RoadVitals

2012 Toyota Corolla Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
445
Latest Mar 7, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
42
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since May 6, 2012

What this page shows

Our database holds 445 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Toyota Corolla. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 445 · page 1 of 18

ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 7, 2026

I turned my car on and every light on the dashboard is practically on. It’s saying my (EPS) has failed and now it’s become hard to steer the vehicle. And none of my electrics as far as cruise control work and my speedometer isn’t working nor is it presenting me digital numbers on my dash.

NHTSA ID
11722667
Incident
Mar 4, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 9, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while parking in a post office parking lot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration, crashed into a tree, and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated before or after the crash. There was no property damage. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a hematoma and pain in the right arm. The contact's friend transported the contact to Urgent Care, where the contact received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact stated that she had reported a similar incident to NHTSA via mail in 2012. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ID
11703904
Incident
Dec 3, 2025
Mileage
57,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 9, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

I got a car accident on Oct 30,2024. The air bag didn't deployed and my head has been injured.

NHTSA ID
11629575
Incident
Oct 30, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Aug 2, 2024

There was a paint recall for my car that expired in 2022. My car’s paint didn’t start peeling until 2023 and I wasn’t informed of the recall. I found out through a Reddit post. The paint peeling is not my fault and I should not have to pay for it.

NHTSA ID
11606080
Incident
Jan 1, 2023
Airbags
Filed Nov 12, 2023
Crash reported2 injuries reported

Hit head in passengers side into a cement pole, car was a total loss. No airbags deployed causing bodily injury to driver and passenger from impact and seatbelt , stopping us . Chest cavity injury’s

NHTSA ID
11554742
Incident
Oct 28, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 11, 2023

air bag needed to be replaced after I replaced it before on a previous recall. NEED ANOTHER RECALL

NHTSA ID
11549466
Incident
Sep 15, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 10, 2023

after fixing airbag with recalls before, i was forced to adjust airbag again. TOYOTA NEEDS ANOTHER RECALL. $1000 OU TOF POCKET

NHTSA ID
11549240
Incident
Sep 29, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 10, 2023

Faulty airbag - needed to get it replaced. Forced to pay for whole thing.

NHTSA ID
11549238
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 6, 2023

Airbag needed to be replaced....again. This vehicle has had many recalls before, but now I am forced to pay for an additional replacement. Airbags are supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Toyota not covering this $1000 expense is ridiculous and unsafe.

NHTSA ID
11548710
Incident
Sep 8, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2023

Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report on 9/14/2023 to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty.

NHTSA ID
11548497
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 2, 2023

: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report on 9/14/2023 to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11547807
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 28, 2023

Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Studies have shown that airbags should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. It does not make sense to me that an airbag should last 4 years, and we should have to pay $1,200. In addition to this, the service manager at the Columbia, MO (Joe Machen’s) Toyota was extremely unprofessional. He said that my wife should have drove (with an inoperable airbag) to a Toyota dealership, which came across as unethical in my opinion. I would like to officially request a reimbursement of “good will” from Toyota. I have a work order and a paid receipt to provide any evidence that is required. If this message does not pertain to your role within Toyota, please pass this message along to the appropriate department/individual. I am happy to answer any questions and can be contacted at [XXX] . I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11547118
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 27, 2023

Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Studies have shown that airbags should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. It does not make sense to me that an airbag should last 4 years, and we should have to pay $1,200. In addition to this, the service manager at the Columbia, MO (Joe Machen’s) Toyota was extremely unprofessional. He said that my wife should have drove (with an inoperable airbag) to a Toyota dealership, which came across as unethical in my opinion. I would like to officially request a reimbursement of “good will” from Toyota. I have a work order and a paid receipt to provide any evidence that is required. If this message does not pertain to your role within Toyota, please pass this message along to the appropriate department/individual. I am happy to answer any questions and can be contacted at [XXX] . I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11546847
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 26, 2023

Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic (Christian Brothers Automotive) close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report on 9/14/2023 to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Studies have shown that airbags should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. I also tried contacting the “goodwill” department of Toyota Corporate and was unsuccessful in getting a reimbursement. I am requesting a full reimbursement of the airbag replacement cost and labor for a grand sum of $1,166.77.

NHTSA ID
11546626
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 22, 2023

Context: My wife replaced the driver’s side airbag per the 2019 Toyota Corolla recall at a Columbia, MO dealership. We’ve since moved to North Carolina. The airbag light and maintenance light came on, and we took it to the mechanic close to our new home. They ran a diagnostics report to determine the airbag on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. I have documentation of this report with the error code. I got the work done at the mechanic because my wife did not feel comfortable knowingly driving with a faulty vehicle. I tried contacting corporate customer service as well as the dealership that did the original replacement in 2019. I was told that all repairs only have a 12-month warranty. While I understand this is the policy, I do not agree that an airbag replacement should be charged out of pocket after 4 years of replacement. Either the original 2019 replacement was not correctly executed, or the vehicle manufacturer needs to issue another recall. It does not make sense to me that an airbag should last 4 years, and we should have to pay $1,200. In addition to this, the service manager at the Columbia, MO (Joe Machen’s) Toyota was extremely unprofessional. He said that my wife should have drove (with an inoperable airbag) to a Toyota dealership, which came across as unethical in my opinion. I would like to officially request a reimbursement of “good will” from Toyota. I have a work order and a paid receipt to provide any evidence that is required. If this message does not pertain to your role within Toyota, please pass this message along to the appropriate department/individual. I am happy to answer any questions and can be contacted at [XXX] . I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11545954
Incident
Sep 7, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 19, 2023

The airbag (driver's side) was replaced in 2019 per a recall at a dealership in Columbia, MO. My wife and I have since moved to [XXX] . We took the car to a local mechanic (closer to our house) for basic work, such as an oil change/tire rotation. During the vehicle inspect, they said the airbag failed test (image attached). We got the work done (cost about $1,000). The dealership was not pleasant to work with and said the mechanic was "not Toyota certified" and "she should have drove to a Toyota dealership". The initial 2019 airbag replacement was under a 12-month warranty. This is the basic warranty for all repairs, which I understand. However, airbags are supposed to last longer than 4 years. The car was not in an accident. This is a either a faulty manufacturer/design. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11545408
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Airbags
Filed Apr 3, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

On March 30, 2023, at approximately 7:10 pm, my son was involved in an auto accident with his 2012 Toyota Corolla and his airbags did not deploy. His vehicle was impacted on the driver’s side fender and bumper. He was traveling, approximately 50 mph in the center lane. The other vehicle that was involved had their airbags deploy. My son did experience chest, shoulder and neck pain from the impact. He was taken to Baylor-Scott and White Hospital for his injuries. The vehicle was inoperable and towed to the Lewisville impound for storage. The Flower Mound Police Department responded to the accident and an accident report was completed. On March 05, 2020, I received a notice for the Airbag Safety Recall for VIN 5YFBU4EE1CP051025. On April 03, 2020, I received a payment of $62.25 for the Takata Airbag Product Liability Litigation, No. 1:15md-02599-FAM. On May 19, 2020, the Toyota Corolla was serviced at Lone Star Toyota pursuant to the safety recall. An Airbag Harness Kit was installed.

NHTSA ID
11515311
Incident
Mar 30, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 9, 2022

Dealer have no time to fix it

NHTSA ID
11483664
Incident
Aug 11, 2022
Airbags
Filed Aug 17, 2022
Crash reported

My Corolla flipped over upside down going 30 miles an hour. I collided with another vehicle that was stopped in the opposing lane of travel to turn left. We both barely were over center the line at impact that somehow caused my Corolla to roll upside down. Some how this did not deploy the safety airbags either. The airbags are not my complaint; but rather that I managed to flip upside down going 30 mph from a driver side collision. I’m writing in an attempt to understand why it wasn’t just an impact, but actually flipped the vehicle over. Also, why the safety airbags, which were recalled and repaired, did not engage upon impact. I just replaced the transmission 3 weeks prior to this bizarre accident, that may have totaled my vehicle. It’s still sitting in my garage because new investments had just been made to keep it in good shape for another year (transmission, tires, headlights, plate renewal, etc). I was planning to purchase a new Toyota suv the following spring or shortly after. Unfortunately this collision has derailed all future ambitions regarding my mode of transportation and forced me to purchase an extremely old Toyota Avalon in order for me to function in my daily life as a single parent. I am very fortunate to have escaped any serious injuries considering I was upside down, hanging from my seatbelt, and even more grateful that I had not gotten my 9 year old daughter yet. I was in route to pick her up around 4pm when it happened. I would love some insight or science as to why or how that could have happened. *side complaint- the grill of my Corolla has fallen off twice unnoticeably (and I purchased and replaced with a new one both times). Why are either the fasteners not stronger or why isn’t the bottom of the vehicle itself not stronger. It’s the flimsiest plastic which shouldn’t be used on something meant to transport the most precious cargo. I’ve noticed it is very common for many Corollas to be missing the grill piece since it’s become a “thing”.

NHTSA ID
11479700
Incident
Apr 21, 2022
Filed Apr 20, 2022

While driving on the highway the sunroof unexpectedly exploded

NHTSA ID
11461530
Incident
Apr 18, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Sep 2, 2021

Paint it's peeling of on randomly spots that it should not have peeling I called toyota recall center and there is nothing they can do since there are no recalls for this models on paint

NHTSA ID
11431496
Incident
Aug 4, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jun 15, 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V024000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11421049
Incident
Jun 15, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2021

MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A 2ZR-FE ENGINE AND IT IS KNOWN ISSUE FOR ALL THOSE ENGINES AS IT EXHIBIT A MIL "ON" WITH DTC P219A (BANK 1AIR-FUEL RATIO IMBALANCE) PRESENT. SAME ISSUE WITH MOST 2012-2014 COROLLA WHICH HAS ABOVE ENGINE PLUS 2012-2013 MATRIX (TOYOTA) VEHICLES THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHOLE ENGINE VIBRATS AND IT MAKES TRAC OFF PLUS CAR WILL BREAKDOWN ANY TIME ON THE ROAD WAY RESULTING CRITICAL SITUATIONS

NHTSA ID
11406825
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Mileage
58,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 15, 2021
Crash reported

THIS CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS TOTALED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. SO THIS CAR IS NO LONGER IN USE. PLEASE REMOVE THIS CAR FROM YOUR RECORDS.

NHTSA ID
11402979
Incident
Mar 1, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 23, 2021

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CAR'S AIRBAG. IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO REMEDY THIS RECAL , AS IT IS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE THIS IS AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY LEASED MY CARE, AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS IS A POPULAR CAR , AND THAT WE DONT HAVE THE ITEM IN STOCK , THE DEALER ALSO HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR UNTILL IT IS FIXED. THIS RECAL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW AND THEY STILL DONT HAVE THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT BUT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED, THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER.

NHTSA ID
11397539
Incident
Feb 23, 2021

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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