2018 Toyota Corolla Air Bags & Restraints Problems

Each travel driver seat belt become tight I try pull down for loose and I have notice the driver seat become level low.

On October 17, 2025, a 2018 Toyota Corolla LE was delivered to an authorized Toyota dealership for an airbag recall repair. The recall involved the airbag electronic control unit (ECU), which, according to Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may fail to deploy the airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners during certain types of crashes due to inadequate protection against electrical noise. The vehicle was picked up on October 18, 2025, after the dealer reported the recall repair as completed. Before the recall, the vehicle displayed a clear and consistent safety issue: the “Passenger Airbag OFF” indicator stayed illuminated even when a full-size adult occupant (approximately 208 lbs) was seated in the front passenger seat. After the recall repair, the exact same issue persisted with no improvement. The repair was ineffective, as the system still failed to recognize an occupied seat, and the passenger airbag continued to show “OFF.” When this was reported to the dealership immediately after pickup, staff incorrectly stated that the recall concerned metal fragments inside the airbags. This is inaccurate. The official recall documentation from Toyota and NHTSA clearly identifies the defect as non-deployment of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, not metal fragments. The dealership then advised that a diagnostic inspection would be needed for a $175 fee. However, since this issue directly involves the same safety components addressed by the recall and remains unresolved after the recall repair, it should be re-inspected free of charge under recall coverage. Charging a diagnostic fee in this case is unreasonable, given that the recall repair did not correct the problem as intended. This ongoing malfunction presents a serious safety risk, as the airbag may fail to deploy in a crash. The problem likely involves a defective occupant detection sensor or an improperly functioning ECU/noise filter following the recall service.

My brother was driving his car and it was involved in a hard right front impact yesterday after a young girl pulled out in front of him. None of the airbags went off, severe front end damage on the right side to the fender, wheel, axle, radiator, hood, oil pan, and other front end components.The right front wheel is completely bent and the right front tire blew out. Front right headlight completely missing. Incident happened going approximately 30-40 MPH. Thankfully he’s okay, but the car is most likely totaled. The steering wheel airbag did NOT deploy and the right curtain airbag did NOT deploy. My brother could have gotten killed. Thankfully he’s only complaining about leg pain and chest pain, but the steering wheel airbag would’ve mitigated his injuries. A few years ago, he got sideswiped very hard on the left side and the vehicle needed 2 new doors and a rear bumper. The left side curtain airbags did not deploy in this scenario either. I’m very disappointed in Toyota that they built a death trap such as the 2018 Corolla.

Hello, I hope that my message will find you in the right clothes. We have not had any accidents until now, because I drive carefully.

The driver and passenger seat belts by the holder the retracts them back into the car. Each time the seat belt is released or retracted it begins to cut more.

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH in inclement weather, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into the median and was spinning before another vehicle crashed into the contact's front end. The air bags were not deployed upon impact. The contact suffered soreness in her arms, legs, and back; however, no medical attention was received. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision center and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 100,555.

My daughter was in an accident on 2/28/2022 at 20 plus miles and hour. It was a front end collision where the air bags did not deploy.

SAFETY RECALL WORK ON THE AIRBAGS/SEAT BELTS WAS PERFORMED AT CITY TOYOTA, DALY CITY ON 6-16-20. ON 9-9-20 I WAS HEADING HOME FROM THE BANK, DID NOT FEEL WELL, LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND RAN OVER A ROAD DIVIDER ISLAND CURB AT THE INTERSECTION OF LAKE MERCED BLVD. AND SKYLINE BLVD., S.F. AT AROUND 5 PM. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE IS WHAT I AM REPORTING HERE. EVERYTHING FROM THE HOOD DOWN WAS RIPPED OFF THE CAR, NAMELY, THE HEAD LIGHTS, GRILL, TOYOTA EMBLEM, BUMPER, RADIATOR, AND PART OF THE AC SYSTEM. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR, HAD MY SEAT BELT ON, AND WAS NOT INJURED, AND LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ANY PEOPLE OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. A LADY WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT CALLED AN AMBULANCE (KING-AMERICAN AMBULANCE CO.), S.F. POLICE AND A TOW TRUCK. AAA AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY INITIALLY DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS (CLAIM #[XXX]) AND THEN OVER A MONTH LATER ON 10-15-20 THEY E-MAIL SAYING THE CAR HAD BEEN DEEMED REPAIRABLE AFTER ALL. NOW, THE CAR IS BEING TOWED TO PIERRE'S AUTO BODY, 1349 NINTH AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94122, TEL. (415) 564-0900 AND THE REPAIR WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON THIS FRIDAY MORNING 10-23-20. THE OWNER OF THE SHOPS NAME IS [XXX], AND THE ESTIMATE IS A WHOPPING $8,473.45 DOLLARS. IF THIS REPORT IS REVIEWED SOON ENOUGH, I THINK THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY YOUR AGENCY BEFORE REPAIRS BEGIN AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK? THE AAA INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTERS NAME IS [XXX] AND CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS SITUATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN A MAN RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT THE FRONT DRIVERS FINDER AND DRIVER DOOR AND THEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIT BRICK WALL AND A CHAIN FENCE

I I CALLED RAY BRANDT TOYOTA 2WEEKS AGO FROM TODAY TO ADVISE THEM I HAD RECALLS ON MY CAR. BUT I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM FROM THEM SINCE I CALLED.

MY CAR HAD EARLY SIGNS OF PROBLEMS WITHIN ONLY THE SECOND YEAR. IT HAD STOPPED TWO TIMES. IF THIS CAR STOPS BEFORE THE 18,000 OR LEMON LAW RETURN IT. I THEN WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT HAD 3 RECALLS. MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY STILL DRIVEABLE. I ALSO WANT TO DISCLOSE THAT I DEALL WITH ENVIROMENTAL ALLERGIES. I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECALLS WERE FIXED WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND AIR BAG I STARTED TO BECOME EXTREMLY ILL . I EVER PURCHASED A VOC MONITOR AND WAS ABLET TO DETECT GAS AT DANGEROUS LEVELS. MY DEALER TOYOTA BOWIE AND THE MANUFACTURER DID LITTLE TO NOTHING TO ACCOMODATE ME. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN, OR A CAR PERIOD UNLESS I CAN PAY FOR IT IN CASH UPFRONT. THE VEHICLES VOC TURNED DANGEROUS AFTER TURNING ON THE CAR FOR 10MINUTES STRAIGHT.

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE INTERIM NOTICE 4/17/2020 FOR LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP RECALL NHTSA # 20V-012. CALLED CURRY TOYOTA AND BROUGHT CAR IN AND RECEIVED A LONER. THEY HAVE MY CAR OVER 70 DAYS NOW WITH NO REMEDY. MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, LESS THAN 24 MONTHS OLD AND HAS A LITTLE OVER 7,000 MILES. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD COME UNDER THE LEMON LAWS #4. THERE IS NO REMEDY IN SIGHT. PLEASE ADVISE.THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE RPM FLUCTUATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN*JB

THESE NEED TO BE RESOLVED ASAP. WHY IS THERE A DELAY?

I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT, AFTER ALL I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW YOU NOTICE THAT THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE AIRBAG? THIS IS SERIOUS AND PEOPLE STILL DIED, AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SOLUTION TO FIX IT? I USE MY CAR EVERY DAY TO WORK AND I'M AT RISK EVERY DAY. HOW IS THE RISK I HAVE TAKEN FOR THESE PAST TWO YEARS? YOU SHOULD INDEMNIFY THE CUSTOMER AND NOT SIMPLY SEND A LETTER THAT IS SEEKING A SOLUTION. ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT I BOUGHT A CAR THINKING IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION AND THEN I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION THAT THERE IS A RISK, WHICH CAN BE SERIOUS TO MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS, FAMILY OR FRIENDS. TOTAL NEGLECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA OF COLUMBIA LOCATED AT (2136 SUNSET BLVD, WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29169) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

I RECEIVED AN EMAIL REGARDING THE RECALL CONCERNING THE AIRBAG. I TOOK IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE ON 2/26/202 AND ASKED REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THEY STATED THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE AND WILL CALL ME WHEN ITS AVAILABLE.

MY SON AND I WERE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE OTHER CAR WAS AT FAULT. SPEED FOR BOTH VEHICLES WAS AROUND 35 MPH. MY 11 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BUCKLED. I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE A FEW BRUISES BUT AM OK. MY SON IS NOT. HE HAS MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO HIS HEAD (RIGHT SIDE), RIGHT EYE SOCKET, SPINE (UPPER NECK AND BACK). AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PICTURES HE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE INJURIES. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID I NEED TO CONTACT AN INVESTIGATOR TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG TO CAUSE THESE INJURIES.. WE ARE LOOKING AT WEEKS OF HOSPITAL AND INPATIENT REHAB FOR HIM.

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER DRIVER HIT MY CAR ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE, CLOSE TO MY DOOR AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY OTHER SENSORS IN THE BACK BUT I WAS BIT IN THE BACK AFTER AS WELL AND THE AIRBAGS STILL DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS DRIVING 30MPH ON A CITY STREET.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CHARLES MAUND TOYOTA (8400 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78758), CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.