Check a VIN

2021 Toyota Corolla problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Toyota Corolla is airbags, typically around 55,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Corolla model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
82/100
Owner complaints
188
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
17010 warranty
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
31-52mpg

The worst 2021 Toyota Corolla problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Toyota Corolla

Check engine light 10Wipers 10No deployment 6Stalling 6Headlights 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2021 Toyota Corolla mention

P2681 2

Recalls 1

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles affected
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

See all 1 recalls for the 2021 Toyota Corolla

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Toyota Corolla 170

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 170 bulletins for the 2021 Toyota Corolla

2021 Toyota Corolla fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cyl HybridFWD535252
2.0L 4‑cylFWD28-3236-4131-35
1.8L 4‑cylFWD29-3037-3932-33

What 2021 Toyota Corolla owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Wheels · NJ

Front wheel bearings my vehicle has 63,000 my front right wheel bearing changed at 32,000 - now I need both front wheel bearing replaced

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Airbags · NC

On May 22, 2026, I got off work and started my 2021 Toyota Corolla LE when I noticed the SRS airbag warning light was on. The warning light has remained on ever since. I am concerned that my airbags may not function properly in the event of an accident. I recently contacted Toyota corporate because I learned about a possible airbag recall from 2024. Toyota opened a case under my name, but I was never notified about the recall. I would like this issue investigated to determine whether my vehicle has an unresolved safety defect related to the airbag system

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

"Engine maintenance required" light is coming up constantly, only when i turn on the AC and doesn't let me view my dash at all. Ive determined it's the Engine coolant bypass valve. Many models have had this same exact issue and there needs to be a recall/repair at no cost to the owners.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · PA

The Coolant Bypass Valve needs replacement and my car only has 94,000 miles on it I called Toyota to see if the part and labor were cover under their 100,000 miles/ 10 years warranty and they are saying that it is not,yet on Google and all over online forums it says that Toyotas corolla from 2019 to 2021 tend to eventually have this issue.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Engine · TX

Notification spontaneously received as Engine Maintenance Required; Visit Your Dealer. Service appointment immediately scheduled for Toyota of Plano for the following day. My service advisor recommended replacing the coolant bypass valve, which amounted to a total bill of $745. My agent informed me of CSP 24TE04, however my service advisor didn’t acknowledge any eligibility of VIN pertaining to it. Toyota Brand Engagement Center also did not report any eligibility of my VIN number for secondary coverage reimbursement despite it meeting the criteria exactly.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

This Toyota Corolla hatchback is experiencing an issue where it is constantly giving an “ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED” light and when scanned, it says “coolant bypass valve malfunction”. There is already a recall for many Toyota Corolla Sedans experiencing this issue of this bypass valve being defective, but because this is a hatchback, it is not part of the recall when it should be. There is already a recall for vehicles affected with this issue: T-SB-0112-24

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Engine · AL

The coolant bypass valve issue

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Tires · CA

Over the past year and a half I’ve had to deal with unknown reasons for at least 13 tire problems. And one of those problems was a complete blow out on the highway. When I went to get my spare tire and change it there wasn’t anything in the trunks spare compartment. I called the dealership and they said they don’t do that (meaning they don’t provide the car with a spare). I was very confused and stressed. I felt played and wasn’t made to feel confident in this purchase. That not the only thing. The electric system does pretty much whatever it wants. Changes my music, gives advice for things we didn’t ask and the volume is always highering itself and lowering just whenever it chooses. The airbag light has been on most of the time letting me know the passenger airbag isn’t on or working properly. The engine light has been on for at least four months now. I understand Warranty for regular checkups and maintenance but this feels a bit more serious than me making sure I’ve secured my warranty. I have called and taken the vehicle into both Toyota of Visalia and Toyota of Selma where I got financing for the vehicle. Toyota of Visalia wasn’t very much help at all and preceded to talk down to me. Toyota of Selma keeps giving me the run around and telling me different things about my warranty. This car isn’t worth the trouble my credit score goes through to secure it each month just to have something else fail me in it. At this point I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to replace the DC to DC because the car died a week ago and hasn’t turned back on since. And yes I’ve tried jumping the battery already. I’ve only had this car a year and a half. I wasn’t made aware of any issues with it when I drove it home that day. It was a nice ride home but less than a couple months I was already having questions about its performance. I really wish this complaint would even help but I’m just writing to probably waste my own time.

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and remained in first gear. The contact shifted into Neutral, manually pulled the clutch, and attempted to reverse, but the vehicle failed to respond as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the slave cylinder and the clutch cylinder assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Transmission · 89,023 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving in third gear, the vehicle failed to shift into a lower gear and became stuck in Neutral. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a defective slave cylinder, which was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,023.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Toyota Corolla before you buy

Compare the 2021 Toyota Corolla

Corolla vs Ford FocusCorolla vs Honda CivicCorolla vs Volkswagen JettaCorolla vs Hyundai ElantraCorolla vs Nissan SentraCorolla vs Chevrolet CruzeCorolla vs Mazda MAZDA3Corolla vs Subaru Impreza

Other model years

19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027

Questions about the 2021 Toyota Corolla

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Owners have filed 188 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Corolla, fewer than a typical Corolla model year.

What is the 2021 Toyota Corolla year score?

The 2021 Toyota Corolla scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Corolla: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Toyota Corolla?

Airbags, with 53 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles. Next is engine (41).

How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Toyota Corolla airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 23V865000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Toyota Corolla have bad airbags?

The Toyota Corolla model years with the most airbags complaints are 2009 (552 complaints), 2005 (457 complaints) and 2006 (454 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Corolla get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Toyota Corolla range from 31 to 52 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 53 city and 52 highway.

Share your experience with the 2021 Toyota Corolla

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2021 Toyota Corolla?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN