2021 Toyota RAV4 problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls (1)

• Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

  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.

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

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 25, 2026SCCrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   While changing lanes in my 2021 Toyota RAV4 with my turn signal activated, the Lane Departure Alert / Lane Tracing Assist system applied an unexpected steering input that pulled my vehicle directly into a Jersey barrier, resulting in physical contact with the barrier. I was intentionally and safely moving into the adjacent lane when the system intervened abruptly and steered my vehicle toward the barrier. My speed was approximately 55 - 60 mph. The weather was rainy off and…

   NHTSA complaint #11766944 · source
2. Filed Sep 23, 2026TXOther / Unknown

   Coolant bypass valve but toyota of richardson said the csp does not cover it. My engine maintenance required pop up on my dashboard

   NHTSA complaint #11766274 · source
3. Filed Sep 13, 2026GAEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11763945 · source
4. Filed Sep 13, 2026COOther / Unknown

   I am reporting a serious safety concern involving the sunroof glass on my 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD. On July 3, 2026, at approximately 37,350 miles, I was driving the vehicle when the entire sunroof glass suddenly and catastrophically shattered. There was no traffic around me, there was no debris in the roadway, I was not traveling under an overpass, and I am not aware of any impact or other event that could have caused the glass to break. The failure was…

   NHTSA complaint #11763943 · source
5. Filed Sep 5, 2026VAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11762309 · source
6. Filed Aug 17, 2026MAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   2021 Toyota RAV4 (gas model) has experienced a sudden, unexpected engine stall/shutdown on a public road. The incident occurred while shifting into Drive after backing up in reverse. The engine immediately died without any prior dashboard warning lights or mechanical symptoms. The information screen displayed a message stating "Put Car in Park" or "Shift into Park." The vehicle safely restarted immediately after shifting back into Park and pressing the ignition button. This…

   NHTSA complaint #11757462 · source
7. Filed Aug 10, 2026ILSeats & Seat Belts

   The driver’s seat adjustment mechanism failed and the seat became stuck, unable to move forward or backward. We initially went to a Toyota dealership and told them we believed the issue was a broken gear in the seat rail assembly. The dealership stated they needed to complete their own diagnostic assessment before proceeding, which would cost approximately $275 and add delay, despite already being told the likely cause. We instead took the vehicle to an independent mechanic,…

   NHTSA complaint #11756026 · source
8. Filed Jul 31, 2026CASeats & Seat BeltsVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s seat became stuck. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle from the front driver’s and passenger sides, causing puddles of water in the front driver’s and passenger’s seats with an abnormal odor. The contact stated that the leak was near the bolts and screws.…

   NHTSA complaint #11753992 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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