2021 TOYOTA COROLLA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine cooling

    30 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    34
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I went in after my vehicle displayed a check engine code after my recent visit to the dealer which included a regular oil change plus multi point inspection. At 51k miles the check engine went on and said immediately to go to the dealer. After paying for the d…"complaint #1922399
    • "The engine coolant bypass valve circuit short to battery or open and lower hose - Trouble Code - DTC: P268115. The error message "Engine Maintenance Required - Visit Your Dealer" was consistently popping up and I couldn't see my speed or dash or how many miles…"complaint #1981680
    • "Engine coolant bypass valve short to battery. Throwing code - P2681-15 at 33,000 miles. "complaint #1993093
    • "They said they need to replace the Engine coolant bypass hose circuit short/open."complaint #1993742
    • "Coolant bypass valve stuck shut at 65k miles. Seems like it’s a common occurrence with newer Toyotas. Was told to report it as a safety issue. "complaint #1995225
  2. #2

    airbag system

    23 unsafe

    23
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while at a stop light in the turning lane, another vehicle rear-ended the contact, causing minor damages to the rear bumper of the vehicle. The contact was unsure of the damages to the other vehicle. N…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1893600
    • "The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the front passenger's side door. The contact stated that the air bags deployed, except for the driver's sid…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1868022
    • "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 arr…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1908568
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 3 MPH, they were rear-ended by a BMW X5 and pushed forward, crashing into a Ford Explorer. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that his son sustaine…"~90,000 mi, complaint #2200258
  3. #3

    transmission manual clutch

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe, 1 broken

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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 cl…"~58,000 mi, complaint #2153474
    • "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…"~89,023 mi, complaint #2213403
  4. #4

    wiper and washer

    3 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Windshield wipers are not fast enough the motor isn't fast enough to keep up with moderate to Heavy Rain and occasionally wipers will just stop"complaint #1769010
    • "Turn signal light fogged up when washing vehicle. Must be moisture getting in somehow. On a 2 month old car. Not good "complaint #1770947
    • "Los wipers (limpia parabrisas) no funcionan de forma correcta, ya que se quedan arriba cuando estan prendidos, los pones en funcion baja y van rapidos, los apagas y ellos se quedan encendidos por largos segundos y cuando apagan lo hacen arriba o amitad de cris…"complaint #2006849
    • "Windshield wipers stop working intermittently. It can be anywhere from 1 second to 15 seconds. It is very dangerous in inclement weather and could be life threatening as wipers are basic safety features. I have gotten them checked out by multiple Toyota servi…"complaint #2008751
    • "Yes the car can be inspected. Yes took to dealership today and they don’t know what’s causing it but what between $855 - 1,100 to fix. When it rains the front wipers automatically come on as they should. Then without warning, they stop working and on three…"complaint #2014293
  5. #5

    other

    3 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "While driving the vehicle the brake hold system was activated at a red light. While proceeding through the light within (about) 5 minutes the vehicle indicated a brake hold malfunction. An odor of smoke was also present, at that point I turned off the vehicle…"complaint #1780314
    • "I am making a complaint about my 2021 corolla SE because I am constantly running into issues that cost and are not my fault as to why these issues have come about. I bought my car in March 2021, in May 2021 my car hit a bump in the highway and cracked my rim a…"complaint #1927613
    • "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…"complaint #1978915
    • "No remedy for recall within projected time period of Q3 2024. "complaint #2009276
    • "Since January 2024, my vehicle has been recalled. They said there would be a remedy by Q3. We called Toyota Dealership in Irving TX and they said next month. We feel blown off and unsafe considering this is an issue that's been almost a year. It's also Q4. Ple…"complaint #2032995
  6. #6

    glass and windshield

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN I PARKED MY CAR THE MORNING ON MARCH 22, THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 50F. THERE WAS NO WINDSHIELD CRACK AT THIS TIME. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY CAR IN THE AFTERNOON ON MARCH 22, A FOOT LONG CRACK HAD FORMED ON MY WINDSHIELD. THE TEMPERATURE AT THIS TIME…"complaint #1736847
    • "came out and windshield was cracked. Toyota makes defective cheap windshields"complaint #1861142
    • "At around 0750 AM on 20Nov2023, the sun roof exploded while turning roughly 15 MPH onto an onramp of a highway. Nothing hit the car from the outside. The sun roof glass shattered and fell onto the sun roof cover. Glass could have fallen inside as well as onto…"complaint #1944437
    • "A crack appeared in my windshield on the passenger side. Ther is no damage from a rock and we haven’t had extreme temperature changes. It is growing and will soon be on the drivers side."complaint #1979545
    • "Front Windshields of the vehicle has more tinting to be within compliance. The same vehicle has tendency to follow certain vehicles all the time as per what I have experienced or see. "complaint #2046724
  7. #7

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 cont…"~53,253 mi, complaint #2095941
  8. #8

    control module

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Around 1900-2000 miles of ownership, 6 months after purchase, I was driving on I95 in the rain, 65 MPH, traffic in West Palm Beach, Fl, on my way to Apple(Mall). Upon exit, my engine completely stalled out. I pulled off road, not smoothly at all, turned off th…"complaint #1850375
    • "I purchased my Toyota corolla SE 2021 in May 2021 with 11 miles on it. I received safety connect trial for one year. It was so unsafe. I believe there was an invasion of privacy because after requesting my data held at Toyota Corp., I read of times of install/…"complaint #1860649
    • "My car shows that the vehicle needed to be serviced, in checking the Toyota app I saw there was a warning for the adaptive lighting system/electrical concern. The warning light had been on for some time, thinking I was due for regular maintenance like an oil…"complaint #1946448
    • "Data communication module activation failed message at start of car. It's loud and my baby gets woken up by this.."complaint #2111791
  9. #9

    lighting exterior

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I-20 0400. TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT LANE. 18 WHEELER AHEAD WAS PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. I MOVED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE. WHILE MOVING OVER THERE WAS METAL IN THE ROAD(LEARNED FROM STATE POLICE LATER FROM THE 18 WHEELER). UNABLE TO AVOID THE OBJECT THE RESULT WAS A…"~2,800 mi, complaint #1694228
  10. #10

    unintended acceleration

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "1.EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT A SIGNAL LIGHT 2.TO CONTROL SUDDEN ACCELERATION, NEED TO PUSH BRAKES HARDER THAN A NON HYBRID CAR 3.IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION, IT GOES TOO FAST WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS, THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH MISSING EXTRA TIRE A…"~800 mi, complaint #1727238
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle when depressing on the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a building. The contact stated the "vehicle was needing to be serviced…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1752302
  11. #11

    brake hydraulics

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact discovered brake fluid on the clutch pedal, and the brake pedal was mushy while depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle…"~89,900 mi, complaint #2178056
  12. #12

    engine stall or no start

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Got in the car this morning and the check engine light came on. Needed to get to work so started driving. About 5 minutes later car started shuttering and reduced engine power displayed. Had to do [REDACTED ADDRESS] to work. Did not make for a good morning. Th…"complaint #1771125
    • "The problem seems to occur when activating the Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) feature, as detailed next. During a recent trip, the car behaved in a potentially dangerous, life-threatening manner when the DRCC function was activated. Spec…"complaint #1777466
    • "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."complaint #2132875
  13. #13

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I have brought my car to Toyota of New Orleans (the same place I bought it) regarding an issue where if my kids are in the backseat unbuckled the seat belt alert does not ring to indicate that the seatbelts are not hooked also if I undo the seatbelt while driv…"complaint #1846247
    • "The rear seatbelt sensor doesn't work well, sometimes the rear seatbelt are buckled what it says they're not and sometimes they're not buckled and it says they are."complaint #2202852
    • "Within a week of buying my vehicle in May of 2021 I went to Clearwater Toyota where I bought the vehicle from and complaining about the three seat belts in the back malfunctioning. When nobody is sitting in the backseat they sound off as if somebody is sitting…"complaint #2212450
  14. #14

    battery and charging

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~5,800 mi, complaint #1732044
  15. #15

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "ON 4 OCCASIONS, AFTER ENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL (65MPH) THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD AND IT APPEARED THAT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND IT WOULD CREATE TO SMALL AMOUNT OF TORQUE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AGAIN, ONLY WHEN I ENGAGED THE…"complaint #1724676
    • "The vehicle does not keep the set speed. Ex. When cruise is set to 65, the vehicle will remain at 64 never making it to 65. This occurs with clear road ahead and no traffic. "complaint #1770276
  16. #16

    engine internal

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "After x amount of miles a random service light will come on that states “engine maintenance required, visit your dealer “. It’s nerve racking for your every day drivers."complaint #1999649
    • "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 n…"complaint #2112608
  17. #17

    infotainment head unit

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When I was driving on the freeway on January 21, 2022, I had my iPhone X plugged into the car's infotainment system via USB to enable Apple CarPlay and navigate using Google Maps. In the middle of driving, the navigation system lost accuracy of my precise loca…"complaint #1789756
    • "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 fro…"complaint #2146012
  18. #18

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 t…"~110,000 mi, complaint #2119670
  19. #19

    parking brake

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2021 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to emergency brake system. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS UNNATURAL."complaint #1749399
    • "I was parked in my parking space I reversed into the space. I left the car running in park to dispose of trash. When I come back to my car to retrieve my cell phone and key out of the ignition. When the car turned off, the car began to roll down as my space is…"complaint #1873196
  20. #20

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "REAR SUSPENSION SPRING WAS NOT IN THE RIGHT SPOT. IT WAS LEANING ON MY FRAME. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY."~6,100 mi, complaint #1730277
  21. #21

    transmission automatic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Car was in dealership twice in one week for jerking while driving dealership said it was abc and was so called “fixed” both times only had my car for a little bit back before I had to take it back . 3rd time in the same week my transmission went out on me whil…"complaint #1785362
    • "I just had to replace my transmission. 2 days later I have my check engine light, secondary collision, pre collision and parking brake malfunction lights came on. There is a osc recall that could cause these issues, but they’re saying stated my specific vehicl…"complaint #2086065
  22. #22

    transmission cvt

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was driving home from school, and while trying to change lanes on fairly busy road on a hill and my car with a CVT transmission stalled out and a check engine light appeared on my dash with a message reading “drive-start control malfunction”. While trying t…"complaint #1825247
    • "LA TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICA CVT USADAS EN LA MAYORIA DE LOS TOYOTAS, NO PUEDES REVISAR SI ESTA EL ACEITE SUCIO , YA QUE ES COMPLETAMENTE SELLADA, Y CUANDO PREGUNTAS EN EL DEALER TE DICEN QUE CON ESTAS NUEVAS TRANSMISSIONES NO NECESIAS CAMBIAR EL FLUIDO(ACEITE…"complaint #2207533
  23. #23

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Recently my car was in an accident involving 2 other vehicles. An SUV in front of me rear-ended someone and then I rear-ended the SUV. We were in heavy traffic at a major intersection and were stopped at a red light. The light turned green and we began to move…"complaint #1835636
  24. #24

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was sitting idle in my car. The two cars crashing icon came on even though I was in the parking lot doing nothing. There was also issues with the other indications where I would use the back arrow on my steering wheel to clear the issue and it would not clea…"complaint #2024086
  25. #25

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The rear back up camera continues to adhered road salt and sand debris that blocks the camera's ability to project a clear view in the dashboard monitor every winter season here in upstate New York from early November through last snow in Spring (April-May). I…"complaint #1963621
  26. #26

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~12,200 mi, complaint #1808450
  27. #27

    brake pads and rotors

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "29,000 miles had to replace front rotors dealership stated the rotors were destroyed also causing me to change brake pads - seems odd that rotors would be so damaged after less than 29,000 miles "complaint #1971662
  28. #28

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When attempting to replace the rear glass at Safelite on 4/29/2026, the worker noticed rust on the headliner. Now the rear glass can't be replaced until a body shop replaces the rusted headliner. I began leasing this car in December 2020, and now I own it. Now…"complaint #2201777
  29. #29

    door latch and hinge

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While driving my car I noticed a sloshing noise like water, I thought it was a bottle of wiper fluid until I opened and closed my passenger rear door. The door was full of water, I looked it up online and found tips to loosen a plug on the bottom of the door…"complaint #1946452
  30. #30

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My 2021 Toyota Corolla, with 3000 miles and less than a year on it, is repeatedly exhibiting a "check gas cap" warning message followed a day or two later by a "check engine, visit your dealer" warning. This has happened twice. I have returned to the dealer on…"complaint #1810329
  31. #31

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I have been taking my Toyota to Sun Toyota for routine maintenance and inspections. Upon today’s inspections they are claiming the battery looks like it leaked on the axial, some of the undercarriage components look broken and rusty. Possibly needing replaceme…"complaint #2015239
  32. #32

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I smell gas whenever I drive my car. My car has less than 33,000 miles on it. "complaint #2174130
  33. #33

    horn

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The horn has failed to work now for the second time. I first had this problem at approximately 97000 right before my warranty was up, and toyota had to replace the entire horn assembly they said that the wiring got wrapped up behind steering wheel and they w…"complaint #2084312
  34. #34

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 . No…"complaint #2118049
  35. #35

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Today I noticed that both of my door front locks passenger and driver side do not even actuate to have the door locked and unlocked by key of by the alarm. They completely stopped working. Even I contacted Toyota Corporate several times about this issue [RE…"complaint #2180358
  36. #36

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 bef…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1957181
  37. #37

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was rear ended. During the impact, which was enough to accelerate my vehicle from 9 mph to 36 mph, the steering wheel came completely off of the car and hit me in the head. The steering wheel was in the back seat immediately following the impact and my vehic…"complaint #1866301
  38. #38

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While attempting to change a flat tire on a 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, two wheel studs sheared off completely, leaving the wheel unsafe to drive. My wife was stranded alone in the mountains with no cell service. She managed to loosen three lug nuts, but th…"complaint #2146314
  39. #39

    wiring harness

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle has numerous electrical/mechanical issues that seem to stem from an autonomous learning remote sensor. The problems include, but are not limited to 1. Seatbelt sticking on driver’s side, problem resolves itself, possibly after someone has had a good ch…"complaint #1962899

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA COROLLA directly.