The "airbag malfunction" light keeps coming on and off warning that there's something wrong with the airbags or the system itself. It's actually for something they have recalls for but my VIN number doesn't show up for the recall. It says "SRS airbag system malfunction".
Toyota Camry airbag light comes on
189 of the 17,932 owner complaints about the Toyota Camry describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 189
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 62,000
Is there a fix? There are 9 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 13Adaptive cruise 7Seat belt 6Headlights 3Check engine light 3Water leak 2Grinding brakes 2ABS 2
Trouble codes mentioned
B1821 2B1922 1B1801 1B1785 1
What owners say
My safety was put at risk because I did not have the protection of the airbags during a serious head-on collision. I was wearing my seat belt, but I still suffered a concussion, bruised ribs, two sprained ankles, pain in my head, neck, back, tailbone, jaw, and shoulder, as well as a burn from the seat belt. Since the accident, I have also experienced difficulty opening my mouth and eating on the right side and jaw pain and popping. The failure has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair shop because the car is not drivable. I contacted Toyota and signed a consent form allowing them to investigate the vehicle, but I have not received an update, their findings, or confirmation that the inspection has been completed. The vehicle is currently at a tow yard and is available for inspection upon request. However, I am being charged $75 per day in storage fees and cannot afford to keep it there indefinitely. Before the crash, I was not aware of any airbag warning lights, warning messages, or other signs that the airbag system was not working.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "SRS Airbag System Malfunction - Visit Your Dealer" was displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the passenger’s seat belt sensor light remained illuminated while the seat was unoccupied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
SRS airbag panel has detached on the windshield side and top.
On [XXX], I was involved in an accident in my Toyota Camry while the vehicle was stopped on the freeway [XXX]. The car suffered an impact at approximately 20 MPH or less. My friend [XXX] was driving with my permission while I was a passenger, and our two dogs were also in the vehicle. We were rear-ended by another driver, which pushed us into the vehicle in front of us, causing both rear and front impacts. The vehicle was totaled. During the collision, the airbags did not deploy. Immediately after the accident, the vehicle displayed an “SRS Airbag Malfunction – Visit Your Dealer” warning message. I suffered whiplash and nerve-related injuries. I am concerned the airbag/SRS system did not operate properly and may have failed during the accident, potentially increasing the severity of injuries. I am requesting an investigation into the failure of the SRS/airbag system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I own a 2021 Toyota Camry XSE (VIN: [XXX] ) with a malfunction in the SRS airbag system related to the front passenger seat frame Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor. The airbag warning light remains on, and diagnostics indicate a failure in the OCS sensor that could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying correctly, or could deploy it at the wrong time during a collision. I contacted Toyota for assistance, but they declined to cover the repair, stating the vehicle is out of warranty and not covered under any current recall or extended warranty. However, this is a critical safety issue that affects the airbag system’s ability to protect occupants properly. I’ve discovered that Toyota has already issued multiple airbag- and sensor-related recalls in recent years, including: – The Takata inflator recall, affecting many Toyota models for potentially explosive airbag inflators. – A December 2023 recall for approximately 1 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles (model years 2020-2022) due to a front passenger seat OCS sensor defect—the same component involved in my Camry’s issue. – A June 2024 recall of about 145,000 U.S. vehicles (certain 2024 SUVs/hybrids) for side-curtain airbags that may not deploy correctly. – A January 2025 recall affecting 2023 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for steering-column spiral cable defects that could prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying. Given these ongoing airbag and OCS sensor problems across multiple Toyota models and years, it appears my 2021 Camry may suffer from a related or similar defect. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this issue should be included in or trigger an expansion of existing Toyota airbag recalls. Toyota’s refusal to assist despite the safety risk raises concern that other 2021 Camry owners could be affected without being aware of the danger INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that there would be a sudden loss of power steering functionality and just as sudden, the power steering function would return. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and the Air Bag Malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The starter had suddenly failed due to a loss of battery power. The contact purchased a jump box to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the key fob failed to unlock the doors, causing the contact to have to manually open the doors with the keys. The windows could not be controlled from the control panel near the driver's seat. Each window could only be controlled by the window switch on the door where the window was located. The TPMS warning light as illuminated, despite the tire pressure being at the correct levels. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change, at which time the failures were stated, but the dealer only diagnosed that the battery charge was low. The dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the battery. After having the repair completed, the SRS warning light remained illuminated, with the Service Vehicle warning light. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and confirmed that the VIN was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
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.
SRS (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System) (2) DTC Description B1922 Short in Rear Pretensioner Squib (RH) Circuit (to Ground)
While driving my car it showed an SRS Airbag System Malfunction contact your dealership message. On March 19,2025 we took our car into the dealership, and they stated the car was drivable, but if we were in a head on collision the seatbelt would not tighten to keep us from hitting the steering wheel/dashboard/windshield. The part was not available and would be ordered to be installed within approximately two weeks. As of today, after contacting Toyota North America (reference #250616000216) the replacement part #73370-06120-AO is still not available to our dealership for repair of this seatbelt safety part.
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
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Camry vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag and knee air bag, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, if the air bags do not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K0M.
Recall number 19V567000 · Recall details
Air bags: knee bolster
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon, and 2017 Camry vehicles manufactured August 3, 2016, to September 12, 2016. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
- Risk
- If the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting the air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fasteners, and if necessary, replace the instrument panel brace and body bracket and reattach the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G05.
Recall number 16V906000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.
Recall number 16V215000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
- Remedy
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1‑800‑301‑6859.
Recall number 13V014000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the SRS system is activated during a crash.
- Risk
- This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑888‑270‑9371, scion at 1‑866‑548‑1851, or lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.
Recall number 06V096000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles equipped with curtain shield air bags (csa), one or both of the curtain air bags may be twisted near the inflator due to improper assembly.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the csa may not deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. This may result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the csas and replace the air bag assembly if necessary. The recall began on august 6, 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 04V346000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a three-spoke style steering wheel. During air bag deployment, it is possible that the bottom seam of the front driver's side air bag module cover (horn pad) could be torn away allowing the bottom portion of the cover to completely detach from the air bag module.
- Risk
- If this should occur, there is a possibility that the detached bottom portion may strike the driver causing personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag module. Owner notification began december 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331 or lexus at 1‑888‑333‑9376.
Recall number 01V372000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Incomplete deployment of the front passenger side air bag could occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag assembly. Both owners were notified by telephone and arrangements have been made to correct this problem. This campaign is 100% completed. Both owners have been notified and their vehicles repaired.
Recall number 01V306000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Camry airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the Toyota Camry?
Owners who report it most often also describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, adaptive cruise control problems and seat belt won't latch or retract, and the codes they mention most are B1821, B1922 and B1801.
Which Toyota Camry years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (25 complaints), 2004 (16 complaints) and 2012 (14 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Toyota Camry?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 20 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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