Recall 18V025 covers 116,126 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Yaris vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 116,126 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 Corolla Matrix, Vibe, and Yaris vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, so Toyota dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the Toyota Corolla Matrix, Vibe, and Yaris is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. During a crash that commands the passenger air bag to deploy, the inflator creates gas that fills the air bag quickly enough to help cushion the occupant.
In these vehicles, the Takata inflator uses non-desiccated, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. That propellant can degrade after long exposure to humidity and temperature changes. When a degraded inflator deploys, pressure inside the canister can rise too sharply and the inflator can explode instead of releasing gas in a controlled way.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag system can appear normal until a crash requires the passenger frontal air bag to deploy.
Who's affected?
Corolla Matrix, Vibe, and Yaris cars share the same front air bag component in this recall.
| 2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2007 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix | front air bag |
| 2010 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2010 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2011 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| 2012 Toyota Yaris | front air bag |
| Units affected | 116,126 |
Year and model alone do not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If the air bag deploys, an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Those fragments can strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure. Confirm the VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your Toyota Corolla Matrix, Vibe, or Yaris is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag assembly replacement with an alternate inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V025 when you call.
- Ask Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 if the dealer needs help confirming the recall or parts path.
- Avoid delaying the repair if your VIN is included; the passenger air bag inflator can explode during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag assembly with an assembly that uses an alternate inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Toyota used its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign, so owners who already paid for a related passenger air bag inflator repair can ask Toyota customer service about documented expense reimbursement. Keep repair orders and payment records for that claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 9, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| January 9, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 24, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 29, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V025?
Recall 18V025 covers 116,126 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Yaris vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Toyota dealers replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 2010 Pontiac Vibe, or 2010-2012 Toyota Yaris is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V025. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag assembly replacement. Reference recall number 18V025 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, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V025?
The risk is an air bag inflator explosion during a crash that requires passenger frontal air bag deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Toyota dealer repair.
What if I bought the vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Corolla Matrix, Vibe, or Yaris is included, then contact a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall number 18V025.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V025000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V025 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V025000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →