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: other or unspecified
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2026
The paint on my Corolla is And has been for years been bubbling up on the hood. Tried taking it to Middletown Toyota twice and twice paid money to try to get it fixed and it didn't work. Also contacted my insurance company,, Amica, and they saw the hood and said it was a manufacturer defect in paint preparation. I'm concerned about young children possible ingesting the paint accidentally. They ear paint off walls. Or flecks flying off while driving and getting into my wipers. Thank you!
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2022
While driving on the highway the sunroof unexpectedly exploded
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, 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
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2020
KINDLY, MY CAR IS TOYOTA COROLLA 2012, I PURCHASED IT FROM SAUDI ARABIA, AND THEN I EXPORTED IT TO MY MOTHER COUNTRY ( EGYPT ). IT IS MANUFACTURED TO ARAB GULF SPECIFICATIONS AND I AM THE FIRST OWNER, I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CAR DASHBOARD. THREE MONTHS AGO, I FOUND THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO MELT AND BECAME STICKY BY THE HEAT OF THE SUN, IN ADDITION TO; IT CREATES AN UNSAFE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT MANY COSTUMERS HAVE FACED THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS SOLVED BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN EGYPT "TOYOTA EGYPT" REFUSED TO REPLACE THE MELTING DASHBOARD WITH A NEW ONE BECAUSE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REGARDLESS OF MY CAR'S AGE, IS THE DASHBOARD SUPPOSED TO MELT ! THEREFORE, I WANT TO KNOW YOUR RESPONSE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. KNOWING THAT, I DO NOT EVER PUT ANY MATERIALS ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE FIND THE ATTACHED PHOTOS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND UNDERSTANDING
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2020, fire
MY CAR BURNED I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY 80 WEST IN CALIFORNIA EN THEM I JUST SAW THE SMOKE IN THE CAR I PULLED OVER AND THEM THE CAR STARTED BURNING WE CALL 911 BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, I DON'T THINK I WAS FOR THE COOLER WAS LOW BECAUSE I CHECK A WEEK AGO. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL PROBLEMS I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. TO TRY A SCHEDULE THE REPLACEMENTS WITH NO LUCK. THEY TELL ME "RECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE" DOES THIS MEAN I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS AND SOMEONE IS HURT? THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! SHOULD I CONTACT MY LAWYER NOW?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2017
MY 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA HAS ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRIC LOCKS. WHEN I TRY UNLOCKING MY VEHICLE USING THE KEYPAD OR THE ELECTRIC LOCKS WITHIN THE VEHICLE, IT SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK ON MY TWO FRONT DOORS DESPITE HAVING ELECTRIC LOCKS IN MY VEHICLE. MY RESEARCH OF OTHER CUSTOMERS' ISSUES ONLINE REVEAL SIMILAR ISSUES TO MINE. (SEE HTTPS://WWW.QUORA.COM/THE-ELECTRONIC-LOCK-UNLOCK-ON-THE-PASSENGER-DOOR-OF-MY-TOYOTA-COROLLA-HAS-CEASED-TO-OPERATE-AND-I-HAVE-TO-OPERATE-IT-MANUALLY-HOW-DO-I-FIX-IT-MYSELF; HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UXH0ITV4_NC; HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=SJEFB1QUTVI; HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=CVB63KY1LM8.) I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY BECAUSE IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY DOOR LOCKS, I COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND DIE. THIS SAME CONCERN EXTENDS TO MY PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE RECURRING AND CONSISTENT INSTANCES OF THIS ISSUE IN TOYOTA VEHICLES. I LOOK FORWARD TO COMMENTS REGARDING THE OVERALL SAFETY CONCERNS RELATING TO TOYOTA VEHICLES AND THEIR DOOR LOCK ISSUES. THANK YOU.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2017
UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AT A GAS PUMP. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND SLOWING TO STOP AT THE GAS PUMP. THIS HAPPENED ONCE A FEW YEARS AGO WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 21, 2015
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PURCHASE. I USE THE AIR CONDITION. IF I AM DONE, I TURN THE AC OFF. AFTER USING THE AC, THERE IS A FOUL ODOR THAT ARISES. I HAVE TRIED TO OPEN UP THE VENTS. I HAVE CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I HAVE OPENED THE FRONT WHERE IT LEADS TO THE CABIN FILTER. I HAVE CHANGED THE CABIN FILTER SEVERAL TIMES. THE ODOR STILL PERSISTS. THE ONLY THING THAT THE CAR DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME TO DO WAS TO RUN THE HEATER AFTER USING THE AC. IT IS REDUNDANT IF I HAVE TO RUN THE HEATER IN A HOT DAY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2015
1. WHILE DRIVING WITH AC ON WATER WAS LEAKING DOWN INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPET. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE A/C DRAIN HOSE WAS CLOGGED. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 10TH. 2013. DEALER DID NOT CHARGE FOR CLEANING CLOGGED DRAIN. 2. ON JULY 8TH 2015, THE SAME CONDITION OCCURRED AND TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED A/C DRAIN CLOGGED AND CAUSED WATER TO BACK UP INTO THE OXYGEN SENSOR CAUSING THE "CHECK ENGINE " AND "TRAC OFF" LIGHTS TO COME ON. DEALER NOW CHARGED $252.59 AND STATED THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AND IT IS AFFECTING THE ENGINE. I NEED TO HAVE THIS SITUATION FIXED BEFORE IT OCCURRS AGAIN AND CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH TO OCCUPANT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2013, crash
2012 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DAMAGE AFTER AN ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, WHEN A TRACTOR TRAILER MADE A LEFT TURN, TWO CARS AHEAD OF HER. TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HIS DAUGHTER HIT THEIR BRAKES EXTREMELY FAST, AND HIS DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME, AND SHE HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD AND PROTECTED HIS DAUGHTER. ONLY THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.