VehicleVerdict

2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 138 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Rav4 Prime year — the 2021 model ranks #1 of 4 Rav4 Prime years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 37 reports (27% of the total).

138

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

29

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Rav4 Prime years?

Rav4 Prime NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted138 complaints2021: 138 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 89 complaints2024: 38 complaints
Rav4 Prime NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rav4 Prime years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3727%
Other2518%
Fuel System1813%
Brakes1612%
Driver Assistance1511%
Airbags54%
Speed Control54%
Transmission54%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Engine32%
Seat Belts21%
Latches & Locks11%
Body & Structure11%
Steering11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V478000Electrical SystemJuly 12, 2023 · 43,442 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

23V041000Electrical SystemFebruary 2, 2023 · 16,679 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

22V239000Electrical SystemApril 13, 2022 · 458,110 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

20V698000LightingNovember 12, 2020 · 413 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. See pics of clear arcing damage withing charging…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 4, 2026 · fire

“On July 24th, I experienced sudden unexpected acceleration with my 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime XSE (41,600 miles) while driving in the electric mode. I was lining myself up to reverse into my garage and as I paused to switch gears to reverse, the car suddenly accelerated full-speed towards my neighbor's…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 24, 2025 · crash

“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. See pics of clear arcing damage withing charging…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 4, 2026 · fire

“I was pulling into a parking space at a slow speed and breaking when my car accelerated violently and caused me to go across a median and strike another parked vehicle. Police came and did a report. I took my car right away to dealer and they had me take it to their collision shop to be repaired.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 4, 2024 · crash

“After proceeding from a red light, the vehicle rear ended a semi. The Automatic Emergency Braking system did not engage. Although the Forward Collision Warning worked by giving me visual/sound alerts, it has a tendency to be delayed. Richland County City of Mansfield Police Inspected the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 28, 2022 · crash

2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime — common questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 138 complaints put the 2021 model at #1 of 4 Rav4 Prime years. It is one of the Rav4 Prime years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 Rav4 Prime problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (37 complaints), other (25 complaints), fuel system (18 complaints).

Does the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Rav4 Prime years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rav4 Prime years to avoid are 2021. The cleanest record among Rav4 Prime years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.