Toyota Corolla Cross wipers problems

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WA

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)

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AR

Vehicle: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Mileage: Approximately 45,000 miles Relevant Toyota Bulletin: T-SB-0020-23 Rev1 Description of Safety Concern: My 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross experienced a serious safety-related malfunction involving the automatic engine Stop and Start system. While stopped in traffic with the windshield wipers operating, the engine failed to restart automatically when I attempted to proceed. This left the vehicle temporarily unable to move as expected and required me to manually restart the engine. It can sometimes takes a couple of tries. THIS IS INTERMITTENT, there are no warning lights or codes. It is almost impossible to understand what is happening as a consumer. It took me hours of research to connect it to wipers. This condition presents a significant safety concern because it can leave a vehicle unexpectedly immobilized at an intersection or in active traffic, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or other accident. Toyota had already identified the exact condition in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0020-23, originally issued April 27, 2023, and subsequently revised. The bulletin specifically addresses an intermittent failure of the engine to restart during windshield-wiper operation in 2022–2023 Corolla Cross vehicles. They charged me $385 to fix it. Toyota developed a software correction for the engine control system, demonstrating that this was a known manufacturer-identified condition rather than normal vehicle wear or maintenance. My primary concern is that Toyota has identified a defect that can prevent a vehicle from restarting in traffic, yet affected owners may not receive the correction unless they experience the malfunction and pay for the repair themselves. I am requesting that the federal safety agency evaluate whether this condition represents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and whether a safety recall or broader manufacturer corrective action is warranted, given that the failure can occur unexpectedly.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · NJ

Rainy day, during daylight hours, wipers and lights on. Engine stalled from 35mph. Display read low steering power. Hard start by pushing brake and ignition button. Could have been terrible accident. No prior notification of battery or electrical issues

Filed Apr 4, 2026 · Visibility · HI

The wipers spontaneously activated and would not stop, it did not respond to any of the wiper controls, It would not stop even when the car was turned off. The only way to get the wipers to stop was to remove the relay.

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Visibility · 31,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in winter weather, the windshield wipers became stuck to the windshield. The contact stated that the heater vents located near the windshield failed to provide adequate heat to defrost the windshield, even while set to maximum. The contact had to manually clear the windshield, creating a hazardous driving condition. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the design of the defroster system. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Engine, Steering · MI

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.

Filed Mar 14, 2025 · Engine · CA

I was driving in the rain using the windshield wipers came to a stop and the engine start stop. The engine stopped and a warning sign came on saying the engine is stopped. \ power fluid low/ The steering wheel also would not turn. I had to put my hazard lights on, put the car in park and then restart the car.. this could be dangerous if I had been on the freeway.

Filed Feb 6, 2025 · Engine, Steering · GA

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”.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · GA

While driving in the rain with my windshield wipers on, my car suddenly stopped and the message on the car said “engine stopping, steering slowly” and after that it said “press on brakes slowly, engine stopping , steering slowly” and then it started to cut off. I forcibly put it in park and then the engine came back on and the car started to drive fine. An hour later, I turned my car back on and started driving and my screen went black. I turned the car off and turned it back on and it started working again. I think it could be an electrical issue but I don’t know for sure. I bought this car used with a little over 30k miles on it.

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.