Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
12/09/2019, The ECU did not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that occurred during the collision. Airbags did not deploy in the event of under ride collision, a freak accident involving wildlife crossing the street. Seat belt pretensioners did not engage. I called Allstate insurance that same day. Had I not worn my seat belt, I might have gone through the windshield. Safety was in danger, and not protected. Meineke informed me the oil housing component, fused onto the component that allows for an oil change because it was made with a plastic material, that is an incorrect material, Oxygen sensor lit up after that finding. Vehicle is not available for inspection upon request. Tyler Law Enforcement might have inspected the vehicle in general. My VIN for my vehicle does not describe the style of my vehicle, which is a 2016 Toyota Carolla Sport, Red.
The driver seat belt dont work and once in a great while it will work but even whenever it does latch it still shows the seat belt isn't on and that noise keeps going off but after a while the noise goes off but the symbol is still on the dash board. I recently got hit from behind (09/15/2025) at a red light and no air bags deployed. Im not sure if they were suppose to deploy but either way my seat belt dont work. And I know this isn't a safety matter but my radio doesn't turn off when I turn off my car and I can't lock/unlock my doors with the key fob I have to lock it with the key on the driver door. I have to take the fuse out for the radio so my battery won't die and so the radio turns off.
I was making a left-hand turn on a two-lane highway. The individual behind me was not paying attention and did not stop. Instead of swerving to the right to miss me, she swerved into the oncoming traffic lane just as I was turning left. Her GMC 2500 heavy duty pick-up impacted my car at the driver door, front pillar, front fender.the impact pushed my car over 30 ft down the road before pushing my car approximately 20 ft off the road, up a slight hill. In this impact, no airbags deployed. The state trooper at the scene, the insurance company, and the tow truck driver are all stunned by this fact. In this accident my head hit the pillar next to my door causing me to be knocked unconscious, giving me a concussion and causing a head laceration requiring staples in my head. The tow truck driver said the cartridge in the seat belt assembly did not deploy and my collar bone was broken as well. …
I was involved in a car accident on 2/20/2020 my vehicle was in motion. I felt my 2016 Toyota Corolla lose traction on the road and start to slip. My traction control light never came on and I never felt it engage. I hydroplaned, my car hit a guardrail head on, my seat belt did not tighten which caused me to hit my head and chest on the steering wheel and dash as well as injuries to my neck from being slung forward. My vehicle continued to impact the guardrail. My air bags didn't deploy which also caused me to hit my head and shoulder hard on the driver window/door. Upon the multiple impacts and despite sensors being struck, my air bags failed to deploy throughout my vehicle and my seat belt failed to tighten. Causing injury to different areas of my body.
Takata recall? I was involved in an auto accident where my 2016 Toyota Corolla le was t-boned on the front passenger side/front corner(headlight area) and then the other vehicle also hit me along the back half of the passenger side as well. I was making a left turn on a city blvd when I was hit. Passenger side curtain air bags deployed. I was hit at a speed or 40-55mph. The front air bags did not deploy and the seat belt let me go forward( (I believe I hit the steering wheel), I have a bruised sternum and an aortic aneurysm in my descending aorta as a result of the accident.
I was in car accident and rear ended my airbags failed deploy and seat belt seat belt pretensioners to stop force my body felt ragged dogged as being hit my neck felt it was going snapped I was scared for life.I was on city city street stopped at red light when rear ended by large SUV. I got letter from Toyota saying I need have airbag replace, and when went dealer on Friday 9:00 am the rech john keller refuse to service for recall, and told me he looked up VIN and my car didn't needed it Toyota of hb reuse to repair it.
Involved in collision on October 14, 2019. Vehicle liable for collision hit the front of left side of my vehicle. Air bag did not deploy, safety restraint did not operate correctly. Suffered injuries to lefts side of body, head, neck, leg, front and back. Body propelled forward towards wheel and dash arm, shoulder and one contacted vehicle and head hit steering wheel. Went to er. Seeking treatment for injuries for 6 months now and ongoing.
Accident due to breaks locking and the car continued to roll. Back seat passenger seat belt did not lock causing passenger to fly forward and back; injured breast bone driver air bag from steering wheel did not inflate fully.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that her driver's side seat belt sensor was defective and activated while engaged. The vehicle was taken to Toyota chula vista (650 main st, chula vista, ca 91911) to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 20V024000 (air bags). Following the repair of the air bags, the failure recurred immediately upon using the seat belt. The contact then took the vehicle to valley hi Toyota (14612 valley center dr, victorville, ca 92395) where she was informed that she would have to pay a diagnostic fee to determine the failure. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
I am reporting an issue on sporadic "squeaking" noise that comes from both front seat belts since purchase oct 2015. The event occurs when driver accelerates or decelerates or goes over speed bumps or uneven roads. The issue does not go away despite moving the seats back and forth to ensure proper engagement. (seat adjustment is manual). The issue is more pronounced in cold weathers. The "squeak" event stops when the seat belt is unbuckled. The issue occurs when the belt is braced against driver when happens during acceleration or deceleration and going over uneven road or bumps. These squeak are now louder than after purchase and more annoying even though the squeaks come on sporadically.
Seat Belt complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2016 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the seat belts of the 2016 Toyota Corolla, 12% of the model year's 215 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Toyota Corolla seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for the 2016 Toyota Corolla, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2016 Toyota Corolla seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to seat belts 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.