Complaint volume
369 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Toyota RAV4 Complaints
369 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Toyota RAV4, grouped by component category.
369 Total complaints
45 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
28 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are air bags, unknown or other, structure. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 45 crash reports, 7 fire reports, 28 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 70 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 24,888 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to air bags, unknown or other, structure?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Toyota RAV4
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints?
45 Crash
7 Fire
28 Injury
0 Fatality
36 Towed
25 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 complaint categories?
AIR BAGS 106
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 44
STRUCTURE 14
ENGINE 13
SEATS 13
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11
VISIBILITY 10
VISIBILITY/WIPER 10
SERVICE BRAKES 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8
369 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | Critical safety concern regarding the braking system in my Toyota Rav4, 2021 which I believe may warrant further investigation for a potential recall as there are none at this time. The issue pertains to the breaking system, which locks up unexpectadly during use, casuing sudden and severe break locking without warning (unable to break). I suspect as many others online who have mentioned this issue on Toyota Forums is that it is the prime breaking software. I have had my breaks inspected multiple times as I was in a car accident where the breaks did not work and I rolled into the car in front of me when we were starting to proceed through a green light at 5MPH. When pushing on the brakes nothing happened and I rolled into a mother and children. Luckily I did not cause significant damage however I explained to her my breaks would not work. This accident then caused me to be dropped from my insurance (policy termination by Geico) since I had switched providers and happened during my 30 day grace period. This malfunction created a significant safety hazard for myself and others on the road as well as fear that it will happen again and should be investigated as I have have this happen multiple times since the accident. Geico claim number: 8817814110000001 | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS | I have had a critical Passenger Airbag recall for over one year impacting my 2021 RAV4 Auto, NHTSA Recall No. 23V-865; Toyota Recall No. 23TA15. It should NOT have taken Toyota over one-year to diagnose and apply the remedy to ensure that I am driving a safe car. I was promised by Toyota that a Remedy would be made available in February 2024, June 2024, and Sept, 2024. The Website even indicates that the remedy would be available in the 3rd Quarter of 2024. Toyota has the parts to manufacture and sell new cars, but my recall apparently is Not a priority on anyone's profit list since I had paid my money to purchase the car. I have a need to drive my car at home to drop-off my son at school and drive to doctor's appointments, Yet, I was told I should not drive the car nor let anyone ride in my car. This is not a realistic solution and if this is all Toyota has to offer when they should have fixed the major recall by now, I am demanding a full refund of the cost of purchase and they can have the car back. Again, my car is subject to OCS sensors in the front passenger seat, that was improperly manufactured and installed. This is a MAJOR RISK OF INJURY AS THIS DEFECT WOULD NOT ALLOWTHE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEPLOY. I HEREBY REQUEST EITHER A REFUND FROM TOYOTAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,000 OR AN IMMEDIATE FREE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR. IF TOYOTA HAS THE PARTS TO PUT OUT NEW CARS I AM SURE THEY HAVE THE PARTS TO REMEDY THIS CRITICAL RECALL. My name is [XXX] , PHONE [XXX] . THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Without any warning and without anyone touching the car my back windshield exploded out. This flung pieces of glass inches from my toddler as we were about to get in the car. I have a remote car starter (for 4 years on this car) and had started it a few minutes before walking to my car to put my stuff down, I opened the passenger door, put my bags on the seat and closed the door. I then turned around to help my toddler into the car and it suddenly exploded inches from us | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS | Recall still not resolved or remedied | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | TIRES | Thread came off the rim of tire, the car only has 36,000 miles on it. Tire Size P 225/65R17 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy was not available till June 2025. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS | Toyota said a remedy for the recall would be available Q3 2024. It is now December and nothing has been done. The passenger seat has been without a functional airbag all year and continues to be unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Just a little over 33k miles, regular maintenance wit dealer, after the power steering light flashes on then goes off after auto stop of motor when stopping and stop at long intervals sometime see a battery charging at same time. Fluid is great no noise. I see a recall but not on this vin. However I’m reading on line several of these are having the same issue, the car is too new.. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact received a 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | There is a risk in driving this vehicle as there is a safety recall open on this vehicle. As per the status on nhtsa website it says that remedy will be available in Q3 2024 and that is already passed but there is no fix. When reached to the manufacturer they are unable to provide more info. Also this vehicle was sold to me by Toyota dealership as a used car without disclosing this safety issue. Now when reaching to dealership they are stating that nothing can be done. I have family with young kids and we use this car everyday. I am concerned about safety of my family. Hence, I am raising this complaint against the manufacturer to get this issue fixed asap. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 contact also stated that the OCS sensor warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 8,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,000 |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | I got a recall about the airbag but the dealership said remedy is not available yet and im trying to ship out my car overseas | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | On [XXX] I discovered and reported the unauthorized and unlawful installation of a wifi screw spy camera in my vehicle to Officer Palamcci from the Danvers Police Station located in Danvers, Ma. The WiFi Screw spy camera is discreetly installed in my vehicle. Which was recently purchased at IRA Toyota Danvers, M. The WiFi screw spy camera installed by a Toyota employee has the presence of a LED in the center of the black WiFi screw which is currently screwed inside the mount of the rear view mirror. This is in violation of Toyota’s Code of Conduct safe practices and procedures and privacy laws and regulations. I have submitted the criminal complaint to the FBI, Danvers Police station, Woburn Toyota and Woburn Police Station. CC: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | The front passenger seat is unusable as the OCS sensor has turned off the airbags for that seat. Every time the car is started, or begins driving after sitting idle for a couple of minutes, it will beep and alarm constantly for several minutes, warning me of the passenger airbag. It is a serous distraction, and now prevents me from transporting a passenger. This has been going on since June 2024, and dealer refuses to look at car due to recall. I was even willing to pay myself to make the repair. No one will touch it. The remedy was originally set for the summer time, then end of 3rd quarter 2024. Now, it’s almost a month after the end of the 3rd quarter. Thank you for your time in reviewing this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |