AI Damage2021 Toyota RAV4: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 filed 389 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. The maker issued 229 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 389
- involving a crash
- 47
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 229
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 125 complaints (32% of all), 28 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 47 complaints (12% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Engine: 41 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 30.
- Visibility: 31 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Powertrain: 23 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 389 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 125 | 28 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 47 | 4 | 58 |
| Engine | 41 | 0 | 30 |
| Visibility | 31 | 1 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 23 | 2 | 5 |
| Structure | 21 | 2 | 36 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 7 | 3 |
| Steering | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 18 | 0 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 18 | 8 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Tires | 7 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While changing lanes in my 2021 Toyota RAV4 with my turn signal activated, the Lane Departure Alert / Lane Tracing Assist system applied an unexpected steering input that pulled my vehicle directly into a Jersey barrier, resulting in physical contact with the barrier.
The airbags failed to deploy, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. A police report was filed. The driver and her pet were the only occupants of the vehicle, and the contact was the only injured passenger.
No warning lights illuminated. The other vehicle was driving at an undisclosed speed and sustained damage to its front-end frame. There was no property damage reported. Both vehicles came to a stop in the roadway at the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] in San Jose, California.
There was no warning light illuminated. The steering wheel remained seized. The air bags had not deployed. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. A Police Report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired.
When pulling in, the brakes completely failed as did the forward collision warning system and the automatic emergency braking system. As she continued to press the brake pedal it just went to the floor of the car.
I swerved, and then the lane assistance kicked in and made me lose control of the car completely, which is how I slammed into the guard rail. In that process, none of the airbags deployed and I had a passenger in the car.
My first reaction was to think that I had lost a wheel or had a tire blow out for the car to have jerked so hard to the right. When I stopped, I saw that this was not the case.
While waiting at a red light with my car stationary, the lane I occupied divided into two. I gently adjusted my steering wheel to the left, and in an unexpected turn of events, a dashboard indicator illuminated before my steering wheel rapidly veered to the right.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 154 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RAV4 has 337 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 389, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or…
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is…
- Some customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC
Upon further inspection, a loose C90/C27 connector pin at the EGR valve may be found. To correct this concern, please reference the repair section of this TSB.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026
This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some RAV4 vehicles power seat where the automatic seat adjustment by the memory function does not work
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle…
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the…
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can cause "Engine…
- Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model…
Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, and 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 vehicles with A25A-FKS and M20A-FKS engines may have a MIL ON…
- Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may…
Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
NHTSA lists 229 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 389. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), windows, sunroof (11%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA lists 229 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Toyota RAV4 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.