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Air bagsPart report

2001 Toyota Corolla Air bags Problems

Complaints
23about this part
Share
17%of 133 total for the year
Median mileage
94,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Toyota Corolla, 17% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Car was totaled in front end collision. Air bags deployed. It is my understanding certain toyotas of this year had issues with air bag propellent and minute fragments of shrapnel being propelled during deployment. Since the car was totalled, I would like information on any recalls regarding type of air bag propellent used in this model and any other recalls regarding the air bag issues if any.”

NHTSA complaint #10627757, filed 2014-08, 7,500 miles

“Driver air bag came out n burned my arm actually both did by I had no passanger tho it broke windshield,anyway it's been ten days my skin is raw severe pain no signs of getting better the bruiseb goes all way around whole bk of arm I am goin bk to drs. …”

NHTSA complaint #10744307, filed 2015-07, 94,000 miles

“On may 26, 2009, a nissan sentra made an illegal left turn which resulted in my 2001 Toyota Corolla 's' being totaled. My seat belt allowed me to fly forward and my chest hit the steering wheel. My air bags did not deploy. I find this incomprehensible. I was traveling approximately 30-35 MPH. If I had been on the freeway I probably would have been killed.”

NHTSA complaint #10272477, filed 2009-06, 66,000 miles

“In 2009 I was involved in a major car accident. I hit my head and became unconscious and my airbags deployed when I regained consciousness. I was admitted to the hospital I had a gash on my forehead. When I touched my left eyebrow it felt like I had pieces of glass in there. But now with the recalls of the airbags, I wondered if it was metal fragments, schrapral that is still in my left eyebrow. Would you please recall my vehicle so I could have my airbags replaced. When I regained consciousness I saw dirt and other stuff powder coming out of my drivers airbag. …”

NHTSA complaint #10882386, filed 2016-07, 50,000 miles

“My husband was driving on the highway. He was driving a 2001 Toyota Corolla. The truck in front of him was going slow-so he decided to pass the guy. As he was doing so-the truck turned left. My husband hit him head-on and then the car rolled onto its top. Never did the airbags go off. Fortunately he had his seatbelt on. He was taken by ambulance to hospital. The most damage he received was his left hand and arm were badly injured. He still has to have surgery this next week. Why didn't the airbag deploy?”

NHTSA complaint #10464555, filed 2012-07, 180,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026211%
2025619%
2024812%
202368%
20221010%
20215328%
2020186%
20193316%
20183626%
20175430%
20166530%
20155625%
20146925%
20137236%
201237083%
201141872%
201042434%
200955238%
200813844%
200743652%
200645454%
200545754%
200423649%
200333346%
20022320%
20012317%
20001712%
19991912%
19986127%
19972921%
19963225%
19955431%
19946940%
19934837%
199212%
199111%

Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Corolla

Engine cooling
31 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Brakes
12 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Exterior lighting
9 complaints
Tires
9 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
9 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Electrical system
7 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Seats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota Corolla

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology