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2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,612 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota Corolla electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 032020

Corolla

  • 139,345 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The horn stopped working. Toyota verified it is the electrical behind the dashboard, which will cost $475 to repair. I was on the interstate highway 89 when the car I was passing started veering into my lane. I went to use my horn and it did not work! very scary situation.

- Stowe, VT, USA

problem #11

Oct 102019

Corolla

  • 130,000 miles
Horn only works when the steering wheel is turned to the right or left and won't work when the wheel is straight. No matter if the car is moving or not the problem is fixed by replacing the clock spring, a lot of people had this issue in Corolla (2010 -2012)

- Ripon, CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 062019

Corolla

  • 112,000 miles
Air bag light came on dashboard as well as passenger seat belt light continuously beeping to buckle seat belt. Dealer was unable to identify the problem. They replaced multiple parts and issue came back after 4 months. Dealer now is claiming that air bag inflator is the issue. Recalled parts were replaced previously. Dealer does not seem to be 100% certain what the issue is and is replacing parts at customer's expense.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 242018

Corolla

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ignition key gets extremely hot during normal operation in normal conditions and normal external temperatures. The key gets too hot to remove from the ignition after several hours of driving between va and fl or fl and va. Issue has happened while driving between va and md/DC or within va N to S. key gets so hot the only way to remove from the ignition is with the key ring. Issue happens on both keys. Issue happens all year round and worse in summer months.

- Greenacres, FL, USA

problem #8

Jan 012017

Corolla

  • 65,000 miles
Has been happening for the last 6 months or so. The electronic locks on both front doors only work sporadically. Their issues started happening at the same time. Operating the locks manually is fine. It's the electronic controls that often don't work, whether by keychain or controls on the door. The rear doors work as expected most of the time. I took it to the dealership to have it looked at, figuring that it was a problem with the electrical system considering both failed at once. They mentioned that the rear actuators are fine, but due to the way they are wired with their front counterparts, occasionally the faulty front ones will block enough voltage from reaching the the rear ones. For $113, they determined that the door lock actuators need replacing, for $1,100+, with the following part numbers: #69040-0C050 - drivers door lock actuator #69030-0C050 - passenger door lock actuator I declined to have it fixed, as it seems to work manually for now. It's odd to me that both parts failed at the same time.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #7

Jun 232017

Corolla

  • 44,000 miles
My 2012 Toyota Corolla has issues with the electric locks. When I try unlocking my vehicle using the keypad or the electric locks within the vehicle, it simply does not work on my two front doors despite having electric locks in my vehicle. My research of other customers' issues online reveal similar issues to mine. (see https://www.quora.com/the-electronic-lock-unlock-on-the-passenger-door-of-my-Toyota-Corolla-has-ceased-to-operate-and-I-have-to-operate-it-manually-how-do-I-fix-it-myself; https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=uxh0itv4_nc; https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=sjefb1qutvi; https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=cvb63ky1lm8.) I am concerned about my safety because if I get in an accident and cannot unlock the doors because of the faulty door locks, I could be seriously injured and die. This same concern extends to my passengers. This is a serious safety concern that needs addressed, especially considering the recurring and consistent instances of this issue in Toyota vehicles. I look forward to comments regarding the overall safety concerns relating to Toyota vehicles and their door lock issues. Thank you.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 252015

Corolla

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving around one day with my windows down, and all of a sudden it started raining, I went to roll my windows up and surprisingly they didn't work. None of them. When I got back to my house and parked I tried to see if it was a fuse problem but no such luck. The lock/unlock buttons wouldn't work either. A few days later I drove my car again and the windows rolled up about half way until they froze up and didn't work any more. Now, whenever I'm driving they spontaneously decide to work. I can't park anywhere for too long because my windows are stuck rolled down and anyone could break into my car. Besides that one time it rained I have never let my side panels get wet, the windows malfunctioned before it had rained. In addition to the windows, my trunk also decided it wasn't going to work. Originally the latch had gotten stuck and I'm not sure how long it had been that way because I don't often use my trunk. But one day, parked at safeway I tried to pop the trunk but it was stuck. Finally I got my dad to help and we got it open. However, now it refuses to stay locked. It will stay closed until I go over a bump and then it pops open and it's really dangerous because I can't see in my rear view mirror. I have tried locking it with the key but that doesn't work either. This was a new 2012 car so I was confused as to how I spent $20,000 and got a defective car! it's pretty embarrassing to drive it around not to mention it's not safe. I have had a few of my mechanic friends look at it hoping we could fix the problem by replacing the fuse but it just didn't work.

- Kailua, HI, USA

problem #5

Jan 012014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that when the vehicle was stopped at a stop light, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle wad restarted after a few minutes, however the failure recurred on two other occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. MA 10/22/2015

- Anderson, IN, USA

problem #4

Sep 172014

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 28,394 miles
While driving northbound on interstate I-75 home during rush hour in the metro-detroit area, the vehicle sped up in excess of 90mph! I almost caused a collision. The gas pedal did not react to my foot not even being on the pedal! I braked and pumped the brake to only control my speed. When I finally got the vehicle to park, the engine was still running at a high rate like the engine was reacting to pressure on the gas pedal. The car smelled like smoke from the brake pad. If it wasn't for the brake pad, I might of been more severely injured or worse. I plan to take the vehicle back to the dealership and see what they can do. But please, please, please help my family and I out.....we have a 2014 Corolla VIN # [xxx], another 2008 Corolla VIN # [xxx], and just recently a 2014 Toyota rav4 VIN # [xxx]............it was a very scary ordeal....I'm very concerned for the well being of my family driving these vehicles. I thought the issue was fix already"???" maybe not. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 052014

Corolla

  • 7,100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the radio failed to function. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that a rodent had breached the vehicle and damaged wires to the electrical components as well as the air bag. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 7,100. The VIN was unavailable.

- Hawley, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 022012

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
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 consumer at the end of the day has his voice heard.. the steering system on this vehicle can be down right dangerous! you are foolish to buy this car and this is my lesson learned. Heed this warning for anyone wanting to purchase this automobile. I am no longer a loyal Toyota customer and the care at which those that represent the automaker afford their customers. I look forward to the day I can rid my hands of this potentially lethal automobile with it's uncontrollable steering system.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1

May 052012

Corolla 4-cyl

  • 1,500 miles
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 speeds up to and over the limits here in Texas. This includes my wife as well. Here on this form I have entered two dates but this has been from day 1. at higher speeds it is much more evident, at lower speeds not as noticeable but now my mind is telling me to be careful. The speed I listed here on this form is only an example I really wanted to just enter all if I could. I get the feeling I have no control over the steering system. It's far too sensitive. I feel I have to hold less the steering wheel to keep from compensating for any slight deviation as the system really does what it's seems to do on it's own. This is disturbing and quite dangerous! I delivered my car 04 may to the service dept. To see if they could fix the problem. Yesterday 05 may on a stretch of open highway I exceeded the Texas posted speed limit to see what effects would take place. This overage gets amplified! this may cause a serious accident! I feel I have to relearn how to steer a car, is this possible? please act on this now!

- Houston, TX, USA

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