2021 TOYOTA COROLLA Air Bags Problems

On December 12, 2025, I was in a head on car accident in my 2021 Toyota Corolla nightshade. I was slammed into the steering wheel which caused injury. My car has over $14,000 worth of damage to the front yet my airbags did not deploy. I have taken my car to Toyota several times over the past few years and every time I’ve asked about a remedy for this recall I’ve been told there is no remedy as early as June or July 2025 I had to bring my car in for a manufacturer defect with the engine that Toyota fixed for free. I asked them about the recall on the airbags. They again told me there was no remedy.

I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall affecting my 2021 Toyota Corolla. The recall involves the airbag ECU and has rendered the vehicle ineligible for rental on platforms like Turo. I purchased this vehicle specifically for rental income, and the recall has prevented me from listing it for over 14 months. Toyota has acknowledged the recall but has not provided a remedy or timeline for resolution. Their response offered no compensation or alternative solution. Based on comparable Turo listings in Frisco, Texas, I estimate monthly rental income of $810–$1,050, resulting in total lost income of approximately $11,340 to $14,700. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the delay in remedy and consider enforcement action to ensure timely resolution and accountability.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

My vehicle was backed into while ì was inside of it in a parking lot. Due to my horn failing., I was unable to alert the other driver to see me. The clock spring is what failed the first time at 95k they replaced it. I'm now at 147k and it failed again . Now I'm discovering that if it does not work, there's an electrical circuit failure and that the airbag will not deploy if I get in an accident. This is a serious safety issue and I feel Toyota should be responsible for it for the life of the vehicle . A horn should never go out. Especially if it not working will keep my air bag from functioning properly . 850 out of my pocket is way steep. The replacement part lasted half as long as the original part did when I bought the car that to me seems like a faulty part this should be obvious and they should just fix the problem cuz I might have to just consult an attorney should they choose not to. The attached photo shows what happens when you can't beep your horn at somebody who's about to back into your car !!! my car still has not turned on any kind of warning lamp for the airbag or any kind of malfunction light, no warnings on my radio. I have noticed that my Lane departure warning seems to work intermittently along with the automatic high beams that like to flash my high beams in people's face for some unapparent reason which also seems like a safety issue. If I had to take my car to an inspection station it would not pass an inspection due to the horn not working ! You cannot take your child to the Department of Motor Vehicles and let them take their drive test if your horn does not work ! which happened to be my case !! Very disappointing to say the least especially when you've paid $30,000 for a car.

I was notified that my vehicle has had a recall on it due to the OCS Occupant Classification System sensors being improperly manufactured which could lead in appropriately identifying the front occupant's weight and failing to deploy airbags. This recall has been open since December of 2023 and I have been checking with my dealer on scheduling but up until last week have been told that they didn't have the parts for remedy. I have had several instances where sensor light has come on for airbag. I have been making people sit in the back seat only due to the heightened risk however this is limiting and impacts the ability to fully use the full seating in the vehicle.

red light on dashboard indicates passenger airbag is not working, I would like to have this taken care of.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

This is recall on and OCS that not has been taking of and I'm trying to find out is the problem that is matter has not been resolved. It's been since Dec of 2023 and I still don't have this issue fixed yet. And the light is on the right passanger side.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they were unable to unscrew the rear screws on the seat to remove the seat because the seat failed to move forward to access the rear screws. The dealer stated that the seat bracket had to be fractured and then replaced to be able to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was informed the contact that the dealer would charge more for the additional damage. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 94,576. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 94,576

See attached document for complaint.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Team, I am writing to report a serious and unresolved safety issue regarding the passenger-side airbag recall on my 2020 Toyota [Model], VIN: [Your VIN]. This recall was issued on December 20, 2023, and as of today, Toyota has not provided a remedy or timeline for repair. I have contacted Toyota dealerships in Norwalk and Anaheim, both of which advised me not to bring the car in, stating that no fix is currently available. I was recently offered a rental car, but only if I surrender my vehicle to the dealership — something I am not comfortable doing, as I wish to retain possession of my legally owned and registered vehicle. I keep the vehicle stored safely at my home and do not believe it is fair or necessary to forfeit it for an indefinite period. This situation has caused significant anxiety and mental distress, as I fear for the safety of my passengers every time I drive. It has now been over a year since I was made aware of this critical safety issue, and Toyota has not provided a viable solution. I respectfully request: That NHTSA investigate this delay in remedy. That I be allowed to receive a rental vehicle without surrendering my property. Guidance on my rights under federal law, including any steps I may take toward resolution or compensation. Applicable Laws: Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S. Code § 30120), manufacturers are legally obligated to remedy safety defects at no charge and in a timely manner. Under 49 CFR Part 573, manufacturers must notify owners and report progress on remedy programs. A delay of over a year without remedy seems to violate these requirements. I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to proceed and ensure this issue is resolved properly. Your guidance and support in holding manufacturers accountable for safety compliance are deeply valued. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Indicator is on, saying airbags are at risk.

Car crash potential safety defect in my 2021 Toyota Corolla sedan , the driver defective air bag didn’t protect the driver from injuries. Passenger and back air bags deployed except the driver’s air bag, the driver was the only one in the car.

Unknown

Recall 12-20-2023. Passenger air bag sensors on passenger seat that could have been improperly manufactured. This would not allow airbag system to properly classify the occupant’s weight and the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy, as of 2-14-2025, is still not available! What happens to my passenger if we are in an accident? More than a year of not coming up with a solution is totally unacceptable! Please update me on the date this is going to be available to keep people safe. Please look into this safety issue for all Toyota Corolla owners and passengers. This is really an emergency situation.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

After buying the car I got an email from car fax that my car has a recall on it. The recall says: PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY The date of the recall is: 12/20/23 I bought the car on 08/10/24 NHTSA: #23V865 I called my local Toyota dealership multiple times and they say the recall is not available yet.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for an upcoming diagnostic test. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 110,000

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,200. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 39,200

Our car in used for a TURO rental car. The TURO system has unlisted our income making vehicle until this is fixed. It's been over a year and we are losing money every day. We are considering legal action. Hope this submission helps. Thank for your help

On December 20, 2023, a safety recall was officially generated for my 2021 Toyota Corolla. It has been over a year, and there is currently no remedy for this recall. I was originally notified that there would be an option to fix this by the third quarter of 2024. However, that was not the case. On December 26, 2024, I contacted the service center at Sam Leman Toyota in Bloomington, Illinois by phone, and they confirmed that there is still no remedy for repair.

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding the ongoing issues related to safety recall 23TA15 for my 2021 Toyota Corolla LE. The recall, issued in December 2023, involves a defect in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, which may have been improperly manufactured. Unfortunately, Toyota has failed to address this recall in a timely manner, significantly impacting my ability to use my vehicle safely and as intended. My local dealership has confirmed that my car is affected by this recall and that the OCS sensor is not functioning. However, despite the recall being issued nearly a year ago, the dealership has informed me that they are unable to obtain the necessary parts to repair the issue, and they do not expect to receive them until at least the end of December 2024—if not later. As a result, I have been unable to use my car's passenger seat in a safe and fully functional manner, effectively rendering the car unsuitable for my needs. This prolonged delay in resolving a critical safety issue is unacceptable, and I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others until this issue is resolved. I kindly request that the NHTSA investigate Toyota’s handling of this recall and take appropriate action to ensure that affected vehicle owners, including myself, are provided with timely repairs and necessary parts. I am also requesting clarification on any steps I can take to expedite the repair process. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

The safety of any passenger in the front seat is potentially affected as the defect can either cause the front passenger airbag to fail to deploy in an accident or cause it to deploy when it shouldn't, either way causing harm to the passenger in the front. This probem was widely reported in the press in 2023 and 2024. One article I read said that Toyota claimed it would start issuing the recalls for repair in Feb 2024 but that still had not happened by the time I bought my 2021 Corolla in April 2024. I bought it as a used car from a local dealer who shared the info about the recall which was on the CARFAX report too. I am reluctant to have family or friends in the front passenger seat because of the risk of injury in the case of an accident of accidental deployment of the airbag. This reduces the value of my car significantly, as it is required by law to be safe for my passengers as well as myself. Very disappointing behavior from a company that used to be reliable.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made not aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Hi, This car has had a recall since 12/20/23. Toyota still has no fix for us. I have this car on the TURO rental platform, but they unlisted my car because of this recall. I want to file a complaint on Toyota for not offering me a fix and killing my business. Is they any way to put a hold on this until a fix comes out? TY [XXX] Dec 20,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number23TB15 NHTSA Recall Number23V865 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary The subject vehicles have Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, that could have been improperly manufactured. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Since January 2024, my vehicle has been recalled. They said there would be a remedy by Q3. We called Toyota Dealership in Irving TX and they said next month. We feel blown off and unsafe considering this is an issue that's been almost a year. It's also Q4. Please help us get this rectified as soon as possible. I would truly appreciate your help.

See attached document for complaint.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

No warning lights or notifications I found out using this website. I submitted a service request to del Toyota and they said there was nothing they could do to fix it. The passenger side airbag is malfunctioning and might not deploy of in an accident.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

No remedy for recall within projected time period of Q3 2024.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

The contact's daughter was a passenger in a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while the vehicle was driving at an undisclosed speed, vehicle A abruptly merged into the lane of vehicle B, causing the driver of vehicle B to suddenly apply the brakes, rapidly reducing speeds. As a result, the vehicle in which the contact's daughter was a passenger collided with the rear of vehicle B, and, in turn, the vehicle in which the contact's daughter was a passenger was rear-ended by another vehicle behind. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a towed yard and deemed a total loss by the owner's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact transported his daughter to an area hospital, where she was treated for a contusion to the face, whiplash, and numbness in her left shin. The contact was unaware if any other injuries had been reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 60,000

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I am filing this complaint to report a significant safety concern regarding my 2021 Toyota corolla LE due to the recall on it. The passenger airbag sensor issue poses a serious risk to the safety of myself and my passengers. Despite being aware of the recall and its associated risks, the remedy for this safety concern is not expected to be available until the end of the year. This delay is concerning as it leaves me and other owners of affected vehicles vulnerable to potential accidents or injuries. I have attempted to address this issue with the manufacturer, but I have not received a satisfactory response or resolution as they said they need to wait for the Toyota HQ to provide the remedy for this manufacturing error. Therefore, I am submitting this complaint to request assistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addressing this safety concern promptly and effectively. We were told this recall would be completed by February of this year 2024 but it still has not been resolved

I was rear-ended by a large truck F250 estimated speed 20 25 miles an hour no airbags deployed at all was enough to injure my neck and back

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon approaching it, he observed flames emanating from both the driver's and passenger's side air bags, overtaking the entire dashboard. The local fire department arrived and was able to extinguish the flames. Both police and fire reports were filed following the fire, but no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic but instead towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not repaired pending an insurance claim. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while at a stop light in the turning lane, another vehicle rear-ended the contact, causing minor damages to the rear bumper of the vehicle. The contact was unsure of the damages to the other vehicle. No air bags deploy. The contact stated that the front driver side and front passenger side seat belts did not restrain causing both the contact and the passenger to strike their head. The contact noise was broken along with other head, eyes, and face injuries and the passenger also head and eyes injuries, both the contact and passenger sought medical attention and were transported to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 5,000.

Mileage: 5,000

The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the front passenger's side door. The contact stated that the air bags deployed, except for the driver's side steering wheel air bag. The impact caused her chest to lunge forward, and the contact fractured her neck. A passenger seated in the passenger's side front seat sustained bruising from her neck, her waist, and a fractured collarbone. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

Mileage: 7,000

I was rear ended. During the impact, which was enough to accelerate my vehicle from 9 mph to 36 mph, the steering wheel came completely off of the car and hit me in the head. The steering wheel was in the back seat immediately following the impact and my vehicle was traveling at 36 mph with no way to steer out control it and no airbags in front of me in case of a secondary collision. This happened on a busy interstate with dozens of drivers endangered by my out of control vehicle. Traffic had slowed for construction and it was a miracle I wasn't further injured or caused injury to anyone else. Toyota sent an inspector to look over the vehicle, and it may still be available on the wrecker lot.

Front end collision at 50mph with deer. No airbag deployment, car was totaled

While driving down a two-way street an oncoming car departed its lane resulting in an offset frontal collision on the driver's side. The driver's side airbag did not deploy, the seat belts did not pretention/lock and the pre-collision system did not engage brakes or alert the driver. The driver of the car suffered a broken bone as a result. The driver of the oncoming colliding car was okay, their airbags deployed.

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle when depressing on the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a building. The contact stated the "vehicle was needing to be serviced" warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries or seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact towed the vehicle to an unknown location. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

Mileage: 4,000