2012 Toyota Corolla
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 446
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2012
Opened by NHTSA
83% of complaints
Complaints per year
2012: 446 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1989 | 23 |
| 1990 | 27 |
| 1991 | 73 |
| 1992 | 65 |
| 1993 | 134 |
| 1994 | 184 |
| 1995 | 176 |
| 1996 | 129 |
| 1997 | 135 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 155 |
| 2000 | 145 |
| 2001 | 133 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 720 |
| 2004 | 477 |
| 2005 | 853 |
| 2006 | 840 |
| 2007 | 836 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 1,459 |
| 2010 | 1,244 |
| 2011 | 584 |
| 2012 | 446 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 268 |
| 2015 | 220 |
| 2016 | 214 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 134 |
| 2019 | 203 |
| 2020 | 308 |
| 2021 | 186 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 64 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
83% · 370 reportsShow complaint excerpts
I got a car accident on Oct 30,2024. The air bag didn't deployed and my head has been injured.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-09
Also filed under Seat belts
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…
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-12
Takata recall I was never notified of the recall. I was in an accident and the air bag hit my left arm when it deployed. I found out about the recall after my insurance company completed an evualation on my Toyota carolla.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-20
Steering
4% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system.
Vehicle speed control
4% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Structure
3% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing body and hood.
Electrical system
3% · 13 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2012Complaint volume 446 complaints filed for this model year.
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2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…
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…
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2017-02-01Air bags17V006000 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...
Remedy: 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.
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2019-02-15Air bags19V005000 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...
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.
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2019-04-19Engineering analysisClosed 2024-09-19 Electrical overstress
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2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 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,...
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.
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2020-03-16Air bags20V024000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles.
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.
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I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Buy-smart checklist
2012 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 370 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 16 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
- Recall 17V006000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V005000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V024000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2012 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Toyota Corolla is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Corolla?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 83% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Corolla have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.