I was involved in a multi-impact collision while driving my 2021 Toyota Camry. Certified crash data from the Airbag Control Module (ACM) confirms five crash events including a frontal collision (delta-V of -9.3 mph) and a rollover (roll angle 9.8°, roll rate 45.6°/sec). Despite these conditions, no airbags deployed—not the frontal, knee, or curtain airbags. The driver was belted, there was no airbag warning light, and power was maintained. Toyota later stated the system worked “as designed” and found no defects. However, federal safety standards (FMVSS No. 208 and 226) suggest this type of crash should have triggered the airbags, especially due to the frontal delta-V and verified rollover. I request a formal investigation. Crash report available upon request.
2021 Toyota Camry: airbags did not deploy in a crash
7 of the 158 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Camry describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
I was stopped at a car wash, pressing on the brake pedal when all of a sudden it felt like someone rear-ended me. My car accelerated without me stepping on the gas pedal and I turned the wheel quickly to avoid hitting the car in front of me head on. I clipped his right back bumper, flew over a large shrub and landed smashing into a parked vehicle. The total front end of my vehicle was damaged and no air bag deployed.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the brakes were activated but, it was T- boned by an unknown van and pushed across three lanes of traffic. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his arm, back, and neck. Medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH another vehicle struck the front passenger side of the contact vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. After the crash, an indicator for the air bags was defective. A dealer was contacted. The contact, the wife, and the daughter where severely injured and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed and was deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was not unavailable.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while attempting to park her vehicle in her apartment complex parking lot, her vehicle continued to lurch forward without warning despite multiple attempts to stop. Due to the failure, the contact hit a gate as the vehicle continued to independently accelerate. The contact then placed the vehicle into reverse(R) and as the vehicle continued to accelerate in a different gear. The contact then hit the vehicle behind her which then caused that vehicle to hit another vehicle located next to the original vehicle that was hit. The vehicle continued to accelerate with her brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. The contact then placed the vehicle back into driver(D) which sent the vehicle into another gate which then finally stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that property damage to both gates occurred as a result of the failure. The matter had been reported to the property owner and remained under investigation; no decision had been made. The air bags did not deploy at any time during the failure. The police were called to the scene and a police report was filed (22-030393). The contact suffered pain in her lower back and both shoulders; she did not seek medical attention. The vehicle remained in her possession and had yet to be towed or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
I crashed into the metal guardrail on the side of the highway after swerving to avoid a car that lost a tire in front of me. The car was totalled with siginificant damage to the front, engine compartment, and windshield. But the airbags did not inflate. I was the only person in the car, but even the driver's airbags did not inflate. The police who came to the crash were very confused that a brand new car's airbags did not inflate in the crash.
The contact's wife leased a 2021 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a parking space, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. He stated that his wife continued to depress the brake pedal but it would not respond, causing the vehicle to crash into trees. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife was able to exit the vehicle with assistance. The contact's wife sustained pain in the chest, upper back, shoulders, and ankle. The contact's wife also sustained a laceration on her finger from the broken window glass. The contact's wife sought medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact there was no recall related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,922.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2021 Toyota Camry no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2021 Toyota Camry?
7 of 158 owner complaints about the 2021 Toyota Camry (4%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Toyota Camry?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Toyota Camry
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