2023 Toyota Corolla Cross: start-stop system problems

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Engine · FL

While stopped at a red light, the auto stop/start system shut the engine off and it failed to restart automatically. The dashboard showed "Low Power Steering" and "Engine Stopped - Press Brake Firmly to Restart." Pressing the brake did not work. I had to shift to Park and manually restart the vehicle. This has happened twice.

Filed Jun 9, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · NC

Car would not restart after auto stop/start engaged and wipers on. I had to put car in park, turn off the engine then restart. Third time this has happened.

Filed May 19, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · VA

My 2023 Corolla cross XLE, at least 5 times since ownership, has experienced a complete engine shut off at stop lights when driving in the rain with windshield wipers on. A message appears on the driver display saying that the engine shut off and the brake needs to be pressed hard and start button must be pushed to start the engine again. It seems to only occur in association with the engine stop/start capability that is engaged when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the break pedal is pushed extra to engage the engine. This may sound like the normal start/stop function to save fuel, but it is not. Normally, the capability turns the engine back on upon release of the brake pedal. This issue is very different, in that the engine shut down is not normal, and requires in real time traffic, returning the vehicle to park and starting it up again before putting the gear in drive again. This is very dangerous in traffic and needs a recall fix as soon as possible.

Filed May 3, 2024 · Electrical, Visibility · NC

I have run into issues with the auto start/stop or brake hold being on while the windshield wipers are on. I get a "steering fluid low" message that comes up on the dashboard and the car becomes inoperable. I have to turn the car off and turn it back on in order to drive it again. This has been going on since I purchased the car in March 2023. I have not gone to a dealer around this issue as I've heard from other Toyota Corolla Cross owners have run into the same issue and that there is no remedy for the issue. There is no warning that this will happen, it happens unexpectedly and typically I'm sitting at stop signs or red lights.

Filed Dec 25, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Driving in Bumper-to-Bumper traffice on interstate 10. It was raining and the wipers were on. The problem occurred on December 20th during frequent starts and stops to maintain traffic flow with other vehicles. During one of the stops, the engine turned off as it normally does at a traffic light or when stuck in traffic. Upon lifting my foot off the brake, the car emiited loud sounds and various lights came on the dashboard. Cars behind me started honking their horns and other cars began acclerating passed me on the adjacent lanes. I was very upset and frightened. I tried several times to try and restart the car. I finally was able to get it started and drove directly to the dealer- Toyota of the Desert in Cathedral City. The Service writer said they could not find anything wrong with the car and would not give me a loaner. I am a health care provider and use my car to take my patients for doctor visits etc. She needs 24/7 coverage, so I asked her husband to pick me up at the dealer. He called the dealer and escalated the request for a loaner which was granted. The next day I asked him to return the loaner and pick up my car. He spoke with several people at the dealership including F&I, Service Director and Sales director and no one ever heard of this problem. He did some research and found that this problem has been reported many times. ie. Auto stop/start and many times with windshield wipers on causes car to unexpectantly stall. There are multiple reports listed under several categories on this database. This needs immediate attention before something terrible happens.

Filed Oct 25, 2023 · Engine · CT

Some of the times when the function Autostart/Stop is on and the windshield wipers are active the car shuts down and throws engine lights on the car and the car won’t start after releasing the brakes, the car panics , and only will start again when moving from D to Park again and pressing the button .

Filed Sep 30, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MA

I was driving during the rain with the wipers on (intermittent) and the auto start/stop feature engaged. I got to a red light and stopped. I lifted my foot off the brake to press the accelerator and then the car didn't restart. The instrument panel then said low steering power and another message about the brake. A loud tone was continuously emitted. I pressed the brake and put the car in park and was able to restart it. I was scared because traffic behind me was honking for me to proceed and I was not able to at first.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · 3,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated that the automatic START/STOP feature intermittently failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact was forced to manually place the gear shift into park(P) and restart the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2023 · Electrical · NH

This has happened twice to me now. Stopped at a stop light, rainy day, the auto start/stop enabled. The car suddenly dies, all lights come on, engine off. Tells me to step on brake to restart, but it never does. Eventually after 45 sec of trying to restart the car, it eventually does after 4-5 tries.

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · NJ

It was a rainy day, the first rainy day that I drove this car in. I had my windshield wipers and headlights on, and I've always kept my auto start/stop setting on for this car. At one point within 5 minutes of my destination, I pulled up to a left turn lane at an intersection. I slowed to a stop, with my auto stop engaging (as intended). At this moment, my engine stalled, my turn lights on my dashboard shone orange nonstop, and a constant beeping sound started. On the dashboard in front of me, following message was displayed: Press brake firmly to restart engine, Low steering power. I attempted to follow the instructions and pressed the brake as firmly as I could, but the warning and long beep continued and the car would not budge. It was getting dangerous because I was in the middle of a lane and blocking traffic. After a few attempts to follow the directions, I resorted to putting the car in park and manually completely shutting off the engine, then manually starting the engine. This worked and I was able to continue driving. Though this same situation happened again the same night in the same conditions: rainy, auto stopped in a left turn lane, windshield wipers on.

Filed Aug 5, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · NC

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 steering indicator and check engine light was on.

Filed Jul 2, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IL

When stopped at a red light, the car started beeping, the check engine light turned on, "steering power low" was displayed, the brake pedal could not be pushed in, and the steering wheel was locked. After putting the car into park and pressing the engine start/stop button, the beeping stopped and the car was able to drive again. The car had a full tank of gas and it was raining outside. Not only did this happen in the middle of a busy intersection, but while the weather conditions were difficult which could potentially put safety at risk.