2025 Toyota Corolla Cross problems

POWER TRAIN

I turned on the car after it had been sitting in the hot sun for about 4 hours (after a 180 mile trip). When I turned on the vehicle, about a minute into driving (on a gravel driveway), the car started blaring multiple lights and the steering wheel locked. Notifications were “System Failure" & "Electric Power Steering Malfunction - please contact dealer.” The steering wheel completely locked/uncontrollable - 3 others tried to help me. I was going ~5 mph when it happened. I was able to put the car into park & turned it off for 10min. On restart, the car acted normal again. If this happened while driving at a high speed I believe it would result in serious injury or death. This is the second episode. The first time it happened (XXX), Toyota did a full inspection/scan of the car but couldn't reproduce the issue despite confirming it was documented in the car's system log. This time, I emailed toyota same day. The car has now been at dealer for 4 days. They haven’t been able to reproduce the issue despite acknowledging both times that the events are documented in the car's log. The dealer recommended replacing the ECU. Unfortunately, toyota corporate claims they "cannot replace it without reproducing the issue" which is ridiculous given that the issue is inherently unpredictable (which is what makes it terrifying) yet irrefutably present. I am concerned I will die due to a malfunctioning steering wheel before toyota corporate will take it seriously. I do not feel safe driving the car now that this has inexplicably happened 2x. Multiple people online reported a similar issue [XXX]; the sounds occurring during the linked video are similar to my event. The main difference is that my car never once said low battery; no engine problems, never have had a dead battery. I was even able to drive 180 miles home that night (praying the whole time cause I had no other choice in a rural area). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11757009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I turned on the car after it had been sitting in the hot sun for about 4 hours (after a 180 mile trip). When I turned on the vehicle, about a minute into driving (on a gravel driveway), the car started blaring multiple lights and the steering wheel locked. Notifications were “System Failure" & "Electric Power Steering Malfunction - please contact dealer.” The steering wheel completely locked/uncontrollable - 3 others tried to help me. I was going ~5 mph when it happened. I was able to put the car into park & turned it off for 10min. On restart, the car acted normal again. If this happened while driving at a high speed I believe it would result in serious injury or death. This is the second episode. The first time it happened (XXX), Toyota did a full inspection/scan of the car but couldn't reproduce the issue despite confirming it was documented in the car's system log. This time, I emailed toyota same day. The car has now been at dealer for 4 days. They haven’t been able to reproduce the issue despite acknowledging both times that the events are documented in the car's log. The dealer recommended replacing the ECU. Unfortunately, toyota corporate claims they "cannot replace it without reproducing the issue" which is ridiculous given that the issue is inherently unpredictable (which is what makes it terrifying) yet irrefutably present. I am concerned I will die due to a malfunctioning steering wheel before toyota corporate will take it seriously. I do not feel safe driving the car now that this has inexplicably happened 2x. Multiple people online reported a similar issue [XXX]; the sounds occurring during the linked video are similar to my event. The main difference is that my car never once said low battery; no engine problems, never have had a dead battery. I was even able to drive 180 miles home that night (praying the whole time cause I had no other choice in a rural area). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11757009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I turned on the car after it had been sitting in the hot sun for about 4 hours (after a 180 mile trip). When I turned on the vehicle, about a minute into driving (on a gravel driveway), the car started blaring multiple lights and the steering wheel locked. Notifications were “System Failure" & "Electric Power Steering Malfunction - please contact dealer.” The steering wheel completely locked/uncontrollable - 3 others tried to help me. I was going ~5 mph when it happened. I was able to put the car into park & turned it off for 10min. On restart, the car acted normal again. If this happened while driving at a high speed I believe it would result in serious injury or death. This is the second episode. The first time it happened (XXX), Toyota did a full inspection/scan of the car but couldn't reproduce the issue despite confirming it was documented in the car's system log. This time, I emailed toyota same day. The car has now been at dealer for 4 days. They haven’t been able to reproduce the issue despite acknowledging both times that the events are documented in the car's log. The dealer recommended replacing the ECU. Unfortunately, toyota corporate claims they "cannot replace it without reproducing the issue" which is ridiculous given that the issue is inherently unpredictable (which is what makes it terrifying) yet irrefutably present. I am concerned I will die due to a malfunctioning steering wheel before toyota corporate will take it seriously. I do not feel safe driving the car now that this has inexplicably happened 2x. Multiple people online reported a similar issue [XXX]; the sounds occurring during the linked video are similar to my event. The main difference is that my car never once said low battery; no engine problems, never have had a dead battery. I was even able to drive 180 miles home that night (praying the whole time cause I had no other choice in a rural area). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11757009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

At around 4:20 pm I was turning left at a stop sign (did not put on turning signal) and then about 30 feet later, turning right at a light. This is the same location I have driven for the past month. The car had been on for about 3 minutes after sitting in a hot parking lot all day (104 degrees). All of a sudden (after turning left) but before/during was turning right, the car’s steering wheel locked and transmission just started beeping. I could not turn the steering wheel more than about 5 degrees in either direction, so instead of turning right I had to go straight. No matter what I did the steering wheel would not turn. - I simultaneously got a notification on my dashboard that said “System failure” “system malfunction” [something along those lines]. Multiple lights on my dashboard illuminated in yellow [auto steering symbol, can’t remember what else] and lots of extremely loud beeping. - I to confirm I was not in neutral (I was not, I was still in drive) but I could not do anything besides brake. - I panicked, slammed brakes. Turned car off/stopped. The location was where 2 roads diverged and I had part of the car sticking out into a lane because there was nowhere else to go. - I sat for about a minute and then turned the car back on and it drove but I was scared to go on the highway. - I have called Toyota for repair (it happened prior to a holiday weekend so they were closed) but to date have not yet contacted insurance/etc. - I believe there are video cameras at this intersection so there may be footage of it.

NHTSA complaint #11748341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

At around 4:20 pm I was turning left at a stop sign (did not put on turning signal) and then about 30 feet later, turning right at a light. This is the same location I have driven for the past month. The car had been on for about 3 minutes after sitting in a hot parking lot all day (104 degrees). All of a sudden (after turning left) but before/during was turning right, the car’s steering wheel locked and transmission just started beeping. I could not turn the steering wheel more than about 5 degrees in either direction, so instead of turning right I had to go straight. No matter what I did the steering wheel would not turn. - I simultaneously got a notification on my dashboard that said “System failure” “system malfunction” [something along those lines]. Multiple lights on my dashboard illuminated in yellow [auto steering symbol, can’t remember what else] and lots of extremely loud beeping. - I to confirm I was not in neutral (I was not, I was still in drive) but I could not do anything besides brake. - I panicked, slammed brakes. Turned car off/stopped. The location was where 2 roads diverged and I had part of the car sticking out into a lane because there was nowhere else to go. - I sat for about a minute and then turned the car back on and it drove but I was scared to go on the highway. - I have called Toyota for repair (it happened prior to a holiday weekend so they were closed) but to date have not yet contacted insurance/etc. - I believe there are video cameras at this intersection so there may be footage of it.

NHTSA complaint #11748341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Driving along the freeway, the sunroof spontaneously exploded glass went out everywhere

NHTSA complaint #11726527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The corolla cross 4WD steering is in question. At 40mph it suddenly went from power steering to manual steering. It lasted only 1-2 secounds and then returned to normal P.S. Toyota dealer ship doesn't know because it wasn't doing it for them. I am searching u-tube for similar experiences now. It was startling and am watching. no accident but could cause one if it is a symptom of anything further.

NHTSA complaint #11716179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Engine turned off at stop light while stopped for about 30 seconds, then started a long beep. The engine light and the power steering light came on. The screen also said put in park and restart engine. I did and it started back up and the dashboard warnings went away. It was unsafe because when the light changed to green I couldn't immediately accelerate and the cars behind me could not either. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, they cannot find anything wrong.

NHTSA complaint #11701488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The tail lights on the SE version are way too small. We have had numerous instances on near rear end collisions due to the size and placement of the SE model tail lights. They are tiny and they only offer much larger, safe taillights on the XSE model. Really do not even understand how the SE taillight configuration is legal.

NHTSA complaint #11699082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

On day 3 of having the car brand new straight from the dealer about 25 miles on it the transmission went out. Spent a month for them to fix it. Still does not drive the same and I can tell does not excellerate the same.

NHTSA complaint #11697843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The pre-collision system acted as if it sensed a car or object in the road. It had loud warnings and slammed my brakes very hard to stop the car. There were no objects or cars around. If a car was behind me, it would have been a guaranteed crash. Very dangerous especially if it happened on the highway. Dealership said it could have been from a loss of communication. A loss of communication should have the pre collision system disabled not force brake. This is a potentially life threatening issue with this car.

NHTSA complaint #11695635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Passive cruise control was set to 65 mph and the vehicle without being prompted by operator rapidly accelerated to 80 mph before operator hit brakes. Acceleration would have likely continued if operator had not hit brakes.

NHTSA complaint #11695318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While in park, when vehicle switches from electric idle to engine idle the car lurches forward. This has happened on multiple occasions

NHTSA complaint #11694235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While in park, when vehicle switches from electric idle to engine idle the car lurches forward. This has happened on multiple occasions

NHTSA complaint #11694235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

While in park, when vehicle switches from electric idle to engine idle the car lurches forward. This has happened on multiple occasions

NHTSA complaint #11694235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brakes were inadvertently activated. The contact stated that the driver needed to remain alert while driving the vehicle. The contact no longer feels safe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,600.

NHTSA complaint #11682460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brakes were inadvertently activated. The contact stated that the driver needed to remain alert while driving the vehicle. The contact no longer feels safe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,600.

NHTSA complaint #11682460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1The car's speedometer has a serious problem. Sometimes it is lower than the actual mileage, and sometimes it is higher than the actual mileage. The deviation is huge.08/12/2025 After I repeatedly requested repairs, the dealer finally agreed to inspect the car the next day. However, without any road or GPS tests, they concluded that the car had no quality problems. 2My safety or the safety of others is indeed threatened because the speedometer is highly inaccurate, which may lead to speeding or other unsafe behaviors 3The problem was not taken seriously by the dealer or independent service center. They just said that there was no problem with the car without any road test or GPS test. 4The vehicle was only briefly inspected by the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11681446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1The car's speedometer has a serious problem. Sometimes it is lower than the actual mileage, and sometimes it is higher than the actual mileage. The deviation is huge.08/12/2025 After I repeatedly requested repairs, the dealer finally agreed to inspect the car the next day. However, without any road or GPS tests, they concluded that the car had no quality problems. 2My safety or the safety of others is indeed threatened because the speedometer is highly inaccurate, which may lead to speeding or other unsafe behaviors 3The problem was not taken seriously by the dealer or independent service center. They just said that there was no problem with the car without any road test or GPS test. 4The vehicle was only briefly inspected by the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11681446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THE PROBLEM PART, BUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I ONLY GOT IT FOR ONE WEEK. I DID LET THEM KNOW SINCE THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR, IT WAS KEEPING BREAKING DOWN ON THE STREET. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP DRIVING IT TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY IT HAD. THINKING IS WAS TECHNOLOGY LIKE THEY SAID I KEEP DRIVING IT AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 OCCURRENCES OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR JUST LOSES POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and picks back up and continues like nothing happened. I could have been hit by another car. I bring the car back to them because I'm scared to keep driving it, my 3 kids have only me as family to support them, I do not want to die and leave them on the street. They have the car back the same week, and they have my $6700 down payment, as well as my trade Toyota CHR for another amount of $3700. The Sales manager told me I have to pay for the loan anyway, not to lose my credit. He said he had already spent his to get my credit okay, so I should pay for the car anyway because the loan is in my name. Or to sell him the car and pay the rest of the money after he values the car. It's unfair to me to lose my $6700 plus the $3700 from the trade plus my credit. I need a car, but not an unsafe one, which was the reason why I spent all this money and ended up with nothing. i need help to get another car or my money back to find another Brand, that's not my first time victim from Toyota.

NHTSA complaint #11680167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THE PROBLEM PART, BUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I ONLY GOT IT FOR ONE WEEK. I DID LET THEM KNOW SINCE THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR, IT WAS KEEPING BREAKING DOWN ON THE STREET. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP DRIVING IT TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY IT HAD. THINKING IS WAS TECHNOLOGY LIKE THEY SAID I KEEP DRIVING IT AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 OCCURRENCES OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR JUST LOSES POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and picks back up and continues like nothing happened. I could have been hit by another car. I bring the car back to them because I'm scared to keep driving it, my 3 kids have only me as family to support them, I do not want to die and leave them on the street. They have the car back the same week, and they have my $6700 down payment, as well as my trade Toyota CHR for another amount of $3700. The Sales manager told me I have to pay for the loan anyway, not to lose my credit. He said he had already spent his to get my credit okay, so I should pay for the car anyway because the loan is in my name. Or to sell him the car and pay the rest of the money after he values the car. It's unfair to me to lose my $6700 plus the $3700 from the trade plus my credit. I need a car, but not an unsafe one, which was the reason why I spent all this money and ended up with nothing. i need help to get another car or my money back to find another Brand, that's not my first time victim from Toyota.

NHTSA complaint #11680167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THE PROBLEM PART, BUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I ONLY GOT IT FOR ONE WEEK. I DID LET THEM KNOW SINCE THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR, IT WAS KEEPING BREAKING DOWN ON THE STREET. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP DRIVING IT TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY IT HAD. THINKING IS WAS TECHNOLOGY LIKE THEY SAID I KEEP DRIVING IT AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 OCCURRENCES OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR JUST LOSES POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and picks back up and continues like nothing happened. I could have been hit by another car. I bring the car back to them because I'm scared to keep driving it, my 3 kids have only me as family to support them, I do not want to die and leave them on the street. They have the car back the same week, and they have my $6700 down payment, as well as my trade Toyota CHR for another amount of $3700. The Sales manager told me I have to pay for the loan anyway, not to lose my credit. He said he had already spent his to get my credit okay, so I should pay for the car anyway because the loan is in my name. Or to sell him the car and pay the rest of the money after he values the car. It's unfair to me to lose my $6700 plus the $3700 from the trade plus my credit. I need a car, but not an unsafe one, which was the reason why I spent all this money and ended up with nothing. i need help to get another car or my money back to find another Brand, that's not my first time victim from Toyota.

NHTSA complaint #11680167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Front Left Side Headlight Mount is Broken on my Vehicle. On Internet also many consumers are complaining about the Left Headlight mount Broken but no support from Toyota. Feel Safe but not sure when this Headlight might come out of the vehicle. This issue is there and already inspected by the Dealer but they dont care to cover under warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11679346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car purchased new from Toyota dealer. Picked up [XXX]. Immediately found faulty problems with interior and exterior of car. No quality control or post delivery checks were conducted. Car brought back to dealer the next working day ([XXX]) and spent a week there but repairs were not attempted. Complaint filed with Toyota USA headquarters and request for them to take the car back and give refund on July 1st. Car infotainment system blacks out, dashboard is warped and speakers are coming out of their place on dashboard. Steering wheel is puckering. Toyota headquarters said it will open a case to look into it. The car had less than 100miles on it. On July 26th I log into the Toyota complaints website to add more information and find that the case status is “closed” and no one is reachable to contact at the Toyota headquarters. [XXX] as I am driving the car on a main highway, the car suddenly completely stops without any warning. Engine light is on. “Hybrid system malfunction” and car brakes stop working. My life was threatened by this unreliable dangerous new car and car had to be towed back to dealer. Car never switched on again after that. A service department supervisor at the Toyota dealer (Pauly Toyota in Illinois) mentioned to me at the beginning of July that usually, new cars delivered to the dealer need to be inspected but pauly Toyota does not employ these special inspectors and instead “a regular mechanic does a look over”. He also said this model of Toyota (Corolla cross hybrid) is new and the team is not familiar with its repairs and parts need pre ordering as none can be available for such a new model. I relayed this information to Toyota headquarters on July 1st and again on July 26th but was told both times “Toyota trusts its dealers with the repairs”. My life was put in danger and this was preventable. Toyota USA refuse to do a recall on this vehicle when it is dangerous and not fit to be a car for humans. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

NHTSA complaint #11676859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.