2021 Toyota Corolla
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 185 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Corolla model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 18 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 20, 2023
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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2022
No problem
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2022
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 location. It continuously kept rerouting, as it believed that I had exited the freeway and was now on the side street. GPS precision is unreliable when the connected phone is not unlocked and on the Google Maps app (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't). This is obviously a safety hazard, since I have to exit the Google Maps app on my phone, reopen it, and reroute to the location so the software accurately picks up my location (luckily, the car has lane-trace assist). Another issue is when using Google Maps (an issue with all navigation app, really; here I use Google Maps as an example, but I've had an issue with all maps apps I use, including Apple Maps) navigation with Apple CarPlay and the iPhone locks itself or the driver exits the Google Maps app on the phone. Sometimes, when the phone locks itself from idle usage (as it should, since the driver is focusing on the road) or when the Google Maps app is exited (but not closed), the navigation interface on the car's infotainment system freezes. It shows the current location of the vehicle as stationary when it really should be moving. The intended functionality is the navigation software should continue running and updating as the car moves, regardless of whether the phone is locked or if the Google Maps app is only running in the background. This issue happens sporadically, but poses a significant risk of a collision, as it forces the driver to use their phone and reroute their navigation instead of paying attention to the road. Toyota needs to coordinate with Apple to address this issue on Apple CarPlay and subsequently release a software update to drivers.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2021, fire
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 and inspected the origin; the trunk. Upon opening the trunk the right side had a sizeable fire growing towards my assets. Police did arrive on scene, an adjuster has examined the damages, however this has not seemed to be replicated. I believe the risks associated with this incident are quite evident. There was no collision.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2021
After bringing my 2021 Corolla into a certified mechanic that I personally trust is the most skilled and talented for Toyota brand, as a specialist for asian make vehicles. I was told that my unit was given a old battery despite the year of my vehicle. The safety of starting the engine was discovered 3 days ago. When I couldn't start the Car. I brought it to mountain view auto mechanics, in mountain view, CA. The mechanic I spoke with visually scans the engine and said that everything was not tampered with, but requires a replacement battery, by the Toyota dealership; any of the locations. Because the car is a 2021 it falls in the category of standard brand new warranty. A diagnostic fee has been said by Toyota of Stevens creek of the amounts of 230.00$ to find the issue. Even though I in with in warranty. I work at Quiktrak inc. as Field Inspector/authorized inspector my id# is CNP995 I perform inspection audits for vehicles and vessels all in the northern areas of California. I am complaining about my vehicle being un-safe for long term use, because of contraindications of how my car is. For the record. I have not modified any thing that would void my vehicles basic warrenty. Nor the CA emissions warenty
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2021
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 WAS AROUND 70F. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I DROVE, IT WOULD HAD BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD. A WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT CRACK THIS FAST. A FOOT LONG ON THE FIRST DAY? THE CAR WASN'T EVEN MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IMAGINE HOW FAST THE CRACK WOULD CRACK IF THE CAR WAS MOVING. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 500 MILES AND WAS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 16, 2021
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 AND THE ACCESSORIES (JACK, LUG WRENCH, OTHER TOOLS ETC) EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SLOTTED PLACE HOLDER THERE. (SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS, TO ORDER A NEW KIT THIS WILL COST APPROX $1,500 PER MISSING KIT, IF YOU WERE TO ORDER INDIVIDUALLY, THIS CAN POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU'RE IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK VS QUICKLY CHANGE THE TIRE AND LEAVE) 4.CHEAP SOFT TIRES, GOT A SCREW WITHIN 2 MONTHS? CALLED TOYOTA , TOWING IS FREE, BUT YOU MUST PAY FOR THE FLAT REPAIR OR BUY A NEW TIRE (ABOUT $250) EVERY TIME THERE IS FLAT AS YOU DO NOT HAVE EXTRA TIRE, JACK, LUG WRENCH. (THIS CAN BE RACKETEERING - SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS) 5.2ND CAR (2021 HYBRID) CAME WITH THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVELS, CLOSE TO THE LOW/MIDDLE VS BRAND NEW CAR WITH NEW BRAKES, FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CLOSE TO MAXIMUM. (SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS AND PLAYING CHEAP, BESIDES SAFETY ISSUE) 6.TO REPAIR FLAT TIRE, THE AIR PUMP AND GLUE KIT IS A JOKE, THIS DOESN'T WORK - TOYOTA SHOULD PROVIDE NON-FLAT ABLE TIRES BEFORE THIS GENIUS MICKEY-MOUSE INVENTION. (SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS) *DT*JB
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2021
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 CRUISE CONTROL. VIN: [XXX] (THERE IS NO "Y") (CHANGE "Y" TO "T". SORRY :-( INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR