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: structure
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, 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.
Structure, 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
Structure, Jun 14, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE GATORLAND TOYOTA DEALER IN GAINESVIILE, FLORIDA WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Jun 1, 2017, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A SPEEDING VEHICLE AND KNOCKED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT ON A 4-LANE ROADWAY IN A BUSINESS DISTRICT WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS SPEEDING. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Electrical system, Structure, Oct 7, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AROUND ONE DAY WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED RAINING, I WENT TO ROLL MY WINDOWS UP AND SURPRISINGLY THEY DIDN'T WORK. NONE OF THEM. WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WAS A FUSE PROBLEM BUT NO SUCH LUCK. THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS WOULDN'T WORK EITHER. A FEW DAYS LATER I DROVE MY CAR AGAIN AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP ABOUT HALF WAY UNTIL THEY FROZE UP AND DIDN'T WORK ANY MORE. NOW, WHENEVER I'M DRIVING THEY SPONTANEOUSLY DECIDE TO WORK. I CAN'T PARK ANYWHERE FOR TOO LONG BECAUSE MY WINDOWS ARE STUCK ROLLED DOWN AND ANYONE COULD BREAK INTO MY CAR. BESIDES THAT ONE TIME IT RAINED I HAVE NEVER LET MY SIDE PANELS GET WET, THE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED BEFORE IT HAD RAINED. IN ADDITION TO THE WINDOWS, MY TRUNK ALSO DECIDED IT WASN'T GOING TO WORK. ORIGINALLY THE LATCH HAD GOTTEN STUCK AND I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THAT WAY BECAUSE I DON'T OFTEN USE MY TRUNK. BUT ONE DAY, PARKED AT SAFEWAY I TRIED TO POP THE TRUNK BUT IT WAS STUCK. FINALLY I GOT MY DAD TO HELP AND WE GOT IT OPEN. HOWEVER, NOW IT REFUSES TO STAY LOCKED. IT WILL STAY CLOSED UNTIL I GO OVER A BUMP AND THEN IT POPS OPEN AND IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I HAVE TRIED LOCKING IT WITH THE KEY BUT THAT DOESN'T WORK EITHER. THIS WAS A NEW 2012 CAR SO I WAS CONFUSED AS TO HOW I SPENT $20,000 AND GOT A DEFECTIVE CAR! IT'S PRETTY EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE IT AROUND NOT TO MENTION IT'S NOT SAFE. I HAVE HAD A FEW OF MY MECHANIC FRIENDS LOOK AT IT HOPING WE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE FUSE BUT IT JUST DIDN'T WORK.
Structure, Mar 30, 2015
I FOUND A CRACK ON MY CAR'S WINDSHIELD GLASS. I AM SURE THAT IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF TEMPERATURE VARIATION. NOTHING WRONG HAPPENED TO MY CAR LIKE NO ONE HIT ANYTHING OR SOMETHING FELL ON THE CAR. I THINK MANUFACTURER SHOULD CONSIDER THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS IN THEIR MIND WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNING ANY PARTS OF THE CAR. IN ALL MODELS LIKE ME HAS A GAP BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND BODY OF THE CAR. IF THAT GAP IS FILLED WITH ICE IT WOULD NOT ALLOW GLASS TO EXPAND WHEN TEMPERATURE GOES UP. COMPANY SHOULD FIX THAT GAP IN ALL OF ITS MODELS AND PROVIDE NEW GLASS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS A CRACK. IF CONSUMERS HAVE FIXED ALREADY MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THAT. *TR
Structure, Feb 27, 2015, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I COULD NOT STOP COMING DOWN A HILL (IT WAS SNOWING IN MASSACHUSETTS) AND I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (I WAS DRIVING) IN FRONT OF THE TIRE DAMAGING EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC WHO ASSESSED THE DAMAGE THAT THEY 100% SHOULD'VE DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION TO THE HEAD AND NECK, SHOULDER, BACK AND LEFT LEG SPASMS. I WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE HOSPITAL THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Nov 13, 2014, crash
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL IN FRONT OF ME AND I COLLIDED WITH IT. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IMPACTED THE DRIVER-SIDE/REAR-END OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT, BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING, I HAVE PAIN, TENDERNESS, AND SORENESS ON MY CHEST, NECK, AND BACK FROM EITHER HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE SEAT BELT CROSSING MY BODY. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ....UPDATED 01/12/15*BF UPDATED 01/15/15*JB
Exterior lighting, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Nov 2, 2014, crash
I WAS GOING TO PARK MY CAR IN AN EMPTY PARKING SPOT, WAS JUST IN IDLE SPEED PUTTING THE CAR INTO THE PARKING SPACE WHEN ALL OF IT SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION MY CAR HIT THE CAR THAT WAS PARK IN FRONT OF ME, THE ACCELERATION WAS SO SUDDEN AND IT PICK UP ENOUGH SPEED AND FORCE TO MOVE THE PARK CAR THREE TO FIVE INCHES FROM ITS RESTING POINT. THAT IS HOW THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN. ALSO THE AIRBAGS DID NOT OPEN WHEN MY CAR HIT THE OTHER CAR. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE DOORS TO CLOSE ABRUPTLY. THE DEALER CORRECTED THE FAILURE BY REPROGRAMMING THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY CAUSED THE ALARM SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Structure, Nov 8, 2013
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (NEW) FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY DAUGHTER WAS GETTING BITES ALL OVER HER LEGS AND I ALSO HAD SOME BITES, WHICH IS WHY I CHECKED THE BOX INJURY--HER BITES WERE SO BAD, HER LEGS SWELLED UP AND THEY WERE GETTING INFECTED. AT THE SAME TIME, WE BEGIN NOTICING SPIDERS CRAWLING AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ON THE WAY TO DISNEY WORLD, WE ALMOST HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, KILLING SPIDERS ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WEBS APPEAR ON AND IN THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR. I NEVER BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I JUST THOUGHT A LONE SPIDER SOMEHOW GOT IN THE CAR AND HAD HUNDREDS OF BABIES. THE MORE I KILLED THEM, THE MORE THAT SHOWED UP. DURING THIS TIME, MY DAUGHTER'S LEGS WERE GETTING BIT UP BY SOMETHING AND WE NEVER PUT "2 AND 2" TOGETHER UNTIL WE SAW THE RECALL OF THE CAMRYS BECAUSE OF SPIDERS. I AM NOW CAPTURING THE DEAD SPIDERS AS I KILL THEM TO KEEP AS PROOF AND TAKING PHOTOS. THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR INCIDENT FOR THE COROLLA BECAUSE MY SISTER'S NEIGHBOR TOLD HER WHEN THEY PURCHASED THEIR BRAND NEW 2012 COROLLA, THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A NIGHTMARE. A BRAND NEW CAR THAT I PAID APPROXIMATELY $17,000 FOR I DON'T WANT TO EVEN OPEN THE DOOR. PLEASE INCLUDE THE COROLLA IN THE "SPIDER RECALL". WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY--MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY KILLING SPIDERS!!!!! PLEASE HELP US!!!! *TR
Structure, Seats, Nov 8, 2013
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (NEW) FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MY DAUGHTER WAS GETTING BITES ALL OVER HER LEGS AND I ALSO HAD SOME BITES, WHICH IS WHY I CHECKED THE BOX INJURY--HER BITES WERE SO BAD, HER LEGS SWELLED UP AND THEY WERE GETTING INFECTED. AT THE SAME TIME, WE BEGIN NOTICING SPIDERS CRAWLING AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ON THE WAY TO DISNEY WORLD, WE ALMOST HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, KILLING SPIDERS ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WEBS APPEAR ON AND IN THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR. I NEVER BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I JUST THOUGHT A LONE SPIDER SOMEHOW GOT IN THE CAR AND HAD HUNDREDS OF BABIES. THE MORE I KILLED THEM, THE MORE THAT SHOWED UP. DURING THIS TIME, MY DAUGHTER'S LEGS WERE GETTING BIT UP BY SOMETHING AND WE NEVER PUT "2 AND 2" TOGETHER UNTIL WE SAW THE RECALL OF THE CAMRYS BECAUSE OF SPIDERS. I AM NOW CAPTURING THE DEAD SPIDERS AS I KILL THEM TO KEEP AS PROOF AND TAKING PHOTOS. THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR INCIDENT FOR THE COROLLA BECAUSE MY SISTER'S NEIGHBOR TOLD HER WHEN THEY PURCHASED THEIR BRAND NEW 2012 COROLLA, THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A NIGHTMARE. A BRAND NEW CAR THAT I PAID APPROXIMATELY $17,000 FOR I DON'T WANT TO EVEN OPEN THE DOOR. PLEASE INCLUDE THE COROLLA IN THE "SPIDER RECALL". WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY--MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY KILLING SPIDERS!!!!! PLEASE HELP US!!!! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jun 25, 2012
VEHICLE STEERING HAS POOR ON-CENTER FEEL. WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH, THE WHEEL CAN BE TURNED AN INCH RIGHT OR LEFT OF CENTER AND IT WILL NOT RETURN. THIS RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL DRIVER FATIGUE FROM STEERING CORRECTIONS TO OVERCOME THE DEAD SPOT NEAR CENTER. BRIGHT COLORED AND CHROME TRIM PANELS NEAR GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE CAUSE DISTRACTING GLARE UNDER BRIGHT SUNNY CONDITIONS. *TR
Steering, Structure, Equipment, Jun 14, 2012
(1) 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA, 4 DOORS,4 CYLINDER. WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH OR HIGHER THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS STEER TO THE LEFT SIDE AND YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO HANDLE FIRMLY ALL THE TIME. (2) WHEN YOU ROLL THE REAR WINDOW ALL THE WAY DOWN, THE BACK WINDOW, DOESN'T MATTER WHICH ONE, YOU WILL GET A LOUD VIBRATION AND THIS WILL HURT YOUR EAR DRUMS OR EVEN CAN DAMAGE THE EAR DRUMS. *JB