2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

While driving my 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross LE, the engine unexpectedly shut off while I was stopped at a red light during heavy rain with the windshield wipers operating. A warning message appeared on the dashboard indicating that the engine had shut off and instructing me to press the brake firmly. The check engine warning light also illuminated. I shifted the vehicle into Park and pressed the engine Stop button. The vehicle took approximately 20 seconds before the dashboard indicated that the ignition was on but the vehicle was not ready to drive until I pressed the brake and pressed the Start button. After restarting the vehicle, the warnings disappeared and the vehicle appeared to return to normal operation. I am concerned that an unexpected engine shutdown could create a serious safety hazard, particularly in traffic or at an intersection, where the vehicle could lose power unexpectedly and potentially leave me unable to accelerate when needed. I am also concerned about whether the issue could recur while the vehicle is moving or in an unsafe location. The vehicle has approximately 73,000 miles. This is the first time I have personally experienced this issue. I purchased the vehicle in [XXX] and subsequently drove it to [XXX]. This was one of the first times I had used the windshield wipers extensively since purchasing the vehicle, due to the heavy rain. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic Stop & Start system. The problem has not yet been reproduced or checked by a dealership or independent repair facility. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, a dealership, police, or insurance representatives in connection with this incident. The vehicle appeared to operate normally after restarting, but the cause of the shutdown has not been determined. The first symptoms occurred at the time of the incident. I am concerned about the safety implications of an unexpected engine shutdown. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)

NHTSA ID

11773538

Incident

Oct 25, 2026

Vehicle: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Mileage: Approximately 45,000 miles Relevant Toyota Bulletin: T-SB-0020-23 Rev1 Description of Safety Concern: My 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross experienced a serious safety-related malfunction involving the automatic engine Stop and Start system. While stopped in traffic with the windshield wipers operating, the engine failed to restart automatically when I attempted to proceed. This left the vehicle temporarily unable to move as expected and required me to manually restart the engine. It can sometimes takes a couple of tries. THIS IS INTERMITTENT, there are no warning lights or codes. It is almost impossible to understand what is happening as a consumer. It took me hours of research to connect it to wipers. This condition presents a significant safety concern because it can leave a vehicle unexpectedly immobilized at an intersection or in active traffic, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or other accident. Toyota had already identified the exact condition in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0020-23, originally issued April 27, 2023, and subsequently revised. The bulletin specifically addresses an intermittent failure of the engine to restart during windshield-wiper operation in 2022–2023 Corolla Cross vehicles. They charged me $385 to fix it. Toyota developed a software correction for the engine control system, demonstrating that this was a known manufacturer-identified condition rather than normal vehicle wear or maintenance. My primary concern is that Toyota has identified a defect that can prevent a vehicle from restarting in traffic, yet affected owners may not receive the correction unless they experience the malfunction and pay for the repair themselves. I am requesting that NHTSA evaluate whether this condition represents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and whether a safety recall or broader manufacturer corrective action is warranted, given that the failure can occur unexpectedly.

NHTSA ID

11771421

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

back external door handles break within a week of each other, car is quite new and has not been in a collision nor had anything fallen on the handles. Access of the back seat is difficult for this 4 door car, child too young to sit in front, so he has to sit in the back. If child needs immediate assistance, direct entry through the back doors is challenging without handles

NHTSA ID

11771156

Incident

Oct 6, 2026

Rainy day, during daylight hours, wipers and lights on. Engine stalled from 35mph. Display read low steering power. Hard start by pushing brake and ignition button. Could have been terrible accident. No prior notification of battery or electrical issues

NHTSA ID

11754389

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

While stopped at a red light, the auto stop/start system shut the engine off and it failed to restart automatically. The dashboard showed "Low Power Steering" and "Engine Stopped - Press Brake Firmly to Restart." Pressing the brake did not work. I had to shift to Park and manually restart the vehicle. This has happened twice.

NHTSA ID

11747982

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

Gauge Cluster Glare during the day. Reflection from the steering columns makes the gauge cluster completely obstructed. Known issue, many complaints across all the Corolla Cross groups. This is effecting Vehicles from 2023 models to current.

NHTSA ID

11743247

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

I am reporting Certification Fraud and severe safety violations by Central Florida Toyota. This vehicle was sold as "Toyota Gold Certified" on March 28, 2026, while having an active safety recall (NHTSA 26V203) with no available remedy. Furthermore, a professional inspection revealed a high-voltage hybrid system leak and structural damage (bondo/rust) on engine mounts, indicating a hidden prior collision. The 160-point inspection was falsified to mask these defects. Although the contract was eventually unwound, this vehicle was sold in a lethal condition, violating federal safety standards.

NHTSA ID

11737204

Incident

Mar 28, 2026

There was no warning lamp, my tire got bursted in the middle of highway

NHTSA ID

11735499

Incident

May 3, 2026

Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Global Techstream+ (GTS+) ECU flash reprogramming procedures and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard+ (CUW+). To ensure the correct ECU software is installed, ECUs will require a Security Signature before the ECU will initialize the flash reprogramming sequence. This bulletin also details the process for acquiring a Security Signature from TIS during the GTS+ ECU flash reprogramming process.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

Some 2022 – 2026 model year Corolla Cross and 2023 – 2026 model year Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a loose roof rail. This condition may be present at the front and/or rear of one or both roof rails.

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

A new head unit software update is available for 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra, and Tundra Hybrid; 2023 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Mirai, and Sequoia Hybrid vehicles equipped with Toyota Multimedia versions earlier than version 2230.

A new head unit software update is available for 2023 model year Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Mirai vehicles equipped with Toyota Multimedia (earlier than version 2170). This software update includes the following improvements: •User Profile. •User interface. •Cloud navigation. •Intelligent assistant voice recognition. •Bug fixes.