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2021 Toyota RAV4 problems and recalls

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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
385Owner complaints

Model-year median: 258.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

The September 18, 2026 NHTSA snapshot includes 385 owner complaints, 1 recall campaign and 0 investigations for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. Reported categories include air bags, unknown or other, and electrical system. These are reported categories, not failure rates or proven defects.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
331
2018877
2019634
2020385
2021144
2022153
2023173
2024
Compare all RAV4 years →

Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
125Unknown Or Other
74Electrical System
47Engine
41Power Train
22
All reported categories
Fuel/propulsion System
21Steering
21Structure
21Service Brakes
20Visibility/wiper
19Seats
18Forward Collision Avoidance
17Visibility
12Lane Departure
9Seat Belts
8Latches/locks/linkages
7Exterior Lighting
6Suspension
6Tires
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Wheels
5Fuel System, Gasoline
3Back Over Prevention
2Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat Or Vehicle)
1Traction Control System
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat Or Vehicle) complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2022
Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat Or Vehicle)

The rear-facing snuglock lever does not hold the car seat belt or the tether belt securely in place. The car seat tips over when the car turns. It appears that some plastic is missing on the bottom of the lever. I have a video of me securing the seat belt and the belt loosening when the car seat is rocked but, am unable to uploa…

Read full complaint

The rear-facing snuglock lever does not hold the car seat belt or the tether belt securely in place. The car seat tips over when the car turns. It appears that some plastic is missing on the bottom of the lever. I have a video of me securing the seat belt and the belt loosening when the car seat is rocked but, am unable to upload.

NHTSA ODI #11490015

Recall campaigns

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 ↗

Defect investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems

Toyota RAV4 transmission problems →Toyota RAV4 electrical problems →