2026 Toyota Corolla

The vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Hybrid, was purchased in XX. In May or early June, the car had a complete brake failure after exiting a car wash. The brake pedal went straight to the floor with no resistance. The car was moving forward and, after repeated attempts to stop using the brake pedal, the vehicle was finally brought to a stop using the parking brake. After shifting the transmission selector to "Park" the brakes were restored and the car was driven home with no further incident. On XXXX, while backing out of a supermarket parking lot, the vehicle again experienced a complete brake failure identical to the one described above. This time however, as the car was backing up, there was no time to respond to the brake failure. I tried to engage the parking brake, but the small tab that activates the brake is flush with the console, and I missed the tab on my first attempt to raise it. A collision, with another parked car resulted before I could successfully activate the parking brake. I was able to drive the car to the Toyota dealership in [XXX] (where the vehicle was purchased) and had them dump the inboard computer with hopes of identifying the defective brake component responsible for the brake failure. They had the car for 4.5 hours but could not find any problem. While the car was in the body shop, I reached-out to Toyota USA and explained my situation. They assigned me a case number and arranged for a contractor to do a complete data dump of the onboard computer. The contractor (a former 30-year employee for Lexus) took the opportunity to test drive the car for two miles and proclaimed there was nothing wrong with the brake system. The data he downloaded was forwarded to another Toyota contractor, [XXX] at Engineering Analysis Associates. I am still waiting for any word from them. The vehicle has been parked, because it is unsafe to drive, as I cannot trust it to stop when required. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11777300

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at 4 MPH and shifting the transmission into drive(D), the vehicle rolled backwards. The failure was recurrent. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

NHTSA ID

11776674

Incident

Mar 15, 2026

Mileage

1,000 mi

This 2026 Toyota Corolla equipped with Dunlop Enasave 01 A/S size 205/55R16 tires has experienced three (3) catastrophic tire sidewall failures/blowouts in 13 months, despite full tread depth remaining. Two of these blowouts occurred within the last 30 days alone. Repeated sudden sidewall blowouts create a severe, life-threatening risk of loss of vehicle control at highway speeds. Dealer service departments have repeatedly replaced failed tires without diagnosing or resolving underlying suspension clearance, wheel alignment geometry, or mechanical defects causing these recurring structural failures. During an October 14, 2026 service visit, dealership staff refused to answer technical safety questions and withheld the failed tire evidence from inspection. Toyota Corporate Case # 261012001478 is open regarding these ongoing safety hazards and potential vehicle defect.

NHTSA ID

11771684

Incident

Oct 12, 2026

WINDSHIELD-VISIBILITY: Description of Safety Defect & Incident: I am reporting a severe, life-threatening factory manufacturing defect internal to the windshield glass of my 2026 Toyota Corolla w approximately 1200 miles. I noticed this defect shortly after taking possession of the car, although the daytime sun was higher and I though that windshields might be made differently. It was a confusing situation. Under specific lighting conditions, the defect caused catastrophic light scattering, resulting in an instantaneous and complete loss of forward driving visibility. On 9/22/26, while driving up a hill at approximately 6:30 PM (sun low during sunset), the vehicle reached the crest of the hill where the sun struck the windshield directly. The defect caused the entire windshield to instantaneously "white out," blasting intensely scattered light across my entire field of vision. I was completely unable to see the road, AND there was oncoming traffic, I couldn't see the lane markings either. I immediately and blindly pulled to the shoulder, and after a few minutes (to adjust my eyes back to normal) I inched forward until the angle of the sun shifted and I was able to see again. During nighttime driving, the defect distorts light from oncoming vehicles - headlights are bent and stretched into blinding, very large "cross" shapes and starburst halos that blur my vision and make nighttime driving also dangerous. I attempted to clean the glass and even tried a little scrape with no effect. Where and at what angle the daylight shines on the windshield determines the severity of the effect. Oncoming lights at night are worse with bright LED's. I request that the NHTSA investigate before this defect causes a fatal collision. The car was delivered to the dealership first thing the following morning on 9/23/26 and the dealership shop manager witnessed the defect in the morning light. I offered to take a drive but the shop manager declined. The car is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11767243

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

Purchase car at the end of July 2 weeks later heard a not a rattling sound while driving the vehicle. Took the vehicle for a service appointment at the dealership. I purchased it from. I was told by service as well as the sales manager that the rattling sound was found in both my car and another car with zero mileage. The sales manager stated I would have to put up with the rattling and the rattling has gotten progressively worse. The sales manager stated he could not help me any further. I bought the new car and traded in my old one that had a rattling sound and now drive a new car that rattles and that is what I told the sales manager and he stated I would have to wait to turn it in. The sales manager then stated that he stated that is the way that the car drives and that I’m sensitive to the noise. I then told him that the service man stated that something was wrong with the car and that they could not pinpoint it and that the car came that way from the manufacturer, and that I would have to wait until something went wrong with the car in order for them to be able to help me. The rattling sound is loud and the sales manager and my husband drove the car together and he stated that it was loud. That it could possibly be the transmission and if something were to go wrong while I’m driving and it’s a defect, we would have to wait until something happened. I am very displeased with the outcome of me purchasing this new car from this dealership and there, Laza fair attitude towards my safety. The car has an obvious problem and I feel the car dealership and Toyota sold me a car that could potentially either breakdown or cause me harm.

NHTSA ID

11765663

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

I own a 2026 Toyota Corolla purchased in November 2025. The recurring problems began on December 8, 2025, when multiple warning lights appeared on the dashboard along with the message “System Malfunction – Visit Your Dealer.” The warning indicators involved several vehicle safety and driver-assistance systems. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Toyota dealership for inspection and repair. On June 16, 2026, the vehicle experienced another serious malfunction, including a “Transmission System Malfunction” warning. The electrical and operational problems continued despite dealership visits and repairs. The battery was also replaced, but this did not permanently resolve the recurring failures. During a later incident while the vehicle was being driven, multiple warning lights appeared and the vehicle lost power or shut off. There was no crash or injury, but the unexpected malfunction while driving created a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists. The dealership has also addressed an issue involving the shift lever position sensor and corrosion or water intrusion. I do not know the exact component responsible for all of these failures. However, the problems have occurred repeatedly since December 2025 despite multiple dealership visits. Toyota was notified and corporate Case No. 260630000224 was opened. I have not received a permanent explanation or resolution, and I am concerned that the vehicle could unexpectedly malfunction or shut off again while being driven.

NHTSA ID

11751940

Incident

Dec 8, 2025

Vehicle emissions out of the dashboard defroster vents deposit a sticky, chemical film onto the inside front windshield, causing severe driver vision impairment. The chemical vapor triggers immediate respiratory irritation and dizziness, presenting an imminent risk of a motor vehicle crash.Defect / Nonconformity: The vehicle suffers from a severe HVAC or interior component material failure causing toxic off-gassing. An official Toyota FTS report (RO #116504) documented dangerous TVOC levels of 9.455 mg inside the vehicle. The manufacturing defect substantially impairs the safety, use, and commercial value of the vehicle. I did not have car seats in trunk, the time completed on report is changed, they will no longer inspect car. Specialist (FTS) report explicitly logs TVOC levels at 9.455 mg (3 PPM) inside the cabin. The film on my front windows is not coming from the trunk THIS IS A KNOWN HAZARD . LITERALLY told you

NHTSA ID

11751412

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

I also wanted to add the mold.. from the hour test was performed on this car. Ac in high flow. Within 12 hrs growth appears

NHTSA ID

11751132

Incident

Jun 26, 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.

2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats. During Pre-Delivery Service (PDS), follow the appropriate Installation Procedure to attach the driver side, and if applicable, the passenger side and rear seatfloor mats to the vehicle carpet using the floor mat retainers.

During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direction of rotation.

A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load. Because of these factors, battery inspection and maintenance are required in order to ensure proper operation and optimal battery life.

Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to maintain vehicle condition. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle component/part degradation due to extendedvehicle storage conditions. Long-term storage can affect a vehicle’s systems and components. Any problems that are found should be corrected immediately.

Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: • Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings. • Proper operation of electrical accessories (including interior light, clock, and radio reset). • Interior cleanliness. • Proper function of mechanical systems. The PDS process helps identify potential vehicle concerns before customer delivery. After completing the PDS process, maintain accurate PDS records by ensuring the required documents listed below are completed and recorded in accordance with Toyota Warranty Policy. • GTS+ Health Check • Completed PDS Check Sheet • Battery Charge Test Print Out • GTS+ Tire Pressure Information Customer retention and proper maintenance of vehicles are and have always been a major focus for Toyota. To help remind customers that regular service is essential to the proper maintenance of the vehicle, dealers are required to install a service reminder sticker before delivery. By doing this, customers will be reminded to return to your dealership for service. Your current service reminder sticker may be used. This bulletin contains the PDS procedures that apply specifically to 2026 model year Corolla, Corolla Hatchback, and Corolla Hybrid vehicles