2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V478000Jul 12, 202343,442 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER

  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.

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

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 23V041000Feb 2, 202316,679 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)

  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.

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

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 7, 2026TXFireElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Observed arcing noises and strong electrical fire smell upon plugging in L2 EVSE charging cable. MIL lit, Hybrid Vehicle Charging System codes active; vehicle refused to charge afterwards. Self-diagnosed and repaired defective 6.6 kW onboard charger. See pics of clear arcing damage withing charging unit - possible fire risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11742590 · source
2. Filed Apr 29, 2026WAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle generated an error message "Plug In Charging System Malfunction" warning on the dash. The remedy is a Toyota T-SB-0021-21 which requires a software upgrade to fix the air fan sensor reading to the charging unit. This is only considered part of the 60 month/60,000 mile power train warranty despite it being part of the battery charging system which has a 150,000 mile warranty. It is also presumably caused by a software error Toyota has made. They should fix this at…

   NHTSA complaint #11734723 · source
3. Filed Oct 7, 2024NYElectrical System

   I was driving along an expressway on a rainy night. The plug-in hybrid car was operating on battery power. Suddenly the motor went dead and it slowed to a stop. This was very dangerous because the expressway traffic had to swerve around me. I may have seen a hybrid system malfunction warning on the display, but I was so distraught that I didn't think to take a photo. After about 5 minutes, I was able to start the car and drive away. The Toyota dealer examined the car later…

   NHTSA complaint #11618481 · source
4. Filed May 10, 2024CAElectrical System

   The manufacturer issued a recall 10 months ago warning of an electrical charging system issue. They still do not have replacement part available for dealers to repair/replace this. We paid $50,000 for a plug in vehicle that could potentially overheat and catch fire inside our garage. The manufacturer has not provided a repair in a reasonable amount of time.

   NHTSA complaint #11588041 · source
5. Filed Apr 24, 2024LAElectrical System

   RE: RECALL # 23TA07 for 2021 Toyota Rav Prime. An interim recall notice was issued a year ago stating "We are currently preparing a remedy. We will notify you again when remedy is available." Initially Toyota claimed it would be remedied by 4th quarter 2023. Now Toyota Corporate has no information when this recall will be addressed. I paid an additional cost of $5000 over the cost of a regular hybrid to get a plug- in hybrid and now cannot use the plug- in feature when…

   NHTSA complaint #11584911 · source
6. Filed Apr 24, 2024LAElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) 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 contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11584904 · source
7. Filed Apr 24, 2024LAElectrical System

   RE: RECALL # 23TA07 for 201 Toyota Rav Prime. An interim recall notice was issued a year ago stating "We are currently preparing a remedy. We will notify you again when remedy is available." Toyota Corporate has no information when this recall will be addressed. I paid over $5000 to get a plug- in hybrid and now cannot use the plug- in feature when temperature is below 40 degrees in the winter. The car is useless as designed.

   NHTSA complaint #11584903 · source
8. Filed Apr 2, 2024FLElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11580601 · source
9. Filed Mar 19, 2024FLElectrical System

   Toyota dealerships stated that there is no fix for recalled issue and not to charge the vehicle with the charger and to park it outside my home due to a Potential fire concern We are going on almost a year on this recall and there is still no fix. Recall Code: 23TB07.

   NHTSA complaint #11578192 · source
10. Filed Feb 29, 2024FLElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.…

    NHTSA complaint #11574671 · source
11. Filed Feb 15, 2024TXElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) 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.

    NHTSA complaint #11572172 · source
12. Filed Feb 9, 2024CAElectrical System

    Intermittent issues with the power rear tail gate failing to open. The car will emit a loud beep and the door will stop operating. The dealer claims that there’s no issue even after being shown a video of the issue

    NHTSA complaint #11571080 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology