2021 Toyota Corolla problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Corolla get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Corolla at about 33 mpg combined (30 city / 38 highway).

Q: How much is a 2021 Toyota Corolla worth?

Comparable 2021 Toyota Corolla listings run roughly $19,988–$25,784, typically around $21,452 (from 13 vehicles).

2021 Toyota Corolla at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints181

Combined33 mpg

Typical price$21,452

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2021 Toyota Corolla recalls 1

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #23V865000 · 20/12/2023

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 deploy…

Fix: 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 co…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2021 Toyota Corolla common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Tires

Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

2021 Toyota Corolla MPG & running costs

Combined33 mpg

City30 mpg

Highway38 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$1,850

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2021 Toyota Corolla worth?

Low

$19,988

Typical price

$21,452

High

$25,784

From 13 comparable 2021 Toyota Corolla listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Toyota Corolla costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$9,250

Depreciation (5 yrs)$8,900

Total$18,150

Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($21,452) with the same model 5 model-years older ($12,530), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Toyota Corolla trims & engines on record

Trims

LE · LE w/Premium pkg2 · SE, CVT · SE, CVT, w/Premium pkg · L

Engines

1.8L 4-cyl 139 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 169 hp · 1.8L 4-cyl 96 hp

2021 Toyota Corolla vehicles on record

2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEPMAE5MJ179431

2021 Toyota Corolla LE w/Premium pkg2JTDVPMAE8MJ128618

2021 Toyota Corolla SE, CVT5YFS4MCE3MP067179

2021 Toyota Corolla SE, CVT5YFS4MCE4MP059799

2021 Toyota Corolla SE, CVT, w/Premium pkg5YFP4MCE0MP062012 2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE1MP160256 2021 Toyota Corolla LE w/Premium pkg2JTDVPMAE6MJ133610

2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE3MP164485

2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEAMDE4MJ002351

2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE9MP178083

2021 Toyota Corolla SE, CVTJTDS4MCE2MJ060647

2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEAMDE5MJ002245

2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEPMAE3MJ178892 2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE3MP236317

2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEPMAE8MJ177043

2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE8MP224146

2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEPMAEXMJ160809 2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEPMAE5MJ163486 2021 Toyota Corolla LJTDDPMAE5MJ178453

2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE3MP180461

2021 Toyota Corolla LE5YFEPMAE8MP179323 2021 Toyota Corolla LE w/Premium pkg2JTDVPMAE9MJ120849 2021 Toyota Corolla LEJTDEPMAE8MJ169833

Other Toyota Corolla model years

2021 Toyota Corolla — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Corolla?

Based on 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Corolla get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Corolla at about 33 mpg combined (30 city / 38 highway).

How much is a 2021 Toyota Corolla worth?

Comparable 2021 Toyota Corolla listings run roughly $19,988–$25,784, typically around $21,452 (from 13 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.