Representative model. Photo: TTTNIS, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 508
Latest campaign: Dec 20, 2023

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	2	Jul 12, 2023	23V478000 23V041000
Air bags	1	Dec 20, 2023	23V865000
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	Apr 13, 2022	22V239000
Exterior lighting	1	Nov 12, 2020	20V698000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Dec 20, 2023Latest campaign


Dec 20, 202323V865000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V865000 What's wrong 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. 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. Filed under Rav4, Rav4 Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 23V865000 · Dec 20, 2023
Jul 12, 202323V478000	Electrical system: propulsion system DC/DC converter A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V478000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Rav4 Prime Campaign NHTSA 23V478000 · Jul 12, 2023
Feb 2, 202323V041000	Electrical system: propulsion system hybrid management An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V041000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Rav4 Prime Campaign NHTSA 23V041000 · Feb 2, 2023
Apr 13, 202222V239000	Electronic stability control (ESC): control module software Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V239000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Rav4 Prime Campaign NHTSA 22V239000 · Apr 13, 2022
Nov 12, 202020V698000	Exterior lighting: headlights 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V698000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Rav4 Prime Campaign NHTSA 20V698000 · Nov 12, 2020

Merged from NHTSA model names: Rav4, Rav4 Hybrid, Rav4 Prime. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2021 Toyota RAV4? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component508

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

508Complaints filed

60Involving a crash

8Involving a fire

54Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	147	29	34	1	37
Unknown or other	99	19	4	2	4
Electrical system	86	17	5	6	5
Engine	44	9	0	3	0
Fuel/propulsion system	39	8	2	2	0
Service brakes	38	7	15	0	6
Forward collision avoidance	28	6	17	1	8
Power train	27	5	2	1	0
Steering	22	4	4	0	1
Visibility/wiper	22	4	1	0	3
Structure	22	4	2	0	2
Seats	18	4	0	0	0
Lane departure	13	3	5	0	2
Visibility	13	3	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	11	2	5	0	7

19 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime.

Latest reports

Lane departure
“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…”
Filed 09/25/2026 · ODI 11766944
Unknown or other
“Coolant bypass valve but toyota of richardson said the csp does not cover it. My engine maintenance required pop up on my dashboard”
Filed 09/23/2026 · ODI 11766274
Unknown or other
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving the sunroof glass on my 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD.”
Filed 09/13/2026 · ODI 11763943

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2021 Toyota RAV4 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. The most recent, 23V865000 (reported December 20, 2023), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 2 campaigns. Others: air bags (1), electronic stability control (ESC) (1), exterior lighting (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 147 complaints out of 508 filed with NHTSA (29%). Across all complaints, owners reported 60 crashs and 8 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Toyota dealer.

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