VehicleVerdict

2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime electrical system problems

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime has 37 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 27% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

37

Electrical System complaints

27%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Rav4 Prime electrical system complaints by model year40 complaints2021: 37 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 40 complaints2024: 9 complaints
Rav4 Prime electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime have?

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime electrical system — 27% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime electrical system?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 22V239000, 23V041000, 23V478000.

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.