2021 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 387 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 47 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 49 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 20, 2023
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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
387 reports, newest first.
Steering, Lane departure, Nov 14, 2021
We bought our new 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid on Sept. 1, 2021, but didn't drive it on a highway until Oct. 4, 2021. On that day, I was driving on Interstate Hwy 70. I entered that highway near Copper Mountain, CO and was driving east to return to Denver. It is a big highway with wide, well marked lanes. I set my cruise control speed to 63 mph. Almost immediately, I noticed that the Lane Centering steering adjustment system seemed to be taking the car from close to the left lane line to close to the right lane line, and back and forth. A couple of times, it even drifted to or over the lane line and triggered the Land Departure Alert alarm. At first, I tried to overcome the automated Lane Centering adjustment by manually steering against it, but the swaying back and forth across the lane became increasingly wide and violent. I was unable to control it. It was terrifying. For a moment, I was sure that I would crash. I don’t know if I hit the brake pedal, but I did quickly press the CANCEL button on the cruise control, and that ended the swaying back and forth. The whole experience lasted probably less than one minute, and at no time did I notice any alarms or warning signals. I took the car to my dealership and asked them to check the functioning and settings of the cruise control and lane tracing assist functions. They told me that my settings were normal and that everything was working properly. I informed Toyota customer service about the problem and told them of my near crash. They consulted with my dealership's service department and repeated that everything was working properly. Neither the dealer nor Toyota customer service offered any explanation of reasons for my near crash. I have continued to drive the car, but I have tried to disable all the "safety" features that allow the car to take control of my steering. I am afraid to try to reproduce the problem myself, and I am quite sure that my dealer did not attempt to do that either.
Tires, Nov 9, 2021
P225 / 60 R18. Passenger rear tire blew out driving at highway speeds (75-80 mph). The car swerved back and forth across lanes almost into the median and then to the shoulder a couple of times and almost flipped before I was able to pull to the shoulder and stop. Another driver stopped to make sure I was ok and said he also thought I was going to flip more than once. I did not notice any warning lights prior to the incident. There were a couple of times prior to the failure that it felt like the car was swerving slightly - I thought possibly due to wind or different texture of the road surface, then the tire blew. The entire inside wall of the tire is separated from the tread. The dealer has not inspected the tire yet. I am ordering a set of new tires - I don't trust these and never want to go through that again.
Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2021
Moon roof exploded and shattered while driving down the road in normal conditions, no other issues. Vehicle is less than 3 months old with 7,000 miles. It sounded like a gun shot and only because I reacted without panic did it not cause me to have an accident because of the major distraction. Pulled over and no other damage. Had to drive 45 miles per hour to my destination or glass would have sprayed on anyone behind me. Currently, had to tarp and duct tape damage because dealership will not fixed under warranty unless I can prove it was a defective glass/part. My dealer did text me and I have it that there are problems but it’s so hard to prove it will be my expense out of pocket. I would appreciate any help on other Toyotas having a similar problem and wanted to officially report to help out the next person if I can’t obtain proof of a defective part.
Air bags, Oct 7, 2021, crash
The knee airbag deployed during a collision and caused devastating shin injuries. The muscle and skin was ripped off the driver's legs revealing bone.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 17, 2021
Defective windshield, visible distortion, Is available for inspection. (Brand new vehicle) Safety hazard to drive as I can't see properly through it, everything is blurry. Eyes can't focus - like looking through someone else's glasses! Makes me physically ill as well due to the continued eye fatigue/strain. I"m not sure it's even possible to drive it more than half an hour, I wouldn't risk it. Problem is confirmed by the dealer, both technicians that inspected said distortion is visible. Dealer said won't fix because "Every Rav currently on the lot has a defective windshield, most worse than yours"! Was told this was not their first complaint about the bad windshields. and if they did fix it I could end up worse off, because all the windshields are coming out defective currently, some with even worse "visible waves" in the glass. I had ordered the vehicle & put a deposit on it to hold, I didn't get to drive it till the paperwork was done and I was driving off the lot. Within 20 minutes problem was apparent.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 11, 2021, crash
While using Cruse control. It did not slow the vehicle. I could not turn it off. The brakes would not work. I ran thru an intersection against the light. Bounced over the median. I turned off the ignition, still coasted about 1/2 mile. Finally I jammed the gear shift lever into Park. Toyota has the vehicle for inspection and reading of the black box. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING SIGNS OF THE FAILURE. WARNING MESSAGES DID DISPLAY DURING THE FAILURE, WHICH WERE "CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE", "BRAKE FAILURE", AND "LANE DEPARTURE".
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 8, 2021
Since buying this 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicle in 12/2020 gas tank only takes about 10-11 gallons of fuel when refueling , whereas tank capacity is 14+gallons. This leads to trickle filling to get a full tank which Toyota advises against as unsafe. Toyota has agreed to pay for fixing this manufacturing defect for 2020 model RAV 4's with the same manufacturing defect, but so far Toyota holding back issuing authorization to fix the 2021 RAV4 Hybrids . Car available for inspection upon request. Toyota dealer wants me to pay for diagnosis, manufacturer unwilling to pay for inspection of this safety risk despite paying for it in 2020 RAV4's with same defect.
Power train, Aug 2, 2021, crash
Me ([XXX]) and my 3 children went on a trip from July 25- July 30 to Sequoia National Park & Yosemite National Park . On Wednesday , July 28 around 1:30 pm we were at Yosemite Park and I pulled over to take some photos of the beautiful park(nature) . I made sure my children , the car and myself were in a correct parking spot , I put my RAV4 LE in Park position (P) and the car automatically put on the hand break and it makes a loud noise, letting me know it's safe . The RAV4 does not have a hand break like other cars , it only has a small pull button. Anyways the car was in Park position with the automatic break , I stepped out the vehicle and walked toward the front of the car and my RAV4 just stared to roll down and hit a tree . I ran inside the car to stop it but it was too late . The RAV4 had crashed into the tree with my 3 children, they were all asleep when it happen and lucky no one was hurt. The car has a alot of damages in the front area and on the drivers side . The dash was all lit up with messages saying system fail(Pre collision system) INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2021
June 25, 2012 driving to work at about 7:35 in the morning going about 45 mph my moon roof exploded. No others cars were around me and nothing hit my car or moon roof for this to happen. I called the police for a report if I needed it, but I did not. I drove it to the dealership after this happened and spoke with the sales manager that I had bought the car from in January. My car was only 5 months old. They replaced my moonroof and gave me a rental car and said it would be covered under warranty.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 18, 2021
Rear windshield shattered on a parked car. We closed the passenger doors after getting in and the rear windshield started falling off in pieces
Steering, Lane departure, Jul 6, 2021
New 2021Toyota Rave4 vehicle would take over steering and turn left or right from the center of the lane. This issue would consistently steer you to a road shoulder or into another lane. A less experienced driver would have crashed. The steering pull is so significant that one is unable to take a drink or turn on the radio without the possibility of an accident. The last incident steered me into the path of a Cement Truck nearly causing an accident. Had I not been extra cautious, an accident would have occurred. The "vehicle is operating as designed" and "some customers are overly sensitive to the safety features" was the conclusion of Vancouver WA Toyota Service and advised to return the vehicle when an incident reoccurs. I insisted the next incident could kill someone. Service spoke to someone and apologized that in fact a Past Tech Bulletin (2019-2021) was released by Toyota addressing this issue. Service obtained a video from the vehicle and confirmed my complaint that the steering had indeed hijacked the vehicle and steered into the path of a Cement Truck. My concern of serious bodily injury or death is substantiated and documented by Vancouver WA Toyota and Toyota Corporation. Respectfully [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2021
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW TOYOTA RAV 4 IN MAY 2021 AND DURING THE TEST DRIVE CAR DID NOT SEE ANY ISSUES AT ALL. THIS IS RELATED TO THE BACKUP CAMERA DURING THE TEST DRIVE WE DID NOT PLACE INSTALLED ON THE CAR. RECENTLY I TAKE A CAR TO KOONS TOYOTA IN TYSON CORNER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE IS AWARE OF THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. NOW WE HAVE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE INSTALLED AND CAN ONLY SEE 3/4 OF THE SCREEN THE OTHER 1/4 OF THE SCREEN SHOWS THE REAR PLATE, VIEW NOR CLEAR %100.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 3, 2021
Windshield Crack sitting in parking lot, nothing hit it( i.e. no rocks, no chips, no nothing). It broke randomly, radiating out from the bottom edge near wiper toward center of windshield. Yes, available for inspection upon request Could have happened when driving. It has not yet been confirmed by dealer (pending), insurance, or other third party The new vehicle was only 5 weeks old.
Engine, May 14, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABE TOYOTA (2849 LONG BEACH BLVD, LONG BEACH, CA 90806, (562) 595-7411) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NOTHING NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
Steering, Suspension, May 14, 2021
MY 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HAVE DESIGN PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHERE IF THE FREEDOM OVER 55MPH THE CAR WILL BE UNSTABLE, BUMPY AND SHAKY. I AM REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR ON THE HWY. I HEARD MIST 2021 RAV4 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL TO FIX OR CHANGE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH A FIRM ONE ASAP. THANK YOU.
Service brakes, May 10, 2021
JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON JANUARY AND WITH JUST OVER 4K MILES THIS WARNING CAME UP.. PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION.. TURNED OFF THEN ON THE CAR AND SAME WARNING...CALLED THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION ASAP..
Lane departure, May 10, 2021
NO AUDIO WARNING. BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) FLASHING IS NOT VISIBLE WHEN SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY REFLECTS INTO MIRROR. AUDIO ALERT IS AVAILABLE, BUT LIMITED TO CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT WHICH USES SAME SENSORS.
Steering, Apr 30, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT FLIPPING OVER A CINDERBLOCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL DOWN A MOUNTAIN TOP. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIGHT ANKLE AND A FRACTURED DISK IN HER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BLACK BOX READ THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS SELF INFLICTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 620.
Air bags, Apr 30, 2021, crash
IN A 4 CAR PILE UP. HIT IN REAR X2 BY A LARGE VAN WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON NJ PARKWAY FOOT ON BREAK AND PUSHED INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME X2. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Power train, Mar 25, 2021
TL* 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 IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, NOTHING WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Mar 18, 2021
TL* 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 SPEED, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING WHILE ACCELERATING. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER LOANER VEHICLE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER AND A CASE FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,935. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2021
THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND THE DOOR IS SWUNG CLOSED. THE REARVIEW MIRROR OF THE DOOR HAS SIGNIFICANT SHAKING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, SO THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE SPEAKER IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR MAKES A STATIC OR CRACKLING SOUND WHEN MUSIC IS OFF.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 9, 2021
CAR HAD A LOW FUEL INDICATOR ON (APPROX. 15MILES DISTANCE TO EMPTY LEFT ON A DASHBOARD). UPON REFUELING, THE CAR ONLY TOOK ABOUT 11.38 GALLON OF FUEL TO REFILL THE EMPTY TANK. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AS I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW THINKING IT HAS 14.5 GALLON FUEL TANK CAPACITY BUT IN REALITY IT HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK AND IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 11 GALLON OF FUEL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 8, 2021
THE GAS TANK OF 2021 RAV4 HYBRID DOES NOT FILL IN AS ADVERTISED. TOYOTA ADVERTISES THAT IT CAN TAKE 14.5 GALLONS OF FUEL, HOWEVER WHEN THE FUEL LOW WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND YOU TRY TO FILL THE FULL TANK, IT NEVER TAKES MORE THAN 10 GALLONS, THUS THERE'S DISCREPANCY OF 4 GALLONS. THIS REDUCES THE CAR'S ADVERTISED RANGE FROM 550 MILES TO LESS THAN 400 MILES. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS A DESIGN MISTAKE AND DOESN'T OFFER ANY FIX.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Mar 5, 2021
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. OCCASIONALLY THE VOICE COMMAND PROMPT ON CENTER CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND STAYS CONNECTED WHEN CONNECTING A PHONE THROUGH USB AND CANNOT EXIT TO SEE INFORMATION DISPLAY. REMOTE START FROM FOB WILL NOT WORK. LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM TOO SENSITIVE AND TAKES OVER STEERING OF CAR CAUSING COUNTERSTEERING FROM DRIVER CONTROL.