RoadVitals

2013 Toyota Corolla Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Jun 30, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 201 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 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 private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,509 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 197,151.

NHTSA ID
11670294
Incident
Jun 18, 2025
Mileage
197,151 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 17, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that when the outside temperature was hot, the vehicle was not working correctly. The vehicle was difficult to start, and there was an abnormal ticking sound while starting the vehicle. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down before the vehicle would run smoothly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved DTC code: P1604 (Startability Malfunction), and the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.

NHTSA ID
11602854
Incident
Jun 29, 2024
Mileage
188,000 mi
BrakesElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 13, 2021

ABS and Traction Control not functioning. Indicator light on. Air bag recall due to metal possibly killing driver or passenger is more likely to happen because the ABS and Traction control not working.

NHTSA ID
11432779
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS OCCUPYING THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED STADIUM TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5088 N. DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614, (813) 872-4881, TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11342980
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
72,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical+1 more
Filed Feb 19, 2019
Crash reported

ON THE MONTH OF JANUARY I HAD AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HAD A RECALL FOR AIR BAG BUT NEVER HAD NOTIFICATION TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP OR GET IT FIXED. THEY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND GOT HIT ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11181227
Incident
Jan 23, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11075637
Incident
Jan 8, 2018
Mileage
82,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 1, 2016
5 injuries reported

MY CAR WAS HACKED ALMOST KILLING ME. CYBER ATTACK 10/31/15 AS I WAS DRIVING THE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR KEPT DRAINING FORCING ME TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. A STRANGE GAS ALSO WAS PERIODICALLY SPRAYING OUT OF VENT FOGGING WINDOWS W/WHITE FILM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE & BREATH. EACH TIME I PULLED OVER CAR RECHARGED ITSELF ON GRASS/DIRT. AT LEAST THE 8TH OR 9TH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO RIGHT & W/IN 1-2 SECONDS I WENT FROM 45-50MPH-0 LIKE HITTING INVISIBLE BUILDING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. PUSHED GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR, NOT ENOUGH SPEED TO PULL OFF ROAD. NO LIGHTS, POWER, ENGINE DIED. MY BODY WAS JARRED FORWARD ABRUPTLY. A RED LIGHT STARTED BLINKING & BEEPING AT BOTTOM OF CONSUL & GAS STARTED COMING OUT OF VENT AGAIN. I STRUGGLED TO GET OUT OF CAR FOR FEAR OF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND AS IT WAS PITCH BLACK OUT, ALSO WANTED TO GET CAT OUT CAR WHICH I LEFT IN FIELD BEFORE POLICE & AMBULANCE ARRIVED. I HAD BLOOD DOWN TO SOCKS. I WAS IN HOSPITAL 1 WEEK AND NO ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED, MY CAT IS STILL MISSING. I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO REPORT MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL DEFECT & WAS AVOIDED/RESISTED FOR 3 1/2 WEEKS/OVER 30 HOURS ON THE PHONE BEFORE IT WAS SUGGESTED I CALL MANUFACTURER & ANOTHER 2 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COOPERATED & FILED CLAIM. THIS HAS BEEN A FULL TIME JOB TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I SELL REAL ESTATE & CANT WORK/EARN MONEY WITH NO CAR. 12/11/15 TOYOTA SENT INSPECTOR TO PLACE CAR WAS TOWED TO PULL INFO OFF DATA RECORDER. 2/1/15 I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED REPORT. I HAVE 3 YEAR ONE PAY LEASE EXPIRING 9/2016, NO MONEY & NO CAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ABSURD, BRAIN DRAINING EXHAUSTING WASTE OF TIME W/NO END IN SITE. I'VE REACHED OUT TO FTC, CONSUMER PROTECTION, GOVENORS/SENATORS...I JUST WANTED THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, LOAN OR GIVE ME A CAR WHILE THEY INSPECT AND HAVE HAD ZERO RECOURSE TO DATE. THEY WANT TO SUE ME FOR COST OF CAR/IMPOUND/STORAGE FEES.

NHTSA ID
10823599
Incident
Oct 31, 2015
Mileage
10,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 8, 2015

WHEN WE GO TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IT WON'T TURN COMPLETELY TO ALLOW REMOVAL AT TIMES AND YOU HAVE TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO MOVE IT AND IT CAN AFFECT THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. THIS OF COURSE CAN BE A SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10808950
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 12, 2015

WHEN I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTS IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY. THE RADIO/NAVIGATION ALSO FREEZES AND YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO UNFREEZE IT. IT DOES THIS ON ALL TYPE OF ROADS, SMOOTH OR ROUGH, STRAIGHT OR CURVED. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR A FIX FROM TOYOTA USA. AFTER THE THIRD COMPLAINT THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE HEAD UNIT AND IN A WEEK THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I SUSPECT ITS A PROBLEM IN THE WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ID
10790062
Incident
Nov 12, 2015
Mileage
10,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Aug 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACK OFF MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER DAMAGE WAS DUE TO AN AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10750431
Incident
Aug 11, 2015
Mileage
15,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 2, 2014

IN THE PAST YEAR THIS CAR HAS EXHIBITED MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES (52 DOCUMENTED) OF DELAYED ACCELERATION FROM 1 TO 3 SECONDS WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAVE TRIED TO GET TOYOTA TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNSUCCESSFULLY AS THE CAR HAS BEEN COVERED UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY THROUGHOUT THIS TIME. MULTIPLE DRIVERS HAVE ATTESTED TO THE DEFECT. IN NCDS ARBITRATION TOYOTA CLAIMED PAUSES WERE DUE TO THE "TRACTION CONTROL" OR "ELECTRONIC VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL" KICKING IN AND REDUCING POWER TO THE WHEELS. THIS COULDN'T BE THE CASE AS IN NONE OF THE INCIDENTS DID THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WHICH COME ON WHEN THOSE FEATURES ACTIVATE LIGHT UP. MOST OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON DRY, ASPHALT, AND STRAIGHT ROADS AND NON-HURRIED DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOM WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10595549
Incident
Jun 25, 2013
Mileage
4,882 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .