2021 Toyota RAV4 problems and recalls

Owners filed 240 complaints on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 in the last three full years, out of 382 on record. The most cited component is the Air Bags.

382
Complaints
1
Recalls
46
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
49
Injuries
140.9
Severity index

Severity index 140.9 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 140.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 2 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 98% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Air BagsAir Bags: 125 complaints (32.7%)125 33%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 72 complaints (18.8%)72 19%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 46 complaints (12.0%)46 12%EngineEngine: 39 complaints (10.2%)39 10%Power TrainPower Train: 21 complaints (5.5%)21 5%StructureStructure: 21 complaints (5.5%)21 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 21 complaints (5.5%)21 5%SteeringSteering: 20 complaints (5.2%)20 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
AIR BAGS12532.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7218.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4612.0%
ENGINE3910.2%
POWER TRAIN215.5%
STRUCTURE215.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM215.5%
STEERING205.2%

Complaints filed per year

0601202020: 52021: 382022: 482023: 432024: 832025: 1142026: 51 (partial year)20212223242511426
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20205
202138
202248
202343
202483
2025114
2026 (year to date)51
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.6x those in 2020 to 2022 (240 against 91).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
23V86500020/12/2023AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONToyota 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 ve

Other Toyota RAV4 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-23. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.