56 of the
562 complaints filed about the Toyota Corolla Cross
are about the steering —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated that twice while driving at various speeds and slowing down to make a turn, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to slow down as intended and the steering wheel locked up. During the first failure, while the contact’s husband was driving, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was driven to a gas station and then restarted. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The contact stated that during the second failure, while the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to slow down, and the steering wheel locked up. The vehicle ran over a sidewalk with cinderblocks and stopped sideways in the middle of two lanes. The contact attempted to move the vehicle, but the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was restarted and then moved to the side of the road safely. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to tighten. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, back, and head injuries with dizziness. Medical attention was needed. A Police report was filed, but the information was not available. The vehicle was then towed to a tow yard. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
2nd incident. As I was driving on the highway, approaching an exit on my righthand side. I kept following the straight path in my lane, the lane assit of my vehicle assumed I was exiting my lane and jerked the steering wheel from my hands. My car dangerously veered into the lefthand lane.
NHTSA complaint #11752224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I was driving on a cold day. When I stopped at a stoplight seeking to make a left turn, the car would not accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal. I looked down and saw the following warning sign "Engine Stopped, Steering Power Low" appear on the dashboard. However, since the car was not in park, it had rolled forward and was close to the being in the nearest lane of oncoming traffic. It was also difficult to steer to avoid creeping closer to oncoming traffic. Although it did not cause an accident, it easily could have. I took the car to several mechanics, because the car is under a CarMax warranty. However, none of the diagnostics revealed anything of concern (no weak battery, lack of power steering fluid, etc.). The mechanics said they had heard about this happening, but were unable to pinpoint any reason for it occuring. This seems like a serious flaw.
NHTSA complaint #11731777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front end vibrates and floats around at highway speeds. Vibration through the floor from the rear. rear of the vehicle steps out and wanders with weight in the vehicle causing passengers to get concerned. tires have been replaced, no change to front or rear or handling.
NHTSA complaint #11729754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
On [XXX], and again on [XXX], vehicle began beeping while driving on the freeway and flashing the following warning messages: 1) 12-Volt Battery Charging - System Malfunction - Stop in a Safe Place - See Owner's Manual 2) AWD System Malfunction - 2WD Mode Engaged - Visit your Dealer 3) Voltage Abnormality - Steering Power Low - Visit Your Dealer Vehicle shut down and lost power steering while driving on the freeway. My safety was put at risk as I could not easily pull my car over to a safe place due to the car losing power, not turning back on, and power steering turning off. This may have resulted in severe injury or death if I had not been able to eventually pull over. Additionally, the safety of others was put at risk as we were travelling at freeway-level speed, which may have resulted in other vehicles being unable to stop, and consequently crash, if my car had stayed in the freeway lane. Both times I had the vehicle towed to Beaverton Toyota Dealership (Address: 4300 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005 / Phone: (503) 626-7200) to be inspected and serviced. The first time I was told it was a bad battery cell, which was replaced on 07/26/25. However, the same situation happened after this replacement on 07/27/25. Currently, vehicle is at Beaverton Toyota dealership being inspected. Vehicle was purchased at Wilsonville Toyota (Address: 9155 Boeckman Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070 / Phone: (503) 582-9040). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11676618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It was around 7pm. It was raining & wipers were on. Auto stop/start setting is on. I was at a stop light waiting to turn left. The light turns green and I try to go, but the engine stalled. I was unable to move forward into the lane, and turn the wheel. A sign on the dashboard showed up saying "engine stopped, steering power low". I try to the turn the wheel and was unable to, I tried to turn off the engine and the car shuts off. I turn the key again to start the car but it wasn't starting. It was about 3 min until the car engine throttles on and I pull over to the left into the parking lot. It was really scary. I managed to get home, which was less than a mile away. Grateful I got home. My safety was at risk at a busy and rainy intersection. Many cars went around me.
NHTSA complaint #11663820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated while stopped at a red light, the contact heard a loud, consistent tone emanating from the vehicle, followed by the message "Low power steering" before the vehicle entered LIMP mode and shut off; however, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure but had observed an OBD code related to a failure with the mass airflow sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #11659779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was at a red light with my windshield wipers on. I then heard several warning beeps with messages stating "steering power low", battery low, and then the steering locked. I tried to turn the wheel after the last message came up but the steering wheel was locked. I couldn’t accelerate. I had to park the car and turn it off and on again. This has happened twice now and Toyota says it is “fine”.
NHTSA complaint #11641201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The phone charger stopped working. During driving, the dashboard lights up and then break failed and steering became out of control. As a result, car crushed to another car and went to different lane and hit another car. All airbags deployed. Car is total loss. Police was at the scene. All drivers have minor injuries. Reported the issue to the insurance.
NHTSA complaint #11595910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving in the rain and my start/stop function is turned on, my car will turn off and make a loud beep with a message stating “engine stopped steering power low”. The check engine light and the power steering light pop up on the dashboard and I have to restart the car. This happens in the middle of traffic and is scary to think that it can happen any time while I’m driving. My car has less than 15,000 miles on it. This has happened numerous times, but more and more frequently lately.
NHTSA complaint #11590490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving to work it’s the 4 times the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross turns on the engine light and starts beeping with the power steering low message and shuts down and I am unable to continue driving I have taken it 4 times to Toyota dealership with them continue to say no issue is found. For me to get the vehicle working again I have to completely turn it off lock it and then unlock it and turn it back on. This is unacceptable and a big hazard issue because it does this in the middle of traffic without any indication.
NHTSA complaint #11570655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The engine stopped working. Happened already 4th time and on the fourth time I was reversing to park in the parking garage and engine suddenly stopped. Dashboard lights are on but couldn’t start the car. After two minutes and fourth attempt it did start. The third repair toyota mentioned they couldn’t duplicate the concern and my car is working fine till this happened. They don’t want to admit there’s something wrong because every time I bring it to them it’s working. So they keep telling me that they couldn’t find any problem. It’s really dangerous that engine suddenly stopped. First attemp they replace the battery then they did dcm reset third one they said they couldn’t duplicate , so I brought where I got my car and same explanation. They couldn’t duplicate so they send it back to me. Very unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11564998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In November, the engine stalled at a light when it was raining and the wipers were on. Warning noises were activated and the console read "steering Power Low." The car had to be pushed out of the intersection by other drivers. After a half hour the car was able to be restarted . The Car taken to dealership and they ran diagnostics on it and declared that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Yet on December 27th, it happened again. This time my daughter was driving the vehicle. It was raining, the lights and wipers were on and we stopped at a light. The engine shut off and would not restart. She pressed the brake multiple times and put the car in park. After about 5 minutes of sheer terror, she was able to restart the car.
NHTSA complaint #11562688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought this car less than a month ago! I pulled out of a parking lot and was waiting to turn left when my car suddenly shut off with a loud alarm sound. The check engine light came on as well as a steering pressure light. The dashboard read to press the brake firmly into the ground to start the car..it did not start. I was able to put the car in park and after 3 attempts get the car to start. I was in rush hour traffic with many cars around and behind me honking their horns and yelling all while I was stuck. There was no warning it simply just shut off in the middle of traffic. I am now waiting for it to be inspected by the service department where I purchased it from.
NHTSA complaint #11552174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V480000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11550474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When it is raining, wipers are on, and I stop at the traffic light, start/stop function turns on when I press the pedal all the way down, but when I release it to drive again, the engine won't start back and the message appears on screen "engine stopped, steering power low", which is scary because the cars at the back starts honking, then I turn the car into parking, switch the car off and turn it back on and then I can drive. Apparently, it is a know problem with this model but Toyota refuse the accept that they know about it and they do not have the solution. It has happened to me 5 times in 3 months, since I bought the car.
NHTSA complaint #11548733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle was stopped at a stoplight with the start stop engine feature engaged. I had my windshield wipers on, and it was raining heavily, when suddenly that car turned completely off and started emitting a loud beep. There was a power steering error on my dash and the wheel locked itself completely, the car would not restart at all. There was a message on my dash to firmly press the brake, and the car would restart, but pressing the brake did nothing. I was stuck in the middle of an intersection in a vehicle that is less than two months old in the middle of traffic, and live in a city, where it rains continuously for several months out of the year. Toyota is aware of this issue, but there aren't any fixes available for a vehicle that will turn itself off when using the windshield wipers while it's raining.
NHTSA complaint #11548036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.