Every 2021 Toyota RAV4 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 23V865000
Dec 20, 2023Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
- Problem
- 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
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- 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 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.
Full recall details for 23V865000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 23V478000
Dec 7, 2023Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. The electric current rectifying module contained within the DC-DC converter may have been damaged during production, which can result in an electrical short-circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Dealers will replace the DC-DC converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB07/23LB01.
Full recall details for 23V478000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 23V041000
Feb 2, 2023Electrical System:Propulsion System:Hybrid Management:Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu)
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA01.
Full recall details for 23V041000 →Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · NHTSA 22V239000
Apr 13, 2022Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:Software
- Problem
- Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Full recall details for 22V239000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 20V698000
Dec 11, 2020Exterior Lighting:Headlights
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA15.
Full recall details for 20V698000 →
2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 508 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota RAV4, reporting 60 crashes, 8 fires, 54 injuries. Toyota has issued at least 229 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Air Bags147
- Unknown Or Other99
- Electrical System86
- Engine44
- Fuel/Propulsion System39
- Service Brakes37
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (181)
- Equipment (137)
- Structure (102)
- Engine (83)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (66)
- Unknown Or Other (34)
Read Toyota RAV4 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 508 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota RAV4. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“While changing lanes in my 2021 Toyota RAV4 with my turn signal activated, the Lane Departure Alert / Lane Tracing Assist system applied an unexpected steering input that pulled my vehicle directly into a Jersey barrier, resulting in physical contact with the barrier.”
2021 TOYOTA RAV4Sep 25, 2026 · SC
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11766944
Fire
“Observed arcing noises and strong electrical fire smell upon plugging in L2 EVSE charging cable. MIL lit, Hybrid Vehicle Charging System codes active; vehicle refused to charge afterwards. Self-diagnosed and repaired defective 6.6 kW onboard charger.”
2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PRIMEJun 7, 2026 · TX
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11742590
Crash
“The contact owns a 2021Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle failed to stop while the brake pedal was depressed which resulted in the contact crashing into two parked vehicles where it eventually came to a stop after crashing into a curb.”
2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRIDSep 7, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11431988
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact was traveling at approximately 50 MPH directly behind a van in the same lane of traffic. The van suddenly made an emergency avoidance maneuver to bypass a stationary vehicle completely stopped in the lane.”
2021 TOYOTA RAV4Jun 9, 2026 · TX
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11742969
“I bought the car new in July 2021. All four door locks stopped working around May 2023. In June 2023, I only got one of the four door lock assembly's replaced. And it's very expensive to get all four fixed.”
2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRIDMay 15, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11738189
Check your RAV4 by VIN
Not every 2021 Toyota RAV4 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
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