KnownCarProblemsHome › Toyota › RAV4 Prime › 2021
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, most often about the electrical (37% of complaints). It is the most complained-about RAV4 Prime model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime problems
Electrical
37 complaints · 37%Other or unspecified
24 complaints · 24%Fuel system
18 complaints · 18%Brakes
16 complaints · 16%I am experiencing inconsistent brake feel after ABS actuation during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces. Stopping distances are increased compared with my expectation for a given pedal force. Please note that the 2010 Toyota prius had a similar issue, and a recall was issued…
Driver assistance
11 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, warning, assist.
Air bags
5 complaints · 5%Transmission
5 complaints · 5%Speed control
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime recalls
Electrical: dc/dc converter
Risk: A short circuit can cause the dc-dc converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees fahrenheit (5 degrees celsius). Dealers will replace the dc-dc converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 29, 2023. Owners may contact toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23tb07/23lb01.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2022 rav4 prime and 2022 lexus nx450h+ plug-in hybrid electric (phev) vehicles. The electric current rectifying module contained within the dc-dc converter may have been damaged during production, which can result in an electrical short-circuit.
Electrical: power control unit/module (hpcu)
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the hev ecu software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed february 27, 2023. Owners may contact toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23ta01.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2021 rav4 prime plug-in hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (hev ecu) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.
Stability control: software
Risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the skid control ecu software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 27, 2022. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22ta03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22la01.
Full defect summary
Toyota engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2022 lexus lx 600, lexus nx 350h, lexus nx 450h+, toytoa rav4 hybrid, 2021-2022 lexus ls 500h, toyota mirai, rav4 prime, sienna, venza, and 2020-2022 toyota highlander hybrid vehicles. The skid control ecu software may not turn on the vehicle stability control (vsc) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the vsc system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 126, "electronic stability control systems."
Lights: headlights
Risk: Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began january 6, 2021. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20ta15.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2021 rav4 prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (37 complaints); other or unspecified (24 complaints); fuel system (18 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 12, 2023 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Toyota RAV4 Prime?
- It is the most complained-about RAV4 Prime model year since 2000, with 99 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.