Complaint volume
177 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Toyota Corolla Complaints
177 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Toyota Corolla, grouped by component category.
177 Total complaints
18 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are air bags, engine, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 18 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 23 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 39,578 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to air bags, engine, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Toyota Corolla?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Toyota Corolla
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Toyota Corolla complaints?
18 Crash
2 Fire
10 Injury
0 Fatality
17 Towed
11 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Corolla complaint categories?
AIR BAGS 42
ENGINE 26
POWER TRAIN 14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14
VISIBILITY/WIPER 10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4
TIRES 4
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3
177 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The navigational systems shuts off in the middle of driving. The screen will go completely black making it unsafe when using navigational directions. The system also shuts off at the slightest pot holes. Windows also won’t work when trying to put them down from the drivers side | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | TIRES | Dunlop SP Sport 5000 - 225/40R18 - DOT EUT74DDR5220 3 of the 4 tires are splitting on the side walls | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The problem of windshield wipers going off either once, or at varying speeds has not been able to be reproduced by my Toyota dealership. It goes off right when I turn the car on 50% of the time and is very inconsistent. Wipers typically go off after using the turn signal, making long turns (such as into a parking spot), and driving on long curved roadways. It has been inspected and nothing has been found. There are no warning lights or messages. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall affecting my 2021 Toyota Corolla. The recall involves the airbag ECU and has rendered the vehicle ineligible for rental on platforms like Turo. I purchased this vehicle specifically for rental income, and the recall has prevented me from listing it for over 14 months. Toyota has acknowledged the recall but has not provided a remedy or timeline for resolution. Their response offered no compensation or alternative solution. Based on comparable Turo listings in Frisco, Texas, I estimate monthly rental income of $810–$1,050, resulting in total lost income of approximately $11,340 to $14,700. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the delay in remedy and consider enforcement action to ensure timely resolution and accountability. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | STEERING,ENGINE | My car wouldn’t start and the dashboard says “Engine Stopped / Power steering low” car will stop driving completely randomly. No codes are popping up when I test the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ENGINE | I turned on the vehicle and an Engine Maintenance Required light and warning went off on my car. I noticed the warning would only come up once I turned on the A/C so I presumed it was an issue with the Coolant Bypass Valve | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while attempting to sell the vehicle to a Toyota dealer, the dealer informed the contact that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a used car dealer sale. At the time of purchase in October 2024, the vehicle mileage was 60,000, and the current mileage was 74,000. However, the dealer informed the contact that the mileage on the Carfax report was 110,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 110,000 |
| Aug 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Fallo de la pieza Válvula de control de refrigerante del motor la cual es defecto de fabricación del vehiculo | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My vehicle was backed into while ì was inside of it in a parking lot. Due to my horn failing., I was unable to alert the other driver to see me. The clock spring is what failed the first time at 95k they replaced it. I'm now at 147k and it failed again . Now I'm discovering that if it does not work, there's an electrical circuit failure and that the airbag will not deploy if I get in an accident. This is a serious safety issue and I feel Toyota should be responsible for it for the life of the vehicle . A horn should never go out. Especially if it not working will keep my air bag from functioning properly . 850 out of my pocket is way steep. The replacement part lasted half as long as the original part did when I bought the car that to me seems like a faulty part this should be obvious and they should just fix the problem cuz I might have to just consult an attorney should they choose not to. The attached photo shows what happens when you can't beep your horn at somebody who's about to back into your car !!! my car still has not turned on any kind of warning lamp for the airbag or any kind of malfunction light, no warnings on my radio. I have noticed that my Lane departure warning seems to work intermittently along with the automatic high beams that like to flash my high beams in people's face for some unapparent reason which also seems like a safety issue. If I had to take my car to an inspection station it would not pass an inspection due to the horn not working ! You cannot take your child to the Department of Motor Vehicles and let them take their drive test if your horn does not work ! which happened to be my case !! Very disappointing to say the least especially when you've paid $30,000 for a car. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | -coolant bypass valve -it risked my safety by possibly destroying my perfectly good car -yes my toyota dealership confirmed the faulty coolant bypass (which many people have had this exact issue with these toyota models) -no -yes about a week before it was serviced | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | AIR BAGS | I was notified that my vehicle has had a recall on it due to the OCS Occupant Classification System sensors being improperly manufactured which could lead in appropriately identifying the front occupant's weight and failing to deploy airbags. This recall has been open since December of 2023 and I have been checking with my dealer on scheduling but up until last week have been told that they didn't have the parts for remedy. I have had several instances where sensor light has come on for airbag. I have been making people sit in the back seat only due to the heightened risk however this is limiting and impacts the ability to fully use the full seating in the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | AIR BAGS | red light on dashboard indicates passenger airbag is not working, I would like to have this taken care of. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | I was driving yesterday morning to work in freeway and a Message appeared in the dash saying Engine Maintenance Required. The message stills appears and it’s a safety issue that needs to be addressed by Toyota for defective parts or defective car and Toyota needs to replace my current vehicle for a new car. Furthermore this is a safety issue for me and others while the car is running. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Data communication module activation failed message at start of car. It's loud and my baby gets woken up by this.. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | AIR BAGS | This is recall on and OCS that not has been taking of and I'm trying to find out is the problem that is matter has not been resolved. It's been since Dec of 2023 and I still don't have this issue fixed yet. And the light is on the right passanger side. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Coolant bypass valve broken | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was coming to a stop and the clutch slave master cylinder just sank to the floor and wouldn’t activate the clutch. There were no symptoms of the clutch failing or having trouble changing gears prior to its failure. It was inspected by the Toyota tech and he couldn’t give me a reason for its premature failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ENGINE | Engine maintenance required P268115 engine coolant bypass valve | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ENGINE | The car shows the message “Engine Maintenance Required” that leads to the coolant bypass hose being bad. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ENGINE | The engine maintenance required sign popped up on my 2021 Toyota Corolla and took it to a dealer to get it diagnosed and they reported back it was the coolant bypass valve. They want 1,000$ to fix the issue even tho the person I was dealing with at the dealer shop said it’s happening to all the corollas from 30,000 miles to 50,000 miles . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Clutch pedal sticks. Even after Toyota dealership bled lines. Apparent slave cylinder issue. Failure ranges from 35k to 80k miles. Faulty design using polymer is the internet’s general opinion. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they were unable to unscrew the rear screws on the seat to remove the seat because the seat failed to move forward to access the rear screws. The dealer stated that the seat bracket had to be fractured and then replaced to be able to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was informed the contact that the dealer would charge more for the additional damage. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 94,576. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | 94,576 |