NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 7 recalls, 96 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime.
38 mpg combined
6.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Electrical system complaints dominate the 2021 RAV4 Prime owner reports, with the fuel and propulsion system and service brakes also drawing notable attention. On the electrical side, owners frequently describe door lock actuators failing, locks becoming unresponsive to the key fob and interior switches, requiring manual operation. A recurring complaint involves the plug-in charging system triggering a dashboard malfunction warning, which owners report being addressed through a software update but with disagreement about which warranty tier covers it. Glass-related complaints appear across multiple reports: owners describe windshields cracking spontaneously without any apparent impact, and a smaller number report panoramic roof or rear window glass shattering unexpectedly. On the propulsion side, charging system fault warnings are the most consistent thread. Brake complaints are spread across various symptoms without a single dominant pattern standing out at the same volume as the electrical issues.
96
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has 7 recalls, the most serious being two fire and power-loss risks tied to the plug-in hybrid system: a DC-DC converter under the rear seat that can overheat and catch fire, and a hybrid system that can shut down without warning in cold weather.
The DC-DC converter issue stems from an electrical short circuit that builds heat beneath the rear seat, creating a fire risk while the vehicle is parked or in use. The cold-weather power loss is a separate but related problem: when driving in EV Mode at low temperatures and pressing the accelerator hard, the battery voltage can drop sharply and the hybrid system cuts out, leaving the wheels without drive power mid-travel. These two issues each have filings across multiple regulatory jurisdictions, but the underlying defects are the same in each case.
On the safety electronics side, a software fault in the electronic stability control system can cause it to deactivate without the driver knowing, removing a key layer of crash prevention when the vehicle skids or loses traction on slippery roads. There is also a compliance concern with the headlights: aiming caps on some vehicles were not properly sealed during assembly, which allows the horizontal beam angle to shift. When headlights point too far to one side, they can create glare for oncoming drivers or reduce the driver's own forward visibility, both of which raise the risk of a collision.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The electric current rectifying module in the DC-DC converter may have been damaged during production, causing an electrical short-circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the DC-DC converter at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The DC-DC converter under the rear seat may fail, causing it and nearby components to overheat.
What the fix does
The DC-DC converter will be replaced at a Toyota dealership. Avoid charging the vehicle in temperatures below 5°C until repair is complete.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather, rapid acceleration in EV mode may cause battery voltage to drop suddenly, shutting down the hybrid system and cutting power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Toyota will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will update the hybrid vehicle control ECU software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather, if you press the accelerator quickly while driving in EV mode, the hybrid system may shut down unexpectedly, causing the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the hybrid system control software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Skid Control computer software may not automatically restart the Vehicle Stability Control system when you restart your vehicle after turning it off. This means VSC could remain disabled without your knowledge.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Skid Control computer software at no cost to restore proper VSC restart operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headlight adjustment caps were not properly installed during assembly. Without these caps, the headlights can be adjusted horizontally, which violates Canadian regulations that require a built-in aiming device for horizontal adjustment.
What the fix does
Toyota will send you a letter instructing you to visit a dealer, where they will close the aiming caps on your headlights to prevent horizontal adjustment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headlight aiming caps may not be fully closed, which allows the headlight beam to shift horizontally. This causes the headlights to fail safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will close the headlight aiming caps to secure them in the correct position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
