Recalls: Toyota E120 Corolla
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Toyota E120 Corolla
Toyota E120 Corolla: airbag may not inflate
In August 2002, a recall was issued for two (2) Toyota Corolla models due to improper welding of the connection for the diffuser and the gas generator in the passenger side airbag inflator. As a result, the diffuser could detach from the connection when the airbag deployed, preventing the airbag from inflating (PRA 2002/5662).
2002-04 Toyota E120 Corolla Sportivo: non-compliance with air noise regulations
In August 2004, a recall was issued for Toyota Corolla Sportivo models manufactured from 4 March 2002 to 21 April 2004 due to the engine having been assembled with the incorrect air cleaner cap and engine control computers. As a result, the vehicle did not match the specification covered by its approval to ECE Regulation 51/02 and may not comply with ADR 83/00 External Noise (PRA 2004/7172).
Toyota E120 Corolla: headlamps may not work
In October 2005, a recall was issued for Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles due to potential overheating of the headlamp dimmer switch contact points due to high internal electrical resistance (caused by residue build-up on the surface of the contract points). This could result in the headlamps becoming inoperative (PRA 2005/8110).
Toyota E120 Corolla with moonroof: contravention of ADR 42
In July 2005, a recall was issued for Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles fitted with a moon roof which could be operated with the ignition switch in the ‘off’ position – this capability contravened ADR 42 which required that such control may only be possible when the key was in the ‘on’, ‘start’, or ‘accessory’ positions (PRA 2005/7877).
Pre-2004 Toyota ZZE122 Corolla: Takata airbag recall #1
In April 2013, a recall was issued for certain E120 (ZZE122) Toyota Corollas manufactured prior to April 2004. In these vehicles, the front passenger airbag inflator may have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. In the event of a crash, the inflator may therefore rupture and cause abnormal deployment of the front passenger airbag, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant (PRA 2013/13544). The recalled vehicles were in the following VIN ranges:
- JTD BR**** 0002007 to JTD BR**** 03071493 (produced from 29/11/2000 to 08/03/2004);
- JTD ER**** 00013935 to JTD ER**** 00124904 (produced from 15/12/2000 to 12/05/2003); and,
- JTD KR**** 00034118 to JTD KR**** 02013654 (produced from 18/07/2001 to 12/05/2003).
Toyota E120 Corolla: Takata airbag recall #2
In May 2015, a recall was issued for Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles because airbag inflator propellant wafers within the passenger’s front airbag may be susceptible to moisture intrusion. If this occurred, the airbag inflator assembly may rupture during deployment and metallic fragments could contact an occupant. While the recall was issued in May 2015, it was not expected that replacement parts would be available until early 2016 (PRA 2015/14701). The recalled vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- ZZE122 (Japan) Corolla: manufactured from 23 May 2003 to 1 March 2007 –
- JTD BR22E # 00133209 to JTD BR22E # 00291300;
- JTD BR22E # 03074270 to JTD BR22E # 03212267;
- JTD BR28E # 00153454 to JTD BR28E # 00276203;
- JTD BR28E # 03075528 to JTD BR28E # 03208123;
- JTD ER22E # 00133151 to JTD ER22E # 00221985;
- JTD ER22E # 03144877 to JTD ER22E # 03195813;
- JTD KR22E # 00133198 to JTD KR22E # 00291305;
- JTD KR22E # 02018058 to JTD KR22E # 02048435;
- JTD KR28E # 00151779 to JTD KR28E # 00291220;
- JTD KR28E # 02018043 to JTD KR28E # 02048342;
- ZZE122 (South Africa) Corolla: manufactured from 16 May 2003 to 2 July 2005 –
- AHT 53ZEC # 06504101 to AHT 53ZEC # 06525301;
- AHT 54ZEC # 06504172 to AHT 54ZEC # 06524840;
- ZZE123 Corolla Sportivo: manufactured from 9 May 2003 to 19 October 2005 –
- AHT 54ZEC # 07001288 to AHT 54ZEC # 07005464.
2003-05 Toyota E120 Corolla: Takata airbag recall #3
In March 2017, a recall was issued for Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles that were manufactured from 5 March 2003 to 20 October 2005. In these vehicles, propellant wafers within the front driver’s airbag inflator could experience a reduction in density after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. In the event that the driver’s airbag deployed, the inner pressure of the inflator could increase abnormally, cause the inflator housing to rupture and disperse metal fragments throughout the cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury (PRA 2017/15950). The recalled vehicles were as follows –
- Toyota ZZE122 Corolla: manufactured from 5 March 2003 to 6 July 2005, and with VINs in the range AHT 53ZEC2 06501983 to AHT 53ZEC2 06525301;
- Toyota ZZE122 Corolla: manufactured from 6 March 2003 to 15 July 2005, and with VINs in the range AHT 54ZEC2 06502057 to AHT 54ZEC2 06524840; and,
- Toyota ZZE123 Corolla: manufactured from 5 March 2003 to 20 October 2005, and with VINs in the range AHT 54ZEC3 07000437 to AHT 54ZEC3 07005464.
2001-07 Toyota E120 Corolla: Takata airbag recall #4
In November 2018, a recall was issued for Toyota E120 (ZZE121, ZZE122 and ZZE123) Corolla vehicles that were manufactured from 1 March 2003 to 29 January 2007. Over time, propellant wafers inside the front passenger airbag could absorb moisture. In the event of airbag deployment, this could create excessive internal pressure such that the airbag inflator housing may rupture, projecting metal fragments through the airbag and into the cabin. These metal fragments posed a serious risk of injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17146.
2004-07 Toyota E120 Corolla: airbags may be deactivated or deploy inadvertently
In November 2018, a recall was issued for Toyota E120 (ZZE122) Corolla vehicles that were manufactured from 21 April 2004 to 28 February 2007. In these vehicles, the airbag system could experience electrical short circuits that could damage the Airbag Sensor Assembly (ECU) – this could cause airbag warning lights to illuminate, the front airbags to be deactivated or the airbags to inadvertently deploy. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17141.
2001-07 model year Toyota E120 Corolla: Takata airbag recall #5
In September 2019, recall PRA 2019/17788 was issued for 2001-07 model year Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles – this recall was an expansion of recall PRA 2018/17146. The recalled vehicles had Takata front passenger airbags and propellant wafers inside these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure in the airbag inflator housing could cause it to rupture and metal fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17788.
2003-05 Toyota E120 Corolla: Takata airbag recall #6
In September 2020, recall campaign BGG23 was issued for Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles that were manufactured from 5 March 2003 through 2 July 2005. In these vehicles, propellant wafers within the front passenger’s airbag inflator could experience a reduction in density after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. In the event that the driver’s airbag deployed, the inner pressure of the inflator could increase abnormally, cause the inflator housing to rupture and disperse metal fragments throughout the cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury (PRA 2017/15950). The recalled vehicles were as follows –
- Toyota ZZE122 Corolla: manufactured from 5 March 2003 to 6 July 2005, and with VINs in the range AHT 53ZEC2 06501983 to AHT 53ZEC2 06525301;
- Toyota ZZE122 Corolla: manufactured from 6 March 2003 to 15 July 2005, and with VINs in the range AHT 54ZEC2 06502057 to AHT 54ZEC2 06524840; and,
- Toyota ZZE123 Corolla: manufactured from 5 March 2003 to 20 October 2005, and with VINs in the range AHT 54ZEC3 07000437 to AHT 54ZEC3 07005464.
These vehicles had previously been recalled (see PRA 2017/15950) to replace the driver’s side airbag. For the VINs of these recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18579.
2001-07 Toyota E120 Corolla: replacement front seatbelt may not restrain occupant
In November 2022, recall campaign XGG73 was issued for 2001-07 Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles. In vehicles that had been fitted with replacement front passenger or driver seatbelts, those seatbelts may extend further than intended after locking. In the event of a collision, the seatbelt may therefore not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury. To fix, the seatbelt assembly was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005565.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Toyota vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Toyota Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Toyota E120 Corolla
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Toyota E120 Corolla
- For Toyota E120 Corolla vehicles with the 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE petrol engine, a sulfurous odour – often accompanied by the ‘check engine’ light and trouble code P0420 – may require the powertrain control module (PCM) to be reprogrammed or replaced.
- For automatic models, the ‘check engine’ light may illuminate and the transmission may provide harsh gearshifts; this may also be fixed by replacing the PCM.
- The ‘check engine’ light may also illuminate due to a faulty air/fuel ratio sensor.
- A squealing or knocking noise from the engine bay may be due to worn or damaged accessory belt tensioner.
