2021 Toyota Corolla Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 12%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,900miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Toyota Corolla, 12% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,900 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 powered down. I was fortunate enough to get the vehicle off the road and called the dealership. This was around 6:00pm. I then called my family and told them where I was and what happened. A passerby stopped to assist me and got my car running by jumping it off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11399776, filed 2021-03, 5,800 miles“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 time of purchase in October 2024, the vehicle mileage was 60,000, and the current mileage was 74,000. However, the dealer informed the contact that the mileage on the Carfax report was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11680037, filed 2025-08, 110,000 miles“Engine maintenance required light is coming up constantly, only when i turn on the AC and doesn't let me view my dash at all. Ive determined it's the Engine coolant bypass valve. Many models have had this same exact issue and there needs to be a recall/repair at no cost to the owners.”
NHTSA complaint #11769512, filed 2026-10“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 vehicle isn’t under a recall”
NHTSA complaint #11656802, filed 2025-04“My 2021 Corolla showed an ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED message. This message pertains to replacing the ENGINE COOLANT BYPASS VALVE - a common occurrence for the 2019-2023 corolla/rav4 models. I have seen multiple instances online of complaints of this same issue around the 50k-60k mark of the vehicle. This SHOULD be a RECALL due to how common the problem is. I’m here to add on to that TALLY of complaints that have already been submitted.”
NHTSA complaint #11657048, filed 2025-04Related service bulletins
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11020670Jun 25, 2025Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, and 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 vehicles with…
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service…
- 11019332Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11018329Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11016786Feb 11, 2025Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11015500Feb 11, 2025Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11016781Feb 10, 2025The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys…
- 11015495Feb 10, 2025The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 14 | 19% |
| 2022 | 21 | 21% |
| 2021 | 23 | 12% |
| 2020 | 34 | 11% |
| 2019 | 15 | 7% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 21 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 7% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 52 | 19% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 75 | 6% |
| 2009 | 89 | 6% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 89 | 11% |
| 2006 | 85 | 10% |
| 2005 | 59 | 7% |
| 2004 | 24 | 5% |
| 2003 | 34 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 18 | 10% |
| 1994 | 12 | 7% |
| 1993 | 14 | 11% |
| 1992 | 12 | 19% |
| 1991 | 7 | 10% |
| 1989 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota Corolla
53 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology