2021 Toyota Corolla Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,590miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,590 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I-20 0400. Traveling in the right lane. 18 wheeler ahead was pulled to the shoulder. I moved over to the left lane. While moving over there was metal in the road(learned from state police later from the 18 wheeler). Unable to avoid the object the result was a blown tire. The design of the left headlight is made so on a two lane road the oncoming traffic wont be blinded. However, with an interstate if in the right lane the left lane has a blind spot. The headlight is 1/2 the length of the right headlight. Please please look into this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360341, filed 2020-09, 2,800 miles“My car shows that the vehicle needed to be serviced, in checking the Toyota app I saw there was a warning for the adaptive lighting system/electrical concern. The warning light had been on for some time, thinking I was due for regular maintenance like an oil change I had ignored it for a bit. Everytime I would start the car this warning would appear. I too the car in for service, they also did a 20k maintenance service and kept the car overnight overnight as they were unable to locate the issue same day. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557458, filed 2023-11“I am making a complaint about my 2021 corolla SE because I am constantly running into issues that cost and are not my fault as to why these issues have come about. I bought my car in March 2021, in May 2021 my car hit a bump in the highway and cracked my rim and bust my tire. Luckily I have alloy and tire coverage so I did not have to come out of my pocket. Next, my two front tires are constantly wearing down on the inside of the tread making the wires be exposed and causing me to have a blow out or needing to replace my tires at least 4 to 5 times since I have had my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11544433, filed 2023-09“I purchased this vehicle new in June 2021. It is the hatchback model. Prior to that I drove a motorcycle since 2015. I noticed right at the beginning that the headlights don't illuminate far enough ahead at night for what I consider safe. My ability to see off into the distance ahead of the vehicle is far less than what I would get from my motorcycle, which doesn't make any sense to me because this car has LED headlights which are supposed to be better. I live in Washington, DC and have family in New Jersey that I visit regularly. There are two ways I can go. …”
NHTSA complaint #11445594, filed 2021-12“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving down a dark road he was unable to see the roadway due to poor visibility from the headlights. The contact stated that the failure was evident while using the low-beam or hi-beam headlights. The contact stated that the electronic braking system was inoperable. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 380.”
NHTSA complaint #11420257, filed 2021-06, 380 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 6% |
| 2023 | 11 | 15% |
| 2022 | 9 | 9% |
| 2021 | 8 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 6% |
| 2014 | 9 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% |
| 2009 | 6 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 1% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota Corolla
53 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsBrakes
9 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 30, 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