Model year 2021 · Compact Cars

2021 Toyota Corolla: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Corolla at 31–52 mpg combined across 12 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 188 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

31–52

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Toyota Corolla recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Toyota Corolla, newest first.

Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification

NHTSA 23V865000 Reported Dec 20, 2023
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 23TA15, 23LA03)
Units affected
999,901 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Toyota Corolla fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Toyota Corolla EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Corolla1.8L 4-cylAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular30/38/33 mpg$2,050267
Corolla1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/39/33 mpg$2,050271
Corolla2.0L 4-cylCVT (10 modes)Front-Wheel DriveRegular31/40/34 mpg$1,950257
Corolla2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/36/32 mpg$2,100277
Corolla APEX2.0L 4-cylCVT (10 modes)Front-Wheel DriveRegular31/38/34 mpg$1,950264
Corolla APEX2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular28/36/31 mpg$2,150286
Corolla Hatchback2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular28/37/31 mpg$2,150284
Corolla Hatchback2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 10-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular32/41/35 mpg$1,900251
Corolla Hatchback XSE2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 10-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular30/38/33 mpg$2,050266
Corolla Hybrid1.8L 4-cyl hybridAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular53/52/52 mpg$1,300170
Corolla XLE1.8L 4-cylAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/37/32 mpg$2,100274
Corolla XSE2.0L 4-cylCVT (10 modes)Front-Wheel DriveRegular31/38/34 mpg$1,950265

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Toyota Corolla crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Toyota Corolla NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Toyota COROLLA 4 DR FWD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars10.5%Standard
2021 Toyota COROLLA HATCHBACK 5 HB FWD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars10.5%Standard
2021 Toyota COROLLA HYBRID 4 DR FWD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars10.5%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Toyota Corolla owner complaints

Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Corolla, most recently on Oct 22, 2026. 18 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 13 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Toyota Corolla complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Air bags53
Engine41
Unknown or other33
Electrical system22
Power train17
Visibility/wiper15
Exterior lighting7
Seat belts7
Service brakes6
Vehicle speed control6

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Toyota Corolla model years

Toyota Corolla by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Corolla33–50 mpg——5/5
2026 Corolla22–50 mpg1185/5
2025 Corolla22–50 mpg1335/5
2024 Corolla24–50 mpg3685/5
2023 Corolla24–50 mpg4745/5
2022 Corolla31–52 mpg01055/5
2020 Corolla31–52 mpg63145/5
2019 Corolla30–36 mpg62055/5
2018 Corolla30–34 mpg31435/5
2017 Corolla30–34 mpg31905/5
2016 Corolla30–34 mpg12155/5
2015 Corolla30–34 mpg12205/5

All Toyota Corolla years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Toyota models

2021 Toyota 4Runner2021 Toyota Avalon2021 Toyota C-HR2021 Toyota Camry2021 Toyota GR Supra2021 Toyota Highlander2021 Toyota Land Cruiser2021 Toyota Mirai2021 Toyota Prius2021 Toyota Prius Prime2021 Toyota RAV42021 Toyota RAV4 Prime2021 Toyota Sequoia2021 Toyota Sienna2021 Toyota Tacoma2021 Toyota Tundra

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.