Toyota Corolla transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
211 of the 1,561 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Corolla 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (56), 2020 (39), 2016 (22). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota Corolla transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 11 | 16% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 11 | 13% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 17 | 16% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 19 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 39 | 13% | 15k | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 56 | 27% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 14 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 17 | 9% | — | 42 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% | 54k | 24 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 18 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 36 · 2026: 48
Across the model years, half of the 66 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 5,000 and 65,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the clutch pedal; however, while attempting to release the clutch pedal, the clutch pedal lowered to the floorboard independently. There were no warning lights illuminated.
My clutch pedal squeaks and feels spongy at times. I have vibrations coming from clutch pedal when accelerating and releasing clutch almost at bite point. There are times when i'm at a stop and put in first gear and go the clutch vibrates and a I get almost like a growling or chattering coming from transmission.
1. First problem I had with my 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE: SAFETY RECALL 20TA07 (Backup LampsMay Become Inoperative) - 10.29.2020 2. Second problem was with the software draining the battery way too rapidly, which made me unable to start my car.
I am not sure what the component is but I am driving and as I accelerate the gas my car will lose power to increase speed. If I am at the stop sign or stop light and I proceed to go the car will stall and not get going once I place my foot on the gas.
Received a service bulletin that the CVT needed a software update. We had this done at inver grove Toyota. However, the rpm's continued to fluctuate while driving at lower speeds. Took it back to the dealer and then told the transmission needed to be replaced at the cost of $6000.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V901000 HighDec 19, 2018 · 3,424 vehicles
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the Toyota Corolla
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Toyota Corolla problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota Corolla years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2019, 56; 2020, 39; 2016, 22. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (27%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Toyota Corolla?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V901000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Toyota Corolla?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 65,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.