Problems · by component

2016 Toyota Corolla air bags problems

65 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Corolla cite air bags, 30% of all 215 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
65
30% of all complaints
Crashes
45
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
47
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“In 2024, my 2016 Toyota Corolla was involved in a collision. The airbags did not deploy. I went to the emergency room following the crash and later required additional medical treatment, including rehabilitation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11707349
“The driver seat belt dont work and once in a great while it will work but even whenever it does latch it still shows the seat belt isn't on and that noise keeps going off but after a while the noise goes off but the symbol is still on the dash board. I recently got hit from behind (09/15/2025) at a red light and no air bags deployed. Im not sure if they were suppose to deploy but either way my seat belt dont work. And I know this isn't a safety matter but my radio doesn't turn off when I turn off my car and I can't lock/unlock my doors with the key fob I have to lock it with the key on the driver door. I have to take the fuse out for the radio so my battery won't die and so the radio turns off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11699858
“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was rear-ended. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the other driver was driving at about 45 MPH when the contact's vehicle was rear-ended. A police report was filed. The contact did not seek medical attention at the scene but later went to the hospital where the contact was treated for whiplash. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, however the vehicle had not been inspected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11579473
“The contact's daughter owned a 2016 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was stolen, and while being chased by the police, the suspect crashed into a supporting beam located on the expressway. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact was unaware of any injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot for the city. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed to be a total loss by the Insurance Provider. The manufacturer was not notified of the failre. The failure mileage was 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11575853
“We discovered that there was an explosion of some sort inside the car on the passenger side, which seems to have potentially involve the air bag system and/or electrical around the system, but this is not entirely known. The car was parked at the time and had not been driven for approximately 65 hours. It appears there was a fire but we did not witness. The dash is melted leaving a gaping hole, what appears to be portions of the air bag are partially disintegrated and stuck to the ceiling, the ceiling is charred, the sun visor is melted and distorted, and hanging down, underneath the dash is also melted, and the smell in the car is absolutely stifling. The windshield is shattered in one spot, with additional cracks stemming from that point of contact. The windshield is damaged from the impact from inside the car and is pushing out. The car was locked, there is no evidence of forced entry or attempted forced entry. It has never been in a collision. The car was parked three feet away from our motorhome in the confines of our RV spot at an asphalt campground. The safety of all in the area was at risk, and furthermore, since this explosion was unprovoked, if we had…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherFire reportedODI 11527728
“12/09/2019, The ECU did not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that occurred during the collision. Airbags did not deploy in the event of under ride collision, a freak accident involving wildlife crossing the street. Seat belt pretensioners did not engage. I called Allstate insurance that same day. Had I not worn my seat belt, I might have gone through the windshield. Safety was in danger, and not protected. Meineke informed me the oil housing component, fused onto the component that allows for an oil change because it was made with a plastic material, that is an incorrect material, Oxygen sensor lit up after that finding. Vehicle is not available for inspection upon request. Tyler Law Enforcement might have inspected the vehicle in general. My VIN for my vehicle does not describe the style of my vehicle, which is a 2016 Toyota Carolla Sport, Red.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11505391

Showing 6 of 65 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

1 recall 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
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 2016 Corolla problem areas