Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH in inclement weather, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into the median and was spinning before another vehicle crashed into the contact's front end. The air bags were not deployed upon impact. The contact suffered soreness in her arms, legs, and back; however, no medical attention was received. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision center and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 100,555.
My brother was driving his car and it was involved in a hard right front impact yesterday after a young girl pulled out in front of him. None of the airbags went off, severe front end damage on the right side to the fender, wheel, axle, radiator, hood, oil pan, and other front end components.The right front wheel is completely bent and the right front tire blew out. Front right headlight completely missing. Incident happened going approximately 30-40 MPH. Thankfully he's okay, but the car is most likely totaled. The steering wheel airbag did NOT deploy and the right curtain airbag did NOT deploy. My brother could have gotten killed. Thankfully he's only complaining about leg pain and chest pain, but the steering wheel airbag would've mitigated his injuries. A few years ago, he got sideswiped very hard on the left side and the vehicle needed 2 new doors and a rear bumper. …
I was driving home from church late Sunday night. A really rough storm hit and it knocked down a huge tree in the road covering the entire road. I did not see the tree until I got up on it and I went straight through it. I was running around 40 mph and total front end impact took the whole bumper off but my airbags did not deploy.
A car was going to hit my car, I went to hit the horn and the horn doesn't work a few days later a airbag light went on. Went to the dealership and they said it's a know malfunction in toyota corolla. They are not sure if the airbags will work or not. They recommend that I put a notice in for recall since there are still no recalls. This is a huge safety issue.
On October 17, 2025, a 2018 Toyota Corolla LE was delivered to an authorized Toyota dealership for an airbag recall repair. The recall involved the airbag electronic control unit (ECU), which, according to Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may fail to deploy the airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners during certain types of crashes due to inadequate protection against electrical noise. The vehicle was picked up on October 18, 2025, after the dealer reported the recall repair as completed. Before the recall, the vehicle displayed a clear and consistent safety issue: the "Passenger Airbag OFF" indicator stayed illuminated even when a full-size adult occupant (approximately 208 lbs) was seated in the front passenger seat. After the recall repair, the exact same issue persisted with no improvement. …
My car had early signs of problems within only the second year. It had stopped two times. If this car stops before the 18,000 or lemon law return it. I then was notified that it had 3 recalls. My car was actually still driveable. I also want to disclose that I deall with enviromental allergies. I had the vehicle fixed several times with no problem. However, after the recalls were fixed with the fuel pump and air bag I started to become extremly ill . I ever purchased a voc monitor and was ablet to detect gas at dangerous levels. My dealer Toyota bowie and the manufacturer did little to nothing to accomodate me. I will never buy another Toyota again, or a car period unless I can pay for it in cash upfront. The vehicles voc turned dangerous after turning on the car for 10minutes straight.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. While driving 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact dislocated her right shoulder, sustained back and neck injuries, and bruises on the right knee, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to page Toyota (21262 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48033, [phone]) where the radiator, front bumper, front lamps, hood, and passenger door were replaced with refurbished parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,705.
My son and I were in a head on collision. The other car was at fault. Speed for both vehicles was around 35 MPH. My 11 year old son was in the rear passenger seat buckled. I was driving. I have a few bruises but am OK. My son is not. He has multiple fractures to his head (right side), right eye socket, spine (upper neck and back). As you can see from the pictures he should not have these injuries. The insurance adjuster said I need to contact an investigator to see what was wrong with the airbag to cause these injuries.. We are looking at weeks of hospital and inpatient rehab for him.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. While driving 20 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the front and driver sides. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact fractured two vertebrae in the neck that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to balise Toyota (1399 riverdale st, west springfield, ma 01089, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,300.
My daughter was involved in a rear end collision with another car that abruptly stopped to turn. She was only going 30 MPH and hydo-planned into the car as a result of the rainy conditions. There was minimal damage done to the vehicle that she hit but her car sustained substantial damage to the front end which caused frame damage. The front end of the car was severely damaged but none of the air bags deployed despite direct damage to colliding into the stopped vehicle.
Related recalls
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2018 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Toyota Corolla, 27% of the model year's 135 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Toyota Corolla airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-024 (air bag/restraint control module, Jan 17, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota Corolla airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 72% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries and 1 death 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.