Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla transmission reliable?

NHTSA lists 19 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Corolla, accounting for 10% of all complaints filed for that model year. The median mileage at failure was 61,500.

Does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have a transmission recall?

No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area of the 2021 Corolla.

What transmission problems do 2021 Corolla owners report?

Owners report a sticking clutch pedal, clutch slave cylinder failures, the vehicle getting stuck in one gear or Neutral, and CVT stalling with a drive-start control malfunction message.

At what mileage do 2021 Corolla transmission problems happen?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 61,500 at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2021 Corolla.

Were there any injuries from 2021 Corolla transmission problems?

NHTSA records show 1 injury and 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Corolla.

2021 Toyota Corolla Transmission & Powertrain Problems

The 2021 Toyota Corolla has 19 Transmission & Powertrain complaints to NHTSA, 10% of its 185 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 61,500. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 19; 10% of 185
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 61,500 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Clutch pedal sticks to the floor or loses hydraulic pressure, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to shift gears.
Clutch slave cylinder fails, in some cases leaking brake fluid onto the clutch and flywheel and requiring multiple part replacements.
Vehicle becomes stuck in Neutral or a single gear, unable to respond when the accelerator or shifter is used.
CVT-equipped cars have stalled with a 'drive-start control malfunction' message and check engine light while driving.
Transmission failure reported after repeated jerking or shuddering, with the vehicle towed after losing power on the highway.

When 2021 Toyota Corolla transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 29, 2021, latest Jun 5, 2026.

19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2021 to Jun 2026; peak Feb 2026 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Toyota Corolla

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Corolla model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

200537 (4%)
200643 (5%)
200726 (3%)
200813 (4%)
200945 (3%)
201049 (4%)
201118 (3%)
20128 (2%)
20139 (4%)
201426 (10%)
201530 (14%)
201622 (10%)
201715 (8%)
201812 (9%)
201954 (27%)
202039 (13%)
202119 (10%)
202217 (17%)
20236 (8%)
20248 (13%)
20252 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla transmission reliable?: NHTSA lists 19 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Corolla, accounting for 10% of all complaints filed for that model year. The median mileage at failure was 61,500.
Does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have a transmission recall?: No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area of the 2021 Corolla.
What transmission problems do 2021 Corolla owners report?: Owners report a sticking clutch pedal, clutch slave cylinder failures, the vehicle getting stuck in one gear or Neutral, and CVT stalling with a drive-start control malfunction message.
At what mileage do 2021 Corolla transmission problems happen?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 61,500 at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2021 Corolla.
Were there any injuries from 2021 Corolla transmission problems?: NHTSA records show 1 injury and 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Corolla.