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2021 Toyota RAV4 VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 450 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. Severity signals include 55 crash-related complaints and 7 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Air Bags (137), Unknown Or Other (69), Electrical System (68).

RAV4 reliability snapshot

73/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$429
Avg annual repair cost vs $521 category avg
#3/26
Ranking in compact SUVs · better than 88% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Toyota RAV4 before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2021 Toyota RAV4 issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Air Bags137
  • Unknown Or Other69
  • Electrical System68
  • Steering18
  • Structure14
  • Engine13

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Toyota RAV4

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect high voltage cables for corrosion in hybrid models
  • Test driver seat electronic adjustments for proper function
  • Verify fuel tank fills to advertised capacity
  • Check for sunroof or moonroof glass integrity
  • Test brakes for noise or unexpected behavior
  • Inspect for any dashboard warning lights
  • Check for windshield or window cracks

2021 RAV4 recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 RAV4. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. AIR BAGSNHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

  2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 23V478000Jul 12, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

  3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 23V041000Feb 2, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

  4. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NHTSA 22V239000Apr 13, 2022

    Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

    Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

  5. EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNHTSA 20V698000Nov 12, 2020

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence: Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA15.

Used-market value

2021 Toyota RAV4 resale snapshot

83.1%estimated value retained after 5 years
719listings in the model-level benchmark
$27,590median asking price from 60 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2021 Toyota RAV4 on the road

407,739 2021 Toyota RAV4 units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2021 Toyota RAV4 stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2021 Toyota RAV4

With an 84/100 reliability score against a 72/100 segment average, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 rates above average for its class. As year three of its generation, the data points to generally solid dependability rather than early-cycle volatility.

Complaint activity is not evenly spread. It clusters most heavily around air bag-related reports, with a secondary concentration in broad “unknown or other” and electrical-system categories. Other areas show comparatively smaller shares, suggesting fewer recurring patterns outside those core buckets.

Recalls are elevated rather than limited, indicating more manufacturer-corrected items than a low-recall year. Overall, this RAV4 presents a moderate buyer risk level with above-average reliability but notable concentration in a few complaint areas.

What you get in a 2021 Toyota RAV4 report

NMVTIS title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2021 Toyota RAV4 — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

With an 84/100 reliability score against a 72/100 segment average, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 rates above average for its class. As year three of its generation, the data points to generally solid dependability rather than early-cycle volatility.

How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have?

5 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems?

The most-reported 2021 Toyota RAV4 problem areas are: Air Bags (137), Unknown Or Other (69), Electrical System (68).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Toyota RAV4, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.