This page covers 1 recall, 388 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Toyota RAV4.
28–40 mpg combined
5.9–8.4 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. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2021 RAV4, the dominant pattern in owner complaints centers on the airbag and restraint system, which accounts for nearly a third of all reports filed, by far the highest volume of any category. Owners frequently describe the airbag warning light illuminating unexpectedly, with some reporting the system appearing to deactivate or malfunction without a clear triggering event. The electrical system draws the next-highest cluster of complaints, where owners report door locks failing, warning lights cycling on without explanation, and various modules behaving erratically. Engine complaints, while fewer, tend to involve a recurring coolant bypass valve issue that triggers a maintenance warning on the dash, with multiple owners describing the same dashboard message and the same underlying component. Door lock failures, specifically all four locks stopping operation, come up across multiple reports as well, with owners noting the repair cost is substantial.
388
Total Complaints
46
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
28
With Injuries
By System
At a glance
What can fail
A short circuit in the front passenger air bag sensor may prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 →
