KnownCarProblems2021 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 387 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota RAV4, most often about the air bags (32% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). It is 8th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems
Air bags
125 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passengerâs side seat belt warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the passengerâs seat was not occupied by a passenger or object, but the warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The air bag and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…
Other or unspecified
75 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 500 miles.
Passenger heated side mirror cracked from cold weather. Not impacted by accident or negligence from I or someone. When heated mirror was on I noticed a crack appearing.
This issue happened on 12/31/2020. I was driving to work this evening. I came onto an onramp during my drive and I began increasing my speed to 70mph. As I'm accelerating I started to notice a whistling sound coming from the sunroof . I instantly assumed that my husband had accidentally opened the sunroof and had not…
Electrical
47 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: adas.
The contact stated that the owner of a 2021 Toyota RAV4 was driving approximately 35 MPH when the odor of burning rubber was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. After stopping and exiting the vehicle flames were present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, being driven, or stationary, the climate control module turned off sporadically. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle for half an hour and then restarted the vehicle, and the climate…
Engine
41 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles.
The contact rented a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a vibrating sound coming from the front driverâs side windshield. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was a rental and could not be…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle aggressively accelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and remained with the dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The…
Visibility and wipers
31 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 75 MPH, there was an abnormally loud booming sound heard. After stopping to inspect the vehicle it was discovered that the glass sunroof had exploded. The contact stated that during the failure, there was no other…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the front driverâs side window became inoperable. The contact stated that the power button would not function properly, and the contact could not get the front window off track. The vehicle was…
Driver assistance
26 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, warnings.
This vehicle has intermittent operation of its lane keep assistance. One activated, it regularly will do the opposite of keeping your lane. It has run me off the road and also into the lane of oncoming traffic. I have reported to the dealer but they couldn't replicate it. I have escalated to the dealer as this happens…
Vehicle battery completely dead after only 3 days of not being driven. Vehicle would not start and could not be jump started. Vehicle is only 2 months old. Wireless charging does not charge consistently. Intermittent connection only and gets very hot. Usb phone connection randomly disconnects and reconnects.…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
Cannot fill fuel tank completely full. Had some tests run by Toyota and they found that there were only 12.5 gallons in the 14.5 gallon tank when the pump shuts off. I was told this was "within the spec" and offered no further help.
Transmission
22 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact received a 2021 Toyota RAV4 as a loaner vehicle from serra Toyota (1300 center point pkwy, birmingham, al 35215) as his personal vehicle was awaiting remedy repairs for NHTSA campaign number: 20v682000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that while driving the loaner vehicle at an undisclosed…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter disengaged, preventing the contact from shifting gears. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of deerfield beach (1441 s federal hwy, deerfield beach, fl 33441) where…
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 recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in february 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed october 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through january 2026. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23tb15/23ta15 lexus 23lb03/23la03.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 avalon, avalon hybrid, corolla, highlander, highlander hybrid, rav4, rav4 hybrid, lexus es350, lexus rx350, lexus rx450h, 2021 sienna hybrid, lexus es250, 2020-2022 camry, camry hybrid, and es300h vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the occupant classification system (ocs) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
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.
Questions about the 2021 Toyota RAV4
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (125 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); other or unspecified (75 complaints, typically around 500 miles); electrical (47 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 20, 2023 (air bags). 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?
- It is 8th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints, with 387 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.