Twelfth generation (E210)
2021 Toyota Corolla
The most reported problem on the 2021 Toyota Corolla is airbag, with 52 complaints, usually around 55,000 miles.
- 185owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 18involved a crash
- 43,000median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Corolla doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Corolla has 185 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.3 times the median of 145 for 2021 sedans on this site. Of the 13 Corolla model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 44, the 2021 31 and the 2022 20.
- Top problem
- Airbag leads with 52 of the 185 complaints (28%), ahead of overheating at 29. A quarter of the 9 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 7,000 miles, and half by about 55,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 21 of the 185 complaints (11%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 18 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 13 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 12 of 18, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (23V-865). Overheating has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 55, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 29 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 52 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
185 complaints is about the median for a 2021 model on this site and 1.3 times the median 2021 sedan. Among the 10 Corolla model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Toyota Corolla
Toyota filed 170 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Toyota Corolla. 19 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 5 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 52 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 9 bulletins · 29 complaints
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience.
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle.
7 more on this problem
Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID).
CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles Coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak Frequently Asked Questions
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles Coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak
This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on Certain 2019-2021 Avalon & Avalon HV, 2018-2021 Camry & Camry HV, Certain 2020-2021 Corolla, Certain 2019-2021 Corolla HB, 2020-2021 Highlander, Certain ...
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles.
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 12 complaints
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 10 complaints
Some 2018 model year Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2019 model year Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, 2020 ? 2021 model year Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Corolla, and 2021 model year Sienna Hybrid vehicles may exhibit decreased front windshield defroster performance ...
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 9 complaints
TSB During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 8 complaints
Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/discolored engine oil.
Some 2021 ? 2022 model year Corolla and Corolla Hatchback and 2021 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a Parking Brake Malfunction warning message on the Multi-information Display (MID) with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C059746 (Brake System Control Module ...
2 more on this problem
Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/Discolored engine oil.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year vehicles equipped with Audio, Audio Plus, or Premium Audio (versions 1784) or earlier may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Intermittent blank screen. ?Navigation map update fails. ?Album art inoperative.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 7 complaints
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
Complaints filed by year
55 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Toyota Corolla
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
The recall on the 2021 Toyota Corolla, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Toyota Corolla?
Airbag, with 52 of the 185 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 55,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Toyota Corolla problems start?
Of the 48 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 29,000 miles and half by about 43,000.
Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 31 a year against 44 and 20.
How many 2021 Toyota Corolla complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
21 of them (11%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2021 Toyota Corolla?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 23V-865. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.