2021 Toyota Corolla engine problems
40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Toyota Corolla — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Notification spontaneously received as Engine Maintenance Required; Visit Your Dealer. Service appointment immediately scheduled for Toyota of Plano for the following day. My service advisor recommended replacing the coolant bypass valve, which amounted to a total bill of $745. My agent informed me…”
filed Jul 21, 2026
“This Toyota Corolla hatchback is experiencing an issue where it is constantly giving an “ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED” light and when scanned, it says “coolant bypass valve malfunction”. There is already a recall for many Toyota Corolla Sedans experiencing this issue of this bypass valve being…”
filed Jul 21, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 27, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE August 19, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0059-25.
T-SB-0088-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 19, 2025Some 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…
T-SB-0059-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 15, 2025The 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…
24TE04 · Service Campaign · issued Aug 7, 2025Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display…
T-SB-0112-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 19, 2025
Engine problems in other Corolla years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Corolla | 2 | 7% |
| 2024 Corolla | 6 | 10% |
| 2023 Corolla | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 Corolla | 13 | 14% |
| 2020 Corolla | 107 | 36% |
| 2019 Corolla | 39 | 20% |
| 2018 Corolla | 15 | 11% |
| 2017 Corolla | 10 | 6% |
| 2016 Corolla | 13 | 6% |
| 2015 Corolla | 17 | 8% |
| 2014 Corolla | 18 | 7% |
| 2013 Corolla | 16 | 8% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Toyota Corolla
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.