2012 Toyota COROLLA: complaints, problems and recalls

THE COMPONENT/SYSTEM IS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY AS ELECTRIC POWER STERRING(EPS). I PURCHASED MY NEW COROLLA S ON 26 MARCH 2012. I TRADED IN MY 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA BASE THAT DID NOT HAVE EPS. MY COROLLA S WAS ORDERED AND I WAITED APPROX 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT ARRIVED. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE 2012 MODEL(I TRUSTED THE MODEL) AND HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR WITH EPS TO MY KNOWLEDGE. SINCE I AM A PRIOR OWNER OF A COROLLA I CAN WRITE THIS WITH VERY GOOD CREDIBILITY. I STARTED NOTICING THIS OVER STEERAGE AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CAR AT LENGTH AND DISTANCE AND…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457587 at NHTSA ↗

I TEST DROVE A NEW 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA LE TODAY AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH), THE STEERING DID NOT TRACK WELL (LIKES TO DRIFT SIDEWAYS, BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY) AND MY CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTIONS SEEMED TO JERK THE VEHICLE (AND DRIVER) SIDE TO SIDE SLIGHTLY. THE SLIGHTEST STEERING CORRECTIONS CAUSED MY BODY TO JERK SLIGHTLY WITH THE CAR (MAYBE IT'S CAUSED BY A TIGHT SUSPENSION COMBINED WITH TIGHT STEERING). THIS JERKING WAS NOT A COMFORTABLE FEELING. YOU NEED TO BE "VERY" STEADY ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID WHAT S…

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459193 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I REPORT THIS ISSUE. I LOGGED 1,500MILES ROUNDTRIP FROM HOUSTON TO EL PASO. THIS IS ALSO THE 4TH LONGEST TRIP I HAVE TAKEN IN THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THE STEERING IS DANGEROUS OVER 65+ MPH! THE FRONT END OF THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT FLOATS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE ZERO FEELING OF THE ROAD FROM MY HANDS TO THE WHEELS. THE CAR TRACKS AND NEVER STAYS TRUE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS CONSTANT AND NOT INTERMITTENT WHICH MEANS I AM FOCUSING MORE ON THE STEERING ISSUE THEN ON THE TRAFFIC. I AM EITHER OVERCOMPENSATING FOR ANY SLIGHT…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460331 at NHTSA ↗

(1) 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA, 4 DOORS,4 CYLINDER. WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH OR HIGHER THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS STEER TO THE LEFT SIDE AND YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO HANDLE FIRMLY ALL THE TIME. (2) WHEN YOU ROLL THE REAR WINDOW ALL THE WAY DOWN, THE BACK WINDOW, DOESN'T MATTER WHICH ONE, YOU WILL GET A LOUD VIBRATION AND THIS WILL HURT YOUR EAR DRUMS OR EVEN CAN DAMAGE THE EAR DRUMS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10461737 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE STEERING HAS POOR ON-CENTER FEEL. WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH, THE WHEEL CAN BE TURNED AN INCH RIGHT OR LEFT OF CENTER AND IT WILL NOT RETURN. THIS RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL DRIVER FATIGUE FROM STEERING CORRECTIONS TO OVERCOME THE DEAD SPOT NEAR CENTER. BRIGHT COLORED AND CHROME TRIM PANELS NEAR GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE CAUSE DISTRACTING GLARE UNDER BRIGHT SUNNY CONDITIONS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10463088 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASES A NEW 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA THIS YEAR. ON (FIRST DAY) THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER I NOTICED THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SWAY IN THE FREEWAY. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO DRIVING ON A WINDY DAY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSISTS. WHAT RIGHTS DOES THE CUSTOMER HAVE IN THESE TYPES OF CIRCUMSTANCES? *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464222 at NHTSA ↗

THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, AWOKE AND TRIED TO CORRECT HIS LANE POSITION. UPON HIS ATTEMPT, THE CAR COULD NOT BE STABILIZED OR CONTROLLED. THIS WAS A FRONT END CRASH AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50 - 55 MPH GOING THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE, HITTING HUNDREDS OF STACKED LOBSTER CRATES (LIKE HITTING A BRICK WALL). THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED, THE DRIVER HAD SEAT BELT ON. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR SMASHED THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND A PIECE OF WOODEN LOBSTER CRATE WITH NAILS CAME THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSH…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465299 at NHTSA ↗

APPROXIMATELY 10 WORKING DAYS HAVE PAST AFTER ARBITRATION OF THE EPS(ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) OF MY 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA S IN WHICH TODAY IN THE MAIL CAME THE DENIAL. I ENTERED INTO A CLAIM TO HAVE DON MCGILL TOYOTA OF HOUSTON PURCHASE THIS CAR BACK. PLEASE EVERYONE, THE EPS SYSTEM IS NOT A COMPONENT YOU HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR LEVEL OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE TO SUIT THEIRS. THE EPS IS UNSAFE AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, IT'S A SHAME THAT A DEATH OR BLOODSHED IS THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH TOYOTA WILL OPEN THEIR EYES! SADLY THOUGH IT IS OFTEN HOW THE CONSUM…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468987 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 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: 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.

Reported: 2017-01-09 (January 9, 2017)

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 registered, in 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in 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. 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 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: 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.

Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 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: 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.

Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 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: 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.