C1521 (blink 21) on Toyota Corolla E120: Motor Circuit Malfunction

Short answer: C1521 means “Motor Circuit Malfunction”. The car’s computer has found a fault in the EMPS system and turns on the EPS (electric power steering) warning. First check: steering column assembly; EMPS ECU.

Code

C1521 · blink 21

System

EMPS

Dashboard light

EPS (electric power steering) warning

Applies to

Cars with electric power steering only. NOT fitted on PK cars: the EPC fig 4502 hydraulic vane pump covers ZZE12#..PKN and NZE120.

Market note

EMPS (electric power steering) is not fitted on PK cars; PK cars use hydraulic steering.

Confidence

high (official Toyota RM821E)

Source

toyotamanuals.gitlab.io

Symptoms and when it is set

1. Short circuit of motor terminal or abnormal voltage or current in motor circuit.

Likely causes

1. Steering column assembly; EMPS ECU

Related on this car

• All fault codes for this car
• Warning lights
• Where the parts are (parts map)
• Common problems

Same code on other cars

• C1521 · Toyota Passo (1st gen)
• C1521 on all cars compared

← C1516/16 C1522/22 →

Clearing the code does not fix the fault. If it comes back, the problem is still there. For brakes, airbags and steering, see a trained mechanic.