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2021 Toyota

Corolla Hatchback

Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Toyota Corolla: best and worst years
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (photo 1 of 4)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2021.

PhotoPetar MiloševićCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
169
Power to weight
0.056 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.94
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
7/10
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Recalls
1
Owner complaints
186 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
13

Feature availability

Cameras & visibility

  • Backup camera
    Standard

Driver assist

Convenience

  • Push-button start
    Standard

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • AIR BAGS20%
  • ENGINE16%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER13%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
  • POWER TRAIN7%
  • VISIBILITY/WIPER6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 254 total.

Toyota Corolla: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

128 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Feb 27, 2026ENGINET-SB-0104-21 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

  • Jan 30, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0106-22 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

  • Jan 28, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0001-26

    Some 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, points of interest, and system software.

  • Jan 7, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERT-SB-0055-24 Rev2

    Some 2005 – 2026 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 the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual a

  • Aug 19, 2025ENGINET-SB-0088-23 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE August 19, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0059-25.

  • Aug 15, 2025ENGINET-SB-0059-25

    Some 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 away when the engine’s Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) are above idle. This condition is typically found on vehicles in warm climates/weather. No Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are associated with this condition. This condition does not affect the operation of the vehicle.

  • Aug 7, 2025ENGINE24TE04

    The 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 vehicle. This can cause "Engine Maintenance Required" to be displayed on the instrument cluster or cause the A/C not to function normally. Although 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’ ow

  • Jun 25, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0010-24 Rev2

    Some 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 A25A-FKS and M20A-FKS engines may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) upon cold soak start up with engine coolant temperatures between 14°F – 41°F: •P030027 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected (Emission) Signal Rate of Change Above Threshold •P030000 – Random/Multi

  • and 120 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr
Maintenance
2 yr / 25k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 150k mi

Source: www.toyota.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.