TSB: Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/discolored engine oil. ?An ?Oil Pressure Low? warning message on the Multi-information Display (MID). ?A MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P05202A (Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch ?A? Signal Stuck in Range) and/or P052477 (Engine Oil Pressure Too Low [Severe]) present. Moisture from blow-by gases condenses and accumulates in the engine oil during short trips in extreme cold weather. When the moisture in the oil freezes, the oil pressure may drop, and the aforementioned warning indicators may displa
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Toyota Corolla brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Toyota Corolla have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Corolla | 13 |
| 2017 Corolla | 11 |
| 2018 Corolla | 6 |
| 2019 Corolla | 7 |
| 2020 Corolla (this page) | 12 |
| 2021 Corolla | 5 |
| 2022 Corolla | 12 |
| 2024 Corolla | 5 |
3crashes
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
TT: Confirm the vehicle meets the following conditions: 1) Rattle noise is coming from the brake pedal bracket assembly area AND not from other areas of the vehicle 2) Mileage is under 20,000 miles 3) Vehicle has not had previous front brake repairs performed 4) Vehicle is located in California or Oregon If the vehicle meets the above criteria, please create a TAS case. TAS will provide further instruction. If it is a weekend or holiday, continue with diagnosis and repair If the vehicle does not meet the above criteria, please proceed to diagnose the vehicle using the applicable repair manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2014 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171 and/or P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/Bank 2) ?DTC P0087 Fuel Rail / System Pressure ? Too Low Techstream data list analysis may reveal positive fuel trims including a no pressure condition verified by a manual fuel pressure gauge. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2014-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20TA02, Safety Recall 21TA03, Safety Recall 21TA05 or Special Service Campaign 21TC03. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2015-2020 model year (MY) vehicles that were not previously involved in a Safety Recall or Special Service Campaign related to the low pressure fuel pump. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Corolla brake complaints cluster around complete failure events, unintended motion, and electronic glitches. Most serious: three owners describe the brake pedal doing nothing at all—one while exiting a freeway (collision with another car), one on a rain-slicked downhill approach to a stop sign, and one during a low-speed parking lot stop that lunged the car forward hard enough to partially dislodge a concrete pillar. Toyota inspected the first case, found nothing, and offered no repair. A fourth owner reports the brake pedal dropping toward the floor after 20-40 seconds at stops when the engine is warm—a classic sign of master cylinder seal failure—but dealers cannot duplicate it because the car cools while sitting. Another owner's vehicle refused to stop during a 20 MPH right turn; never diagnosed. The electronic parking brake is throwing a shift-interlock error message on at least one car after 2.5 years of clean operation, and Toyota tech confirmed a spring vibration in the brake pedal exists across all 2020 Corolla models with no fix available. One ABS control unit failed at 25,000 miles; two shops called it premature and a quality defect. A brake caliper seized and rusted at 40,000 miles on a car driven almost entirely on salt-free roads. The Forward Collision Avoidance system is also engaging without a collision. Dealers have consistently declined to repair or even acknowledge defects as warranty issues.
Same Toyota Corolla brakes reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended forward lunge during braking
Vehicle suddenly lunges forward with force while braking applied at low speed, resulting in collision. Owner reports brake application caused vehicle to accelerate rather than decelerate.
When: At slow speed in parking lot
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward lunge during brake application; Vehicle struck concrete pillar with significant force
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle inspected by Toyota dealership and Toyota Corporation; no defect found. Owner declined auction sale and arranged vehicle destruction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota conducted inspection and found no defect; incident not captured in vehicle computer. No repair offered.
Forward Collision Avoidance system unintended activation
FCA system activated and stopped vehicle independently at low speed without warning. System later diagnosed as functioning correctly by dealer.
When: At approximately 10 MPH during left turn; failure mileage approximately 116,000
Symptoms owners cite: FCA system activated without collision; Vehicle stopped independently; No warning light; Vehicle shaking abnormally at speeds under 40 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at local dealer; no defect found in brakes or FCA system. Vehicle not repaired.
Electronic Parking Brake shift interlock error message
EPB displays 'Shift Interlock Function Activated' error message intermittently. Message began appearing after 2.5 years of symptom-free operation. Persists even when brakes pressed during startup as dealer suggested.
When: After 2.5 years of ownership; recurring over several months
Symptoms owners cite: EPB shift interlock error message display; Error persists with brakes held during start
Codes mentioned: EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated
Brake pedal drop when engine warm
After vehicle warms up during driving, brake pedal slowly drops toward floor after 20-40 seconds at stops. Owner suspects master cylinder failure; symptoms cease when vehicle cools.
When: When engine warm; disappears when brake fluid cools after vehicle sits
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal slowly drops toward floor after 20-40 seconds at red light when warm; Normal operation when cold
Repairs/costs cited: Brought to dealership (Rudy Luther Toyota, Golden Valley); unable to reproduce because vehicle cooled during diagnostic wait.
Gear shifter unresponsive with locked cylinder
Vehicle failed to respond when shifted between drive and reverse while parked. Diagnosed with locked cylinder. Dealer referenced recall 19V544000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes) but vehicle VIN not included and mileage exceeded recall limit.
When: At approximately 90,249 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shifter failed to respond to shift input; Vehicle not responding to drive/reverse commands
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealer; locked cylinder diagnosed and repaired. Mileage exceeded recall coverage limit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V544000 available but vehicle VIN and mileage did not qualify.
Complete brake failure at low speed
Vehicle failed to stop when brake pedal depressed at 20 MPH during right turn. Shifted to park and heard abnormal noise; vehicle continued forward until hitting curb. Failure occurred twice.
When: At approximately 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle failed to stop when brake pedal depressed; Abnormal noise heard when shifting to park; Vehicle continued forward until hitting curb
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not drivable; towed to residence. Not diagnosed or repaired; dealer not contacted.
Brake pedal vibration and spring anomaly at low speed
Brake pedal vibrates with spring effect at very low speeds (1-2 MPH). Toyota tech confirmed vibration is present and exists across all new 2020 Corolla models. No fix currently available. Dealership service director unable or unwilling to address.
When: During slow braking at 1-2 MPH speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal vibrates with spring effect; Occurs at very low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Shown to dealership twice; service director initially could not reproduce, then Toyota tech confirmed issue and stated no fix available. Acknowledged as affecting all 2020 Corolla models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota tech confirmed issue exists on all new 2020 Corolla models; no fix available.
Front brake caliper rust and seizure
Front passenger brake caliper rusted and seized at 40,000 miles and two years of age. Vehicle has not been driven in salty conditions except twice to beach. Owner reports similar aged vehicle with regular salt exposure shows no caliper corrosion.
When: At 40,000 miles; two years old
Symptoms owners cite: Front passenger side brake caliper rusted; Brake caliper seized
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership refused repair under platinum warranty, claiming rust is 'environmental' not covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denial based on environmental classification.
ABS electronic control unit failure
ABS malfunctioned at very low mileage (25,000 miles). Diagnostics from two independent shops confirmed ABS electronic control unit failing due to external failure. Both technicians noted such failure is highly uncommon and indicates quality issue with electronic components.
When: At 25,000 miles; vehicle very new at time of failure
Symptoms owners cite: ABS system malfunction
Codes mentioned: ABS electronic control unit failure
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostics performed at two independent service centers; both confirmed external failure of ABS ECU.
Complete brake failure at freeway speed
Vehicle brakes completely failed while exiting freeway and approaching red light at lower speed. Owner pressed brake pedal to floor; vehicle continued forward and struck another vehicle. Police report filed.
When: While exiting freeway and slowing at red light
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle not stopping when brake pedal applied; Brake pedal pressed to floor with no response; Vehicle continued forward and collided
Brake failure on downhill grade in wet conditions
Brakes completely failed while driving down hill in light rain and damp conditions, approaching stop sign. Owner pressed brake pedal five times with no response. Vehicle continued toward ditch without stopping capability.
When: While descending hill in rain and damp road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes stopped working completely; Brake pedal pressed five times with no effect; Vehicle continued downhill uncontrolled
Brake skidding and auto-brake uncontrolled movement
Two separate issues: (1) Vehicle skids and brakes chatter excessively when braking from 45 MPH; (2) When auto-braking system engages and vehicle stops, vehicle then starts moving again on its own; owner unable to stop vehicle when attempting braking in this state.
When: During normal driving and auto-brake engagement
Symptoms owners cite: Brake skidding and chattering when braking from 45 MPH; Auto-brake stops vehicle, then vehicle starts moving again; Unable to stop vehicle during unintended movement after auto-brake release
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 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 brakes problem on the 2020 Toyota Corolla?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 36,763 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2020/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.