2021 Toyota Corolla problems and recalls

Owners filed 119 complaints on the 2021 Toyota Corolla in the last three full years, out of 185 on record. The most cited component is the Air Bags.

185
Complaints
1
Recalls
18
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
13
Injuries
87.4
Severity index

Severity index 87.4 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 87.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 11 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 88% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Air BagsAir Bags: 52 complaints (28.1%)52 28%EngineEngine: 40 complaints (21.6%)40 22%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 32 complaints (17.3%)32 17%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 22 complaints (11.9%)22 12%Power TrainPower Train: 19 complaints (10.3%)19 10%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 15 complaints (8.1%)15 8%Seat BeltsSeat Belts: 8 complaints (4.3%)8 4%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 8 complaints (4.3%)8 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
AIR BAGS5228.1%
ENGINE4021.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3217.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2211.9%
POWER TRAIN1910.3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER158.1%
SEAT BELTS84.3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING84.3%

Complaints filed per year

028552020: 12021: 192022: 172023: 122024: 522025: 552026: 29 (partial year)2021222324255526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20201
202119
202217
202312
202452
202555
2026 (year to date)29
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 3.2x those in 2020 to 2022 (119 against 37).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
23V86500020/12/2023AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONToyota 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 ve

Other Toyota Corolla model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.