2021 Toyota RAV4 Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 510 owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. The EPA rates it 28 to 40 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
5
Owner complaints
510
Crashes / fires reported
60 / 8
EPA combined
28–40 MPG

2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls

  • Air BagsDec 20, 2023 · NHTSA 23V865000+

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Fix: 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.

    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.

  • Electrical SystemJul 12, 2023 · NHTSA 23V478000+

    Risk: A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

    Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Dealers will replace the DC-DC converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB07/23LB01.

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. The electric current rectifying module contained within the DC-DC converter may have been damaged during production, which can result in an electrical short-circuit.

  • Electrical SystemFeb 2, 2023 · NHTSA 23V041000+

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA01.

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC)Apr 13, 2022 · NHTSA 22V239000+

    Risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

    Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

  • Exterior LightingNov 12, 2020 · NHTSA 20V698000+

    Risk: Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA15.

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Air Bags147
  • Unknown or Other99
  • Electrical System86
  • Engine44
  • Service Brakes39
  • Fuel/Propulsion System39
  • Power Train28
  • Forward Collision Avoidance28

2021 Toyota RAV4 gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RAV4 Hybrid AWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AV-S6)413840$1,600
RAV4 Prime 4WD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AV-S6)403638$1,700
RAV42.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)273530$2,150
RAV42.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)283530$2,150
RAV4 AWD LE2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)273430$2,150
RAV4 AWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)273329$2,200
RAV4 AWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)253328$2,300
RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)253228$2,300

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Toyota RAV4, most recently for the air bags (Dec 20, 2023). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems?

Owners filed 510 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are air bags (147), unknown or other (99), electrical system (86).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota RAV4 at 28 to 40 MPG combined (best version: 41 city / 38 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.