Toyota · Corolla · 2012
5
Recalls
445
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Toyota Corolla has 5 recalls and 445 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (353 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
12.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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).
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
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.
I got a car accident on Oct 30,2024. The air bag didn't deployed and my head has been injured.
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
after fixing airbag with recalls before, i was forced to adjust airbag again. TOYOTA NEEDS ANOTHER RECALL. $1000 OU TOF POCKET
air bag needed to be replaced after I replaced it before on a previous recall. NEED ANOTHER RECALL
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)
: 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.
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.
Faulty airbag - needed to get it replaced. Forced to pay for whole thing.
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.
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)
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
Dealer have no time to fix it
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”.
While driving on the highway the sunroof unexpectedly exploded
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2012 Toyota Corolla has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 445 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Toyota Corolla.
The 2012 Toyota Corolla received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Toyota Corolla are air bags (353 reports), steering (8 reports), service brakes (7 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2012 Toyota Corolla. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.