Fifth generation (XA50)
2021 Toyota RAV4
The most reported problem on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is airbag, with 125 complaints, usually around 30,000 miles.
- 387owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 47involved a crash
- 30,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your RAV4 doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has 387 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.8 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 RAV4 model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 91, the 2021 64 and the 2022 29.
- Top problem
- Airbag leads with 125 of the 387 complaints (32%), ahead of seat belt at 26. A quarter of the 22 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 14,000 miles, and half by about 30,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 54 of the 387 complaints (14%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 47 reports mention a crash, 7 mention a fire and 49 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 28 of 47, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (23V-865). Seat belt has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 114, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 56 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 125 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
387 complaints is 2.0 times the median 2021 model on this site and 1.8 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 12 RAV4 model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Toyota RAV4
Toyota filed 229 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Toyota RAV4. 31 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 5 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 125 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Seat belt or seat problems 3 bulletins · 26 complaints
TT: Some vehicles may exhibit seat memory switch function inoperative condition if the Seating Position Control ECU is not initialized.
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
1 more on this problem
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 5 bulletins · 22 complaints
TI: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 22TE09 HV FLOOR UNDER WIRE HARNESS AND REAR TRACTION MOTOR CABLE CORROSION CERTAIN 2019 ?2022 MODEL YEAR RAV4 HYBRID AWD (Amendment)
Some 2020 ? 2023 model year Highlander Hybrid and 2021 ? 2023 model year RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna Hybrid, and Venza Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or both of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present: ?P24517F ? ...
3 more on this problem
TT: Some 2019- 2023 RAV4 HV vehicles may duplicate an abnormal noise (Growl, Humming and/or other) from the Hybrid T/A and/or MGR at various vehicle speeds and normal drive conditions
Some 2020 model year Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla Hatchback, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B15A804 is present in current or history. ?Red SOS LED stays on after bulb check.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year TMMC and TMMK built RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit damp carpeting in the front floor area. This may be due a condition in which the inside of the HVAC drain cooler hose is obstructed with plastic.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 20 complaints
Some 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a squeal/squeak noise from the front brakes with light to moderate braking.
Some 2019 ? 2023 model year RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a squeal/squeak noise from the front brakes with light to moderate braking. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 8 bulletins · 17 complaints
Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/discolored engine oil.
Some 2021 ? 2022 model year Corolla and Corolla Hatchback and 2021 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a Parking Brake Malfunction warning message on the Multi-information Display (MID) with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C059746 (Brake System Control Module ...
6 more on this problem
TT: Vehicles listed above equipped with a Denso Ten radio (Entune Audio Plus or Premium Audio) may exhibit a condition in which the radio screen continues to show a Bluetooth phone call in progress after the call has ended.
TT: Some customers may experience an abnormal steering sensation (?pulling?, ?drifting?), which may be more pronounced after a cold soak. The steering angle value displayed in Techstream may be greater than +3° off when the steering wheel is held straight.
Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/Discolored engine oil.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year vehicles equipped with Audio, Audio Plus, or Premium Audio (versions 1784) or earlier may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Intermittent blank screen. ?Navigation map update fails. ?Album art inoperative.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year C-HR, RAV4, RAV4 HV, Sequoia, Tundra and 2021 model year Avalon, Avalon HV, Prius, Prius Prime, and RAV4 Prime vehicles may exhibit inoperative Apple CarPlay® with all iPhone® 12 models.
TT: Some 2020 ? 2021 model year C-HR, RAV4, RAV4 HV, Sequoia, Tundra and 2021 model year Avalon, Avalon HV, Prius, Prius Prime, and RAV4 Prime vehicles may exhibit inoperative Apple CarPlay® with only iPhone® 12 devices (iPhone® 12, iPhone® 12 Max, iPhone® 12 ...
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 9 bulletins · 15 complaints
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience.
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle.
7 more on this problem
Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information Display (MID).
CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles Coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak Frequently Asked Questions
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles Coverage for Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak
This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on Certain 2019-2021 Avalon & Avalon HV, 2018-2021 Camry & Camry HV, Certain 2020-2021 Corolla, Certain 2019-2021 Corolla HB, 2020-2021 Highlander, Certain ...
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
Some 2021 ? 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 ? 2024 Camry, and 2019 ? 2024 RAV4 vehicles with A25A-FKS engines may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) upon cold soak start up with engine coolant temperatures ...
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
TSB During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting.
Battery dies or the car will not start 2 bulletins · 11 complaints
TT: When customers have a concern about a discharged battery, no start, or general battery concern, the DCA-8000 is the only appropriate tool to use for diagnosis
A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and service life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load.
Complaints filed by year
114 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Toyota RAV4
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
The recall on the 2021 Toyota RAV4, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Airbag, with 125 of the 387 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 30,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems start?
Of the 92 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 8,000 miles and half by about 30,000.
Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 64 a year against 91 and 29.
How many 2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
54 of them (14%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 23V-865. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.