Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2021 Toyota RAV4: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Toyota RAV4 at 28–40 mpg combined across 7 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 411 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

28–40

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as RAV4 HYBRID.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Toyota RAV4, newest first.

Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification

NHTSA 23V865000 Reported Dec 20, 2023
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 23TA15, 23LA03)
Units affected
999,901 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Toyota RAV4 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
RAV42.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular27/35/30 mpg$2,250296
RAV42.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular28/35/30 mpg$2,250290
RAV4 AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DriveRegular27/33/29 mpg$2,300301
RAV4 AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DriveRegular25/33/28 mpg$2,400316
RAV4 AWD LE2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DriveRegular27/34/30 mpg$2,250296
RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DriveRegular25/32/28 mpg$2,400323
RAV4 Hybrid AWD2.5L 4-cyl hybridCVT (6 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular41/38/40 mpg$1,700223

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Toyota RAV4 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Toyota RAV4 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Toyota RAV4 HYBRID SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars15.5%Standard
2021 Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars15.5%Standard
2021 Toyota RAV4 SUV FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars15.9%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Toyota RAV4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 411 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota RAV4, most recently on Oct 22, 2026. 48 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 49 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Toyota RAV4 complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Air bags142
Unknown or other75
Electrical system48
Engine41
Power train22
Service brakes22
Fuel/propulsion system21
Steering19
Visibility/wiper19
Seats18

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Toyota RAV4 model years

Toyota RAV4 by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 RAV438–43 mpg242—
2025 RAV428–39 mpg41065/5
2024 RAV428–39 mpg41775/5
2023 RAV428–40 mpg31715/5
2022 RAV428–40 mpg21545/5
2020 RAV427–40 mpg66505/5
2019 RAV428–40 mpg89055/5
2018 RAV424–32 mpg33485/5
2017 RAV424–32 mpg33215/5
2016 RAV424–32 mpg32575/5
2015 RAV424–26 mpg43045/5

All Toyota RAV4 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Toyota models

2021 Toyota 4Runner2021 Toyota Avalon2021 Toyota C-HR2021 Toyota Camry2021 Toyota Corolla2021 Toyota GR Supra2021 Toyota Highlander2021 Toyota Land Cruiser2021 Toyota Mirai2021 Toyota Prius2021 Toyota Prius Prime2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime2021 Toyota Sequoia2021 Toyota Sienna2021 Toyota Tacoma2021 Toyota Tundra

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.