2021 Toyota Corolla Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2021 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the 188 complaints for this model year. 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.
“When attempting to replace the rear glass at Safelite on 4/29/2026, the worker noticed rust on the headliner. Now the rear glass can't be replaced until a body shop replaces the rusted headliner. I began leasing this car in December 2020, and now I own it. Now I am driving with a plastic covering over the rear window, which poses a safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11734636, filed 2026-04“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11607811, filed 2024-08“While driving my car I noticed a sloshing noise like water, I thought it was a bottle of wiper fluid until I opened and closed my passenger rear door. The door was full of water, I looked it up online and found tips to loosen a plug on the bottom of the door to let the water drain out. I did this and it was pouring out of the door. I called for service, took the vehicle in, asked about damage to electrical inside the door like speakers and locking systems. The man explained due to the way the door is made IF any water got in it would not affect these systems. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557461, filed 2023-11“While driving approx. 35-40 mph driver impacted front left side with a stop sign post . Causing very little body damage but completely ripped the control arm out of the sub frame which caused an unreasonable amount of other significant damages . The axle broke off at the transmission . These 3 parts alone costing almost 2500$ plus labor to repair. It ripped part of my bumper cover which had to be replaced and dented the fender which is being repaired . Had the cars subframe held up in what should have been a minor incident none of the other parts would have been affected the way the were. …”
NHTSA complaint #11427097, filed 2021-07Related service bulletins
- 11012762Dec 17, 2024Some 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…
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007455Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11006161Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 12 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% |
| 2017 | 9 | 5% |
| 2016 | 15 | 7% |
| 2015 | 33 | 15% |
| 2014 | 32 | 12% |
| 2013 | 10 | 5% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 22 | 4% |
| 2010 | 28 | 2% |
| 2009 | 42 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 18 | 2% |
| 2006 | 20 | 2% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 31 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 6% |
| 1998 | 24 | 11% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 5 | 4% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 13 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 14 | 20% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 12% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
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