2012 Toyota Corolla Air Bags
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Hit head in passengers side into a cement pole, car was a total loss. No airbags deployed causing bodily injury to driver and passenger from impact and seatbelt , stopping us . Chest cavity injury’s
air bag needed to be replaced after I replaced it before on a previous recall. NEED ANOTHER RECALL
after fixing airbag with recalls before, i was forced to adjust airbag again. TOYOTA NEEDS ANOTHER RECALL. $1000 OU TOF POCKET
Faulty airbag - needed to get it replaced. Forced to pay for whole thing.
Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Studies have shown that airbags should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. It does not make sense to me that an airbag should last 4 years, and we should have to pay $1,200. In addition to this, the service manager at the Columbia, MO (Joe Machen’s) Toyota was extremely unprofessional. He said that my wife should have drove (with an inoperable airbag) to a Toyota dealership, which came across as unethical in my opinion. I would like to officially request a reimbursement of “good will” from Toyota. I have a work order and a paid receipt to provide any evidence that is required. If this message does not pertain to your role within Toyota, please pass this message along to the appropriate department/individual. I am happy to answer any questions and can be contacted at [XXX] . I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Studies have shown that airbags should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. It does not make sense to me that an airbag should last 4 years, and we should have to pay $1,200. In addition to this, the service manager at the Columbia, MO (Joe Machen’s) Toyota was extremely unprofessional. He said that my wife should have drove (with an inoperable airbag) to a Toyota dealership, which came across as unethical in my opinion. I would like to officially request a reimbursement of “good will” from Toyota. I have a work order and a paid receipt to provide any evidence that is required. If this message does not pertain to your role within Toyota, please pass this message along to the appropriate department/individual. I am happy to answer any questions and can be contacted at [XXX] . I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report on 9/14/2023 to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Studies have shown that airbags should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. I also tried contacting the “goodwill” department of Toyota Corporate and was unsuccessful in getting a reimbursement. I am requesting a full reimbursement of the airbag replacement cost and labor for a grand sum of $1,166.77.
Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. It does not make sense to me that an airbag should last 4 years, and we should have to pay $1,200. In addition to this, the service manager at the Columbia, MO (Joe Machen’s) Toyota was extremely unprofessional. He said that my wife should have drove (with an inoperable airbag) to a Toyota dealership, which came across as unethical in my opinion. I would like to officially request a reimbursement of “good will” from Toyota. I have a work order and a paid receipt to provide any evidence that is required. If this message does not pertain to your role within Toyota, please pass this message along to the appropriate department/individual. I am happy to answer any questions and can be contacted at [XXX] . I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The airbag (driver's side) was replaced in 2019 per a recall at a dealership in Columbia, MO. My wife and I have since moved to [XXX] . We took the car to a local mechanic (closer to our house) for basic work, such as an oil change/tire rotation. During the vehicle inspect, they said the airbag failed test (image attached). We got the work done (cost about $1,000). The dealership was not pleasant to work with and said the mechanic was "not Toyota certified" and "she should have drove to a Toyota dealership". The initial 2019 airbag replacement was under a 12-month warranty. This is the basic warranty for all repairs, which I understand. However, airbags are supposed to last longer than 4 years. The car was not in an accident. This is a either a faulty manufacturer/design. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Airbag needed to be replaced....again. This vehicle has had many recalls before, but now I am forced to pay for an additional replacement. Airbags are supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Toyota not covering this $1000 expense is ridiculous and unsafe.
Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report on 9/14/2023 to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty.
On March 30, 2023, at approximately 7:10 pm, my son was involved in an auto accident with his 2012 Toyota Corolla and his airbags did not deploy. His vehicle was impacted on the driver’s side fender and bumper. He was traveling, approximately 50 mph in the center lane. The other vehicle that was involved had their airbags deploy. My son did experience chest, shoulder and neck pain from the impact. He was taken to Baylor-Scott and White Hospital for his injuries. The vehicle was inoperable and towed to the Lewisville impound for storage. The Flower Mound Police Department responded to the accident and an accident report was completed. On March 05, 2020, I received a notice for the Airbag Safety Recall for VIN 5YFBU4EE1CP051025. On April 03, 2020, I received a payment of $62.25 for the Takata Airbag Product Liability Litigation, No. 1:15md-02599-FAM. On May 19, 2020, the Toyota Corolla was serviced at Lone Star Toyota pursuant to the safety recall. An Airbag Harness Kit was installed.
: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report on 9/14/2023 to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle.
Dealer have no time to fix it
My Corolla flipped over upside down going 30 miles an hour. I collided with another vehicle that was stopped in the opposing lane of travel to turn left. We both barely were over center the line at impact that somehow caused my Corolla to roll upside down. Some how this did not deploy the safety airbags either. The airbags are not my complaint; but rather that I managed to flip upside down going 30 mph from a driver side collision. I’m writing in an attempt to understand why it wasn’t just an impact, but actually flipped the vehicle over. Also, why the safety airbags, which were recalled and repaired, did not engage upon impact. I just replaced the transmission 3 weeks prior to this bizarre accident, that may have totaled my vehicle. It’s still sitting in my garage because new investments had just been made to keep it in good shape for another year (transmission, tires, headlights, plate renewal, etc). I was planning to purchase a new Toyota suv the following spring or shortly after. Unfortunately this collision has derailed all future ambitions regarding my mode of transportation and forced me to purchase an extremely old Toyota Avalon in order for me to function in my daily life as a single parent. I am very fortunate to have escaped any serious injuries considering I was upside down, hanging from my seatbelt, and even more grateful that I had not gotten my 9 year old daughter yet. I was in route to pick her up around 4pm when it happened. I would love some insight or science as to why or how that could have happened. *side complaint- the grill of my Corolla has fallen off twice unnoticeably (and I purchased and replaced with a new one both times). Why are either the fasteners not stronger or why isn’t the bottom of the vehicle itself not stronger. It’s the flimsiest plastic which shouldn’t be used on something meant to transport the most precious cargo. I’ve noticed it is very common for many Corollas to be missing the grill piece since it’s become a “thing”.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER (13775 BROOKPARK RD, BROOK PARK, OH 44142) WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V741000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED, THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO THEM DAMAGING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO ALLEN'S PARMA TOWING ( 5109 PEARL RD, CLEVELAND, OH 44129). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V024000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES, THE VEHICLE AHEAD ABRUPTLY STOP CAUSING THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS CONTACTED AND TOOK THE CONTACT TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR HER INJURIES. THE CONTACT SPENT ONE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL TO RECONSTRUCT HER JAW. THE POLICE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A HOLDING LOT WHERE THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR WENT OUT AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. BILL ESTES TOYOTA (3232 HARPER RD, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240, (317) 434-6990) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THIS CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS TOTALED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. SO THIS CAR IS NO LONGER IN USE. PLEASE REMOVE THIS CAR FROM YOUR RECORDS.
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CAR'S AIRBAG. IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO REMEDY THIS RECAL , AS IT IS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE THIS IS AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY LEASED MY CARE, AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS IS A POPULAR CAR , AND THAT WE DONT HAVE THE ITEM IN STOCK , THE DEALER ALSO HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR UNTILL IT IS FIXED. THIS RECAL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW AND THEY STILL DONT HAVE THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT BUT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED, THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY COME ON EITHER WHILE IN MOTION OR STOPPED IN GEAR USUALLY DRIVING
MY AIRBAG WAS RECALLED I GOT IT FIXED AND NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK IT BACK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WORK THEY DID. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS WITH NO LIGHTS ON AND NOW, AFTER I GET THE RECALL FIXED, A LIGHT COMES ON AND ITS NOT RELATED?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN HIGH RATE OF SPEED, SHE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT HAD MADE A FULL STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER HIT HER KNEE ON THE BOTTOM PART OF THE DASHBOARD AND ALSO HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHE HAD NOT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE VIN TOOL SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIRBAG) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NEW COUNTRY TOYOTA OF CLIFTON PARK (202 RTE 146, MECHANICVILLE, NY 12118 (518) 670-4332) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMS THE PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. AND WHEN A REPLACEMENT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR VEHICLE*AS *JS
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Quick Summary
The 2012 Toyota Corolla has 353 Air Bags complaints on file. 23 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.