What 200 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota Corolla

While the vehicle was parked and powered off, a fire originated inside the driver seat area. There was no collision, no aftermarket electrical equipment installed, and no heated seat or accessory usage at the time of the incident. The vehicle was stationary when the fire began. The fire damage was concentrated within the driver seat assembly, consistent with a suspected electrical failure involving seat wiring, seat-mounted components, or associated harnesses. This is not consistent with owner misuse or external ignition sources. The insurer (Allstate Insurance Company) declared the vehicle a total loss but declined further fire-origin or electrical defect investigation. The vehicle is at risk of being sold or dismantled through a salvage auction, which would destroy critical evidence related to a potential manufacturer defect. The vehicle is currently listed on Copart (Lot# 99091095 highlighted as ‘Run and Drive’) I have completed a Power of Attorney (HSMV 82053) per Allstate requirement, along with a limited conditions notification for evidence preservation however Allstate is refusing to accept the conditions stating their intent to sell it as salvage. This incident presents a serious safety concern involving spontaneous ignition within the passenger compartment. Similar failures pose a risk of injury, death, or property damage, particularly if ignition occurs while occupied. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident for potential electrical system or seat assembly defects and preserve this complaint as part of any pattern or trend analysis involving Toyota vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11708439

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at 60-65 MPH, the vehicle shut off and lost electrical power. All the instrument panel warning lights including the lane departure assistance warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact then refilled gas in the vehicle with assistance and was able to restart the vehicle. However, the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his residence. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving at 45 MPH crashed into the rear end of his vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts failed to engage. The contact sustained soreness and bruises on the upper and lower back and on the right arm and right shoulder. The passenger occupying the front passenger seat sustained head and neck injuries from slamming their face on the dashboard. The passenger occupying the rear passenger seat sustained whiplash, and neck and back injuries. The contact was able to drive to a hospital where the two passengers and himself received medical assistance. A police report was filed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464041

TAMATA RECALL - MY CAR BREAKS AND PCS FEATURE FAILED RESULTING IN HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT MAKING TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR, TOYOTA COROLLA XLE 2019. I STILL HAVE PAIN IN MY NECK AND OCCASIONAL CHEST HURTS. I REPORTED THE HAILEY TOYOTA THAT BREAKS DID NOT WORK TWICE AND PCS DID NOT WORK. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BUT PCS DID NOT STOP MY CAR ONCE AND NO WARNING LIGHT CAME. VIN # IS [XXX]. ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON BAILEY BRIDGE ROAD ON JAN 27, 2019 AROUND A LITTLE BIT AFTER NOON TIME. TOYOTA CASE NUMBERS ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. EDR REPORT WAS RECORDED BY TOYOTA REP ON 2/8/19 AND SENT TO BOSCH CO IN MICHIGAN. POLICE RECORDED IN THE SUMMONS ISSUED TO ME THAT IT WAS BRAKES FAILURE. THIS IS TOO DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROADHOUSE THIS CAR AND ONE CAN LOSE A LIFE ONE OR MORE. PLEASE ADVISE TOTOTA HQ TO FIX THE DEFECTS SO THAT NO ONE LOSES LIFE AND ALSO COMPENSATE MY DAMAGES,ETC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE CITY AND MOVING. I WILL SEND SOME DOCUMENTS LATER. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11180412