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2021 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 72 of 385 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports7 fire reports29 injury reports

Engine complaints

41 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2024
Engine

Keep getting an service engine maintenance message/ check engine light. No codes show up, most likely the coolant bypass valve everyone is having an issue with. Don't receive message when ac is off. Or when blasting heat. Reset and comes back. Needs to be a recall. I see there is a class action lawsuit pending.

NHTSA ODI #11613606

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2024
Engine

Started seeing the message on the dashboard that says “engine maintenance required visit your dealer” when I took it to get it checked out they said it was the coolant bypass valve, the worker at the Toyota dealership mentioned that it has been happening to other vehicles as well, so he knew exactly what the message meant. Upon …

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Started seeing the message on the dashboard that says “engine maintenance required visit your dealer” when I took it to get it checked out they said it was the coolant bypass valve, the worker at the Toyota dealership mentioned that it has been happening to other vehicles as well, so he knew exactly what the message meant. Upon doing my own research I found many others with the same issue on their RAV4’s as well. This issue is not covered by their warranty

NHTSA ODI #11610767

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

I own a 2021 RAV4 which I routinely get serviced at the Passport Toyota. On June 29, I took my car to Passport Toyota for service because the maintenance required message appeared on my car’s dashboard. The service advisor texted me a list of recommended services for my RAV4. One of recommended services was to replace the coolan…

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I own a 2021 RAV4 which I routinely get serviced at the Passport Toyota. On June 29, I took my car to Passport Toyota for service because the maintenance required message appeared on my car’s dashboard. The service advisor texted me a list of recommended services for my RAV4. One of recommended services was to replace the coolant bypass valve. I agreed to the service at $800. On July 3rd the check engine light came on and the car begin to overheat. I was 2 miles away and immediately drove there to inform them of the issue. They checked my car in for service, and explained to me that a hose must have come loose and was the cause of a coolant leak. When I received my vehicle, the check engine light was off, and the car seemed to be in working condition. On July 23 the maintenance required message returned. Again, I immediately drove my vehicle to the dealership and checked it into the service department. My service advisor notified me that they needed to reset the maintenance required message, and it would go away. I received my car back and the maintenance required message was no longer there and seemed to be in working conditioned. The next morning, July 24 while driving to an appointment, my car started to overheat and the check engine light came on again. This time the car was smoking. I was less than 5 miles from the dealership so I took it back to the them and checked it in for service. After having my car in for service for one week, they called me and stated that the issue was related to me having blown a head gasket, and I would need a new engine. The service department continued to do test as required by Toyota to determine the cost of a engine and how much they would cover. Three weeks later, they told me that Toyota will pay half the cost and I have to pay $3200 out of pocket with only about year warranty. I brought my car in several times and clearly mistakes and misdiagnosis were made on their part which led to the destruction of my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11610447

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

We’ve had the car for three months had it to the shop of the Toyota place seven times for the electrical issue the car will shut off going down the road when you give a gas when you let off the gas, it will start back up spitting sputter, the instrument cluster The gauges will stick in one spot and not budge and you lose all pow…

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We’ve had the car for three months had it to the shop of the Toyota place seven times for the electrical issue the car will shut off going down the road when you give a gas when you let off the gas, it will start back up spitting sputter, the instrument cluster The gauges will stick in one spot and not budge and you lose all power to the vehicle to drive

NHTSA ODI #11592479

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

A warning message came up that the HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION contact dealer. This was confirmed by the dealer. According to the dealer and message boards at various web sites, the Hybrid System Malfunction is NOT uncommon. To fix the problem, a wire harness must be replaced with a replacement cost of $2000-$4000. When I asked wh…

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A warning message came up that the HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION contact dealer. This was confirmed by the dealer. According to the dealer and message boards at various web sites, the Hybrid System Malfunction is NOT uncommon. To fix the problem, a wire harness must be replaced with a replacement cost of $2000-$4000. When I asked what changes have been made to the replacement part to address the corrosion problem, the response was there might be a new coating but we do live in New Hampshire.

NHTSA ODI #11589893

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2024
Engine

Engine maintenance light came on saying to go to dealer at 35,000 miles. The coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced in order to prevent the engine from overheating. Our repair shop coordinated with the dealership who admitted that they commonly see this issue on RAV4 and Corolla models, though there is no recall currently in …

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Engine maintenance light came on saying to go to dealer at 35,000 miles. The coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced in order to prevent the engine from overheating. Our repair shop coordinated with the dealership who admitted that they commonly see this issue on RAV4 and Corolla models, though there is no recall currently in place.

NHTSA ODI #11585965

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I received an error message “Engine stopped, steering power low” after driving an hour in the rain, sat in my car for about 20 mins with wipers on, engine began to jerk aggressively then shut off. I could not gas it or move the car. I let the car sit after being towed, it ran fine as if nothing happened. I got a battery test and…

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I received an error message “Engine stopped, steering power low” after driving an hour in the rain, sat in my car for about 20 mins with wipers on, engine began to jerk aggressively then shut off. I could not gas it or move the car. I let the car sit after being towed, it ran fine as if nothing happened. I got a battery test and it was at 100% charge according to Autozone. The check engine light, battery light and steering light came on. No prior indications of this problem.

NHTSA ODI #11581454

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2024
Engine

Coolant Bypass Valve failed.

NHTSA ODI #11580299

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Engine

I had my 2021 RAV4 Hybrid in for a routine oil change at 59,150 miles. I have maintained this vehicle in accordance with Toyota's recommendations since purchasing it brand new. During their inspection, it was noted by the Toyota mechanic that the timing cover was already seeping, way before it ever should be for this age and mil…

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I had my 2021 RAV4 Hybrid in for a routine oil change at 59,150 miles. I have maintained this vehicle in accordance with Toyota's recommendations since purchasing it brand new. During their inspection, it was noted by the Toyota mechanic that the timing cover was already seeping, way before it ever should be for this age and mileage of vehicle. The dealership mechanic did not recommend anything be done at this time since it wasn't an "active leak", even though seepage will turn into a leak. They denied my request for them to inspect the gaskets and look for cracks in the timing cover while my vehicle is still covered under warranty. While they would not say why they refused to honor my request, I assume it is because my warranty is set to expire when my vehicle reaches 60,000 miles (only 850 more miles from then) and they want me to have to pay $3500 of my own money instead of theirs after my warranty expires. It is unsafe for me to continue to drive this vehicle due to the fact that a timing cover leak can be a serious issue for my vehicle. The timing cover helps protect the timing belt, which is crucial for the proper operation of the engine. If the gasket is leaking, it can lead to oil loss, potential engine damage, and even engine failure if not addressed promptly. There were not any warning lamps that indicated to me that there was an issue.

NHTSA ODI #11564723

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2024
Engine

The engine block cracked and started leaking coolant. It is clearly a defective manufacturing of the block casting. The same engine was recalled several months before mine, but my manufacturing date fell just outside of the range they recalled in the same year. The problem was confirmed by Price Leblanc Toyota in Baton Rouge, LA…

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The engine block cracked and started leaking coolant. It is clearly a defective manufacturing of the block casting. The same engine was recalled several months before mine, but my manufacturing date fell just outside of the range they recalled in the same year. The problem was confirmed by Price Leblanc Toyota in Baton Rouge, LA, a new short block was installed and I was left footing the bill because Toyota Corp denies responsibility for it even though it is only 3 years old and has had ALL maintenance done through the dealerships. The initial coolant leak was first noticed on 10/17/2023. The vehicle repairs were completed by Price Leblanc Toyota and picked up on 12/13/2023.

NHTSA ODI #11563342

Official recalls

1

23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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