2021 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
516 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Toyota RAV4, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 51/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 32,389 miles.
Below average
Where 2021 sits among all RAV4 years
What owners report
“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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 RAV4
“While driving on the freeway at normal speed, the glass sunroof shattered. There were no other cars around and we were out in the open, not driving under an overpass or anything. It was an 80 degree day, sunny and not windy.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 RAV4
“Message "Voltage Abnormality Steering Power Low" was displayed several times while stopped at traffic lights and the auto stop/start engine feature was engaged. Took vehicle to dealership nothing was done since they could not replicate the issue.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 RAV4
“Coolant Bypass Valve The problem has been confirmed by the dealer Warning: Engine Maintenance Required”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 RAV4
“Cruise control suddenly quit working, alarms for hybrid system malfunction, cruise control malfunction. This is a known issue for Toyota, high voltage leaking out because of a corroded ground. This repair is going to cost around $7,000 out of pocket.. My car is 3 years old.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 RAV4
“As I was driving, I heard a loud pop. I looked up and my sunroof was completely shattered.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 RAV4
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 77 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 27,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 4,364 and 50,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (1)
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…
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…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 drew 516 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 51/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 are airbags (125 complaints), other (74), and electrical (52).
At what mileage do 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems around 27,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 4,364 and 50,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 2021 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.