Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Feb 14, 2012, warning light appeared on panel. Drove immediately to capitol auto service, 94-422 ukee street, waipahu, hi 96797 and spoke with owner, mr. Fox to ask what problem was.(contact ph-[phone]. After inspection, it was determined the problem was the airbag and that it would need to be resolved in order to obtain upcoming safety inspection. After much difficulty, he was able to obtain an airbag which would solve the problem. Invoice #2004, dated feb. 21, 2012. Amount paid $948.90. To date, my vehicle is still not on recall list. I recently learned that Takata had knowledge of the defective airbags 10 years ago and did not disclose this information. My claim is be reimbursed for those monies paid ($948.90) when vehicle should have been on the recall list and I needed to replace the airbag in order to obtain a safety check and be able to operate my vehicle on our roadway.. …
I was in a car accident 10/23/00, in which I hit another vehicle from behind. I was driving at 45mph. My air bags failed to go off. Lukily, I was wearing my seat belt. The estimated damage to my vehicle is over $6,000, which is more than the car is worth. Also, in feb. Of this year, while at a stop light, another driver informed me my left tail light was on fire. The fire caused my alternator to blow, and the battery to drain. I took my car back to the dealer, they couldn't find the cause. I took my car to a Toyota dealer, and not only could they not find the cause, but they said they had never heard of that happening before. After towing fees, battery, alternator, all new fuses, tail light and wire harness I spent $500.
I was pulling out of a parking space (parallel, side of the road) when I was struck by a crown victoria going at least 50mph. The impact caused the entire front end of my crolla to fold, accordian style, and resulted in a complete loss of the vehicle. Neither the driver side nor passenger side airbags deployed. I was wearing my seatbelt, so only minor injuries were sustained.
I was in an accident going approx 50 miles an hour, fronal impact. Neither of the airbags in the front came out. I have contacted Toyota and they investigated the car but they will not contact me and let me know what their investigation turned up. I have contacted them several times but they keep giving me the run around.
Vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 50mph and the passenger side airbag did not deploy. The driver's side airbag deployed improperly, and knocked driver's head through side window. Gas from the airbag ignited a fire on the driver's sweat shirt. Manufacturer said there was no problem.
While driving noticed that a vehicle was backing out of a driveway, did not have time to hit the brakes and went right into the other vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. 523377 duplicate of 815096, posted on 03-nov-98.
The vehicle was in frontal left-side crash, braking from 60 to 65mph when the airbag did not deploy. Toyota did an investigation and forwarded the results, but consumer is not satisfied and does not agree with the results.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a minor accident and there was a delay with the air bags deploying, which caused injuries to the driver and passenger.
My Toyota Corolla (1996) was totaled in a recent crash -- but the air bag failed to deploy!
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 50-60 MPH with another vehicle. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Airbag complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Toyota Corolla, 25% of the model year's 129 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Toyota Corolla airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1996 Toyota Corolla. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota Corolla airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 22 crashes, 3 fires and 23 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.