While driving my 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross LE, the engine unexpectedly shut off while I was stopped at a red light during heavy rain with the windshield wipers operating. A warning message appeared on the dashboard indicating that the engine had shut off and instructing me to press the brake firmly. The check engine warning light also illuminated. I shifted the vehicle into Park and pressed the engine Stop button. The vehicle took approximately 20 seconds before the dashboard indicated that the ignition was on but the vehicle was not ready to drive until I pressed the brake and pressed the Start button. After restarting the vehicle, the warnings disappeared and the vehicle appeared to return to normal operation. I am concerned that an unexpected engine shutdown could create a serious safety hazard, particularly in traffic or at an intersection, where the vehicle could lose power unexpectedly and potentially leave me unable to accelerate when needed. I am also concerned about whether the issue could recur while the vehicle is moving or in an unsafe location. The vehicle has approximately 73,000 miles. This is the first time I have personally experienced this issue. I purchased the vehicle in [XXX] and subsequently drove it to [XXX]. This was one of the first times I had used the windshield wipers extensively since purchasing the vehicle, due to the heavy rain. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic Stop & Start system. The problem has not yet been reproduced or checked by a dealership or independent repair facility. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, a dealership, police, or insurance representatives in connection with this incident. The vehicle appeared to operate normally after restarting, but the cause of the shutdown has not been determined. The first symptoms occurred at the time of the incident. I am concerned about the safety implications of an unexpected engine shutdown. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)
Toyota Corolla Cross loss of power problems
12 of the 321 owner complaints about the Toyota Corolla Cross describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2023 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2023
By model year
- 20262
- 20242
- 20235
- 20223
Often reported together
Warning lights 2Start-stop 2Stalling 2Check engine light 2Won't start 1Wipers 1
What owners say
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD – repeat direct fuel injector failure within 14 months / 15,500 miles. 1) Aug 22, 2025 (29,990 mi): Cylinder 4 direct injector failed. Toyota dealer replaced it under warranty and rebuilt the other three injectors. 2) Aug 26, 2025: Strong fuel smell inside the cabin, traced to injector gaskets. All four gaskets were replaced. 3) Oct 17, 2026 (45,500 mi): Cylinder 1 injector, one of the three rebuilt in Aug 2025, failed while driving. Dealer diagnosed a leaking injector causing misfire and cylinder flooding. The engine went into Reduced Engine Power mode, and the dash showed multiple warnings at once: Pre-Collision System Malfunction, Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction, LTA Unavailable, AWD System Malfunction, Parking Brake Malfunction and Drive-Start Control Malfunction. Safety concerns: sudden loss of engine power while driving; key driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems disabled at the same time; fuel odor in the cabin from a leaking injector seal. The dealer expects the remaining two rebuilt injectors to fail as well. All scheduled maintenance performed at authorized Toyota service centers. Toyota customer case: 261019002448. Vehicle is currently at the dealer awaiting repair.
The vehicle has experienced intermittent loss of power/acceleration when taking off from a stop. When the accelerator pedal is pressed, the vehicle sometimes does not accelerate normally or has substantially reduced power. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle may not accelerate as expected when entering or crossing traffic or in other situations where predictable acceleration is necessary. This has been happening off and on for several month. Around the same time, the vehicle's fuel economy decreased significantly. The vehicle had previously averaged approximately 37 MPG and is now averaging approximately 22–25 MPG under generally similar driving conditions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Toyota dealership for inspection. The dealership was unable to identify a mechanical problem and reset the vehicle's computers. I was told the reduced fuel economy could be related to the computers relearning my driving habits. After the vehicle was returned to me, the loss-of-power/acceleration condition occurred again, so the issue remains unresolved. There have been no warning lights or dashboard messages associated with the loss of power. The specific component or cause of the malfunction is UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for further inspection. Toyota corporate has also been notified and has opened a case regarding the unresolved condition.
The vehicle's "Engine Maintenance Required" dashboard message illuminated due to a total failure of the Engine Coolant Bypass Valve, throwing Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P268115. A certified Toyota dealership diagnostic inspection confirmed that an internal seal leak allowed pressurized engine coolant to short out the valve's electrical circuit, rendering the component completely inoperable. This component is responsible for regulating engine temperature and routing coolant to prevent the engine from overheating. Because the valve has suffered an internal electrical short, it cannot redirect coolant appropriately, introducing a severe risk of sudden engine overheating and catastrophic power loss while driving at highway speeds. Furthermore, Toyota has officially acknowledged this exact premature part failure on identical engine platforms under Customer Support Program 24TE04, but has excluded the Corolla Cross model. The failure of this sealed electrical component represents a severe, unaddressed safety defect that can cause total engine failure during operation
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.
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V869000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). While driving approximately 10 MPH out of a driveway, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer; however, a diagnostic test was not performed. The dealer was notified of the active recall and took possession of the vehicle, and provided the contact with a loaner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.
I purchased a brand-new 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross LE on [XXX], in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, selling price, $31, 500.00 Early July 2025, I started the vehicle, and unexpectedly, multiple lights emerged on the dashboard screen per below, Exhibit 1 - Check Engine - Visit your dealer Exhibit 2 -Drive Start Control Malfunction - Visit your dealer Exhibit 3 - Parking Brake Malfunction Exhibit 4 - Secondary Collision - Brake System Malfunction Exhibit 5- Parking System Malfunction The vehicle was taken to Island Toyota on July 5th. The codes were cleared by removing the battery terminal. Two days later, the warning lights reappeared. After the technician performed diagnostic testing, I received a phone call to pick up the vehicle. The total cost of the ordered parts exceeds $2,000, which includes a computer. This vehicle is under warranty, particular vehicle IS NOT TWO YEARS OLD. This vehicle is a LEMON. I spoke with Carlos Rivera, a Customer Service Agent at Toyota of Puerto Rico. I notified him of this matter via phone calls, and he responded. He stated that his department is the warranty department, solely responsible for ordering parts for vehicles with warranties. He advised me to speak Ms Charla Green, the General Manager for Toyota St. Croix. Not quite sure why she never returns calls and is virtually unfeasible to speak with customers is atrocious. The front desk agents seems to be programmed to let you know Ms Green is not available and the supervisor, Ms Francis, seems uninterested in the daily chronicles with ones vehicle. The Entire department running blind while upper management is collecting hefty salaries. When the poor man cries out in distress, it’s a deep yearning for help and reassurance from the workers getting paid to help. While traversing on the [XXX], with a passenger in the vehicle, approximately, on [XXX], the instrument cluster display went BLANK, the vehicle lost power, slowed down, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552
Attachments of pictures for complaint number 11688637. [xxx] [xxx] . 2023 toyota corolla cross the scanned pictures shows all the warning lights displayed on my vehicle. A new computer was installed yet it continues to reflect these lights. A new switch assy, hose ventilator, valve asy, oi and computer assembly. Currently the dealer ordered injector set, along with switch, push. Honestly, the problem cannot be found, parts will be ordered continuosly. The danger was when the entire dash board went blank, while on the highway, the vehicle lost power and the transmission stalled to shift gear. I pulled over on the side of the road and called the ceo of toyota in puerto rico. I explained to them my life is at risk. They decided to give me a rental until the new parts come in. Please investigate this matter. My vehicle has a serious problem. It has been in the shop multiple times for this issue and toyota does not care if I die or live. Who knows if other individuals is having this issue. Please investigate this imperative matter. This vehicle will be two years in november 2025. Vehicle computers last in excess of ten years. All the lights below stayed on for several weeks. The technician keep removing the battery for resetting purposes, whereas all warning signals displayed once more. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
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)
Transmission failed at 7,000 miles and had to be replaced. Car in repair facility 3/25-5/8/24. 5/18 - Engine slipped out of gear on hill/driveway, wouldn’t engage, unresponsive 5/20 - engine hesitation when taking off 5/21 - engine bogging down on acceleration 5/21 - engine unresponsive when accelerator pressed 5/21 15:40 - rolled over gentle bump at 40mph, screen went black and computer reset 5/21 16:03 - engine didn’t respond when accelerator pressed to floor 5/21 16:51 - car bogged down - issues climbing hill on driveway 5/22 12:48 - car engine jerked while coasting 5/23 20:15 - Start/Stop Unavailable - Battery Charging warning light for Stop Start system 5/23 20:19 - Start/Stop system battery charging message again 5/24 10:18 - engine jerked, car shuddered before engaging 5/25 10:26 - 31mph, engine jerked, car shuddered, lost power on slight incline 5/25 17:58 - proximity alarm alerted on rear passenger’s side - no obstruction present 5/25 18:01 - horn stopped working after depressed for three seconds 5/25 18:03 - car slipped out of gear on slight incline 5/26 - car alerted “For Start/Stop System, press brake harder” Car shuddered, acted as if it was going to stall, then restarted itself even though brake was not depressed fully and car had started rolling forward 5/29 10:18 - “Smart Key Malfunction” error message and car would not start 5/31 21:48 - Auto Start/Stop System Unavailable - Battery Charging warning light 6/01 20:18 - Engine slipped while accelerator pressed, lost power at 39 mph 6/01 20:20 - Engine kept slipping, resulting in pulsing motion of car each mph increase starting at 20 mph and ending at 40 mph 6/02 10:38 - 1:17 video clip taken of proximity alarm misfiring again 6/02 12:27 - pulling onto Central Pike, uphill, car lost power and began shuddering when accelerator pressed 6/2-6/18 - available on request 6/18 - car didn’t respond past 19 mph with accelerator fully pressed - repair shop foreman, customer service manager in car to witness
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Toyota Corolla Cross loss of power
Which Toyota Corolla Cross years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2023 (5 complaints), 2022 (3 complaints) and 2024 (2 complaints).
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