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2021 Toyota Corolla Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Corolla, most often about the air bags (28% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 17th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2021 Toyota Corolla problems
Air bags
52 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon approaching it, he observed flames emanating from both the driver's and passenger's side air bags, overtaking the entire dashboard. The local fire department arrived and was able to extinguish the flames. Both police and…
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 manufacturer was made…
Engine
41 complaints · 22%After purchasing my Corolla my car powered down. I took it back to the dealership and they checked it and stated there was nothing wrong with it. This was in november 2020. On 1/16/2021 I was driving on a highway and the same thing happened, everything just powered down. I was fortunate enough to get the vehicle off…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while his granddaughter was driving approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the parking brake and lane tracing assist malfunction indicators were illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and…
Other or unspecified
32 complaints · 17%Electrical
23 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: instrument panel.
After purchasing my Corolla my car powered down. I took it back to the dealership and they checked it and stated there was nothing wrong with it. This was in november 2020. On 1/16/2021 I was driving on a highway and the same thing happened, everything just powered down. I was fortunate enough to get the vehicle off…
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…
Transmission
19 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot, the clutch pedal failed to function as intended. The clutch pedal was depressed and failed to return after being released. The contact used his foot to raise the clutch pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the clutch pedal failed to function as intended. The clutch pedal was stuck, and the contact was unable to shift gear. The contact forced the clutch back into neutral while holding the clutch pedal. Once the clutch pedal was…
Visibility and wipers
15 complaints · 8%Brakes
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 11,000 miles. Parts named most often: electrical.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the parking brake warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. Additionally, the brake warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle came to a squeaky stop. The contact was able to get off the road safely. The contact stated once on the side of the road, he noticed the electric parking brake was engaged. There were no warning lights…
Wheels and tires
9 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: sidewall.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla equipped with yokohama tires, tire line: blue earth, tire size: 205/55/r16, dot number: fd8k-ll012. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate abnormally. The contact stated that after stopping to inspect the vehicle, the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Toyota Corolla recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Toyota Corolla
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Corolla?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (52 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); engine (41 complaints); other or unspecified (32 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 20, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Toyota Corolla?
- It is 17th of 27 Corolla model years by number of complaints, with 186 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.