Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
389 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RAV4 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 are in line with other RAV4 years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 RAV4 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 30,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 125 (32%) | 14k–41k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 41 (11%) | 6k–52k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 21 (5%) | 2k–47k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 47 (12%) | 1k–9k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 24 (6%) | 0k–2k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 31 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 21 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 21 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 18 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 18 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 30,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 389 complaints: 47 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 29 report an injury · 38 say the car was towed.
70 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Toyota RAV4: 1
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 116
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Toyota RAV4. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first)…
Some customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC
Some vehicles may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes…
Some 2018 - 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an "Engine Maintenance…
Neighbouring years
2020 RAV4: 640 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2022 RAV4: 150 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota RAV4 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All RAV4 years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
389 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RAV4 years. At 30,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (125), engine (41), body structure (21), electrical system (47), fuel system (24).
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 23V-865). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.