By CarWhere Research · Updated
Toyota's Direct Shift-CVT has a short documented record. Its only NHTSA transmission recall, 18V901, covered 3,424 early 2019 Corolla Hatchbacks whose torque-converter pump impeller blades could detach and stall the car; Toyota replaced the CVT and torque converter. NHTSA's recall lists for the 2020–2025 Corolla show no transmission recalls, and we found no warranty extension or class settlement for this transmission.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Continuously variable (CVT) |
| Built by | Toyota |
| Used by | Toyota |
| Years in use | 2019–present (US) |
| Also known as | Direct Shift-CVT, Dynamic-Shift CVT |
| Transmission-related NHTSA recalls listed | 1 |
| Warranty extensions / special coverage listed | 0 |
| Court settlements listed | 0 |
Toyota announced the Direct Shift-CVT in February 2018 as the world's first continuously variable transmission in a passenger vehicle to use a launch gear: a conventional gear drives the car from a stop, then the belt-and-pulley CVT takes over. Toyota says moving the belt to higher ratios widened the gear-ratio range to 7.5, made shifts 20 percent faster and improved fuel efficiency by six percent over its existing transmission system.
In the US it arrived on the 2019 Corolla Hatchback, where Toyota's press release calls it the Dynamic-Shift CVT with simulated 10-speed steps and paddle shifters, paired with the 2.0L M20A-FKS engine. EPA lists it as an AV-S10 automatic with the 2.0L in the Corolla Hatchback and, from 2020, the Corolla sedan.
| Make | Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Corolla Hatchback | 2019–2025 | 2.0L four-cylinder; EPA lists AV-S10 (a 6-speed manual was also offered in 2019)[1][2][3][4] |
| Toyota | Corolla sedan | 2020–2025 | 2.0L four-cylinder, listed by EPA as AV-S10; the 2019 sedan offered only a 1.8L, with a CVT listed as AV-S7 or variable gear ratios[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] |
“Years to avoid” here means the model years with the most documented action — recalls, manufacturer warranty extensions or court settlements — not a prediction about any single vehicle. A car from these years with completed repairs and good records can be a sound buy; one without them deserves a closer look.
NHTSA recall 18V901 covers 3,424 2019 Corolla Hatchbacks with the CVT. The pump impeller blades inside the torque converter may detach, especially under high load, which can stall the vehicle. Dealers replace the CVT and torque converter free of charge; the recall began April 22, 2019.[14]
Reported symptoms
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Vehicles | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V901 | 2018-12-19 | 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback with CVT3,424 vehicles | The pump impeller blades within the torque converter may detach, especially under high load, potentially stalling the vehicle. Dealers replace the CVT and torque converter free of charge.[14] |
Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of age or owner. Check a specific car by its 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the CarWhere recall check.
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It is a continuously variable transmission that adds a physical launch gear for pulling away from a stop before switching to the belt and pulleys. Toyota announced it in 2018 as the first passenger-vehicle CVT with a launch gear and claims a 7.5 ratio range and 20 percent faster shifts.
In the US it debuted on the 2019 Corolla Hatchback with the 2.0L engine. EPA lists the same AV-S10 automatic with the 2.0L in the Corolla Hatchback through 2025 and in the Corolla sedan from 2020.
Once. Recall 18V901 covered 3,424 2019 Corolla Hatchbacks whose torque-converter pump impeller blades could detach, especially under high load, and stall the car. Toyota replaced the CVT and torque converter. NHTSA's recall lists for the 2020–2025 Corolla show no transmission recalls.
Toyota introduced the Direct Shift-CVT in 2018 as a new type of CVT whose launch gear sets it apart from its existing CVTs. EPA lists it as AV-S10 with the 2.0L engine, while 1.8L Corollas, including every 2019 sedan, carry a separately listed CVT.
Every problem, recall, warranty extension and settlement above is CarWhere’s own summary of a primary record — NHTSA recall campaigns, manufacturer service bulletins and warranty-extension notices filed with NHTSA, manufacturer press material, and court or settlement-administrator records — and is numbered to its source below. We list a model year under “years to avoid” only when a manufacturer, regulator or court record ties it to the transmission. Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public owner-complaint data, counted once per complaint. We do not estimate failure rates or repair costs. See also the years-to-avoid methodology.
Descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the records below. Recall details are as reported to NHTSA by the manufacturer.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer or transmission supplier. Product and model names are trademarks of their owners.