14 of the
310 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Corolla are about the
electrical system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
20,988 miles.
F
14
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
1392.9%
Wiring
17.1%
Electrical System across every Toyota Corolla year
The driver seat belt dont work and once in a great while it will work but even whenever it does latch it still shows the seat belt isn't on and that noise keeps going off but after a while the noise goes off but the symbol is still on the dash board. I recently got hit from behind (09/15/2025) at a red light and no air bags deployed. Im not sure if they were suppose to deploy but either way my seat belt dont work. And I know this isn't a safety matter but my radio doesn't turn off when I turn off my car and I can't lock/unlock my doors with the key fob I have to lock it with the key on the driver door. I have to take the fuse out for the radio so my battery won't die and so the radio turns off.
NHTSA complaint #11699858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Radio will constantly reset as well as the in-dash clock, and the Tire Pressure light will illuminate and flash. I found this appears to be a consistent issue with 2014, 2015, and 2016 Toyota Corolla's on YouTube.
NHTSA complaint #11684430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Culver City, CACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have been driving my car since 2016, however since Nov 24, 2023. Incidents that alarm me have happen. I have filed a police report but don't have the funds to get vehicle swept. All of these events occur while I am driving. Passenger windows goes up in and down a lot. Static in my speakers. Steering wheels lock. somethings draining my battery. though I have ensured nothings on or there isn't any short fuses. Doors unlock. Door beeps though someone has had access. Trunk pops open. I am reaching out to NHTSA because my safety is at risk. Is any other Corolla owners reporting this. Please assist me.
NHTSA complaint #11576490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
La Jolla, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We discovered that there was an explosion of some sort inside the car on the passenger side, which seems to have potentially involve the air bag system and/or electrical around the system, but this is not entirely known. The car was parked at the time and had not been driven for approximately 65 hours. It appears there was a fire but we did not witness. The dash is melted leaving a gaping hole, what appears to be portions of the air bag are partially disintegrated and stuck to the ceiling, the ceiling is charred, the sun visor is melted and distorted, and hanging down, underneath the dash is also melted, and the smell in the car is absolutely stifling. The windshield is shattered in one spot, with additional cracks stemming from that point of contact. The windshield is damaged from the impact from inside the car and is pushing out. The car was locked, there is no evidence of forced entry or attempted forced entry. It has never been in a collision. The car was parked three feet away from our motorhome in the confines of our RV spot at an asphalt campground. The safety of all in the area was at risk, and furthermore, since this explosion was unprovoked, if we had been in the car at the time, it's unimaginable as to what sort of bodily damage the passengers, especially the passenger seat occupant, would have incurred. I do not believe the problem can be reproduced, but the car has yet to be inspected. I am currently awaiting insurance to take the car via tow truck to inspect it. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms.
NHTSA complaint #11527728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tyler, TXCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12/09/2019, The ECU did not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that occurred during the collision. Airbags did not deploy in the event of under ride collision, a freak accident involving wildlife crossing the street. Seat belt pretensioners did not engage. I called Allstate insurance that same day. Had I not worn my seat belt, I might have gone through the windshield. Safety was in danger, and not protected. Meineke informed me the oil housing component, fused onto the component that allows for an oil change because it was made with a plastic material, that is an incorrect material, Oxygen sensor lit up after that finding. Vehicle is not available for inspection upon request. Tyler Law Enforcement might have inspected the vehicle in general. My VIN for my vehicle does not describe the style of my vehicle, which is a 2016 Toyota Carolla Sport, Red.
NHTSA complaint #11505391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southbury, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The wiring inside of the front doors became corroded on two different cars. This resulted in the inability to operate the electric windows of one car. I view this as a safety hazard as the ability to exit the car from the window in an emergency is impaired. Other tasks such as paying tolls is made risky as the door must be opened.
NHTSA complaint #11484635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,590 milesChuckey, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DOOR LOCKS ARE MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN. WHEN SIMPLY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE FOB OR EVEN PLACING THE CAR INTO PARK THE DOOR ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK BUT FAIL. SOME DOOR LOCKS OPERATE FINE AND SOME GET STUCK. PASSENGER FRONT LOCK AND REAR DRIVER LOCKS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE ON MY TOYOTA. THIS OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11338643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ON ANOTHER TOYOTA COROLLA LE VEHICLE. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT IN 2018 WHEN I HAD A PRIOR 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA LE AND THE JIM WHITE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN TOLEDO, OHIO HAD MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 1 YEAR- SITTING IN THEIR PARKING LOT WITH NO WORD ON A PART REMEDY- AFTER COMPLAINING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION AND TOYOTA CORPORATE- THE DEALER OFFERED ME THE 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA LE - I HAD TO PUT DOWN $3,000 AND HAVE A HIGHER CAR NOTE- I ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT EXPERIENCING ANOTHER RECALL WHICH I WAS ASSURED I WOULDN'T- BUT NOW I AM. TOYOTA HAS FAILED ONCE AGAIN. I WAS PART OF THE TOYOTA TAKATA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR OVER 2YEARS AND RECEIVED A MEASLY $62.00 CHECK FOR ALL THE AGONY I WENT THROUGH. I AM SCHEDULED TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 AT 9:30 AM AND WAS PROMISED I WOULD NOT EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAD BEFORE- BUT WELL SEE AND I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED.
NHTSA complaint #11322417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMesa, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET, MY CAR STARTED TO STALL, AND DIE, THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY, I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET, AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED, AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING, I HAD TO PULL OVER AND MAKE SURE IT WAS IN DRIVE, AND START IT UP AGAIN. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. ANOTHER TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET ABOUT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, AND THE CAR STALLED, DIED. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS IN DRIVE, ADJUSTED IT AND THEN KEPT GOING. I CALLED THE DEALER TODAY, AND WILL TAKE MY CAR THERE IN MESA, AZ ON SATURDAY TO BE CHECKED. IT SEEMED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WITH TOYOTA TACOMAS. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY! I'M DRIVING, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING AND DIES. THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, AND THERE ARE NO LIGHTS OR MESSAGES INSIDE MY CAR, TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY CAR IS ONLY A 2016, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. I ONLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER 60,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #11301493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,700 milesBuffalo, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR, WE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SPEAKERS WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THEY WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AT THE FACTORY. THE ELECTRICAL SPEAKER CONTACTS WERE POINTED UPWARDS WHICH EFFECTIVELY DAMAGED THEM OVER TIME FROM THE MOISTURE ACCUMULATING WITHIN THE FRONT DOORS. BOTH SPEAKERS, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES, INDICATING THE WIRING ERROR. BOTH WERE REPLACED BY THE SHOP AND AT THEIR SUGGESTION, I AM ALERTING YOU TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11257359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesHialeah, FLCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ESTABA ENTRANDO EN LA TERMINAL DEL AEROPUERTO DE FORT LAUDERDALE Y EL CARRO DEL OTRO CONDUCTOR MARCA JEEP DEL 2013 CON LA PLACA IITN27 ME IMPACTO POR EL FRENTE LA LADO DERECHO DANDOME EL FENDER DERECHO, EL FOCO Y ARRANCO EL BOMPER COMPLETO. NOTA. ESTE CHOFER ESCEDIA EL LIMITE DE VELOCIDAD.
NHTSA complaint #11172315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,988 milesFront Royal, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE, AND MAINTENANCE REQUIRED LIGHTS SUDDENLY APPEARED WHILE THE COROLLA WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A STATE ROAD. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED ITS 20,000 WARRANTY CHECK WITH NO PROBLEMS. I WAS ON THE WAY TO A REGULARLY SCHEDULED ONCOLOGY APPOINTMENT. I HAD TO CANCEL THE APPOINTMENT AND DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TECHNICIANS DETERMINED A RODENT HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL HARNESS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED BY ANY TOYOTA WARRANTY. SO FAR, I'VE BEEN FORCED TO SPEND NEARLY $1,000 ON RODENT-RELATED REPAIRS. I HAVE STAGE IV CANCER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR EXPRESSLY TO HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO CANCER TREATMENTS, MOST OF WHICH ARE OUT OF STATE. I CAN'T AFFORD THESE RAT-RELATED REPAIRS. LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE PROVED FUTILE AND FRUSTRATING. THE RATS ARE CONSIDERED BY THE CORPORATION AS AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, AND THEREFORE, NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. THE "OUTSIDE SOURCE" IS THE SOY THAT WAS STUPIDLY USED TO MAKE THE INSULATION PROTECTING THE ENGINE'S ELECTRICAL WIRING, CRISSCROSSING THE ENGINE. I HAD A 1991 TOYOTA THAT I PARKED IN THE SAME UNPROTECTED, DRIVEWAY SPOT FOR NEARLY 25 YEARS WHERE THE NEWER COROLLA IS NOW PARKED. THERE WERE NO RODENT ISSUES WHATSOEVER. SAME FOR A 1991 JEEP WRANGLER. DITTO A 1997 BUICK LASABRE. THE ONLY CAR BEING EATEN BY MICE AND RATS IS THE NEWEST CAR--THE 2016 COROLLA WITH SOY-BASED WIRING. SOY IS A FOOD SOURCE. I KNOW. I GREW UP ON A FARM AND WE FED IT TO OUR COWS AS A PROTEIN SOURCE. I NEED A RELIABLE, ECONOMICAL CAR TO GET TO LIFESAVING CANCER TREATMENTS. THIS CAR ISN'T IT. TOYOTA COULD CARE LESS. FOR THAT, THE COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEY ARE RISKING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE RAT TRAP CARS. SO FAR, TOYOTA HAS ABSOLVED THEMSELVES OF ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INHERENT AND DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I CAN'T FIGHT STAGE IV BREAST CANCER AND TOYOTA. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11129299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesThornburg, VI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHEEHY TOYOTA OF FREDERICKSBURG (3507 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408 (540) 710-8500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND RELAY WIRING HAD BEEN CHEWED. THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING WAS MADE OF A SOY BASED MATERIAL VERSUS A PETROLEUM BASED MATERIAL, WHICH ATTRACTED RODENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11019127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesBoca Raton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO INDICATE THE ACCURATE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #10825054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.