2025 Toyota Corolla Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 Toyota Corolla, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes920.5%
- Driver assistance920.5%
- Airbags613.6%
- Tires & wheels511.4%
- Electrical49.1%
- Steering36.8%
- Engine24.5%
- Powertrain (other)24.5%
- Visibility12.3%
- Body & structure12.3%
- Fuel system12.3%
- Interior & seats12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driver was parking in the park and when he turned into parking space, Brake sunk into the floor and car didnt stop and sped over the parking space. Gentle bump to the parking stalls would not even slow down the car and it sped up more. Can ended up hitting a structure wall ( high wall planter ) and finally came to stop after 5-7 min of circling over the parking lot with parking safety bumps. Car is now totally and I have contacted the Dealer and Toyota Brand Imaging center. I have been trying to gather information about EDR. and Toyota has not been really helpful on handling this in timely manner nor upfront about the issue.
It was heavy rain traffic came and when I slowed down the anti lock breaks effected me from stopping fast enough and were made me just slid into back off vehicle in front off me giving me injury's to my kneck due to the air bags did NOT deploy.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driver was parking in the park and when he turned into parking space, Brake sunk into the floor and car didnt stop and sped over the parking space. Gentle bump to the parking stalls would not even slow down the car and it sped up more. Can ended up hitting a structure wall ( high wall planter ) and finally came to stop after 5-7 min of circling over the parking lot with parking safety bumps. Car is now totally and I have contacted the Dealer and Toyota Brand Imaging center. I have been trying to gather information about EDR. and Toyota has not been really helpful on handling this in timely manner nor upfront about the issue.
I was driving west bound on I40 with the adaptive cruise control, and lane assist on at 75 MPH. It was around 8:30 PM when I seen the instrument panel flash, just drop for less than half a second, and then come back up but dimmer, like when the headlights come on, except they already were on. At that point all engine noises stopped and the car felt like it was actively braking. I literally lurched forward in my seat. I noticed that the RPM's had dropped to zero and I didn't see anything on the dash that indicated any warning. All green icons and nothing red. Stepped on the gas pedal, nothing. Tried hitting the cancel on the adaptive controls, nothing. I started turning the car from the inside lane to get to the outside shoulder while shifting the car into neutral to get more drift and tried toggling the key from off to start position and the engine. No rev, no RPM's. Car stalls in the outside lane. I turned on the flashers and then put the vehicle in park, removed the key and then re-entered the key and tried to start. Nothing. Attempted to push the car out of the lane in neutral but I wasn't able to get it to move. A couple semi's go by and I about pooped my pants. Waited for highway patrol to come by and get the car towed. Very fortunate no one was hurt or killed. I believe the automatic emergency braking activated or the electronic parking brake activated? All of the interior systems still had power.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was broadsided at the front end of the drivers side on Saturday 07/25/2026 by a wayward vehicle drifting into my lane. After the crash, the airbags deployed and then I could not open the driver seat door. Three other passer-bys who kindly stopped to check on me could not open the door from outside either. Finally, after being stuck for at least 10 minutes in the car, the police arrived, who somehow managed to open the door and let me out. This is a serious safety hazard; if the car caught fire, I could be burnt alive.
It was heavy rain traffic came and when I slowed down the anti lock breaks effected me from stopping fast enough and were made me just slid into back off vehicle in front off me giving me injury's to my kneck due to the air bags did NOT deploy.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
225/40R18 88V
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Corolla equipped with Dunlop Tires, Tire Line: SP Sport 5000, Tire Size: 225/40/R18, DOT Number: 1EUT74MBR5024. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from each tire, and the tires were slick while driving in inclement weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that all four tires needed to be replaced due to uneven wear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 8,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I pulled into XXX drive way at 6:53pm XXX. By 7:12 pm we were on the phone with 911. My car alarm when off. I went over to my car. It was smoking had a bad smell it smelt like it was about to explode. It wouldn’t let me unlock the car. Finally after 5 minutes it finally unlocked there is literal flames on the driver side dash and floor board. We used a fire extinguisher it was still smoking so we put water on it. When the fire department finally showed up the dash was still 182 degrees. They used their high water power fire extinguisher. The battery was also unplugs before the fire was completely out. And state farm called a tow truck to take it to pohanka in Salisbury Md.
On February 14th, my 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (approx. 17,000 miles) experienced a catastrophic failure. Without warning, the steering wheel completely locked, preventing any control. Simultaneously, the automatic emergency collision braking system malfunctioned, locked the brakes, and would not disengage. This total loss of control forced the vehicle to crash into a median. Toyota Corporate has ignored my case for 30 days. This is a severe, life-threatening manufacturing defect that caused a crash and destroyed my sole source of income.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
On February 14th, my 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (approx. 17,000 miles) experienced a catastrophic failure. Without warning, the steering wheel completely locked, preventing any control. Simultaneously, the automatic emergency collision braking system malfunctioned, locked the brakes, and would not disengage. This total loss of control forced the vehicle to crash into a median. Toyota Corporate has ignored my case for 30 days. This is a severe, life-threatening manufacturing defect that caused a crash and destroyed my sole source of income.
I have had several issues with the car. As issues have not been address problems become more unsafe. Most recently i have had intermittent issues with steering. The wheel will randomly be hard to turn leaving the car to drift uncontrollably. I have gone to the dealership but because they cannot replicate the issue nothing has been done. I have gone 3 different times to get them to address the concern but they cannot replicate it so they have not examined anything. They turned off the safety setting instead of checking the ADAS and since turning off the systems the issues are less frequent, but still a concern. I have contacted corporate who has not helped come to a resolution to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving on highway around 65mph, car shut down internally completely blacking out inside. Turned back on a few seconds later while still driving all lights were blinking. Pushed the SOS no-one answered pushed again then someone came on. Matches the same description on the other 2025-26 hybrids in the corolla cross and camry hybrid.
I am writing to inform you of some recurring issues with my vehicle. The car has been displaying several (5) alerts, including those related to the parking brake system, drive-start control system, check engine light, vehicle stability control system, and secondary collision brake system. I took the car to a dealer for repairs, and they assured me that the issues were resolved. However, the following day, the problems reappeared. Additionally, when I start the car, it emits an unusual sound and begins to shake. Unfortunately, The dealer had 5 days my car to repair and denied to provide a rental car. I don't understand the reason if my car is new and the problem is manufacturing I would appreciate your assistance in addressing these ongoing concerns.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have had several issues with the car. As issues have not been address problems become more unsafe. Most recently i have had intermittent issues with steering. The wheel will randomly be hard to turn leaving the car to drift uncontrollably. I have gone to the dealership but because they cannot replicate the issue nothing has been done. I have gone 3 different times to get them to address the concern but they cannot replicate it so they have not examined anything. They turned off the safety setting instead of checking the ADAS and since turning off the systems the issues are less frequent, but still a concern. I have contacted corporate who has not helped come to a resolution to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate.
Transmission slip, hard shifting, early or late shift. Automatic transmission
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
It was heavy rain traffic came and when I slowed down the anti lock breaks effected me from stopping fast enough and were made me just slid into back off vehicle in front off me giving me injury's to my kneck due to the air bags did NOT deploy.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was broadsided at the front end of the drivers side on Saturday 07/25/2026 by a wayward vehicle drifting into my lane. After the crash, the airbags deployed and then I could not open the driver seat door. Three other passer-bys who kindly stopped to check on me could not open the door from outside either. Finally, after being stuck for at least 10 minutes in the car, the police arrived, who somehow managed to open the door and let me out. This is a serious safety hazard; if the car caught fire, I could be burnt alive.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving on highway around 65mph, car shut down internally completely blacking out inside. Turned back on a few seconds later while still driving all lights were blinking. Pushed the SOS no-one answered pushed again then someone came on. Matches the same description on the other 2025-26 hybrids in the corolla cross and camry hybrid.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
My back seats indicate that there is someone seating in them. The alarm for the seatbelt will go off. I have to buckle all the seats to prevent this.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .