2012 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 446 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 41 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJan 17, 2020
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.
In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
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. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Campaign 20V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleOct 17, 2019
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, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Campaign 19V741000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019
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 Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Campaign 19V005000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2017
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, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Campaign 17V006000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
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 Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, May 15, 2019
BRAKES ON VEHECLE STARTED GETTING VERY LOW ON PEDAL AND SLOW TO STOP . MECHANIC WORKED ON IT REPLACED MODULATOR AND OVER $500. LATER BRAKES STILL NOT WORKING . ANOTHER MECHANIC (ANOTHER ($500) STILL WORKING ON VEHECLE WITHOUT LUCK AS PART THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM IS ATTACHED TO THE COMPUTER AND DEALERSHIPS WILL SELL WHOLE COMPUTER AT APROXIMA $4000.00 . HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR USED PART FOR PAST 6 MONTHS (UNABLE TO USE WE) AND EVERY SHOP STATED THAT PART IS PROMPTLY REMOVED FROM CRASHED VEHICLES AS IS A RECURRENT PEOPLE LOOKING FOR IT. ALSO WAS NOTIFIED THAT TOYOTA COROLLA 2012 BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CHANGED ONLY FOR THAT YEAR AND AGAIN YEAR AFTER SAME SYSTEM TILL NOW ... AT EVERY REPAIR SHOP I'M TOLD: ' THAT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR'...
Service brakes, Mar 16, 2018
MY CAR HAS 60K MILES ON IT. I HAVE TWO LIGHTS ON MY DASH. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. I SEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS BUT THE COROLLA IS NOT LISTED???? I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE FOR ME TO COVER. I FIND THIS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT ONE A CAR THAT HAS 60K MILES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. NOT TO MENTION THE PRICE OF THE PART I WAS GIVEN $3600!!!!
Service brakes, Feb 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED BRAKE SERVICE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,070.
Service brakes, Oct 22, 2016
FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKE CONTROLLER CAUSED 3 LIGHTS ON THE DASH TO INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT (ABS, TRACTION & BRAKE) DURING ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD BE OFF WHILE THE ABS & TRACTION LIGHTS WERE ON, AND OTHER TIMES ALL THREE LIGHTS WOULD BE OFF. A COMPUTER SCAN DISCOVERED A SHORT IN THE ABS BRAKE CONTROLLER.
Service brakes, May 18, 2016, crash
WHEN I DRIVING WAS OKAY, IT'S ONLY 20-25 MILES SPEEDING, I WAS TRYING TO STOP AT THE SIGNAL LIGHT, THE BREAK DOESN'T WORK AND I STOPPED THE CAR WITH SIDE BREAK. IT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE I-75 HOME DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE METRO-DETROIT AREA, THE VEHICLE SPED UP IN EXCESS OF 90MPH! I ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION. THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT REACT TO MY FOOT NOT EVEN BEING ON THE PEDAL! I BRAKED AND PUMPED THE BRAKE TO ONLY CONTROL MY SPEED. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO PARK, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT A HIGH RATE LIKE THE ENGINE WAS REACTING TO PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR SMELLED LIKE SMOKE FROM THE BRAKE PAD. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE BRAKE PAD, I MIGHT OF BEEN MORE SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE. I PLAN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP MY FAMILY AND I OUT.....WE HAVE A 2014 COROLLA VIN # [XXX] , ANOTHER 2008 COROLLA VIN # [XXX] , AND JUST RECENTLY A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 VIN # [XXX] ............IT WAS A VERY SCARY ORDEAL....I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE WELL BEING OF MY FAMILY DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS FIX ALREADY????? MAYBE NOT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 23, 2014
WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DESPITE SHIFTING TO PARK AND PULLING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. JUST PRIOR TO ACCELERATION, THE CAR'S BRAKES BECAME VERY SOFT AND SUNK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR AS IF SOMEONE HAD DEPRESSED THE POWER IN THE BRAKE LINE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND THE CAR SET AT "PARK." I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND WAITED FIVE MINUTES. THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND I THEN CALLED MY WIFE TO PICK ME UP. SHE DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME AND NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE VERY MUSHY AND SHE FELT A SLIGHT ACCELERATION. WE TOOK IT TO OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND ASSERTED THAT I DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 18 MONTHS AND NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED. THERE WERE MORE THAN FIVE WITNESSES TO THIS AS I HAD BLOCKED TRAFFIC AT THE LIGHT'S INTERSECTION WHILE OTHER CARS WENT AROUND ME WHILE THE CAR WAS RACING. I HAVE FILED AN INCIDENT REPORT WITH TOYOTA BUT IT DOES NOT LOOK AS IF ANYTHING WILL BE DONE WITH THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE. I AM A FORMER LAWYER AND I TAKE MY COMPLAINTS VERY SERIOUSLY. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 27, 2014, crash
AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I BEGAN APPLYING MY BRAKES & SLOWING DOWN.AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I APPLIED FULL PRESSURE. MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD & I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I COULD NOT SWERVE DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS RESULTED IN ME REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD ONLY PURCHASED THE CAR A WEEK BEFORE! I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP & EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY CHECKED OUT THE BRAKING SYSTEM & SAID THAT IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY & THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS DID NOT SURPRISE ME AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO FILE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH RAISED MY RATES. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS! I HAVE TO DRIVE 40 MILES, ONE WAY, TO WORK, AND I AM CONSTANTLY FEARING THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN & THAT THE RESULTS WILL BE MUCH WORSE. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 9, 2014, crash
ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO PARK TOYOTA COROLLA 2012 IN A GRASS PARKING SPACE. DRIVER (ME) BEGAN TO BRAKE TO GET INTO THE DESIGNATED PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED (AS IF IT HAS A "MIND OF ITS OWN") UNTIL IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT, DRIVER CONTINUED TO APPLY BRAKES BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING; THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ALSO PARKED. DRIVER TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY SHIFTING TO "PARKING" BUT IT JUST MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE SHIFT GEAR WAS STUCK. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE COLLISION CENTER OF THE TOYOTA DEAL, AND REQUESTED AN INSPECTION TO CHECK FOR MECHANICAL FAILURES. AFTER MANY UNSUCCESSFUL FOLLOW UP CALLS, THE COLLISION CENTER MANAGER COMMUNICATED ON 02/07/2012 THAT: "THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AS THEY TESTED AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE THE CAR REPLICATE THE INCIDENT," (THE COLLISION DAMAGE REPAIRS WERE FINALIZED ON 02/06/2014.) NOTE: A RECALL NOTICE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED FOR AIRBAG SENSOR DEFECT. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR PRIOR TO COLLISION. AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 4, 2013, crash
LAST YEAR I GOT INTO A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHICH I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE ON A NEW 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA LE VEHICLE I HAD PURCHASED. I INFORMED BOTH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AT THE TIME AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH THAT SOMETHING HAD GONE WRONG WITH MY BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL. IT BEGAN TO VEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND SWERVING ON THE HIGHWAY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! I WAS NOT INTOXICATED, TEXTING OR DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL, SIMPLY ON MY WAY TO WORK.NO ONE TOOK MY COMMENT SERIOUSLY. ANYWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, I RECALL PRESSING THE BRAKE ONE MORE TIME TO STOP THE SWERVING AND THEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL AND BEGAN TO FLIP OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND CLIPPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT THEN FLIPPED OVER A FEW MORE TIMES CRASHING UPSIDE DOWN INTO A WALL. I THEN RECEIVED A CITATION FOR "IMPROPER LANE CHANGE". I WOULD NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS ENGAGE IN RECKLESS OR ERRATIC DRIVING ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF ANYONE AND ESPECIALLY NOT MY LIFE! I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO GET TO WORK AND PRIOR TO THIS I HAD NOT HAD ANY "AT FAULT" ACCIDENTS ON MY RECORD AND I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR THAT THESE MOTOR VEHICLE COMPANIES, SPECIFICALLY TOYOTA, CAN GET AWAY WITH SELLING DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND IN THE END IT IS THE CONSUMER THAT MUST PAY THE CONSEQUENCE. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I EVEN GOT OUT OF THIS ALIVE AND UPON CALLING SEVERAL ATTORNEYS RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND ALL THE WAY UNTIL NOW, BECAUSE I AM NOT DEAD OR SERIOUSLY INJURED THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO FOR ME! *TR
Service brakes, Sep 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE SENDING FURTHER INFORMATION TO HER VIA MAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400.