Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems

Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with NHTSA between Jan 2021 and May 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (17).

Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags17
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Latches/locks/linkages1
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  5. Traction control system1
  6. Visibility1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Lane departure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20212
20221
20230
202412
20256
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

17 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 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 .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2025Air bagsODI 11657600

Electrical system

2 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2024Electrical systemODI 11568053

Latches/locks/linkages

1 report
“I bought the car new in July 2021. All four door locks stopped working around May 2023. In June 2023, I only got one of the four door lock assembly’s replaced. And it’s very expensive to get all four fixed. Now, in May of 2026, I am experiencing the same issue with the lock assembly that was replaced in June 2023. There are so many complaints online about the door locks stopping work. I feel like this should be an urgent recall that needs to be addressed. Huge safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2026Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11738189

Service brakes, hydraulic

1 report
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard with “BRAKE Failure” message displayed. The contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the traction control electronic control unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Traction control systemODI 11631020

Traction control system

1 report

Visibility

1 report
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2022VisibilityODI 11448186
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.