Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 6 | 19% | 8,000 miles |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% | 45,000 miles |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 10 | 10% | 21,000 miles |
| 2021 | 53 | 28% | 55,000 miles |
| 2020 | 19 | 6% | 14,000 miles |
| 2019 | 32 | 16% | 13,000 miles |
| 2018 | 36 | 27% | 15,000 miles |
| 2017 | 54 | 30% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 65 | 30% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 56 | 25% | 43,000 miles |
| 2014 | 69 | 26% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 72 | 36% | 39,000 miles |
| 2012 | 370 | 83% | 45,000 miles |
| 2011 | 418 | 72% | 57,000 miles |
| 2010 | 424 | 34% | 64,000 miles |
| 2009 | 552 | 38% | 81,000 miles |
| 2008 | 138 | 44% | 76,000 miles |
| 2007 | 436 | 52% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 454 | 54% | 86,000 miles |
| 2005 | 457 | 54% | 92,000 miles |
| 2004 | 236 | 49% | 101,000 miles |
| 2003 | 332 | 46% | 120,000 miles |
| 2002 | 23 | 20% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% | 94,000 miles |
| 2000 | 17 | 12% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 19 | 12% | 79,000 miles |
| 1998 | 61 | 27% | 65,000 miles |
| 1997 | 29 | 21% | 135,000 miles |
| 1996 | 32 | 25% | 115,000 miles |
| 1995 | 54 | 31% | 191,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact's daughter owns a 2025 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at 60 MPH and switching lanes, the driver noticed a stopped truck on the road. The contact stated that the driver depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle made an abnormal squealing sound, lurched forward, and failed to respond. The driver depressed the brake pedal with both feet, and the vehicle decelerated but failed to stop as needed, causing the front passenger's side of the vehicle to drive under the rear of the unoccupied truck and to crash into the truck. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter was able to exit the vehicle. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated after the crash. The vehicle was reversed out of the rear of the truck and was driven to the driveway of the residence, where the engine failed. …
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 65 MPH, and applying the brake pedal to exit off a ramp, the vehicle failed to decelerate. The contact continued to press the brake pedal; however, the vehicle did not stop, causing them to rear-end another vehicle, which caused their vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not receive any injuries, and no medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by Georgia Carolina Recovery Services. The contact was informed by the adjuster that the vehicle may be totaled; however, the decision had not been finalized. The dealer was contacted and informed about the incident. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,500.
The contact owned a 2024 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was struck on the passenger side of the vehicle by another vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was diagnosed by a Toyota service specialist however no failures were identified. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The contact sustained soreness on the entire body and right toe that required medical attention. The contact stated that 4 other passengers were in the vehicle at the moment of impact. The contact stated that it was unknown if the passenger sought medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,831.
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while idling at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended. During the crash, the driver's seat unexpectedly reclined backwards, and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact received an on-site assessment by the paramedics but declined to be transported from the scene. The contact later sought medical attention for whiplash, a concussion, and neck and back pain. The other driver involved in the crash had not been injured. No Police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and provided a reference number. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,500.
My wife & I were involved in a 4 vehicle accident on Tuesday September 12, 2023 at approximately 4:30pm. We were traveling north on Highway 17 ( Ogeechee road ) toward Savannah Georgia. We had stopped at the 2nd red light at Highway 204 & 17. The light turned green and the vehicles in front of me started moving, we proceeded north and went through the green traffic light at Little Neck road about 500 feet beyond the intersection all of the sudden everyone was stopped, before I could react to it I was rear ended by a 2013 Toyota Venza which in turn made me hit a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck which in turn caused him to hit the vehicle that was stopped a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. I couldn't see why the Silverado was stopped because the Dodge Ram was blocking my view.. I would estimate my speed at the time of impact between 30mph to 40 mph.. …
Coming home from work at 9:40pm a deer hit my car. I got no notification from my car about an object near my vehicle. I stopped my car lights were flashing and the operator on my car assist came on about detecting an accident. My cab filled with smoke and a funny smell. I thought the car was on fire. So I jumped out ambulance and cops showed up. My car got towed to Clifton collision in Clifton Texas. Later I found out that the air bags should have deployed . All my seat belts are locked up in the front and back. But no air bag deployment. The air bag light is on. After 4 months of my vehicle in the shop with me making payments and insurance payments still no vehicle back for me. My car sits at Toyota in Waco. Jeff hunter toyota waiting on emcu for the air bags with no eta. All the seatbelts had to be cut out of the car and the air bags replaced. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla HV. The contact stated while driving approximately 8 mph, he was struck by another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated his vehicle was hit by another vehicle in the rear passenger door and spun around full 180 degrees and air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the police had filed a report. The contact stated that his lower back was hurt and his ribs. The contact went to seek medical care after leaving the scene of the accident. The contact stated that there were no other injuries in the other vehicle. The contact's vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a collision repair center. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer from the collision center and repaired but air bag non-deployment issue was not diagnosed. …
The contact owned a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, a deer intercepted her lane causing her to hit the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact stated only the driver-side curtain air bag had deployed but the driver-side steering wheel did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the salvage lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,300.
Related recalls (20)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Show 15 more recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator,…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front…
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,…
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Air bags › Frontal
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.
Air bags
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits.
Remedy: Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and General Motors will re-notify theirs.
Air bags
If the air bag computer in a subject vehicle experiences a mechanical shock (I.e., rapidly moving the front seat back against the stops or a sudden release of the parking brake) within a very short time after the engine is started, the air bag can deploy inadvertently.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the air bag computer.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
If liquid is spilled in the console box area, the air bag warning light can illuminate and stay "on" during normal driving conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the air bag sensor to prevent possible malfunction caused by the spilling of liquid substances on the sensor.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag exhaust fire
There is no summary currently available
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
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.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Frontal Air Bag Non-deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation of model year (MY) 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles for the failure of the frontal air bags to deploy during an alleged serious crash.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Corolla years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (552), 2005 (457), 2006 (454), 2007 (436) and 2010 (424) model years. Airbag complaints make up 38% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Toyota Corolla airbag problems?
Yes — 20 recalls, including 25V-040 (driver clockspring/spiral cassette, Jan 29, 2025); 23V-865 (occupant classification, Dec 20, 2023); 23V-480 (driver clockspring/spiral cassette, Jul 12, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Corolla airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (223 mentions), followed by the side/window (29).
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.