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2021 Toyota RAV4 Phev
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
375 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 20, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2019–2023 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Phev.
Why caution?
53 complaints involve a crash, fire, injury or injury. Read them before deciding.
Airbags problems dominate (33% of complaints).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#313 of 461Among the 2021 models with a matured record, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Phev ranks #313, scoring higher than 30% of them. See the 2021 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2021 Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Phev, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (125) · Body & structure (21)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Airbags
33%125 complaints · 96 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V865000 (Airbags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not y…”
Electrical system
12%45 complaints · typically near 24k mi · 21 in the last 2 years
“Car makes a whining noise Toyota Pinellas park said it was normal but the transmission is jolting/slipping not accelerating vs the first test drive. Both cv axles were…”
Engine
10%36 complaints · typically near 45k mi · 18 in the last 2 years
“The coolant bypass valve failed and the car is a 2021 Rav 4 LE. I called Toyota and according to the VIN it is not covered for this type of repair. I see quite a few c…”
Visibility & wipers
8%30 complaints · typically near 36k mi · 11 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang and then heard wind entering the cabin of the vehicle. The …”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 3 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 375 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 53 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Air Bags · 23V865000
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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Toyota before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Phev. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report airbags problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any airbags symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 24k miles). Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Toyota RAV4 PHEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every RAV4 Phev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Phev against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.