Toyota is recalling 960 2020 Corolla Hatchback vehicles because a rear hatch wire harness defect can disable back-up lights. Free repair at Toyota dealers.
Toyota is recalling 960 2020 Corolla Hatchback vehicles because assembly damage to a rear hatch wire harness connector can make the back-up lights fail. Without working back-up lights, the vehicle gives less warning while reversing and crash risk rises; Toyota dealers will inspect and repair the connector free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear hatch wire harness on the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is the electrical bundle that runs through the back door. It carries power and signal through a connector to the backup lamps, so the lights come on when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
On affected vehicles, the connector for that rear hatch harness was damaged during assembly. Toyota traced the problem to production inspection equipment that left larger contact gaps inside the connector. Those gaps can let oxidation build up on the backup lamp terminals, which increases electrical resistance. When resistance gets high enough, the backup lights stop working.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is most likely to notice the problem only if someone outside the vehicle sees that the rear backup lights do not illuminate while the vehicle is in reverse.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback | Back up lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 960 |
Not every 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
Failed back-up lights make the vehicle harder for people behind you to see while you reverse, increasing crash risk. Use extra care when backing up, check that the lights work, and schedule the dealer repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free rear hatch wire harness replacement that restores the back-up lights.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one, or reference recall number 20V205 when you call.
- Use extra care when reversing until the repair is complete, and stop if the back-up lights are not working.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the rear hatch wire harness, including the connector area tied to the back-up light failure. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Toyota has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid out of pocket for a related rear hatch wire harness or back-up light repair, bring repair orders, invoices, and proof of payment to the Toyota service desk so they can review the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 8, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 9, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 9, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 25, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 30, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V205?
Recall 20V205 covers 960 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback vehicles with a rear hatch wire harness connector assembly issue. The defect can make the back-up lights fail, increasing crash risk while reversing. Toyota dealers replace the rear hatch wire harness for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V205. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the rear hatch wire harness replacement. Reference recall 20V205, or Toyota numbers 20TB07 and 20TA07, when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will replace the rear hatch wire harness free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What is the safety risk for this Toyota Corolla Hatchback recall?
The safety risk is reduced visibility to other drivers while reversing. If the back-up lights fail, people behind the vehicle have less warning that the car is backing up, which increases crash risk. Toyota's free repair replaces the rear hatch wire harness.
What if I bought my Toyota Corolla Hatchback used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this specific 2020 Corolla Hatchback is included, then contact a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 20V205 when scheduling the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V205000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V205 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V205000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →