2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (16) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Rav4 Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2023-12-20 · campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (162)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-08-20 · T-SB-0110-20 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice august 20, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0051-26.
Engine 2026-08-20 · T-SB-0051-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (hv) ni-mh and li-ion batteries.
Engine 2026-08-11 · 24TE04 · Warranty Program/Extension
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), we at toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to flow shut-off valve coolant leak.
Electrical System 2026-05-14 · 22TE09 · Warranty Program/Extension
although the hv floor under wire harness and rear traction motor cable is covered by toyota’s new vehicle limited warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. toyota is providing extended coverage under this customer suppo
Engine 2026-02-27 · T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 27, 2026: this bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
Electrical System 2026-01-30 · T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice january 30, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0001-26.
Showing the 6 most recent of 162 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-15 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:lock“i bought the car new in july 2021. all four door locks stopped working around may 2023. in june 2023, i only got one of the four door lock assembly’s replaced. and it’s very expensive to get all four fixed. now, in may of 2026, i am experiencing the same issue with the lock assembly that was replaced in june 2023. there are so many complaints onlin…”
2025-04-29 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 ha…”
2025-04-24 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); 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 and confirmed t…”
2025-03-17 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); 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 manufactur…”
2025-02-04 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); 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 m…”
2025-01-07 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was not contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer n…”
2024-12-16 · Traction Control System · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard with “brake failure” message displayed. the contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. the vehicle was restarted and taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the cont…”
2024-12-16 · Air Bags · 50,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the srs warning light was illuminated. the local dealer was contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact stated th…”
2024-11-25 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota rav4 hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); 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 m…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.