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2013 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

138 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports1 fire reports34 injury reports

What owners actually said

201 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING HIGH WHILE AT A STOP OR IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH FORCE TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING HIGH WHILE AT A STOP OR IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH FORCE TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10854353

31,608 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE APP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,608.

NHTSA ODI #10824885

10,900 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed ControlInjury

MY CAR WAS HACKED ALMOST KILLING ME. CYBER ATTACK 10/31/15 AS I WAS DRIVING THE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR KEPT DRAINING FORCING ME TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. A STRANGE GAS ALSO WAS PERIODICALLY SPRAYING OUT OF VENT FOGGING WINDOWS W/WHITE FILM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE & BREATH. EACH TIME I PULLED OVER CAR RECHARGED ITSELF ON GRASS…

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MY CAR WAS HACKED ALMOST KILLING ME. CYBER ATTACK 10/31/15 AS I WAS DRIVING THE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR KEPT DRAINING FORCING ME TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. A STRANGE GAS ALSO WAS PERIODICALLY SPRAYING OUT OF VENT FOGGING WINDOWS W/WHITE FILM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE & BREATH. EACH TIME I PULLED OVER CAR RECHARGED ITSELF ON GRASS/DIRT. AT LEAST THE 8TH OR 9TH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO RIGHT & W/IN 1-2 SECONDS I WENT FROM 45-50MPH-0 LIKE HITTING INVISIBLE BUILDING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. PUSHED GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR, NOT ENOUGH SPEED TO PULL OFF ROAD. NO LIGHTS, POWER, ENGINE DIED. MY BODY WAS JARRED FORWARD ABRUPTLY. A RED LIGHT STARTED BLINKING & BEEPING AT BOTTOM OF CONSUL & GAS STARTED COMING OUT OF VENT AGAIN. I STRUGGLED TO GET OUT OF CAR FOR FEAR OF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND AS IT WAS PITCH BLACK OUT, ALSO WANTED TO GET CAT OUT CAR WHICH I LEFT IN FIELD BEFORE POLICE & AMBULANCE ARRIVED. I HAD BLOOD DOWN TO SOCKS. I WAS IN HOSPITAL 1 WEEK AND NO ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED, MY CAT IS STILL MISSING. I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO REPORT MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL DEFECT & WAS AVOIDED/RESISTED FOR 3 1/2 WEEKS/OVER 30 HOURS ON THE PHONE BEFORE IT WAS SUGGESTED I CALL MANUFACTURER & ANOTHER 2 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COOPERATED & FILED CLAIM. THIS HAS BEEN A FULL TIME JOB TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I SELL REAL ESTATE & CANT WORK/EARN MONEY WITH NO CAR. 12/11/15 TOYOTA SENT INSPECTOR TO PLACE CAR WAS TOWED TO PULL INFO OFF DATA RECORDER. 2/1/15 I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED REPORT. I HAVE 3 YEAR ONE PAY LEASE EXPIRING 9/2016, NO MONEY & NO CAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ABSURD, BRAIN DRAINING EXHAUSTING WASTE OF TIME W/NO END IN SITE. I'VE REACHED OUT TO FTC, CONSUMER PROTECTION, GOVENORS/SENATORS...I JUST WANTED THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, LOAN OR GIVE ME A CAR WHILE THEY INSPECT AND HAVE HAD ZERO RECOURSE TO DATE. THEY WANT TO SUE ME FOR COST OF CAR/IMPOUND/STORAGE FEES.

NHTSA ODI #10823599

20,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, BUT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10821030

21,500 miles · Dec 30, 2015
Engine

DEC 27 2015 AROUND RENO NV. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THAT DAY. I WAS BREAKING GENTLY TO COME TO A STOP (BECAUSE OF A STOP SIGN). THE SHIFTER WAS IN "D". WHEN THE CAR SPEED DECREASED TO AROUND 10MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I APPLIED MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR …

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DEC 27 2015 AROUND RENO NV. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THAT DAY. I WAS BREAKING GENTLY TO COME TO A STOP (BECAUSE OF A STOP SIGN). THE SHIFTER WAS IN "D". WHEN THE CAR SPEED DECREASED TO AROUND 10MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I APPLIED MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE WAS IDLING AFTER THE STOP. AFTER THE STOP, EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL, TILL IT HAPPENED THE 2 OTHER TIMES THIS DAY (SAME SCENARIO). DEC 29 2015 IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE CA. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 10MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN. SHIFTER WAS IN "D". THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN FULL FORCE. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I APPLIED FULL FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AT THE SAME SHIFTED IN NEUTRAL. MY CAR STOPPED JUST A COUPLE INCHES OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR HALTED, THE ENGINE IS REDLINING HITTING THE REV LIMITER AND STAYING THERE. I SHIFTED TO "PARK" AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND STAYED IN "PARK", IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO RED LINE AND STAYED THERE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED ABOUT 5 SECONDS. I STARTED THE ENGINE A SECOND TIME, SAME THING, ENGINE SHOOTS UP TO RED LINE AND STAY THERE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED ABOUT 10 SECONDS. I STARTED THE ENGINE A THIRD TIME. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE STAYED AT IDLE AND I COULD GO NORMALLY. AT THE TIMES OF THE PROBLEM, THE TEMP. WAS AROUND -1 DEGREE CELSIUS. AFTER THE LAST OCCURRENCE, I STOPPED AND CHECKED IF ANYTHING WAS IN THE WAY OF THE GAS PEDAL. NOTHING WAS IN THE WAY. HAPPENS ONLY AT LOW SPEED, WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP THE CAR. THIS LAST OCCURRENCE DECIDED ME TO WRITE TO YOU BECAUSE THE CAR PUT ME IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND WE VERY LITTLE TIME TO REACT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10817109

50,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015
Electrical System

WHEN WE GO TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IT WON'T TURN COMPLETELY TO ALLOW REMOVAL AT TIMES AND YOU HAVE TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO MOVE IT AND IT CAN AFFECT THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. THIS OF COURSE CAN BE A SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10808950

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2015
Service Brakes

I LEASED MY CAR IN JUNE 2013 AND ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKES ARE GETTING LOW. I WAS CONFUSED I THOUGHT BRAKES LASTED A LEAST THREE YEARS BRAND NEW OUT THE DEALERSHIP. HE SAID NO IT DEPENDS HOW I DRIVE AND HOW MANY TIMES I STOP. SO I SAID REALLY YOU HAVE CARS COMING IN A YEAR AND HALF LATER …

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I LEASED MY CAR IN JUNE 2013 AND ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKES ARE GETTING LOW. I WAS CONFUSED I THOUGHT BRAKES LASTED A LEAST THREE YEARS BRAND NEW OUT THE DEALERSHIP. HE SAID NO IT DEPENDS HOW I DRIVE AND HOW MANY TIMES I STOP. SO I SAID REALLY YOU HAVE CARS COMING IN A YEAR AND HALF LATER THAT HAVE LOW BRAKES ALREADY IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS PUT IN CHEAP BRAKES. HE SAID NO THAT THEIR BRAKES ARE TOP QUALITY BRAKES. SO I SAID OK BUT I WILL WAIT SIX MONTHS. SO HERE WE ARE NOW 2 YEARS INTO MY LEASE AND ABOUT 19500 MILES INTO MY CAR THEY SAID I NEEDED BRAKES. I CALLED PEP BOYS, MIDAS, AND OTHER SHOPS THEY SAID MY BRAKES SHOULDN'T DIE THAT FAST. I SAID I THOUGHT SO TOO BUT THE TOYOTA INSIST THAT THEIR BRAKES ARE EXCELLENT AND THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR BRAKES TO DIE AT ABOUT 2 YEARS IN.

NHTSA ODI #10806543

100 miles · Nov 15, 2015
Steering

2013 TOYOTA COROLLA WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE MOVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. SCARRY TO DRIVE ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY NEXT TO A RIG DUE TO SWAYING AND INSTABILITY .CORRECTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE DRIFTING INTO THE ADJACENT LANES. THIS STEERING ISSUE MAKES THE CAR UNS…

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2013 TOYOTA COROLLA WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE MOVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. SCARRY TO DRIVE ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY NEXT TO A RIG DUE TO SWAYING AND INSTABILITY .CORRECTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE DRIFTING INTO THE ADJACENT LANES. THIS STEERING ISSUE MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND IS ALL WITHIN TOLERANCES. THE TIRES ARE BRAND NEW AND PROPERLY INFLATED

NHTSA ODI #10790508

10,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Electrical System

WHEN I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTS IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY. THE RADIO/NAVIGATION ALSO FREEZES AND YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO UNFREEZE IT. IT DOES THIS ON ALL TYPE OF ROADS, SMOOTH OR ROUGH, STRAIGHT OR CURVED. TOOK CA…

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WHEN I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTS IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY. THE RADIO/NAVIGATION ALSO FREEZES AND YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO UNFREEZE IT. IT DOES THIS ON ALL TYPE OF ROADS, SMOOTH OR ROUGH, STRAIGHT OR CURVED. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR A FIX FROM TOYOTA USA. AFTER THE THIRD COMPLAINT THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE HEAD UNIT AND IN A WEEK THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I SUSPECT ITS A PROBLEM IN THE WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI #10790062

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD HER RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN SHE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ACROSS THE PAVEMENT, HIT THE CURB, ACCELERATED FORWARD, WENT ACROSS ANOTHER PA…

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2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD HER RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN SHE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ACROSS THE PAVEMENT, HIT THE CURB, ACCELERATED FORWARD, WENT ACROSS ANOTHER PAVED LANE, HIT THE CURB AND ENDED ON THE GRASS. THE VEHICLE HAD THREE BLOWN TIRES AND A SEVERELY DAMAGED REAR BUMPER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10805783

Official recalls

5

20V024000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

19V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

19V005000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

18V024000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. 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.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

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