TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Camry airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Camry have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 23,350 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Camry | 63 |
| 2010 Camry | 42 |
| 2011 Camry | 65 |
| 2012 Camry | 72 |
| 2013 Camry (this page) | 27 |
| 2015 Camry | 16 |
| 2016 Camry | 26 |
| 2017 Camry | 20 |
18crashes
16injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 27 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Package: January 8, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that F0B expired on December 31, 2017 LSC Expired on December 31, 2017.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling regulations at the state and local level define the pre-disposal deployment of airbag and pre-tensioner assemblies as hazardous material treatment. Hazardous material treatment may require special training, certification or licensing in certain areas. TMS recommends that dealership personnel carefully review and follow ALL local and state regulations, and where necessary, contract with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal facilities.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two primary and serious airbag problems: failures to deploy during crashes, and unexpected behavior in normal driving or low-impact events.
Non-deployment in crashes is the most cited issue. Owners describe side-impacts, head-on collisions, T-bones at 50 mph, and even a rollover where the vehicle flipped four times—yet airbags did not deploy. Injuries sustained include fractured sternums, head trauma requiring hospitalization, rib bruising, lacerations requiring skin grafts, and one case of permanent 20% hearing loss from airbag deployment during a crash. Multiple owners state they were told by medical professionals or themselves believe injuries would have been prevented had airbags functioned. Failure mileages ranged from 7,500 to 50,000 miles.
Unexpected behavior in normal conditions includes spontaneous full deployment at highway speed with no crash, deployment after recall service for speed control, and partial deployments with rapid air loss or smoky discharge. One owner reports an airbag warning light that remained on for weeks despite sensor replacement attempts; another notes a passenger-seat sensor malfunction where the airbag stays off even with an adult occupant aboard.
Component failures include rust on the spiral coil, water leaking into the engine through the airbag area, and inoperative sensors. Dealers in several cases were unable to diagnose failures, and the manufacturer was not notified in many incidents.
Same Toyota Camry airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag failure to deploy in crash
In multiple crash scenarios—side-impact, head-on, T-bone, and roll-over collisions—airbags did not deploy despite impact severity warranting deployment. Owners sustained injuries (fractured sternum, head trauma, rib bruising, lacerations) that they allege would have been prevented or reduced had airbags functioned.
When: Various mileages: 7,500, 17,000, 24,500, 45,000, 50,000 miles; incidents spanning 2013–2016
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in side-impact crash; No airbag deployment in head-on collision; No airbag deployment in T-bone collision at 50 mph with multiple impacts; No airbag deployment in rollover (vehicle flipped 4 times); No airbag deployment in frontal/corner impacts at 10–60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited; vehicles typically totaled or impounded without dealer diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned in one complaint; dealer unable to provide information in another case; manufacturer not notified in most incidents
Unexpected airbag deployment without crash
Airbags deployed spontaneously while vehicle was being driven normally with no collision or impact. One case reports deployment after earlier recall service for unintended acceleration; another occurred at highway speed with no stated cause. In one case, airbag deployed to low pressure, losing air with smoky discharge.
When: October 27, 2014 (after July 10, 2014 recall service); highway driving at 60–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: All airbags deployed without impact while driving on interstate; Airbag deployment occurred after speed-control recall service; Driver-side curtain airbag deployed with low pressure and leaked air with smoky substance
Repairs/costs cited: One case had recall service performed July 10, 2014 prior to unwarranted deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for speed control mentioned; case number on file with Toyota for deployment after recall service
Airbag warning light illuminated; sensor malfunction
Airbag warning light remains on continuously without crash history. Dealers reported failed sensors; attempts to replace airbag modules or sensors did not resolve the warning. Owner expressed concern that light indicates airbags may not deploy in a real crash or could deploy unexpectedly.
When: Approximately 1 year into ownership; 24 months after purchase in another case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light on continuously with no accident history; Light remains on after sensor/module replacement attempts; Passenger-side seat sensor not functioning; passenger airbag remains off despite adult occupant (70+ lbs)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers attempted airbag module or sensor replacement without resolution
Airbag deployment causing injury
Airbags deployed as designed during crashes but caused secondary injuries to occupants. Lower (knee) airbag caused large hematoma and open laceration/burn on both shins; one laceration became infected. Another case reports permanent hearing loss (20% loss) from airbag noise during deployment.
When: August 4, 2013 (hearing loss case); October 19, 2014 (leg injury case)
Symptoms owners cite: Large hematoma on right shin from lower airbag deployment; Open laceration/burn and hematoma on left shin from lower airbag; wound became infected; Permanent 20% hearing loss from airbag noise deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Infection treatment required for leg wounds; hearing loss permanent
Airbag module or spiral coil corrosion/damage
Airbag-related components showing rust or water damage. Spiral coil rusted and required replacement; airbag leak allowing water into engine reported in one case.
When: Mileage/timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Spiral coil rusted; Water leaking into engine from airbag area
Repairs/costs cited: Spiral coil replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned in water-leak case
Airbag partial deployment or deflation
Airbag deployed but with insufficient pressure or rapid deflation. Driver-side curtain airbag deployed with very low pressure and leaked air with smoky substance; seat seams opened but airbags did not deploy.
When: T-bone collision (timing not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Curtain airbag deployed but had minimal air pressure; Airbag leaked out with smoky substance; Seat seams opened but airbags did not deploy
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota camry. The contact stated that after the driver came to a complete stop and made a left turn into the driveway, a passing vehicle crashed into the drivers side door at approximately 60 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was pushed into the driveway and was not taken to the…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 10,288 and 56,000 miles, with the median around 23,350. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,288; a quarter make it past 56,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.