2014 Corolla S Radio Reboot Problem

#1
I am just going to copy and paste the review I left for the dealer about the issue I have been having with my radio.

Bought a used 2014 Toyota Corolla S in February of 2018 and after almost exactly one year the radio quit working. Basically, when you turn on the car the radio boots up and then goes into an update screen that just keeps loading over and over. Scheduled an appointment to get the radio fixed thinking this should be a simple fix. However, while I was waiting for the technician to fix the radio, or at least get me a reasonable quote on fixing it I was approached by a dealer who tried to talk me into leasing a brand new Corolla. I didn't want a new car as the one I had was working fine besides the radio, so after about 30 minutes talking with the dealer (All the while he was taking phone calls and walking off at random to help others) I convinced him that I would not be leasing a new car. Went back to waiting for some information on my car and after being at the dealership for a little over an hour, which I feel is a reasonable wait time, I was told there was nothing they could do to fix my radio and that I would need to purchase a new one. A new unit costs $1,000.00 on top of a $60.00 installation fee. This seems completely unreasonable for a car that I've only been driving for a year and only has 80k Miles on it. This will be the last Toyota that I purchase, I am incredibly upset with Toyota because checking internet forums this has been a very well known issue with this model of car for well over 2 years, which means they knew about it before selling me this car and failed to mention it may become an issue at some point.
 

jolly

New Member
#2
Indeed that is one if not the most reported issue on forums. Not only for Corolla but all Toyota models with Entune 2.0 (and from the look of it, specifically premium versions with apps/nav). “Most reported” doesn’t necessarily mean “all units” – you are one of the unlucky – and you could never rely on the seller (whether dealer or private party) to mention it…

Who knows what trigger it. Those devices interact with so many different other devices updated themselves. It’s a bit like some – only some – Apple devices freezing under iOS 11 update (turn out to be triggered by a specific combination of keys). That’s probably the reason many extended warranties don’t cover it. In Canada, even Hyundai/Kia head units aren’t covered for the full length of the otherwise longer than competition standard base warranty.

The sad/wrong part is that dealers only see unit swapping as a solution as Toyota never issued a correct update and probably never will since units got a new manufacturer and Entune a new architecture in the meantime. Some here are hoping for a recall: it won’t happen. Head units are not a matter covered under the NHTSA recall criterias.

That being said, you may have some options:
- You could get a used unit on eBay for much, much less and bring it to the dealer (since they charge only $60 for installation) or a shop.
- Some, not all, have had success by getting and installing a map update.
- You may try to update the firmware: https://securedp.toyota.com/download-app/getUpdates
- Some, not all, also had success with the procedure shown in the video below

By the way, on something else, if your car has a CVT, you should check here to see if it needs the CVT firmware update: https://www.toyota.com/recall

 
#3
Best bet is probably a aftermarket radio unit which should be around $300 for a nice mid-grade one.

I'd check these forums as someone recommended a pioneer unit and has reported the ability to change Toyota's settings.

It's sad that these infotainment systems crap out early and cost over a grand to replace. Dumb move Toyota...
 
#4
So it appears the radio didn't power down completely and it had a hiccup. Draining the residual electrical currents seemed to cause the system to do a full system check and work.

WTF is this Toyota? Why don't your technician's know this?!
 
#5
I am just going to copy and paste the review I left for the dealer about the issue I have been having with my radio.

Bought a used 2014 Toyota Corolla S in February of 2018 and after almost exactly one year the radio quit working. Basically, when you turn on the car the radio boots up and then goes into an update screen that just keeps loading over and over. Scheduled an appointment to get the radio fixed thinking this should be a simple fix. However, while I was waiting for the technician to fix the radio, or at least get me a reasonable quote on fixing it I was approached by a dealer who tried to talk me into leasing a brand new Corolla. I didn't want a new car as the one I had was working fine besides the radio, so after about 30 minutes talking with the dealer (All the while he was taking phone calls and walking off at random to help others) I convinced him that I would not be leasing a new car. Went back to waiting for some information on my car and after being at the dealership for a little over an hour, which I feel is a reasonable wait time, I was told there was nothing they could do to fix my radio and that I would need to purchase a new one. A new unit costs $1,000.00 on top of a $60.00 installation fee. This seems completely unreasonable for a car that I've only been driving for a year and only has 80k Miles on it. This will be the last Toyota that I purchase, I am incredibly upset with Toyota because checking internet forums this has been a very well known issue with this model of car for well over 2 years, which means they knew about it before selling me this car and failed to mention it may become an issue at some point.

******** I'm not sure about anyone else. But my wife has a 2014 Toyota Corolla Sport. Her radio went out around 50k miles. The dealer said it just needs an update. Took it to Toyota & was on time to our appointment @ 9:30 am on a Saturday. 8 hours later they told us the radio can't be updated & we needed a new one. $900 for the radio, $300 for labor.
The screen is black. Nothing works on it & there are no sequence of buttons to "Soft Reset" because the screen is blacked out. No fuses, no lose wire issues, nothing can be done other than go aftermarket or buy a used one online. We did take it to a small radio shop that performed some "magic" & he wasn't able to get it working. Toyota has hidden behind LIES on this issue & will not own up & fix the problem. They also told me the factory radio BRAND NEW COSTS $7,500 but they could get me the used one for $900
 
#6
I have a 2014 Corolla S and started having this issue back in December 2019. I read the forums and was hesitant to take in my car and pay for them to tell me they can’t fix it and need to replace the more unit. Anyway, I took my car in today for a recall on the airbags. While I was there I had them check out the screen. $155 to check it! I went against my instincts and had them do it. Just got a call that they unplugged the battery for 30 minutes and the unit is rebooting, so it’s a hardware issue and they can’t fix it. I need to replace the unit... are you kidding me!?

it’s clearly a software issue. The rear view camera still works. The screen is tuck in reboot. These are not issues seen from hardware malfunctions. I’m not giving Toyota anymore of my money. I rather buy an aftermarket unit and replace it myself. Might even invest is something nicer with apple CarPlay.
 
#7
Does anyone have the specific steps to take making the usb with files and how to apply them to the reboot loop situation?
What Im going to try in the next couple days is just putting the files on a blank USB and plugging that in while the battery is disconnected and hooking the battery back up. Hopefully it will see the drive and begin automatically. If anyone has specific steps, I sure would appreciate the help.
Perhaps Ill be one of the lucky ones to get this thing back in working order although Im not optimistic.
 
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