2008 Toyota Corolla Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  8

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  512%
• 25k–50k
  921%
• 50k–75k
  614%
• 75k–100k
  819%
• 100k–150k
  819%
• 150k+
  716%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash, the front driver's side air bag deployed and the contact sustained multiple fractured ribs and a left ankle injury which required medical treatment. The contact indicated that upon the vehicle's impact, the air bag did not immediately deploy and was delayed contributing to the rib injuries sustained. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 168,841.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while the driver was idling in an intersection and making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle causing it to turn 180 degrees during the impact. The air bags did not deploy. The bumper detached during the crash. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the driver sustained a fractured wrist and whiplash that required medical attention via the hospital. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact declined the diagnostic fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla. The contacted stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags deployed and the front passenger side air bag deployed violently. The driver sustained bruising to the face and the front passenger sustained a severe contusion from the lower abdominal area to the breast, a fractured sternum, and a bruised face. The passenger required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V127000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Updated 09/23/16

Family involved in a rear-end collision where the the air bag housing came out of the steering column but the bag itself did not deploy. The housing swung around during the wreck and hit the driver's arm resulting in minor injury (bruising). I am a police officer an have worked dozens of wrecks and have never seen this happen. I contacted Toyota about it and they said that this is something that happens all of the time which I am doubtful of. I have pictures to better illustrate the malfunction...updated 09-29-15...updated 10-27-15

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While driving 65 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact sustained injuries to the back and neck that required medical attention. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V128000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,095. The vehicle was destroyed.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While the vehicle was parked, the passenger side air bag caught fire without warning. A fire and a police report were not filed. The vehicle was not occupied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available. ...updated 05/18/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was a total loss.updated 11/1/2017

"Takata recall", airbags failed to inflate. Car was in motion and hit a deer on highway and car is now deemed totaled by insurance company adjuster. Recall on this vehicle was taken to Toyota dealer approximately 2 months ago and supposedly taken care of. Fortunately, no one in vehicle was insured. I wonder if there was some faulty instillation or the airbags were even replaced? The car was towed to a salvage location today in st. Louis, mo.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Toyota Corolla. While driving 55 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle collided into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact sustained head injuries and bruising to the ribs, chest, and lower torso. Medical attention was required. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Corolla years