Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Toyota RAV4 problems

Owners filed 389 complaints about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA between Sep 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (125).

Complaints
389
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
47
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
49
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags125
  2. Electrical system47
  3. Engine41
  4. Power train23
  5. Service brakes21
  6. Steering21
  7. Structure21
  8. Fuel/propulsion system21
  9. Visibility/wiper19
  10. Forward collision avoidance18
  11. Seats18
  12. Visibility12
  13. Lane departure10
  14. Seat belts8

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 Nov 3, 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
20205
202138
202248
202343
202483
2025114
202658

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

125 reports28 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“I have been unable to get my vehicle inspected and repaired by a dealer despite months of waiting and asking two different Toyota dealers to order the necessary part or parts. This recall has been in place for years. For several years I was told it was only being done in certain states and that New Mexico would be last on list due to climate. Probably six months ago the message changed from Toyota and it was now ok in every state. Only problem is still no parts according to dealer. Last contact was on June 2, 2026 with the second dealer to order part. No call back and no contact. First effort was in Santa Fe NM where car was purchased new in 2021at Toyota dealer. Last effort over a month ago was at Albuquerque Larry Miller Toyota. So safety recall for faulty air bag sensor on my wife's side of car has been in place about 900 days without parts to fix a potentially deadly problem. VERY DANGEROUS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2026Air bagsODI 11748297

Electrical system

47 reports4 crashes5 fires
“I have a faulty coolant bypass valve on my 2021 Toyota RAV4. Every time I turn on the air conditioning the service engine required comes up on my notifications a known recall problem for Toyota RAV4’s of this year”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11762309

Engine

41 reports3 fires
“2021 Toyota RAV4 gas XXX Vehicle suddenly stopped while driving Busy roadway in [XXX] Wife and young children were passengers Dashboard displayed “ENGINE STOPPED” Dashboard displayed “STEERING POWER LOW” Police responded Police determined waiting for the insurance tow was unsafe Police arranged emergency towing Vehicle subsequently inspected by Beaver Toyota Dealer drove approximately 26 miles attempting to reproduce the issue No fault code/history found Problem could not be reproduced You remain concerned about a potentially recurring safety defect”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2026Steering, Power train, EngineODI 11763945

Power train

23 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the transmission failed to function properly. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission while shifting from fourth to fifth gear. The transmission was whining while accelerating and decelerating. The contact was concerned about metal flakes inside the engine. The contact called a service center to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Power trainODI 11772670

Service brakes

21 reports7 crashes
“I have had several intermittent occasions over the past 3-4 years where the brakes do not stop the vehicle when depressed. I can feel something through the brakes pedal, but cannot explain what it is. So far, I have been able to avoid any accidents, but the infrequency makes it impossible to determine if it is going to happen.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Service brakesODI 11772954

Steering

21 reports3 crashes
“The steering light comes on , and "engine stopped, steering power low" comes on. The car just stops, usually when I've braked and come to a compete stop, and just completely shuts down. It's done it in the middle of traffic, I don't know why it's an issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2026SteeringODI 11729879
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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