Owners have reported 16 crashes, 2 fires and 12 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints48
AIR BAGS
Owners report ongoing issues with the airbag system in the 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly related to a recall involving the airbag ECU and the OCS (Occupant Classification System) sensors. Complaints frequently mention that parts for recall repairs are unavailable, with some owners noting delays exceeding a year. Symptoms described include dashboard indicator lights signaling potential airbag malfunctions, and in one crash incident, the driver's airbag failed to deploy, resulting in injury. The mileage at which these issues occur varies, but the delay in recall remedies is a consistent theme. For prospective buyers, understanding the unresolved nature of these airbag issues is crucial, especially given the potential safety implications highlighted in some reports.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 1 fire, 8 injury reports
Owner complaints25
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues with the engine coolant bypass valve, often describing symptoms such as the "Engine Maintenance Required" warning light and error code P268115. Complaints indicate this problem typically arises between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, with some cases extending up to 65,000 miles. Many owners mention that the valve's failure can lead to potential engine overheating, which poses a safety risk due to the possibility of engine stall or sudden loss of power. The issue is reported to be common among newer Toyota models, with repair costs often falling between $500 and $1,000, and not typically covered under warranty. Buyers considering a used 2021 Corolla should be aware of these recurring engine-related concerns.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report frequent issues with the engine coolant bypass valve in the 2021 Toyota Corolla, often indicated by a dashboard warning light that reads "Engine Maintenance Required, See Your Dealer." This problem is typically identified through diagnostic codes related to the coolant system and has been noted by mechanics as a recurring issue, particularly in models manufactured outside a specific support program's coverage. Another commonly mentioned issue involves the horn assembly failing, notably around the 97,000 to 140,000-mile range, which poses a safety risk due to the inability to alert other drivers. Additionally, there are reports of windshield cracks appearing without apparent cause, and a single incident involving a parking brake malfunction that resulted in a minor crash, though no injuries were reported. These issues may be of interest to potential buyers considering the vehicle's reliability and safety features.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the engine coolant bypass valve, which often malfunctions around 34,000 to 60,000 miles, causing "engine maintenance required" warnings and potential engine overheating. Multiple complaints describe the navigation and infotainment systems shutting off unexpectedly, sometimes linked to potholes or when using Apple CarPlay. Safety concerns are evident, as three crashes are mentioned, including one with injuries and another with a fire originating in the trunk. The failure of airbags to deploy during a crash and the horn malfunctioning, which also affects airbag deployment, are significant safety issues noted by owners. These patterns and symptoms provide important context for potential buyers considering a used 2021 Corolla.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the clutch slave cylinder in the 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in manual transmission models. Symptoms commonly include a clutch pedal that sticks or fails to return, brake fluid contamination affecting the clutch and flywheel, and dashboard warnings like "low braking power." These issues are typically noted between 35,000 and 58,000 miles. Additionally, some owners with CVT transmissions describe stalling and "drive-start control malfunction" messages, often while driving on hills or busy roads. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control and one reported injury due to a rollaway incident. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, especially if considering a manual transmission model.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints9
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Corolla frequently report issues with the windshield wipers, specifically noting that the wipers stop randomly, often at a 45-degree angle, when set to intermittent mode. Several complaints describe the need to manually reset the wipers by turning them off and on again to resume functionality. These problems are noted to occur across various mileage ranges, with one owner mentioning the issue starting at 30,000 miles and persisting at 47,000 miles. Safety implications are highlighted as serious, with reports of wipers failing during rain, causing reduced visibility and potential driving hazards. Additionally, some owners mention that the wipers are not fast enough to handle heavy rain, further impacting visibility and safety.
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Corolla report several issues related to steering. A common issue involves the steering wheel becoming hard to maneuver and veering left when cruise control is engaged, as noted in multiple instances. Another significant problem includes the steering wheel detaching during a rear-end collision, leading to a crash with two injuries. Some owners also describe power steering failure accompanied by a dashboard warning, resulting in the car stopping randomly. These complaints highlight potential safety risks, including crashes and loss of vehicle control. No specific mileage range is consistently mentioned, indicating these issues may arise at various points in the vehicle's lifespan.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Corolla report issues primarily with the vehicle's headlights. Multiple complaints describe a "V" shaped dark spot in the low beam headlights, which leads to inadequate roadway illumination and has been linked to at least one crash. Another common issue is the insufficient reach of the headlights, causing drivers to feel they are overdriving their visibility range, especially on poorly lit roads. One owner also reports moisture accumulation in the turn signal light shortly after purchase. These lighting issues often occur early in the vehicle's life, with some noted shortly after purchase. Safety implications include reduced visibility, which has resulted in collisions and near-misses on highways.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report multiple issues with the 2021 Toyota Corolla's vehicle speed control systems. Complaints frequently mention problems with the Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), including the car increasing engine RPM to high levels when descending slopes, which may pose a safety risk. Another issue described is the vehicle's inability to maintain the set speed, with the car staying slightly below the desired speed even on clear roads. Additionally, some owners experience dashboard display issues, such as glare preventing visibility of speed readings and warning messages that disable cruise control features. These problems are reported at low mileage, around 3,000 miles, indicating they may occur early in the vehicle's use.
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report issues with the electronic brake system on the 2021 Toyota Corolla, with multiple complaints describing problems shortly after the warranty period. Symptoms include unexpected engagement of the electric parking brake while driving, causing squeaky stops or illuminations of the parking brake warning light. These issues often occur at relatively low mileages, around 10,800 to 29,000 miles. No crashes or fires have been reported, but the described failures could lead to potential safety risks due to compromised brake performance. Buyers should be aware of these potential brake system concerns when considering a used 2021 Corolla.
