2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Air Bags & Restraints Problems

I noticed that the police report does not mention or investigate the issue of the car’s airbags. This was a major accident, and the vehicle was completely totaled—yet not a single airbag deployed. I would like to know what action your department can take to address the sale of such vehicles in our country, and who will be held responsible when airbags fail to operate in serious accidents. I have great respect for the police department—like the military, it is one of the most disciplined and critical services in our society. However, I kindly request that you report the issue of the non-functioning airbags to your supervisors or the concerned department, and, if possible, bring it to public attention or initiate corrective action with Toyota car suppliers. Thank you very much for your service and understanding.

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], I was involved in a major collision in Northridge, California, while driving my 2023 Toyota [Model], VIN: [XXX] . While making a left turn from [XXX] to [XXX], my vehicle was struck on the driver’s side/front area. I was wearing my seatbelt. Despite the severity of the impact and heavy vehicle damage, the airbags failed to deploy. Component/System Failed: Airbag system (sensors and/or deployment mechanism). Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: My safety was compromised because the airbag system did not activate to protect me from the crash forces. This left my head, neck, and torso unprotected, increasing the risk of serious injury or death. Injuries Sustained: Lightheadedness, neck pain, middle back pain, and episodes of forgetting words when speaking. Currently being evaluated in the Emergency Department. Reproduction/Confirmation: The issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. UNKNOWN if this is a recurring defect. Inspections: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Toyota or a dealer. Police documented the incident, and insurance will inspect. The vehicle is available for manufacturer, NHTSA, or other inspections. Warnings/Prior Symptoms: No warning lamps, error messages, or prior symptoms before the failure. UNKNOWN if sensors or control module registered the crash but failed to deploy. Evidence: Videos and photos show this was a major crash with heavy damage, yet airbags did not deploy. I request a full investigation, disclosure of similar reports, and corrective action/recall if warranted. My legal counsel will also follow up with Toyota INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was driving on I-290 toward Chicago when traffic began to slow. I also began slowing down when I was suddenly rear-ended by the vehicle behind me at a high speed. My car sustained significant rear-end damage, including a crushed bumper and a detached exhaust pipe that was dragging on the ground. The other vehicle involved was totaled. Police arrived on the scene and determined the other driver was at fault. While waiting for the tow truck, multiple tow personnel commented that, based on the severity and location of the impact, the airbags should have deployed — but they did not. I did not receive any warning lights, alerts, or messages before or after the impact. I did not hit my head, but it was a real possibility given the force of the crash, and I believe this created a serious safety risk. I purchased this vehicle in large part due to its reputation for safety, and in this situation, I felt unprotected. At this point, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer, but the police and insurance companies have been involved. I am concerned that the failure of the airbag system to deploy represents a defect or malfunction in the safety system. I am willing to make the vehicle available for inspection if needed.

When I was driving, I stopped at a light, and the engine turned off. Lights, alarms went on and my car would not start. The dashboard read that there was engine failure. The car didn’t respond to pressing the brake, or shifting gears. I had to turn the car off and restart it for it to start working again. Thankfully, I was not on a hill where the car would’ve started rolling forwards or backwards. This had previously happened at another stop light. When we brought the vehicle in for a recall related to the steering column, they mentioned our car is not affected. But there seems to be an issue, and I’m concerned that it will endanger me and my passengers.

On July 12, 2023 Safety recall 23TA08 was issued and it stated that dealer cannot sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce a new motor vehicle under Title 49, Section 30112 of the United States Code. But the next day on July 13, 2023 Larry H. Miller American Toyota in Albuquerque, NM sold the new car to me (agreement is attached) but didn't deliver it (didn't release it from the dealer's lot) and didn't tell me that the new recall was published the day before. I got the car on August 17, 2023 only. I expected that the car didn't have any safety issues, but several days later I found in my account at Toyota.com that the recall hadn't been closed for my car (health report is attached). The remedy was available in October 2023 but I hadn't got any notice from Toyota or the dealer, so my car was repaired on November 2, 2023 only (repair invoice from another Toyota dealer is attached).

I have received CONFLICTING information from Toyota AND the dealership I purchased it from as to whether there is/is not a defective front passenger side air bag. They also have no!”FIX.” You show NO recall for this vehicle. Shy can’t I get a straight answer from TOYOTA as to whether it is safe to drive with a front seat passenger??????

I bought this vehicle 3 months prior to your letter that reached me mid July 2023 about a safety recall due to it being a safety issue and telling me to NOT let anyone sit in the passenger seat due to major safety concerns with the airbag. Being a couple of months old 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross and that it had taken me 3 years to find a vehicle to purchase (with Covid and no cars on any lots) I complied and put the vehicle in my garage awaiting more info to come. This left me carless but at least I was safe. In a bit the dealer called and said they had the necessary parts to replace.They did supposedly fix 1 although dealing with Takata I have no 100% assurance the parts or fixing was done correctly. Then shortly another letter came saying the driver's side also was affected and TO NOT DRIVE IT FOR SAFETY REASONS AGAIN!!I had to have surgery at Mayo Clinic and had to keep my appts and trips back and forth at my expense!! I had to rent a car for 4 days for this trip.The dealer also confirmed the problems with the car. I also know of the same problems in 2015 and much the same scene with Takata and faulty parts and a billion penalty they acquired.When filling this out it was stated under my VIN no."unrepaired recall info was not found for this VIN. Why am I getting letters from the manufacturer and they state the driver's side is unsafe and defects in the airbag(s) inflators have risks of deaths and injuries when deployed.Deployed chemicals used to inflate the airbag use an ammonium nitrate based propellent without a drying agent in their metal cartridge."PLEASE ADVISE NOW AS THIS DRIVER SIDE HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED." The dealer is the only place that inspected the one side-passenger-as no fix or parts-exist for driver's side now AND I AM MOST UNHAPPY THAT IT IS NOT STATED ON MY ACCOUNT THAT IT NEEDS MORE WORK AND TO NOT DRIVE IT.I do not recall any light or messages showing but then again I have only driven my BRAND NEW SUV a few times and then it has been garaged.

I bought a 2023 Cross in good faith the end of March 2023. I needed it as a replacement car as mine had been totaled as I was hit head on Feb. 9,2020.Then the covid long months and years hit right after and then I could find no car. When I finally found one through a dealership then I got no 1 recall and later no2 recall.I have not been able to drive it much as safety issues and it has been sitting for weeks. First why was Toyota allowed to go through Takata for the parts when years ago they were in a prior recall with this manufacturer and Takata filed for bankruptcy then. Now this is the largest recall in this recall history and we, the customers of new cars, are in a mess. I bought an extended warranty which is no good since my car is sitting, they have the 2022 Cross SUV on this recall also-why was it not taken care of before we bought new 2023 vehicles??I waited years to replace my totaled car due to no cars (new) on lots and I had many injuries and the person who hit me had nothing to even pay off my bill for injuries-just a little insurance his mother had taken out.Had I known about the problem I would have found another new SUV.Why is there no one not allowing Toyota to use this manufacturer AGAIN so we do not have to go through all this. I have been through enough physically and still have medical problems and have to go to medical facilities 5-6 hours away for problems and planned on using my Cross and have 5 upcoming trips in the weeks ahead of me. I hope there can be some changes so this never happens again to new car buyers-it also has affected my car's value. I am so disappointed and mad in the whole situation. Thank you for your time. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Per Toyota this vehicle is under recall due to faulty airbag on the front passenger. Per the Toyota customer advocate, Toyota has not identified a remedy and meanwhile no one should ride in that seat takata airbags have been dangerous for years. I can't help but believe that toyota knew about the problem when I got the car February 2023.