2021 Toyota RAV4 HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 22 complaints (77.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Lock | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Traction Control System | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 17; Electrical System: 2; Lane Departure: Assist: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Lock: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Traction Control System: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2024: 12; 2025: 6; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11388255 · 2021-01-15 (January 15, 2021)
1. CAR WOULDN'T START. LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT VEHICLE. 2. CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF AND WOULD NEVER TURN BACK ON FOR THE DURATION OF MY 30 MINUTE DRIVE. 3. THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED PAST THE SET LIMIT. IT WAS CHALLENGING TO GET IT TO STOP ACCELERATING. IT DIDN'T STOP RIGHT AWAY EITHER. SCARED ME TO DEATH. 4. INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FLICKERING BRIGHT TO DIM CONSTANT AND THEN SETTLE AT DIM DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS IN THE BROAD DAYLIGHT. 5. PHONE CHARGER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MY PHONE IS NOT MOVING AROUND EITHER. …
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 11388255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431988 · 2021-09-07 (September 7, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle failed to stop while the brake pedal was depressed which resulted in the contact crashing into two parked vehicles where it eventually came to a stop after crashing into a curb. The contact was also concerned that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and then towed again to a local dealer where it was awaiting diagnos…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11431988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448186 · 2022-01-20 (January 20, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the sunroof exploded, and fragments of glass fell inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with needing the sunroof replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11448186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568053 · 2024-01-26 (January 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, while driving at high rates of speed, the vehicle stalled after slamming on the brake pedal. The contact waited approximately 20-30 seconds after the initial failure before being able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11568053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585853 · 2024-04-29 (April 29, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11585853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585893 · 2024-04-29 (April 29, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11585893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588500 · 2024-05-13 (May 13, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11589652 · 2024-05-20 (May 20, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11589652 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V865000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2023-12-20 (December 20, 2023)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗