YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

78/100

#3 most-complained of 10 RAV4 Hybrid years

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a complaint index of 78, ranking 3rd worst among 10 model years, with a verdict of Avoid. Airbags are the top problem area at 77% of complaints, tied to 1 recall (23V865000) for a sensor issue.

Complaints
22
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
40
41 city / 38 hwy

Top 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags17 (77%)
  2. Brakes2 (9%)
  3. Electrical System2 (9%)
  4. Engine1 (5%)
  5. Lane Departure1 (5%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (5%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor with a 'BRAKE Failure' message displayed, requiring use of the parking brake to stop the vehicle.
  • Some drivers say the vehicle failed to stop despite the brake pedal being depressed, leading to a crash into parked vehicles and a curb, with airbags failing to deploy.
  • Owners describe the vehicle stalling after hard braking at high speed, with the engine taking 20 to 30 seconds to restart.
  • Multiple owners waiting on the airbag recall repair (23V865000) say replacement sensor parts were unavailable for longer than they consider reasonable.
  • One owner reported the cruise control disengaging and later accelerating past the set speed limit on its own, alongside a flickering instrument panel and a car that would not start.
  • An owner described the sunroof shattering while driving around 50 MPH, scattering glass fragments inside the cabin.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2021Jan 2022Apr 2024Aug 2024Dec 2024Feb 2025Apr 2025
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2021 to May 2026; peak Nov 2024 (4).

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles

    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.

    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.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
41 MPG
Highway
38 MPG
Combined
40 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other RAV4 Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid8922340
2020Best2213540
2021Avoid7822140
2022Best115240
2023Good338138.5

All Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid carries a complaint index of 78 and ranks 3rd worst of 10 model years, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other RAV4 Hybrid years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 77% of the 22 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 29,000 miles.
Does the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid have a recall?
Yes. NHTSA campaign 23V865000, reported December 20, 2023, covers an airbag sensor issue; dealers will inspect and replace the sensor free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2021 model's complaint index of 78 is higher than 2020 (22, Best) and 2022 (11, Best), but lower than 2019 (89, Avoid) and 2025 (100, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 40 mpg combined (41 city/38 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.