhibit DTC(s) P268111 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Ground) and/or P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Additionally, the vehicle will exhibit DTC(s) P268111 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Ground) and/or P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2019 Corolla owners report CVT torque converter clutch solenoid failures with sudden acceleration loss, loud shifting noises, and stalling. At least two owners encountered vehicles matching an active recall (3,400 US units) but found their cars not flagged in the recall system; dealerships have been unresponsive to their calls.
The coolant bypass valve failure dominates complaint volume. Starting around 30,000–71,000 miles, owners get "Engine Maintenance Required" messages—often triggered by AC use—without a check engine light. Dealership technicians acknowledge this as a known recurring issue across Toyota Corollas and RAV4s but no recall has been issued. Replacement runs $331–$800. Several owners report parts unavailable at dealerships.
Additional failures include excessive RPM surging (1800–5000 RPM) during cruise control or acceleration at low mileage; one dealership reproduced the issue but documented it as normal. Motor mount failures cause engine rocking during acceleration and braking. One owner reports fuel won't fill completely and capacity dropped from 445 to 395 miles per tank starting at 59,000 miles. Stalling and poor throttle response appear in at least one report with Toyota stating no recall exists.
Same Toyota Corolla engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Failure (CVT)
Torque converter clutch pressure control solenoid stuck or failed, causing sudden loss of engine power, loud clunking sounds during gear shifts (reverse/drive), and stalling. One owner found their vehicle matched an active recall for approximately 3,400 US vehicles and 1,000 Canadian vehicles but was not listed in the recall system.
When: Variable mileage; narratives mention one case at normal driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of almost all accelerator power; Check engine light illumination; Loud clunk noise during reverse and drive shifts; Vehicle stalling; Affects fuel economy and cruise control stability
Codes mentioned: P0755 (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off), P0756 (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Actuator Stuck On)
Repairs/costs cited: CVT transmission replacement required; dealers unresponsive to owner inquiries
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued a recall for approximately 3,400 US vehicles and 1,000 Canadian vehicles matching this failure mode; owners report difficulty finding their vehicles in the recall database despite matching symptoms
Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Failure
Coolant bypass valve circuit faults causing 'Engine Maintenance Required' message without check engine light. Multiple owners report this as a known recurring issue affecting 2019 Corollas and other Toyota models (RAV4). Failure can lead to cooling system malfunction and potential engine overheating. Mileage range spans 30k to 71k miles. Dealership technicians acknowledge it as a recurring problem across multiple vehicles.
When: 30,000 to 71,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 'Engine Maintenance Required' warning message on dashboard; Message appears intermittently, especially when AC is activated; No check engine light in most cases; Engine maintenance light returns after restart or turning on AC; Risk of cooling system failure and engine overheating
Codes mentioned: P268115 (Engine coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost ranges $331.75 to $800 depending on dealership labor rates; dealership technicians report difficulty obtaining parts; owners report parts unavailable at dealerships
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall issued; owners request recall status; one dealership technician stated this 'should have been a recall issue'; no warranty enhancement program mentioned
Excessive RPM Surging on Cruise Control and Acceleration
Vehicle experiences uncontrolled RPM rises (1800 to 4000-5000 RPM) while cruise control is active downhill or during normal acceleration. In one case, dealership mechanic reproduced the issue but documented it as 'normal vehicle operation.' Affects fuel economy. No warning lights reported in some cases; issue occurs at low mileage.
When: As early as 6,000 to 12,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surging to 1800 RPM or 4000-5000 RPM unexpectedly; Occurs during cruise control activation on downhill grades; Occurs with accelerator pedal depression at 30 mph and above; Reduced fuel economy; No warning indicator lights in reported cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership test drive reproduced issue but classified as normal operation; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership documentation states issue is normal vehicle operation; manufacturer made aware of failure in at least one case
Motor Mount Failure
Motor mounts failed on 2019 Corolla at approximately 44,000 miles. Engine rocks back and forth during acceleration and stopping, creating vibration and potential risk of damage to other engine components.
When: 44,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine rocking back and forth during acceleration; Engine rocking during deceleration/stopping; Excessive vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost reported as 'exorbitant' by owner; specific cost not stated
Fuel Fill Restriction and Fuel Tank Issue
Fuel will not fill to full tank capacity; fuel splashes out when tank reaches certain level. Fuel tank capacity reduced from approximately 445 miles per tank to 395 miles per tank. Began at 59,000 miles. Owner speculates potential connection to fuel pump issues recalled on 2018 Camry.
When: 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel will not fill completely; Fuel splashes out when stopped or during fill; Reduced fuel capacity (445 miles to 395 miles per tank); No check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspection found no diagnostic codes; no repair mentioned
Stalling and Poor Throttle Response
Vehicle stalls occasionally or fails to respond to accelerator input when attempting to accelerate on freeway. Owner states no recall listed but suspects known defect.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls on occasions; No throttle response when accelerating on freeway; Intermittent acceleration failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated no recalls listed for this issue
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 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 engine problem on the 2019 Toyota Corolla?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 23 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 7,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2019/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.