YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2021 Toyota RAV4 ranks worst of 21 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 386 complaints, most tied to airbags. NHTSA lists one recall for a faulty airbag sensor. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other RAV4 years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 21 RAV4 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
386
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
46
reported in complaints
Fires
7
Injuries
49
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29.5
27 city / 33.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
49 / 0

Top 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate to severe front and rear collisions, sometimes across multiple impacts in the same crash.
  • Knee airbags deploy in a way that owners say caused leg injuries.
  • Vehicles reportedly veer or lose steering control at highway speed without driver input.
  • Lane keeping assistance is described as over-correcting and pulling the steering the wrong direction during lane changes.
  • Owners report the vehicle rolling or moving unexpectedly after being placed in Park.
  • Cruise control reportedly failed to slow the vehicle and could not be disengaged, with brakes described as unresponsive.
  • Engine reportedly accelerated on its own while merging despite the driver braking.
2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints: complaints filed per quarter342020 Q32021 Q32022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
386 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (34).

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid95878730
2020Avoid90634629.5
2021Avoid100386129.5
2022Best20145129.5
2023Caution50155329.5

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 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any RAV4 model year and ranks worst overall, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What is the main problem with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Airbags are the top complaint area, accounting for 125 of 386 complaints (32%) and linked to 28 crashes and 1 fire, with a median failure mileage of 30,000.
Does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have a recall?
Yes, one recall (23V865000) covers a faulty airbag sensor affecting 2020-2021 RAV4 and other Toyota models; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 RAV4 compare to other RAV4 years?
It ranks 1st worst out of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 100, worse than 2019 (95) and 2020 (90), while years like 2013 and 2014 scored as low as 10 and 5.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
The 2021 RAV4 is rated 29.5 mpg combined (27 city / 33.5 highway), with an estimated 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.