Engine turns off at stoplights, anyone else?

Hey everyone, I have a 2023 Corolla Cross, and about a week after buying it, I came to a stoplight and the engine completely shut down with an error message on the dashboard. This was not the start-stop function. Since then, it has happened about five times. The dealership says they don’t see anything wrong on their end, even though I showed them pictures of the dashboard errors.

One time, I remote-started the car twice before getting in. As soon as I opened the door, the engine shut off. I assumed the timer ran out, but when I got inside, the ignition was on, but the engine was off. Everything inside the car was powered, but the engine wouldn’t start. The dealership told me to turn the ignition off, get out, lock and unlock the doors, and try again. Nothing worked. The doors wouldn’t even lock. I had the car towed, but when they took it off the tow truck, it started up fine. The dealership spent three hours checking it and found nothing.

The good news is it’s a lease, so I can return it. The bad news is I planned to buy it for my kid, so now I need to be careful about mileage. I’m already at 24,000 miles in two years on a 10,000-mile-per-year lease. First time leasing, and I brought the wrong person with me to the dealership when I made the deal.

You mentioned an error message but didn’t share what it said. That’s important info. Hard to figure things out without details.

Zed said:
You mentioned an error message but didn’t share what it said. That’s important info. Hard to figure things out without details.

New to this forum, and I didn’t know how to upload pictures. My bad.

@ToyotaTalker
No worries. Just trying to help. Do you remember any of the error messages?

Zed said:
@ToyotaTalker
No worries. Just trying to help. Do you remember any of the error messages?

Yeah, when my car was towed and wouldn’t start, the dashboard showed:

  • IGNITION ON
  • Not ready to drive
  • Push brake pedal and press engine switch to start

Lights on the dashboard:

  • Check engine light
  • Steering wheel warning light
  • Park light

When the engine shut down at the light, it showed:

  • System stopped. Front radar sensor blocked. Clean radar sensor.
  • Park light on
  • A yellow circle with a yellow rectangle inside and two yellow dots (couldn’t find this symbol online)

I showed these photos to the dealership, and they had no clue.

@ToyotaTalker
Sounds like a weak 12V battery. If you can, get it tested at an auto parts store or dealership.

If the dealership isn’t helping, call Toyota corporate.

Dorian said:
If the dealership isn’t helping, call Toyota corporate.

Will do. Thanks.

What trim and engine type? Also, what were the exact error messages?

Grey said:
What trim and engine type? Also, what were the exact error messages?

It’s a gas model, LE trim, AWD. First and last time it happened was in winter, but it also happened a few times in between. The time it wouldn’t start and had to be towed was also in winter.

@ToyotaTalker
That’s making me rethink my decision to get one.

Grey said:
@ToyotaTalker
That’s making me rethink my decision to get one.

Every car has issues here and there. Could just be an isolated case.

Were your windshield wipers on when the engine shut off?

Zeke said:
Were your windshield wipers on when the engine shut off?

No, they were off.

I had a similar issue. Turning off the automatic engine shut-off in the rain fixed it for me.

ToyotaTim3 said:
I had a similar issue. Turning off the automatic engine shut-off in the rain fixed it for me.

Mine never happened in the rain, at least that I can remember. Glad yours got fixed, but these issues on new cars are frustrating. Toyota needs to do better.

I had something similar happen today. Stopped at a light, pressed the gas, and nothing. Waited 30 seconds, then it worked.

Denali said:
I had something similar happen today. Stopped at a light, pressed the gas, and nothing. Waited 30 seconds, then it worked.

Did your car fully shut off? Toyota seems to have no answers for this.

@ToyotaTalker
Nope, the engine stayed on, but pressing the gas did nothing.

My 2023 XLE gas did this at a stoplight too. Got an error message, but I was distracted and don’t remember what it said. Restarted the car and kept driving.