Toyota is recalling 1,006,849 2003-2004 Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles for unintended air bag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 1,006,849 2003-2004 Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles under recall 15V043 because electrical noise can make a component in the air bag control module fail. The failure can trigger unintended air bag or seat belt pretensioner deployment while driving, which increases the risk of injury or crash, and Toyota dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control module in these 2003-2004 Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe vehicles is the decision unit for the restraint system. It reads crash sensor signals and controls the front air bags, side air bags, and seatbelt pretensioners. Those parts are supposed to deploy only when crash conditions call for extra occupant protection.
In recall 15V043, electrical noise can interfere with a component inside that module. When that component fails, the module can command the restraint system at the wrong time. That means an air bag or seatbelt pretensioner can deploy while the vehicle is being operated, even without a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a warning light, sound, or change in driving feel before the module acts incorrectly.
Who's affected?
Spans four model lines across the 2003 and 2004 model years, all tied to the front air bag.
| 2003 Toyota Avalon | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2004 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2004 Toyota Avalon | front air bag |
| 2004 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2003 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,006,849 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected air bag or seat belt pretensioner deployment can injure occupants and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the air bag control module replacement soon and drive cautiously until it is done. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2004 Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, or Vibe is included in this Toyota recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free air bag control module replacement.
- Tell the dealer the recall fixes electrical noise that can trigger unintended air bag or seat belt pretensioner deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 15V043 when you call.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete, and ask the dealer what to do if an air bag warning light is on.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the air bag control module with the recall remedy part. This applies even if an earlier related recall repair installed a noise filter, because this campaign requires the module replacement instead. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Toyota has a general reimbursement plan on file, so if you already paid out of pocket for a related air bag control module repair before the recall notice, ask the service desk how to submit documented expenses through that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 28, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| January 28, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 27, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 24, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V043?
Recall 15V043 covers 1,006,849 2003-2004 Toyota Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, Corolla, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles with an air bag control module defect. Electrical noise can cause air bags or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while driving, increasing injury or crash risk.
What should I do if my 2003-2004 Toyota Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, or Vibe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V043. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule replacement of the air bag control module. Reference recall number 15V043 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Dealers will replace the air bag control module free of charge under recall 15V043, including vehicles that previously received a noise filter under recalls 13V029 or 14V147.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is inadvertent deployment of the air bags or seatbelt pretensioners while the vehicle is being operated. That deployment can injure occupants or increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free air bag control module replacement with a franchised Toyota dealer.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Avalon, Corolla Matrix, Corolla, or Vibe is included, then reference recall number 15V043 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V043000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V043 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V043000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →