2019 Toyota Corolla problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota Corolla, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
179
Recalls
5
Crashes
18
Fires
1
Injuries
13
Median mileage
18,100 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 47 of 179 complaints (26%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (43) and engine (37) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 18,100 mi.
  • Owners reported 18 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries.
  • The 2019 Toyota Corolla has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 4th of 22 Toyota Corolla model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 88% more complaints than the 2018 model year (95).

2019 Toyota Corolla problems by category

  • 47 complaints
  • 43 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    37 complaints
  • Airbags · 11 crashes
    30 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 3 crashes
    26 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    13 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    12 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    11 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes
    8 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 2 crashes
    7 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 2 crashes
    7 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Lighting · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train46
Engine37
Fuel/propulsion system31
Air bags30
Unknown or other26
Service brakes12
Electrical system11
Fuel system, gasoline10

When problems happen (mileage)

11Under 10k1310k–30k930k–60k360k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2019 Toyota Corolla complaints that list mileage.

2019 Toyota Corolla recalls (5)

  • Recall 20V024000Jan 17, 20202,891,976 vehicles
    AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

  • Recall 20V012000Jan 13, 20201,830,752 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

  • Recall 19V503000Jun 28, 20191,325 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

  • Recall 19V244000Mar 27, 20193,634 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 18V901000Dec 19, 20183,424 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback vehicles equipped with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT). The pump impeller blades within the torque converter may detach, especially when driven under high load, potentially causing a vehicle stall.

    Risk: A vehicle stall, especially when driving a high rate of speed, can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota has notified owners, and dealers will replace the CVT and torque converter, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J17/J07.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024

    Electrical overstress

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2019 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2019 Toyota Corolla 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2019 Toyota Corolla complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 7, 2026NCCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    The weekend of April 3rd, I was driving down a two lane road. There was a dip in the road that lead me to overcorrecting. I had then spun out 2 times, and flew me over a ditch, to smack down on to all 4 tires and slide into a duke energy pole. The airbags didn’t deploy at all. With the incident and the areas affected, the airbags should have deployed.
    NHTSA complaint #11769495 · source
  2. Filed Sep 24, 2026104,000 miCATransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was depressed; however, the clutch system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the clutch was stuck to the floorboard. The contact stated that due to the failure, there was an excessive amount of clutch fluid leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The manufacturer…
    NHTSA complaint #11766729 · source
  3. Filed Sep 16, 2026ARTransmission & Drivetrain
    Component that failed was the CSC Concentric Slave Cylinder. I went to press the clutch and it stuck to the floor. I checked for leaks in the cabin beneath the clutch and it was dry. I then proceeded to check the reservoir and saw that it needed fluid. I managed to get it to a nearby convenience center to purchase and fill the reservoir when that did not work I called a tow truck to move it to an auto repair shop. This put others at risk, should the clutch have remained in…
    NHTSA complaint #11764719 · source
  4. Filed Sep 10, 2026WATransmission & Drivetrain
    Slave cylinder on clutch failed and leaked fluid in to clutch and flywheel. Clutch pedal would not rebound after being pressed in to shift gear, stuck in middle of road trying to get vehicle in first gear. Had vehicle towed to dealership, estimate of $5800 to repair. Apparently this is a known problem with this manual transmission, many others have experienced similar failure at around 60,000 miles.
    NHTSA complaint #11763432 · source
  5. Filed Aug 4, 202646,091 miTXElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 45,709, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage listed on the title was 46,091. Additionally, the contact later became aware that the vehicle was a salvaged vehicle. The seller was…
    NHTSA complaint #11754726 · source
  6. Filed Jun 17, 202675,000 miCAElectrical SystemWheels & Tires
    The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated, with several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. However, the independent mechanic stated that the tire pressures were not low, and that the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11744710 · source
  7. Filed May 4, 2026FLCrashTowedAirbags
    I was driving on a two lane state road. Two vehicles we traveling in front of me in the left lane. The further vehicle in left decide to make a sudden stop at a traffic light. The silver sedan behind that vehicle was traveling too close to react appropriately. The sedan avoid the vehicle in front of it and impeded into my lane and collide with my vehicle. My airbags in my 2019 Corolla failed to deploy.
    NHTSA complaint #11735650 · source
  8. Filed Apr 11, 2026MOTransmission & Drivetrain
    Premature slave cylinder failure at ~70k miles. Suddenly started leaking brake fluid profusely. Inspected and confirmed by Toyota dealership. No symptoms prior to failure. Clutch stopped functioning, unable to shift while driving. Pulled over to inspect and all of the brake fluid had leaked out. Refilled brake fluid and bled system, reservoir leaked to minimum fill line within 24 hours.
    NHTSA complaint #11730580 · source

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Other 2019 Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology