2021 Toyota Corolla Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 22%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,900miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Toyota Corolla, 22% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,900 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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“The engine maintenance required sign popped up on my 2021 Toyota Corolla and took it to a dealer to get it diagnosed and they reported back it was the coolant bypass valve. They want 1,000$ to fix the issue even tho the person I was dealing with at the dealer shop said it’s happening to all the corollas from 30,000 miles to 50,000 miles .”
NHTSA complaint #11667578, filed 2025-06“Engine Maintenance Required message came on. Took the vehicle to the dealership and was told that it was the Cooling Bypass Valve. The service advisor said he knew what the problem was before even looking at the vehicle but still wanted to run a diagnostic and charge $800-$900 for the repair. I was told my vehicle was no longer under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11619295, filed 2024-10“Coolant bypass valve has failed. AutoNation Toyota in Cerritos has verified issue. This issue has caused potential engine overheating, engine maintenance required warning light has popped up in my vehicle, was told by AutoNation that my vehicle is not covered for this repair and I will have to pay out of pocket.”
NHTSA complaint #11663283, filed 2025-05“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 2026-10Related service bulletins
- 11037186Aug 11, 2026Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- 11029896Feb 27, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 11022961Aug 19, 2025OBSOLETE NOTICE August 19, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0059-25.
- 11022958Aug 15, 2025Some 2020 – 2025 model year Corolla vehicles may exhibit a vibration or rattle noise from the right-hand engine mounting insulator sub-assembly. This condition will usually go…
- 11022949Aug 7, 2025The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the…
- 11020668Jun 19, 2025Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is…
- 11016794Feb 20, 2025Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- 11015508Feb 20, 2025Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- 11014174Jan 5, 2025Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is…
- 11012750Dec 9, 2024CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles Coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak Frequently Asked Questions
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 14 | 14% |
| 2021 | 41 | 22% |
| 2020 | 111 | 36% |
| 2019 | 39 | 19% |
| 2018 | 16 | 12% |
| 2017 | 10 | 6% |
| 2016 | 13 | 6% |
| 2015 | 17 | 8% |
| 2014 | 18 | 7% |
| 2013 | 16 | 8% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% |
| 2010 | 33 | 3% |
| 2009 | 91 | 6% |
| 2008 | 21 | 7% |
| 2007 | 33 | 4% |
| 2006 | 24 | 3% |
| 2005 | 29 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 2% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota Corolla
53 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsElectrical system
23 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 27, 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