Problems · by component

2013 Toyota Corolla air bags problems

73 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Corolla cite air bags, 36% of all 202 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 5 recalls on this component.

Complaints
73
36% of all complaints
Crashes
31
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
36
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) and 19V005000 (AIR BAGS) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2025Air bagsODI 11640478
“On Monday, [XXX], I was at the CVS pharmacy drive through when the failure occurred. There was no accident and otherwise no warning before it happened. I attempted to pull out when I noticed the car was drifting and the steering was extremely stiff. I looked down to see that the airbag light and BRAKE light were both on. I coasted into a spot I happened to be aligned with. As I did, I felt the brakes and steering stiffen even more until they were almost 100% seized. (Kind of felt like I was fighting hydraulic fluid.) You guys are welcome to request to inspect the vehicle. I haven't been able to get it inspected, because the Toyota dealership wants me to pay a diagnostic fee to prove the airbag light came on due to the airbag assembly for them to be able to cover the work under the extended warranty for the airbag system. There was no accident. I thankfully didn't have any speed behind me. So, I just barely had enough brakes to stop. This also means that I didn't make an insurance claim or call the police. I did get a tow truck to come out with State Farm roadside assistance, though. The vehicle is at my father's house. We far as how this has affected us, I'm…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2024Steering, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11615296
“I WENT TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO GET THE RECALL WORK DONE(DEALER AT 2610 FOREST LANE'DALLAS,TX) THEY NEVER DID THE REPAIR AND GAVE ME A PHONE CALL TRYING TO SELL ME WITH $1000+ OF BOGUS REPAIRS. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR,I HAVE A 21POINT INSPECRTION DONE TWICE A YEAR BY GOOD MECHANICS--EXCEPT THE RED LIGHT UNDER THE RADIO STAYS ON AND SAYS AIRBAG OFF.THE BUTTON TO THE RIGHT OF THIS WOULD SAY AIRBAGS ON BUT IT DOESNT'T WORK. THEY NEVER DID THE THE REPAIR. THIS REPAIR WAS ALSO SOMETHING ABOUT SEATBELT. ALL THEY DID WAS TRY AND SCAM ME FOR $1000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2021Air bagsODI 11387319
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS OCCUPYING THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED STADIUM TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5088 N. DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614, (813) 872-4881, TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2020Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11342980
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACTS SON WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED, CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A TRUCK, SPUN AROUND, THEN WENT BACKWARDS CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE WALL WHERE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE DRIVER INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEN TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION REPAIR FACILITY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER AN AIR BAG RECALL AT A TOYOTA DEALER LOCATED IN HOT SPRINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMANT 74,465.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11339809
“AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER HITTING CEMENT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON AFTER HYDROPLANING AT 70MPH. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CLERMONT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIRBAGS ON JUNE 8, 2020.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11338952

Showing 6 of 73 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

5 recalls on this component

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V024000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V005000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V024000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 16, 2013NHTSA 13V014000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2013 Corolla problem areas