Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% | 95,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% | 39,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 3% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% | 38,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 0% | 222,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% | 74,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% | 49,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% | 118,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they were unable to unscrew the rear screws on the seat to remove the seat because the seat failed to move forward to access the rear screws. The dealer stated that the seat bracket had to be fractured and then replaced to be able to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was informed the contact that the dealer would charge more for the additional damage. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 94,576. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was rear ended. During the impact, which was enough to accelerate my vehicle from 9 mph to 36 mph, the steering wheel came completely off of the car and hit me in the head. The steering wheel was in the back seat immediately following the impact and my vehicle was traveling at 36 mph with no way to steer out control it and no airbags in front of me in case of a secondary collision. This happened on a busy interstate with dozens of drivers endangered by my out of control vehicle. Traffic had slowed for construction and it was a miracle I wasn't further injured or caused injury to anyone else. Toyota sent an inspector to look over the vehicle, and it may still be available on the wrecker lot.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's seat shifted independently with an abnormal clicking sound coming from the seat. The contact stated that the driver's seat bracket was the cause of the failure and needed to be repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
2018 Toyota Corolla - Front drivers seat is making clicking noises while driving. I believe seat is not properly secured and may be unsafe to drive. Car was under the Manufactures warranty when taken into Bill Kidds Toyota for service. Service manager was able to duplicate clicking noise while test driving car. Bill Kidds Toyota refuse to investigate any further. I went on-line and found similar complaints to my vehicles problem. One person stated the problem is with the seat track not being secured properly. I reached out to Toyota Motors to file a formal complaint, and they referred me back to the dealership. Dealership is refusing service. I think this may not be an isolated issue with the 2018 Corolla. I would like Toyota to further investigate and force dealership to properly inspect my seat which was under warranty at time of original complaint. Thank You.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Toyota Corolla. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the rear driver side seat failed to latch correctly to the floorboard and became loose. In addition, the rear passenger side seat adjustment latch fractured. Hendrick Toyota Scion wilmington (5640 market st, wilmington, nc) was notified, but the failures could not be duplicated. Furthermore, the contact had to replace the vehicle battery shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Kendall Toyota (10943 s dixie hwy, miami, fl) was also made aware of the failures, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Both front seats are loose. I notice mine is loose when I make a sudden stop or and go of bumps and dips. I been to several dealerships, but only one identified the problem. The advisor said it will take literally 8 hours each, I called Toyota to let them know of the problem and that the mechanic from the dealer who noticed the problem. He also said he noticed the noise I was talking about when I go over dips and bumps. I thought it was the ball joint or bushing and he said no. They noise is just there
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.
Passengers fromt door has wiggled a jar while driving, high pitched humming noise from under passengers side of the hood even when car has been turned off for hours. Hums while driving and it's sparatic.noise appears to be near the ABS control module. Had a rear main seal leak also.
Related recalls (1)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Corolla years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (9), 2010 (8), 2011 (8), 2002 (7) and 2016 (7) model years. Seat complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Toyota Corolla seat problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 13V-014 (seats, Jan 16, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Corolla seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 62% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (8 mentions), followed by the front assembly › head restraint (7).
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.