YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

93/100

#2 most-complained of 16 RAV4 years

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 ranks 2nd worst of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 93 and 386 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, with 125 complaints, 32% share, and 28 crashes; one recall covers a related sensor issue.

Complaints
386
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
46 / 7
Injuries / deaths
49 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29.5
27 city / 33.5 hwy

Top 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems

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

  1. Airbags125 (32%)
  2. Other76 (20%)
  3. Electrical System50 (13%)
  4. Engine46 (12%)
  5. Structure & Body46 (12%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers30 (8%)
  7. Fuel System24 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain22 (6%)
  9. Brakes21 (5%)
  10. Steering21 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate to severe front and rear collisions, including multi-car pileups.
  • Some describe a fire that started in the engine compartment after a minor collision and spread quickly to the passenger compartment.
  • Several owners report sudden unintended acceleration while braking, leading to loss of control and crashes.
  • Some describe steering that independently veers off course at highway speed, causing the vehicle to leave the road.
  • Owners report cruise control that would not disengage and brakes that failed to slow the vehicle.
  • Lane keeping assist has been reported to over-correct steering input and pull the vehicle in the wrong direction, contributing to accidents.
2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints: complaints filed per quarter442020 Q32021 Q32022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
512 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q2 (44).

2021 Toyota RAV4 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 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
33.5 MPG
Combined
29.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,200
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid100878730
2020Avoid80634629.5
2021Avoid93386129.5
2022Good27145129.5
2023Caution60155329.5

All Toyota RAV4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 RAV4 ranks 2nd worst among 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 93 and an Avoid verdict, mainly due to airbag-related complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 125 complaints and 32% of the total, with 28 crashes and a median failure mileage of 30,000.
Does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 23V865000, covering an airbag sensor inspection and replacement on certain 2020-2021 Toyota models including the RAV4.
How does the 2021 RAV4 compare to other RAV4 years?
The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 93 is higher than most other RAV4 years except 2019 (100) and 2024 (87), placing it near the bottom of the 16 years tracked.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
The EPA rates the 2021 RAV4 at 29.5 mpg combined (27 city / 33.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,200.

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.