Toyota · RAV4 · 2021
2021 Toyota RAV4
1
Recall
360
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has 1 recall and 360 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (105 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated May 4, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 105 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Toyota RAV4 currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 360 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are air bags (105), unknown or other (43), structure (13).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Toyota RAV4
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 360
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V865000December 20, 2023
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
360 totalAIR BAGS
Apr 16, 2026
Srs error appeared on the dash. Now the dealership is opening steering column to fix the electrical issue. The car has less than 29,000miles on it.
AIR BAGS
Apr 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amo...
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ENGINE
Apr 14, 2026
The coolant bypass valve failed and the car is a 2021 Rav 4 LE. I called Toyota and according to the VIN it is not covered for this type of repair. I see quite a few cars have had this same issue, all Toyota's. It was inspected and repaired at a local Toyota Dealership but I had ...
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STEERING
Apr 7, 2026
The steering light comes on , and "engine stopped, steering power low" comes on. The car just stops, usually when I've braked and come to a compete stop, and just completely shuts down. It's done it in the middle of traffic, I don't know why it's an issue.
SEATS
Mar 30, 2026
I have a 2021 TYTA RAV4 HYBRID XLE PREMIUM AWD, the driver seat is very slow moving forward and backwards twisting and preventing to fully go forward and backwards. I need to get out and in of my vehicle. So I have to move in back and forth to get out and move it forward to see...
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AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryMar 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving on the freeway at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction attempted to make a left turn and collided with the contact's vehicle. The point of impact was the front driv...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 5, 2026
The sunroof shattered without any thing hitting the glass
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Mar 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while fueling the vehicle, the fuel tank failed to register the correct fuel level. The contact stated that the fuel warning light illuminated intermittently while driving and while the vehicle was parked. Additionally,...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 24, 2026
On 2/24/2026, while driving down I-5 Freeway, the panoramic sun roof spontaneously shattered while I was driving. It sounded like a gunshot. Nobody was injured. There was no accident. I pulled off the freeway and the WASDOT incident response truck pulled off with me to inspect. ...
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STEERING
CRASHFeb 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 23 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle sideswiped another parked vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The steering wheel...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 360 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Toyota models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have?
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has received 360 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Toyota RAV4.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 are air bags (105 reports), unknown or other (43 reports), structure (13 reports).
Does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.