RoadVitals

2021 Toyota Corolla Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Feb 18, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 184 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Feb 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact discovered brake fluid on the clutch pedal, and the brake pedal was mushy while depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,900.

NHTSA ID
11718784
Incident
Feb 9, 2026
Mileage
89,900 mi
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2024

Electronic brake actuator failed on vehicle after slightly after warranty expired resulting in a $2100 repair. This is a known Toyota issue across different models. A recall should be issued and repair costs refunded.

NHTSA ID
11586404
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed Mar 1, 2024

29,000 miles had to replace front rotors dealership stated the rotors were destroyed also causing me to change brake pads - seems odd that rotors would be so damaged after less than 29,000 miles

NHTSA ID
11574862
Incident
Feb 23, 2024
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 23, 2022
Crash reported

Recently my car was in an accident involving 2 other vehicles. An SUV in front of me rear-ended someone and then I rear-ended the SUV. We were in heavy traffic at a major intersection and were stopped at a red light. The light turned green and we began to move. We were accelerating from a stop and were maybe approaching 10 -15 mph. Traffic started to back up at the next light and so the first car stopped suddenly so as not to block the intersection. Then the driver in front of me crashed into that car. He was on his phone, not looking, and didn't have time to brake. I was about 2-3 car lengths behind when he came to a complete stop. I was also still accelerating, as were most cars, since the light had just turned green. As soon as the vehicle in front of me hit the other car and stopped moving, I immediately applied my brakes. Based on the distance I believe I should have been able to stop. I remember thinking there was plenty of room. Except that the ABS came on and, instead of stopping my car before hitting the object in front of me (because the car is also capable of doing that), it just continued to let my car slide right into the back of the vehicle in front of me. I was then "at fault" according to my insurance company despite my explanation of the details. This led to a $500 deductible for repairs and an increase in my insurance rate. I honestly believe that the ABS should not have activated in that situation. If the car is able to recognize and even stop for objects in front of it, why would it let me slide into another car? I've had similar situations with my other cars in the past and they always stopped quickly, often avoiding this very situation. To summarize, I feel that the antilock brake system in my car failed to act in a safe and appropriate manner, thus causing an increased risk of damage or injury to the vehicle and passengers. In my case it resulted in damage to my car and a lot of extra money to cover those damages. Thank you

NHTSA ID
11480884
Incident
Dec 13, 2021
Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the parking brake warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. Additionally, the brake warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,800.

NHTSA ID
11470679
Incident
Jun 20, 2022
Mileage
10,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle came to a squeaky stop. The contact was able to get off the road safely. The contact stated once on the side of the road, he noticed the electric parking brake was engaged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the regular service brakes were inoperable while the electric parking brake was engaged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic found no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,200.

NHTSA ID
11461617
Incident
Apr 8, 2022
Mileage
12,200 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jun 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving down a dark road he was unable to see the roadway due to poor visibility from the headlights. The contact stated that the failure was evident while using the low-beam or hi-beam headlights. The contact stated that the electronic braking system was inoperable. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 380.

NHTSA ID
11420257
Incident
May 20, 2021
Mileage
380 mi
Brakes
Filed May 27, 2021

2021 Toyota Corolla. Consumer writes in regards to emergency brake system. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS UNNATURAL.

NHTSA ID
11418732
Incident
May 27, 2021
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 16, 2021

1.EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT A SIGNAL LIGHT 2.TO CONTROL SUDDEN ACCELERATION, NEED TO PUSH BRAKES HARDER THAN A NON HYBRID CAR 3.IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION, IT GOES TOO FAST WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS, THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH MISSING EXTRA TIRE AND THE ACCESSORIES (JACK, LUG WRENCH, OTHER TOOLS ETC) EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SLOTTED PLACE HOLDER THERE. (SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS, TO ORDER A NEW KIT THIS WILL COST APPROX $1,500 PER MISSING KIT, IF YOU WERE TO ORDER INDIVIDUALLY, THIS CAN POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU'RE IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK VS QUICKLY CHANGE THE TIRE AND LEAVE) 4.CHEAP SOFT TIRES, GOT A SCREW WITHIN 2 MONTHS? CALLED TOYOTA , TOWING IS FREE, BUT YOU MUST PAY FOR THE FLAT REPAIR OR BUY A NEW TIRE (ABOUT $250) EVERY TIME THERE IS FLAT AS YOU DO NOT HAVE EXTRA TIRE, JACK, LUG WRENCH. (THIS CAN BE RACKETEERING - SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS) 5.2ND CAR (2021 HYBRID) CAME WITH THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVELS, CLOSE TO THE LOW/MIDDLE VS BRAND NEW CAR WITH NEW BRAKES, FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CLOSE TO MAXIMUM. (SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS AND PLAYING CHEAP, BESIDES SAFETY ISSUE) 6.TO REPAIR FLAT TIRE, THE AIR PUMP AND GLUE KIT IS A JOKE, THIS DOESN'T WORK - TOYOTA SHOULD PROVIDE NON-FLAT ABLE TIRES BEFORE THIS GENIUS MICKEY-MOUSE INVENTION. (SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR DOING THIS) *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11396391
Incident
Jan 16, 2021
Mileage
800 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .