VehicleVerdict

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 346 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.7 times the median Corolla Cross year — the 2023 model ranks #1 of 5 Corolla Cross years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 102 reports (30% of the total).

346

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other Corolla Cross years?

Corolla Cross NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted346 complaints2022: 72 complaints2023: 346 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 28 complaints
Corolla Cross NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corolla Cross years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine10229%
Electrical System6820%
Steering4413%
Visibility & Wipers268%
Other247%
Driver Assistance195%
Lighting154%
Brakes134%
Transmission113%
Airbags103%
Fuel System72%
Body & Structure21%
Speed Control21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seats10%

Does the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V040000AirbagsJanuary 29, 2025 · 1,716 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

23V864000Electrical SystemDecember 20, 2023 · 12,575 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Corolla Cross vehicles that were previously inspected at a dealership under recall 23V-384. The instrument panel may have been produced without the required perforation, which could result in the front-passenger air bag not deploying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA16. Vehicles previously inspected under 23V-384 will need to return to the dealership for additional inspection.

23V480000AirbagsJuly 12, 2023 · 152,927 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

23V384000Electrical SystemMay 30, 2023 · 96,007 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Corolla Cross vehicles. The instrument panel may have been produced without the required perforation, which could result in the front-passenger air bag not deploying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safey Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the instrument panel, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 10, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB04/23TA04.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Vehicle stalled while driving with both front and rear wind shield wipers on. It was raining when this occurred. We were in heavy traffic and vehicle would not move, putting us at risk. The dealer states that they are unaware of this failure occurring in the 2023 corolla cross model. The failure…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 5, 2024

“While driving at a moderate speed (june 7, 2025), multiple critical systems of the vehicle suddenly failed. Both dashboard screens (driver and center display) went black, and numerous warning lights appeared afterward, including oil pressure, engine, lane departure, tire pressure, and airbag (SRS)…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 7, 2025 · crash

“On March 9th 2023 I was stopped at a red light in my brand new 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE that I had for only 13 days (it had 420 miles on it). It was raining and I had my wipers on. Suddenly a loud alarm/tone was heard and several warning lights flashed across the dash. Power steering…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 9, 2023 · crash

“I was driving on the highway in traffic with the stop/start function active. It was raining and windshield wipers were on. Engine stalled in traffic and I couldn't turn the car back on, pressed the brake and it wouldn't restart. I put it in park and it started back up. The dash had a low power…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 2, 2023

“While driving at a moderate speed (june 7, 2025), multiple critical systems of the vehicle suddenly failed. Both dashboard screens (driver and center display) went black, and numerous warning lights appeared afterward, including oil pressure, engine, lane departure, tire pressure, and airbag (SRS)…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 7, 2025 · crash

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross — common questions

Is the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 346 complaints put the 2023 model at #1 of 5 Corolla Cross years. It is one of the Corolla Cross years to avoid.

What are the most common 2023 Corolla Cross problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (102 complaints), electrical system (68 complaints), steering (44 complaints).

Does the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Corolla Cross years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Corolla Cross years to avoid are 2023. The cleanest record among Corolla Cross years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.