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
185 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 11, 2024
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 clear. Seems unsafe and scary.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 4, 2024
At 61,000 miles I got an engine maintenance required light. After doing research on the Internet, I see that many people with the corolla similar years have had this issue. It is an engine coolant bypass valve.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 2, 2024
Coolant bypass valve needs replaced. Car states 'engine maintenance required visit dealer.'
Air bags, Aug 30, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2024
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 replacement. The overall car is less than 60k in mileage so that seems odd to me. I also brought the car in at 45k and they made no mention of these issues during that vehicle inspection. I asked about my brakes and braking issues. I do not slam on my brakes and the technician said I should stop braking too hard. There is noticeable wear now on them. I asked them to change them at the previous visit and they refused saying it did not need it. I am concerned for my safety and lack of care at this sun Toyota.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2024
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 occasions a wiper flew off and my teenager had to stop and run into middle of road to get the wiper. She was on a rural highway and could not see well without the wipers working. I replaced the wipers, but when it down poured rain again, like before they just stopped working with no warning. She had to drive 25 mph on a road that was ranges 45 -55 mph. She had a very hard time seeing and could have wrecked. This could have caused an accident had she been on the freeway going 70 mph. A Google search shows others have experienced this issue with their car. The only person who has inspected the issue / car is the Toyota dealership today. They said they don’t know what’s causing it and would cost more money to try and diagnose, but they said it appears if you run the wipers at the very slowest speed it does not malfunction. I don’t have the money to fix it right now, so we are going to try and not drive in rain and if caught in a storm while driving, like before, we will try running wipers at lowest speed as they suggested. First incident was April or May 2024. Most recent incident was July 2024. Sorry I don’t have exact dates.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2024
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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2024
Coolant bypass Valve
Engine, Jul 31, 2024
Engine code P2681(15) which after lookup is the coolant bypass valve which is a common faulty part that Toyota seems to not care about and charge upwards of 700$ at the dealer to fix. I took the part out and it indeed has a crack around the case
Engine, Jul 31, 2024
My car reached 52,254 miles and I got a engine maintenance required a scary message I have never seen before I thought it was the oil maintenance one but it’s not I keep dismissing the message because I can’t see my speed and it stays in the way I have realized that if I start the car with AC on the message pops up but if I don’t have ac on and start the car it never appears unless I turn on the ac as the car is already on so it seems to be the coolant valve bypass I received the error message as I was parked for no longer than 40 seconds at most
Air bags, Jul 30, 2024
No warning lights or notifications I found out using this website. I submitted a service request to del Toyota and they said there was nothing they could do to fix it. The passenger side airbag is malfunctioning and might not deploy of in an accident.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2024
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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2024
No remedy for recall within projected time period of Q3 2024.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 18, 2024
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 service centers and the issue cannot be found. There are many comps into across the internet. Please look into this issue. This has been happening since 30,000 miles. I’m currently at 47,000. It is getting worse and I believe they will fail in the next year at 4 years old. This is immature for a new car.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2024
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 cristal.
Air bags, Jul 1, 2024
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 had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
Engine, Jun 29, 2024
Collant by pass malfuntion 2 time
Engine, Jun 25, 2024
After hitting 45k miles my engine light turned on and required a coolant bypass valve replacement. This issue has occurred for all Toyota Corolla drivers and rav4 drivers I have came in contact with. This issue should be resolved my car is only 3 years old and should not require pricey engine repairs.
Seat belts, Jun 25, 2024
Passenger seat belt will not latch
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2024
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.
Engine, May 29, 2024
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.
Vehicle speed control, Visibility/wiper, May 23, 2024
Glare in the cluster panel during the day. This causes me to not be able to see what is being shown on the cluster panel such as speed, engine temperature, or any other warning lights. I believe not being able to see the speed I am going because of this design error is very dangerous.
Engine, May 23, 2024
They said they need to replace the Engine coolant bypass hose circuit short/open.
Engine, May 21, 2024
Engine coolant bypass valve short to battery. Throwing code - P2681-15 at 33,000 miles.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 10, 2024
Coolant bypass value sensor failure