2021 TOYOTA RAV4 Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
331
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
AIR BAGS
97 complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. 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 and confirmed that the part was not available. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for additional information. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Dec 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat had not been used since the recall notification was received. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Dec 09, 2025
The vehicle is affected by Toyota Safety Recall 23TA15 / 23TB15 (NHTSA 23V865) involving the front passenger Occupant Classification System sensor. The recall notice states that the sensor may have been improperly manufactured, which could prevent the passenger airbag from deploying in a crash. As of 2025, the manufacturer continues to list the remedy as “not available,” far past the originally estimated timeline of Quarter 3 2024. This means the safety defect cannot be repaired, and passengers may be at risk if the airbag fails to deploy. The issue has been confirmed through Toyota’s recall lookup and dealer inquiries. No warning lights are present, so there is no way for the driver to know if the sensor is malfunctioning. The manufacturer has not provided parts, an inspection, or an interim repair. I am filing this complaint because the prolonged delay leaves the vehicle with an unresolved safety defect.
Dec 02, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags ) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Dec 01, 2025
1. The passenger side airbag has had a recall notification since 12/3/23. It is now 11/8/25. 2. The life and safety of my passengers are at risk. 3. The problem has been confirmed by NHTSA recall notification on 12/3/23, and personal experience. 4. The passenger side airbag warning came on the day I bought the vehicle on [XXX] at CarMax in Oxnard, CA, and was about to drive my Toyota Rav4 XLE off the lot. I was told by the CarMax salesperson that it was because my personal bag on the passenger seat was not heavy enough to indicate an actual person and, therefore, not to worry about this warning signal, this was normal. This obviously was not normal as there has now been a recall of the passenger side air bag system by Toyota/NHTSA as of December 2023. It is now November 2025 and there is no remedy available yet by Toyota per the NHTSA website. Your website stated if no timely remedy is completed, to file a complaint. I am now filing this complaint due to the 2-year delay by Toyota in providing this life-saving remedy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Nov 08, 2025
+ 92 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
41 complaints
I was driving for less than 5 minutes when my sunroof exploded and shattered out of nowhere. My safety was put at risk for several reasons - 1) it sounded like a gun shot had come at me while I was operating the vehicle which was extremely startling. 2) Glass could have shattered all over me and affected my sight on the road. 3) I had to pull over on a busy road not knowing where glass was in my car. 4) This happened due to NO impact, out of NOWHERE.
Nov 18, 2025
I was driving on the highway and my panoramic moonroof spontaneously shattered. It sounded like a gunshot and I didn't realize what had happened until I was able to pull over and examine my car several minutes later. I was very shaken up from the noise and knowing something was wrong with my vehicle but not knowing what happened. As far as I know I didn't have anything hit my vehicle/sunroof and I was driving on a stretch of road with no tree cover at the time. I had the inside sliding part of the moonroof closed so all of the broken glass was contained in there, but if it had been open the broken glass would've fallen all over my head while driving. When looking up information on this online I can see that several people have had similar issues and there looks to be a class action lawsuit in progress about this problem. https://lemberglaw.com/class-actions/gamez-v-toyota-motor/ The sound of the glass shattering was alarming in itself, and also any glass on the roof needs to be laminated to reduce the risk of accidents caused by glass falling on people if they don't have the inside slider closed to catch it.
Oct 22, 2025
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that his wife had just parked the vehicle in front of the business and was about to move the shift gear lever to park(P), when the vehicle accelerated independently, jumped the cement parking block, and crashed into a tree, where it came to a stop. None of the air bags were deployed. The contact suffered minor injuries; had a bruise on the right breast, back pain, chest pain, and lower neck pain that did not require medical attention. The police were not notified. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, and the insurance company then towed to vehicle to another collision center where the vehicle was declared a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.
Oct 21, 2025
While driving on the freeway at normal speed, the glass sunroof shattered. There were no other cars around and we were out in the open, not driving under an overpass or anything. It was an 80 degree day, sunny and not windy.
Oct 08, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The air conditioning condenser was damaged due to impact from a rock, resulting in a loss of cooling function. The damaged condenser is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. • How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The damage to the air condenser caused the air conditioning system to stop functioning, which posed a potential safety risk by reducing visibility due to fogging of windows and contributing to driver fatigue or discomfort during hot weather conditions. • Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue was confirmed by a certified service center. Upon inspection, they verified that a rock had punctured the air condenser, causing refrigerant loss and disabling the air conditioning system. • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The damage has been inspected by an independent service center. It has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives, but it is available for review if needed. • Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps or messages appeared. The first symptom was a noticeable loss of cool air from the vents, which occurred immediately following the incident with the rock. Every mechanic I talk to says they see this all the time. Clearly this is a design flaw and should be a recall. This vehicle is supposed to be an off roading vehicle. How do rocks even get there and damage it? I have to use my insurance to cover this claim as my warranty won’t cover this damage.
Jul 04, 2025
+ 36 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE
12 complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while attempting to roll up the front driver's side window, the contact noticed water on the window. The contact then inspected the rear driver's side and passenger's side windows and noticed that water was clogging the doors. No warning light was illuminated. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known issue but there was no related recall. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Nov 24, 2025
The driver door on my 2021 Toyota RAV4 has an automatic unlock feature that unlocks the door when you approach the car with the key in your pocket. This feature has malfunctioned to the point that I cannot open the door at all, even with the key fob. I have to either manually remove the physical key from the fob and open the door that way, or else enter the vehicle from a different door and unlock manually from inside. This causes a significant delay in my ability to enter the vehicle and could pose a safety risk if I or my wife (who usually drives it) needed to exit a dangerous situation quickly. I’m told this malfunction is the result of a faulty door actuator, and repairs would cost over $300. I’m also told it’s a common bug among RAV4’s from 2018 to 2024. It seems there’s no recall because Toyota is under the impression that it isn’t common enough. Well I’m reporting to let someone know that it is at least one vehicle more common than you previously believed. Also, it’s 2025. I don’t think I should have to pay over $300 for doors that work.
Nov 08, 2025
The component that failed/malfunctioned is the rear hatch. The hinges seem to have misaligned and result in the rear hatch not closing properly. Safety is put at risk because the vehicle notifies the driver through a beep system that the rear door is not fully closed properly and does not shut off until forcefully closed manually. The problem has been produced both by the dealership at an AutoNation and an independent autobody repair shop. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, representatives, or others besides the ones mentioned in the previous sentence. There were no apparent symptoms or problems prior to the failure. The misalignment appeared approximately two years after the original purchased from the dealership and is an ongoing issue.
Aug 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear passenger's side door made an abnormal sloshing sound. Upon inspection, the contact discovered water inside the door. The contact unplugged the rubber seal under the rear passenger door to release the water. The contact was concerned about corrosion of the door and an electrical system failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
May 05, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle after a rainstorm, there was an abnormal water swishing sound inside the vehicle. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered water leakage coming from the bottom of both the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors. The contact stated that the windows and doors were closed during the rainstorm. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Aug 08, 2024
+ 7 more complaints for this component
ENGINE
11 complaints
The vehicle has never been in an accident and has been garage kept. There were 5 pinholes in the radiator that were slowly dripping over time. My radiator fluid went so low my car overheated and had to be taken in for repair. No warning until there was no radiator fluid left and overheated and had to pull over on the highway. Radiator was cracked in 5 places. 4 year old car, less than 55,000 miles. Confirmed and repaired by an independent service center.
Aug 17, 2025
Pop up of "Engine Maintenance Required" , ran the diagnostic steps and confirmed it is due to coolant bypass leak.
May 14, 2025
Keep getting an service engine maintenance message/ check engine light. No codes show up, most likely the coolant bypass valve everyone is having an issue with. Don't receive message when ac is off. Or when blasting heat. Reset and comes back. Needs to be a recall. I see there is a class action lawsuit pending.
Sep 09, 2024
Started seeing the message on the dashboard that says “engine maintenance required visit your dealer” when I took it to get it checked out they said it was the coolant bypass valve, the worker at the Toyota dealership mentioned that it has been happening to other vehicles as well, so he knew exactly what the message meant. Upon doing my own research I found many others with the same issue on their RAV4’s as well. This issue is not covered by their warranty
Aug 25, 2024
Engine maintenance light came on saying to go to dealer at 35,000 miles. The coolant bypass valve needs to be replaced in order to prevent the engine from overheating. Our repair shop coordinated with the dealership who admitted that they commonly see this issue on RAV4 and Corolla models, though there is no recall currently in place.
Apr 29, 2024
+ 6 more complaints for this component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11 complaints
Fuel pressure line leaking gas
Apr 06, 2024
My 2021 Rav 4 Premium I Bought new @ 84 miles from Toyota Town of Stockton,Ca I noticed Once in November 2023 Gas gauge not read gas level properly. December at least twice I noticed issue progress from gas Gauge reading inconsistence to Gas tank failure to fill up or failure to Allow gas. [XXX] I am at Gas station, while trying to fill up Based on my tank level at half a tank My gas tank did not allow gas in I got Push back. I retried 2 more times And gas went in slowly but gas gauge after still read half tank. Local Toyota [XXX] Said they cannot duplicate problem. I cannot rely on accuracy of gauge Or tank I have had same problem gas gauge failure read & tank no accept gas issues In previous Toyota’s bought new. 2008 PRIUS Prius safety issue found by Local Toyota who switched out Gas gauge & possibly gas tank but Issue continued never could be fixed. Reported to Toyota corporation, [XXX] issue started Until I got ride of it 2021. When Prius Deceleration happened for first time On my way to Toyota. I was drove from work I could guide steering but power dropped, deceleration stayed active. So thankful no accident. Toyota Tech said I had gas. They did whatever problem Paused but came back! I HAD TO GET RIDE OF PRIUS SAFETY AT STAKE! [XXX] The Prius decelerated hazards On Prius system on a red Triangle On my computer saying need gas But, it had plenty gas and Technician Found it had gas, that was not cause Of problem. 2020 Hybrid RAV 4 delivered by Roseville Toyota of CA When they delivered SUV on less than full tank to my home. Waited 2 days for insurance Fully ensure car. 3rd day first day I Drove car and I went to gas station Twice to try fill up, but Gas gauge no respond to input of gas In tank. I did a video address issues With Roseville Toyota and Toyota Corporation. I returned car, I did Not know Toyota Corporation Rejected Contract until I spoke to Roseville Toyota in person. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Feb 11, 2024
I purchased car in 12/20. The car has a 14.5 gal sized tank, and gets avg 42 mpg -calculated by miles driven to empty divided by gas pumped when empty- as well as on dashboard display. Since purchase the car registers empty 150 or more miles sooner than the 560 dashboard estimate and than 14.5*42 mpg. I am only able to fill less than 11 gallons when the fuel Guage reads empty with less than 20 miles remaining. The service dept assures me the car is able to drive 560 on a full tank, as the fuel Guage and miles-to-empty ignore a "buffer " of several gallons in the tank. It is unsafe to drive over 150 miles with the car registering no miles remaining. It is unsafe to plan a trip based on dashboard or tank size/gallons mileage, where I could run out of gas in an unsafe region.
Feb 21, 2023
2021 RAV4 Hybrid exhibits fueling problems, consistently. Parked on level concrete, shut off, in "Refuel" status, at the fuel island, it dependably suffers abject failure at attempts to refill the gasoline tank at the fuel pump. With the fuel pump nozzle set to lowest flow setting, at any moment, the fuel being pumped down the filler tube surges back up the filler tube, occasionally spilling out onto the side of the car and the ground. Other times, with the pump nozzle set to lowest flow settings, it may automatically and arbitrarily shut off after 1 gallon or 4 gallons, when the miles driven along with the fuel gauge indicates the tank requires at least 10 gallons. It is impossible to know from one fill-up to the next fill-up if the tank is full, close to full, or several gallons shy of full. Refueling the RAV4 Hybrid is a challenge that defeats the best mechanical and fluid dynamics aware person trying to fill the tank. This issue is ongoing and has been occurring since the vehicle was purchased NEW with 9 miles on the odometer in November 2020. Toyota even sent out a letter to get to dealership to have this fixed, it did nothing to solve problem.
Jun 05, 2022
Toyota of Portland sold me a used 2021 RAV4 hybrid XSE with a defective gas tank. The gas tank does not carry the 14.5 gallons as advertised, the gas gauge cluster is inaccurate, and the mileage remaining on the dash cluster is inaccurate. These defects were not disclosed to me prior to the sale. Immediately after seeing the problem, I brought the vehicle in for service at Vancouver (WA) Toyota. They botched the repair job and the vehicle is emitting gas vapors non stop. Over the weekend, my house was inundated with gas vapors and my household and I experienced dizziness, irritability, poor eyesight, and nausea.
Jan 03, 2022
+ 6 more complaints for this component
VISIBILITY/WIPER
10 complaints
UKNOWN. The panoramic sunroof of my vehicle exploded unexpectedly while driving on the freeway and the glass shattered everywhere. There were no debris in sight that would cause the incident and the glass of the sunroof was facing outward when inspected seems to indicate that the breakage occurred from inside the vehicle. The shattered glass and shards caused minor injuries on myself and one other passenger. The 'explosion' caused the debris glass to have potentially hit surrounding cars on the freeway. The problem has been reported to the dealer but they denying any reoccurrences of this issue . The vehicle has not yet been inspected but has been reported to insurance. There were no other symptoms prior to the failure.
Jun 30, 2025
Without any warning and without anyone touching the car my back windshield exploded out. This flung pieces of glass inches from my toddler as we were about to get in the car. I have a remote car starter (for 4 years on this car) and had started it a few minutes before walking to my car to put my stuff down, I opened the passenger door, put my bags on the seat and closed the door. I then turned around to help my toddler into the car and it suddenly exploded inches from us
Dec 24, 2024
Hello, I recently purchased a RAV4 2021 Limited and immidiateky noticed the side mirrors are shaking while the car is on the move to an extent where it is hard to keep track of the other vehicles from the mirrors. When I looked up this is a toyota design defect for which they have a service bulletin. I believe this should be a safety concern as the mirrors are integral part of driving and excessive shaking limits the usuability as well as strains the driver’s eyes.
Jun 03, 2024
I was driving on the highway there was no cars in front or next to me, it was warm outside about noon the sun was out and I heard a loud bang and a minute later another loud bang, I thought it was a balloon that popped that was in my car and I pulled over and when I saw none of the balloons had popped I thought it was a soda can that exploded in the trunk but I saw they were all intact. When I got home, that is when I noticed the sunroof shattered and it was tented up. Toyota wouldn't honor the warranty, it took 4 days for the dealership to try to find blame on me.
Dec 21, 2023
As I was driving, I heard a loud pop. I looked up and my sunroof was completely shattered.
Nov 22, 2023
+ 5 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES
9 complaints
Brakes lights comes on while driving n the two wheel front makes a grinding sound while still driving… a friend of mine had the same problem took her rav4 2021 to windward toyota Kaneohe hawaii several times n finally on the 5th service was told that it’s her secondary brake system and in my Toyota the LTA DISPLAY WAS ON MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY
Nov 16, 2025
Critical safety concern regarding the braking system in my Toyota Rav4, 2021 which I believe may warrant further investigation for a potential recall as there are none at this time. The issue pertains to the breaking system, which locks up unexpectadly during use, casuing sudden and severe break locking without warning (unable to break). I suspect as many others online who have mentioned this issue on Toyota Forums is that it is the prime breaking software. I have had my breaks inspected multiple times as I was in a car accident where the breaks did not work and I rolled into the car in front of me when we were starting to proceed through a green light at 5MPH. When pushing on the brakes nothing happened and I rolled into a mother and children. Luckily I did not cause significant damage however I explained to her my breaks would not work. This accident then caused me to be dropped from my insurance (policy termination by Geico) since I had switched providers and happened during my 30 day grace period. This malfunction created a significant safety hazard for myself and others on the road as well as fear that it will happen again and should be investigated as I have have this happen multiple times since the accident. Geico claim number: 8817814110000001
Jan 05, 2025
2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE Premium. Purchased new from the dealer. It currently has 75,000 miles (predominantly highway). Condition: The Braking mechanisms behind the firewall intermittently make a noise when the brake pedal is pressed fast (emergency) and/or released. It sounds like a seal barking when the pedal is moving either up or down. These are not your typical noises from a pad or rotor wear. Cause: At approximately 28,000 miles, the seal barking sound was there but very faint. As I added miles the sound became more frequent and louder. I did take it to the dealer who was not able to help. Environment: This seal barking sound can happen at any time and any condition, but is almost always going to happen when I want to avoid hitting an object that suddenly appears in my lane of travel and must brake quickly. Research: I’ve researched several Toyota and Lexus owner forums and found that other owners have the same issue. They described the sound as “seal barking” or “farting” (sorry for the wording, but that is what was used in the forums). Other forum members stated that it could possibly be tied to the master cylinder, brake actuator pump or ABS Brake Pump Booster (or all of them). Conclusion: I’m very concerned because this noise happens when brake components are activated and then may lead to failure. Please let me know if you need more information or an audio recording of the condition.
Mar 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light, she depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle and rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The contact stated a police officer was at the site but no police report was filed. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,047.
Dec 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while his wife was approaching a traffic light and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake was activated to slow and stop the vehicle. The driver was then able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made the dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,900.
Jul 20, 2022
+ 4 more complaints for this component
SEATS
8 complaints
My driver seat suddenly stopped working correctly when trying to move the seat forward or backward. It would make this lagging noise and feel like it was jumping. We had to keep the seat in the position that would be safe for me to sit in and operate the car effectively, but needed to get it fixed because my partner could not sit in the same position and operate the vehicle safely from that position. Took my car to the dealership and they found the track on the right side of the seat was inoperable and the whole bottom frame needed to be replaced. The tech could not produce a reason why this happened, simply saying it gave out. No messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. It happened quickly, one day it was working fine and the next it failed.
Sep 17, 2025
Driver's side electronic seat malfunctioning and stopped working not allowing the seat to go forward or backward for the driver. The car only has 24,337 miles on it as of 08/26/2025. I purchased the car from Green Toyota in Springfield, Illinois in 2021. The dealership tells me the seat and tracks all have to be replaced at a cost of over $2,100.00.
Aug 26, 2025
The seat stops moving forward and back on one side. This issue is caused by a gear that is prone to breaking in models 2019-2024 on the RAV4. As a result, you can't move your seat forward or backward, and it could get stuck. This is a risk because people need to be able to adjust the car seat to fit inside the car properly. If the seat becomes stuck or wedged in the wrong position, it could cause the airbags to deploy incorrectly for the person sitting in the seat. This issue can affect drivers. There is an entire Reddit thread dedicated to it, and even a third-party seller of replacement gears, because Toyota's repair cost exceeds $2000, as you have to buy an entire new rail system instead of a single gear. I took it to the dealership and got a quote for the repair. There was no error message, and it just stopped one day after my wife moved the seat up; it would no longer go back. I'm not sure what caused this, but it seems like a significant issue that the driver's side seat can't be adjusted.
Aug 13, 2025
DRIVER SEAT LOCKED IN FULL FORWARD POSITION AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR LARGER DRIVER. SEAT TRACK FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2400. THIS OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 76,000 MILES OF USE.
Jul 07, 2025
Front drivers seat no longer capable of moving backwards and forwards. One of the rails will not move, causing the seat to rotate left and right and will not move back and forward. This is a hazard as it now no longer is safe for my Wife or I to drive. It is too far back for my wife and too far forward for me. The car is not that old and has not had that many times moving the chair that the expected failure is acceptable.
May 28, 2025
+ 3 more complaints for this component
VISIBILITY
8 complaints
Vehicle has both rear view mirror distortion (assembly mirror face on both sides) vibrate causing distortion deeming outside rear view mirrors useless and hazardous. Toyota issued a technical service bulletin for 2019-2021 Toyota RAV4 models but refuses to pay for this safety defect.
Aug 22, 2025
The outer rear-view mirrors on my 2021 Toyota RAV4 vibrate all times, and excessively at highway speeds (approximately 50–70 mph), creating a shaky and distorted image of surrounding vehicles. This failure of the mirror mounting system makes it difficult to accurately judge the position and speed of other cars when changing lanes, merging, or reacting to traffic. The mirrors remain installed on my vehicle and are available for inspection. This issue poses a serious safety hazard. Because the mirrors do not provide a stable, undistorted view, my ability to monitor blind spots and adjacent lanes is compromised, putting myself, my passengers, and others on the road at increased risk of collision. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by Toyota through Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0079-20, which instructs dealers to install longer mounting studs, reinforcement brackets, and bonding adhesive to correct the defect. Toyota currently limits the repair to vehicles under the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, leaving many unsafe vehicles unrepaired. I recently purchased the vehicle outside the warranty coverage. There were no dashboard warning lights or system messages to indicate the defect. The only symptom is the visible vibration of the mirrors, which first appeared shortly after purchase and persists across normal driving conditions. Because the defect directly impacts driver visibility and compliance with FMVSS 111, I believe this should be escalated from a Technical Service Bulletin to a mandatory safety recall.
Aug 14, 2025
The side mirrors shake heavily especially on highways. It puts my safety at risk and others as I am unable to properly focus on the road ahead of me when I am trying to clearly see if there are cars behind me while I am changing lanes. It causes me to take extra time looking at the mirror that I shouldn't have to in order to change lanes safely. This is a known issue and a Technical Service Bulletin has been created for it, but it requires a payment of over $1,000 to fix when this is an issue caused by the maker of the vehicle. It has been inspected by the maker at a dealership and was agreed that the issue I am facing aligns with the TSB. There were no warnings, as it has been noticed to have gotten worse in the last couple of months.
Jul 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the front driver’s side window became inoperable. The contact stated that the power button would not function properly, and the contact could not get the front window off track. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the window regulator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,804.
May 08, 2025
The sideview mirrors vibrate - the part that vibrates is the actual glass inside. I have read that many other 2021 RAV4 owners have complained about the same issue. The car was taken to a Toyota dealership and they reported not being able to locate a repair kit for this issue. The vibration makes it difficult to use the mirrors when driving at higher speeds on the interstate. It puts myself and others at risk because it makes it more challenging to safely change lanes.
Jul 30, 2024
+ 3 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7 complaints
Message "Voltage Abnormality Steering Power Low" was displayed several times while stopped at traffic lights and the auto stop/start engine feature was engaged. Took vehicle to dealership nothing was done since they could not replicate the issue.
Oct 04, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, being driven, or stationary, the climate control module turned off sporadically. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle for half an hour and then restarted the vehicle, and the climate control module worked as needed for a month. The contact stated that the instrument panel was dim, and the numbers were difficult to see. The vehicle was repaired three times however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a climate control module failure. The vehicle was not repaired after the recent failure. The contact had replaced the climate control module three times prior. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Mar 20, 2025
I've seen this error message (voltage abnormality steering power low) a few times whenever we are at a stop light and begin to go. This only happens whenever the Start/Stop function is active so the engine is stopped while not moving. Then once we start going, it will show up for a second and then disappear. We have taken the car to a local shop where they said that the alternator was beyond normal use and we received a quote as they believed it was worth replacing. When we went to Toyota dealership as the alternator is still under warranty they said they didn't see anything, they would not allow us to drive the car or hold onto the break in their shop. Problem continues to persist.
Oct 17, 2024
The vehicle was left parked for 7 days and battery was found to have discharged and would not start or provide any displays on the dash board. No map lights were were found to have been left on and no accessories were connected.
Oct 22, 2023
-Rear passenger door lock actuator fails -Safety risk of door not automatically locking when driving -Problem has been reproduced because it has occurred more than once -No inspection has taken place -No warning lamps or messages
Jan 21, 2023
+ 2 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
7 complaints
UNKNOWN - My car system starting alerting me as if I had no seatbelt on (which I did) and said SRS Airbag Malfunction.
Jun 03, 2025
Driving straight on side road. Vehicle entered road by attempting a left turn onto road without yielding to me. I swerved to the left and slammed on the breaks but was t boned by their vehicle. Airbags didn’t deploy and we got a message on dashboard indicating faulty airbag. Also upon impact our seatbelts were released.
Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side seat belt warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the passenger’s seat was not occupied by a passenger or object, but the warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Jan 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The air bag and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. 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 not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,777. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Jan 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. 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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH with traffic ahead slowing down, the vehicle registered the traffic information as an immediate stop ahead and the braking system engaged along with the contact depressing the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down. Upon coming to a stop, a pick-up truck rear-ended the vehicle 3 - 4 times. No air bags deployed. The driver's front seat belt failed to retract during the impact to safely secure the driver. The contact sustained injuries to her knees, shoulders, and arms. The front passenger sustained bruises from the seat belt. The rear passenger sustained head and back injuries. All 3 occupants received medical attention via ambulance to the Emergency Room. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed due to it being undrivable. The insurance company was currently inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Oct 11, 2024
+ 2 more complaints for this component
STEERING
6 complaints
EPS warning light keeps buzzing. This has happened several times recently.
May 08, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the screen displayed the steering wheel with an exclamation mark. The warning light was blinking and then turned off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering angle sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
Mar 31, 2025
Rack and Pinion stiff steering, noisy steering, Diagnostic from TOYOTA dealer : Rack and pinion damage , Recomended a replacement
Mar 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle briefly lost electric power steering (EPS). Due to the failure, the vehicle collided with a street sign. The rear cross-traffic and blind spot monitor warning lights were illuminated. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that a certified Toyota technician found no fault with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 7,500.
Sep 07, 2023
Purchase vehicle 2 weeks ago and the tire pressure light has come on 2 times, along with the truck sliding at turns, it also is very bumpy and unstable on expressway, very scary. Would like to get another vehicle.
Jan 19, 2022
+ 1 more complaint for this component
TIRES
6 complaints
I am customer at Mavis Salem, NH and purchased a Cooper Tire Starfire Solarus AS 225/65r17 tire on [XXX]. Undetected at the time of purchase due to lack of inspection by service manager Scott who sold me the tire. Once I drove on the highway I start to experience the vehicle wobbling due to consistent low tire pressure, I found distortion in the tread area and separation of tire tread depth that does not the standards. Mavis would not inspect the tire when i discussed the concerns and denied refunding the purchase because the specific size was not listed on the Cooper Tire recall sheet. I di explain that the tire is part of the series of defective tire: Starfire Solarus AS. I even asked Mavis manager to call Cooper Tire to explain what I as the customer was experiencing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Apr 04, 2025
Thread came off the rim of tire, the car only has 36,000 miles on it. Tire Size P 225/65R17
Dec 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE2, Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: 8X2Y-DE8. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle experienced abnormal shaking and vibration. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who discovered that all four tires were out of round and had experienced tread separation. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Mar 18, 2024
The contact’s daughter owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE2, Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: 8X2Y6 DE8. The contact stated that upon inspecting his daughter’s vehicle, he noticed that the tread all four tires was worn. The contact stated that he used a tire tread gauge identifier that confirmed that the front passenger’s and driver’s side tires had 6/32 tread, and the rear driver’s and passenger’s side tires had 7/32 tread remaining. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the normal tire replacement was at 40,000 miles, while the tire warranty was 60,000 miles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact Firestone. The contact notified the manufacturer however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 18,800.
May 30, 2023
Feb. 26th, 2022 driving I-5 (Tacoma)towards North with my Wife on our way home at approximately 05:00PM (Raining and Windy) Tire got puncture with some type of metal that cause our car swerved immediately slowdown and put my hazard light on at the same time did my best to take the closest exit as safety as possible till we made it to exit (S. 74th St.) Immediately evaluate my REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE (225/65R17 Michelin Primacy) and it was already flat and DAMAGE due to running flat towards our exit (safety location) Called my insurance Roadside Assistant and the same time calling our friends if someone can give us a hand/help. StateFarm Roadside Assistance says 1hr to 1.5hr… while waiting for Raodside Assistance and One of our friend I started looking for my “Spare Tire/Tools” sadly we only have the “Spare Tire and A Jack” it’s missing the the Tire Wrench so I called my salesman and ask what happen I bought a Brand New car and it didn’t came with a “Set of Tools” I didn’t bother checking the trunk of our car since we bought it Brand new I was confident bcoz I know my salesman since he’s been our salesman ever since. Contacted the Toyota Dealership the following day but they just keep putting me on hold. Now I’ve been missing work since we don’t have a car. Reason why I called dealership is to ask if they have a Warranty on my tire and that help us cut a lil of trouble/expenses if our tire is still under warranty. Tire has 12,000 miles that time. Feb 27th (Sunday) woke up early to get my tire fix but unfortunately Costco tire service told me that they can do or repair my tire anymore. Tried contacting Michelin but sadly still unlucky. Feb 28th I called out work to get my tire fix, while getting my tire fix I tried contacting Toyota Rodland again to ask about my Tire Warranty but no one answers. Texted my salesman but he answered my text late evening told me he couldn’t anything about the tire, all he can do is to give me a Set of Tire Wrench.
Mar 04, 2022
+ 1 more complaint for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
5 complaints
1. most recent. 03/01/2024 sunroof spontaneously exploded during my drive to work. broken glass fell on me as I drove. No bad weather. nothing hit it. just spontaneous explosion. 2. older claim. about a year of having purchased the car the front windshield cracked while parked at work. like the other incident no accident. I had that fixed. but the wipers do not work properly. Toyota charged me to have them check but did not fix it. to this day they only work at medium or maximum speed. wipers do not work on low or intermittent. after doing some research on the internet and YouTube it seems that this is becoming common with this model car.
Mar 04, 2024
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has extremely poor right forward visibility and obstruction by the hood and the A pillar. These cars are unsafe. The front hood does not slope down, so visibility is obstructed, and the A pillar and mirrors (rear view and front right side mirror) further obstruct views. I took a photograph of the right front view and 50% or more of the view when looking right is obstructed. These cars should be taken off the road.
Apr 25, 2022
I found the moonroof of my 15-day old 2021 Toyota RAV4 spontaneously exploded while sitting parked in my driveway. As the shade that covers the moonroof was open, I incurred minor abrasions from not realizing that the "s**t on my console" was not dust or fuzz, but tiny shards of broken glass that I had already swiped with my hand. There is a large, jagged hole near center on the rear section of glass and the entire moonroof is shattered. Strangely, the glass around the hole is bowed outward as if something was shot through from the inside of the vehicle. Thankfully I was not driving & did not have my kids in the car with me when it happened because there would have been definite safety issues for me, my passengers, and any others out on the road with me. The car was last used about 6:30pm on Saturday, 12/11/21 and not used again until about 11:15am on Monday, 12/13/21. It spent the time not being used parked towards the rear of my driveway, shaded by my house. There are no trees or other possible falling hazards near my driveway and nothing found in or around my car to suggest a projectile/object was involved.
Dec 13, 2021
Rear windshield shattered on a parked car. We closed the passenger doors after getting in and the rear windshield started falling off in pieces
Jul 18, 2021
THIS ISSUE HAPPENED ON 12/31/2020. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS EVENING. I CAME ONTO AN ONRAMP DURING MY DRIVE AND I BEGAN INCREASING MY SPEED TO 70MPH. AS I'M ACCELERATING I STARTED TO NOTICE A WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE SUNROOF . I INSTANTLY ASSUMED THAT MY HUSBAND HAD ACCIDENTALLY OPENED THE SUNROOF AND HAD NOT CLOSED IT BACK UP ALL THE WAY. (WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR VERY LONG AT ALL SO WE ARE STILL LEARNING WHICH BUTTONS DO WHAT.) AS I PULL BACK THE COVER I NOTICE THAT THERE ARE SHARDS OF GLASS FALLING ONTO MY LAP FROM THE SUNROOF. I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE I WAS NOT MISTAKEN. SURE ENOUGH THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED AND THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE. I HAVE NO WAY OF EXPLAINING HOW THIS HAPPENED AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT I HAVE TO MAKE A CLAIM ON A CAR I HAVE HAD FOR MAYBE A MONTH AND A HALF AND EVEN MORE UPSET THAT I CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE SUNROOF!
Jan 03, 2021
POWER TRAIN
5 complaints
I was reversing. I exited vehicle The Car was either not in park or fully In park. I got something from the back seat, turned around and the car with drivers door wide open was barreling towards me. I barely managed to get into the car. I do not think tjr car was reversing when I reached into the backseat. It appeared like it was a delayed reaction. The car door was damaged as it hit the side of the garage. I am so grateful nobody got hurt. Do not want this to happen to anyone else. (I run and miraculously made it inside the car. Most would not have.
May 28, 2022
Me ([XXX]) and my 3 children went on a trip from July 25- July 30 to Sequoia National Park & Yosemite National Park . On Wednesday , July 28 around 1:30 pm we were at Yosemite Park and I pulled over to take some photos of the beautiful park(nature) . I made sure my children , the car and myself were in a correct parking spot , I put my RAV4 LE in Park position (P) and the car automatically put on the hand break and it makes a loud noise, letting me know it's safe . The RAV4 does not have a hand break like other cars , it only has a small pull button. Anyways the car was in Park position with the automatic break , I stepped out the vehicle and walked toward the front of the car and my RAV4 just stared to roll down and hit a tree . I ran inside the car to stop it but it was too late . The RAV4 had crashed into the tree with my 3 children, they were all asleep when it happen and lucky no one was hurt. The car has a alot of damages in the front area and on the drivers side . The dash was all lit up with messages saying system fail(Pre collision system) INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Aug 02, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER DISENGAGED, PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF DEERFIELD BEACH (1441 S FEDERAL HWY, DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33441) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, NOTHING WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mar 25, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 AS A LOANER VEHICLE FROM SERRA TOYOTA (1300 CENTER POINT PKWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35215) AS HIS PERSONAL VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REMEDY REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER VEHICLE AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING WHILE ACCELERATING. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER LOANER VEHICLE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER AND A CASE FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,935. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mar 18, 2021
MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHE COMPLAINED TO ME THAT OUR NEW 2021 RAV4 SUDDENLY LURCHES WHEN SLIGHTLY ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. I THEN DROVE WITH HER AND WITNESSED THE SAME ISSUE ALTHOUGH I COULD NOT REPLICATE IT MYSELF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TUSTIN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR) BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THAT BEING SAID THE CARS ARE SO NEW THAT IT MAY JUST BE THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH NEW OWNERS YET TO REPORT THE PROBLEM.
Dec 09, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
4 complaints
Several malfunction warnings (pre-collision system malfunction, AWD malfunction, engine malfunction, parking brake malfunction) as well as several warning lights appeared on my dash. Took vehicle to a Toyota dealership for repairs. Fuel pump was replaced. Drove car a few days later and all the same warnings and lights came back on and this time the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road while driving. Was able to restart but had as soon as vehicle was stopped it would stall. Had to restart the vehicle several times while driving 2 miles just to get it home.
Apr 05, 2025
I received an error message “Engine stopped, steering power low” after driving an hour in the rain, sat in my car for about 20 mins with wipers on, engine began to jerk aggressively then shut off. I could not gas it or move the car. I let the car sit after being towed, it ran fine as if nothing happened. I got a battery test and it was at 100% charge according to Autozone. The check engine light, battery light and steering light came on. No prior indications of this problem.
Apr 06, 2024
We were on a drive back from Nashville like normal. My mom had picked me up from work at around 07:15. The car started making strange sounds as we were driving down the highway. It started yelling at us to pull over to a safe spot and slowing down. All of the lights had come on flashing at this time. It didn’t even make it to the shoulder; We made a stop on the triangle area for when cars come in from the exit. As soon as we stopped, smoke started engulfing us and 2 guys who saw this happening parked on the shoulder and came running out of their van with fire extinguishers and started telling us to get out. When we went around the car to check what was going on, we noticed the fire that had started from the bottom of it. They fired the extinguishers a couple of times to the bottom of it where we could see the fire but it didn’t help much so we had to retreat to a safer spot. We called 911 to ask them to send assistance. Not long after, the front half of the car was engulfed in flames. 10-20 minutes later, the fire department came to extinguish the flames. Once they got the fire under control, they towed the car to the shoulder of the road where we proceeded to salvage anything that was salvagable from the car. Where I got my hands cut up from broken shards that were littered all over the interior. We waited for awhile for another form of transportation to be able to make it home and it took a little bit due to the traffic that this incident had caused. We got the car towed back to Toyota for evaluation of the incident. It was supposed to be done within 2 months, but we still hadn’t heard anything about it going into 3. We called them to inquire about the car and the situation, and they said that they had closed the case and had to reopen it for further investigations. They had closed the case and not told us anything about it. We received an email on the 23rd of January that stated the vehicle was too far damaged for them to be able to evaluate anything.
May 22, 2023
Since I bought my brand-new car 1. the engine has stopped 5 times. 2. My windshield cracked. 3. There is low tire air pressure indicator that appears once in a while. A new battery was replaced, and it now cannot start. The message on the screen indicates: "IGNITION ON, Voltage abnormality steering power Low. Visit your Dealer." I took it the Dealer and now they are not able to find out what the problem is because I had to jam started the car for it to be towed.
Dec 14, 2022
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
4 complaints
On February 14, 2024, I was driving to pick up a friend who needed a ride to an appointment. I had the lane correction feature on while I was driving on the interstate. When I exited the interstate, I traveled on a two-lane road that becomes narrow as it travels along a downhill slope. This road has a steep ravine on the right side of the road caused by rainwater runoff. There are reflector signs cemented into the road along the steep drop off. Because there was no oncoming traffic, I crossed the center line avoiding getting too close to the edge. When I did so, the lane correction feature activated, pulling the car hard into the signs along the road. As a result, the entire right side of the car received extensive damage. I was fortunate not to have lost control of the vehicle and gone through the signs into the ditch. My first reaction was to think that I had lost a wheel or had a tire blow out for the car to have jerked so hard to the right. When I stopped, I saw that this was not the case. I have since read that there have been many instances where the auto lane correction has caused other accidents like mine, some of which have been more severe. It is unfortunate that I have the inconvenience of getting the damages fixed and an accident being reflected in my insurance as a result. However, I feel fortunate that I was driving the car and not one of my children who may have lost control. I am glad the signs were securely installed to keep me from rolling into the ditch. I feel most blessed that nobody was injured. What if I had swerved to avoid a person walking on the road instead of the signs posted there? There was not a police report taken on this accident. It was reported to the dealer and insurance company who referred me to Caliber Collision for repairs where it is currently. There were no warning lights prior to the incident.
Mar 13, 2024
We bought our new 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid on Sept. 1, 2021, but didn't drive it on a highway until Oct. 4, 2021. On that day, I was driving on Interstate Hwy 70. I entered that highway near Copper Mountain, CO and was driving east to return to Denver. It is a big highway with wide, well marked lanes. I set my cruise control speed to 63 mph. Almost immediately, I noticed that the Lane Centering steering adjustment system seemed to be taking the car from close to the left lane line to close to the right lane line, and back and forth. A couple of times, it even drifted to or over the lane line and triggered the Land Departure Alert alarm. At first, I tried to overcome the automated Lane Centering adjustment by manually steering against it, but the swaying back and forth across the lane became increasingly wide and violent. I was unable to control it. It was terrifying. For a moment, I was sure that I would crash. I don’t know if I hit the brake pedal, but I did quickly press the CANCEL button on the cruise control, and that ended the swaying back and forth. The whole experience lasted probably less than one minute, and at no time did I notice any alarms or warning signals. I took the car to my dealership and asked them to check the functioning and settings of the cruise control and lane tracing assist functions. They told me that my settings were normal and that everything was working properly. I informed Toyota customer service about the problem and told them of my near crash. They consulted with my dealership's service department and repeated that everything was working properly. Neither the dealer nor Toyota customer service offered any explanation of reasons for my near crash. I have continued to drive the car, but I have tried to disable all the "safety" features that allow the car to take control of my steering. I am afraid to try to reproduce the problem myself, and I am quite sure that my dealer did not attempt to do that either.
Nov 14, 2021
New 2021Toyota Rave4 vehicle would take over steering and turn left or right from the center of the lane. This issue would consistently steer you to a road shoulder or into another lane. A less experienced driver would have crashed. The steering pull is so significant that one is unable to take a drink or turn on the radio without the possibility of an accident. The last incident steered me into the path of a Cement Truck nearly causing an accident. Had I not been extra cautious, an accident would have occurred. The "vehicle is operating as designed" and "some customers are overly sensitive to the safety features" was the conclusion of Vancouver WA Toyota Service and advised to return the vehicle when an incident reoccurs. I insisted the next incident could kill someone. Service spoke to someone and apologized that in fact a Past Tech Bulletin (2019-2021) was released by Toyota addressing this issue. Service obtained a video from the vehicle and confirmed my complaint that the steering had indeed hijacked the vehicle and steered into the path of a Cement Truck. My concern of serious bodily injury or death is substantiated and documented by Vancouver WA Toyota and Toyota Corporation. Respectfully [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Jul 06, 2021
THIS VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF ITS LANE KEEP ASSISTANCE. ONE ACTIVATED, IT REGULARLY WILL DO THE OPPOSITE OF KEEPING YOUR LANE. IT HAS RUN ME OFF THE ROAD AND ALSO INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT. I HAVE ESCALATED TO THE DEALER AS THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY AND IS IN SAFE. UPON ACTIVATION OF THE LTA, IT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL APPROX 15- 20 DEGREES AND IMMEDIATELY TAKES YOU OUT OF THE LANE. THE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THEN TRIES TO BRING YOU BACK AND THIS GOES ON AND ON WITH CLEARLY MARKED LANES. IF I DIDN'T APPLY QUITE A BIT OF FORCE TO PREVENT THE DEPARTURE I COULD HAVE WELL BEEN AN INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GOING DOWN A WELL MARKED INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, NIGHT AND DAY TIME, NO RAIN OR SNOW/ICE. THE VEHICLE RECOGNIZED THE LANE DEPARTURE (BEEPS) BUT IT WAS THE VEHICLES SYSTEM THAT DROVE THE CAR OUT OF THE LANE (WITH MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL OF COURSE). A VIDEO CAN BE SHARED UPON REQUEST.
Feb 26, 2021
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 complaints
It’s been a year since I have owned my 2021Toyota Rav and it has randomly been shutting off with the notice: Power Steering Voltage Abnormality. I have taken the vehicle to get checked but nothing is coming up indicating what the issue is. The battery is fine, the alternator is fine, and there doesn’t seem to be any electrical issues with the power steering. I have seen that there has been certain recalls on the power steering voltage notice on the Toyota Ravs and owners complaining about a random shut off on their vehicles. I am one of those owners and would like to know why my vehicle hasn’t been issued a recall. It is a safety hazard and concern. My vehicle has been shutting off in the middle of a busy highway. Please look into this issue.
Apr 29, 2025
Just a little over 33k miles, regular maintenance wit dealer, after the power steering light flashes on then goes off after auto stop of motor when stopping and stop at long intervals sometime see a battery charging at same time. Fluid is great no noise. I see a recall but not on this vin. However I’m reading on line several of these are having the same issue, the car is too new..
Dec 04, 2024
There is an issue that seems to be plaguing certain 2021+ Toyota models after a lot of research on this topic. My RAV4 has been operating perfectly and around 42k the Voltage Abnormality: Power Steering Low warning came on. I've had the alternator, starter, and battery tested. Alternator and starter were given a good bill of health, the battery was given a full recharge as it outputting a bit low. The battery was put back into my car and the issue still persists. The issue only occurs after the automatic shut off feature engages when fully stopped at a light or in traffic. If I drive with the feature turned off (something I have to do every time I turn the car on now) the issue doesn't happen. If the issue persists the car can become "locked" and either completely undriveable or a safety hazard to drive if the issue/warning light take full effect and engage the safety features of the car to prevent dangerous driving. Multiple people online are reporting instances of full vehicle seizure on the highway due to this issue and it is becoming a growing safety concern as most cars encountering this issue are reaching 35k+ miles when the issue seems to start occurring on certain vehicles
Jul 17, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
3 complaints
We’ve had the car for three months had it to the shop of the Toyota place seven times for the electrical issue the car will shut off going down the road when you give a gas when you let off the gas, it will start back up spitting sputter, the instrument cluster The gauges will stick in one spot and not budge and you lose all power to the vehicle to drive
Jun 04, 2024
A warning message came up that the HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION contact dealer. This was confirmed by the dealer. According to the dealer and message boards at various web sites, the Hybrid System Malfunction is NOT uncommon. To fix the problem, a wire harness must be replaced with a replacement cost of $2000-$4000. When I asked what changes have been made to the replacement part to address the corrosion problem, the response was there might be a new coating but we do live in New Hampshire.
May 21, 2024
The contact stated that the owner of a 2021 Toyota Rav4 was driving approximately 35 mph when the odor of burning rubber was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. After stopping and exiting the vehicle flames were present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed during the incident. A fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The contact indicated that the vehicle had recently been repaired after a front-end crash had occurred. The contact also references an NHTSA open investigation(PE21005) for the same failure that had occurred. The failure mileage was 30,000
Aug 11, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaints
Driving with cruise control on, on a 2 lane road with a left turn lane. Approx 40MPH. Vehicle ahead of me by 4-5 car lengths got into left lane. When I has about 10 feet from him my brakes automatically slammed on, he was in his lane, I was in my lane. This has happened 4-5 times since I've had the veh. I now stay aware that this might happen and stay ready to cancel the cruise. This could be very dangerous if someone was right behind me. Dealer test drove and ran scan no problem found. Which as expected, if it doesn't happen when they test drive there's not a lot they can do. I understand this.
Jun 27, 2023
While traveling on highway with adaptive cruise control engaged and maximum following distance selected, adaptive cruise control applies excessive braking force than necessary when vehicle in front exits highway. Safety concern because following vehicles must abruptly apply brakes. Dealership or police have not inspected vehicle. No visual or audio warnings. Internet search reveals numerous, similar complaints.
Apr 23, 2023
Does not maintain cruse control speed that I set when traffic becomes heavier around the car for example….cruise control stops working and car slows down as vehicles are passing my car, or are driving in front of me or in back of me. It does not like traffic near by. If there’s no traffic it works and maintains the set speed.
Apr 24, 2022
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
2 complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while her daughter was dropping her off, the daughter shifted to park(P), and the vehicle made an abnormal static sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon shifting to drive(D). There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. An independent auto electrician was contacted and informed the contact that the abnormal sounds could be related to an engine failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,314.
Nov 12, 2025
"What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?" Coolant bypass valve is malfunctioning. "How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?" unknown "Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?" Service manager at Tuscaloosa Toyota confirmed problem without even inspecting the vehicle. He told me I am not the only Toyota customer experiencing this problem. "Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?" Vehicle nor component has been inspected by manufacturer. "Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?" Warning alert that reads 'engine maintenance required' has been appearing on the vehicle's dashboard for over a year now.
Jun 02, 2025
SUSPENSION
2 complaints
I went to get my car aligned and new tires as i noticed the rear tire was completely bald on the inside rear. I was advised by the tire shop that they cannot adjust the rear camber. So i took it to the dealership and they advised me that itis not adjustable and they would need to do another alignment and place shims to get the adjustment right. This was a brand new car when i got it. Always up to date on all the services. I also looked it up and its being said on a-lot of websites that a bunch of these vehicles was shipped out of alignment. They will not fix it without me paying for one of their mistakes because they say its maintenance. Maintenance is not modifying a vehicle to get the alignment correct. It has to be a safety issue because someone is going to have a tire fly apart because of tremendous early wear
Sep 03, 2025
Rust under the hood just where the front suspension mounted.
Feb 12, 2023
AIR BAGS,SEATS
2 complaints
I've spoken with Toyota and confirmed that there is a chance my passenger airbag will not deploy. They have no remedy, and the expected date of resolution has been expired for 10 months. Their only recommended action is to not have a passenger ride in my vehicle!
Aug 27, 2025
In early March 2024 we received the recall notice for our Toyota RAV4 LE because the OCS (air bag sensor) on passenger seat were found to possibly be faulty. I have called the dealer and Toyota's customer service hotline about once a month with no response given that a remedy is available as yet. What is the problem with Toyota taking so long to provide a remedy for this faulty sensor. We are two senior citizens who own a very nice basic RAV4 which we really enjoy especially the 30-32 gasoline mpg even in town. We have absolutely no complaints about the vehicle other than we cannot go anywhere together because no one can sit in the front seat without being a safety hazard. Yes, we could use the back seat but would you like to have to do that? This is very frustrating as a consumer to have purchased a vehicle and we cannot use it or choose not to because of the Toyota recall. Is there any way the government can put some pressure on Toyota to hurry up and get a remedy/replacement parts for the problem. Or have the dealer voluntarily check to see if the current OCS might happened to not be faulty. We would greatly appreciate any intervention or assistance you could provide. Thanks for your time and attention.
Jan 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
2 complaints
While parked in a commercial lot on [XXX] around [XXX], I noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle while sitting inside. There was a strong burning rubber smell. I exited and saw flames coming from beneath the front left bumper, directly under the fog light area. I had arrived at the location about 30 minutes earlier. I opened the hood from inside the vehicle, stepped back, and called 911. The fire rapidly engulfed the front of the vehicle. Firefighters arrived within 10 minutes and extinguished the fire. Police responded and created a report. Three nearby vehicles also sustained fire damage. The vehicle had previous front-end repairs (driver side bumper and fog light) and was well maintained. The vehicle had not shown any warning lights or messages prior to the fire. I believe the fire originated from an electrical or engine component and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. GEICO insurance has been contacted and a claim has been opened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Jun 10, 2025
When driving the car and stopping at a stop sign or stop light, the engine will shut off. The automatic restart occurs and with the headlights on the climate temp control display flickers While all the other dashlights remain bright. Many people are disabling the system. Since there is a switch you can press, defeating the system. Toyota sent a technical specialist who inspected the system. And since he couldn't find how to fix it, declared it normal. Apparently toyota designed the car to do this for some unknown reason. He stated That lights will dim when the car restarts. It is not dimming as if a current draw, it flickers every time. This of course, affects the fuel economy of the car, defeating the system, which many people do and creates a concern of why that one component flickers. Toyota installs a heavy 605A battery to operate this system Since there are so many restarts. Will this create a car fire at some point? I would imagine That it makes a difference in The cafe reporting since so many people Disable the system.
Oct 24, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
2 complaints
Coolant Bypass Valve The problem has been confirmed by the dealer Warning: Engine Maintenance Required
May 06, 2025
I own a 2021 RAV4 which I routinely get serviced at the Passport Toyota. On June 29, I took my car to Passport Toyota for service because the maintenance required message appeared on my car’s dashboard. The service advisor texted me a list of recommended services for my RAV4. One of recommended services was to replace the coolant bypass valve. I agreed to the service at $800. On July 3rd the check engine light came on and the car begin to overheat. I was 2 miles away and immediately drove there to inform them of the issue. They checked my car in for service, and explained to me that a hose must have come loose and was the cause of a coolant leak. When I received my vehicle, the check engine light was off, and the car seemed to be in working condition. On July 23 the maintenance required message returned. Again, I immediately drove my vehicle to the dealership and checked it into the service department. My service advisor notified me that they needed to reset the maintenance required message, and it would go away. I received my car back and the maintenance required message was no longer there and seemed to be in working conditioned. The next morning, July 24 while driving to an appointment, my car started to overheat and the check engine light came on again. This time the car was smoking. I was less than 5 miles from the dealership so I took it back to the them and checked it in for service. After having my car in for service for one week, they called me and stated that the issue was related to me having blown a head gasket, and I would need a new engine. The service department continued to do test as required by Toyota to determine the cost of a engine and how much they would cover. Three weeks later, they told me that Toyota will pay half the cost and I have to pay $3200 out of pocket with only about year warranty. I brought my car in several times and clearly mistakes and misdiagnosis were made on their part which led to the destruction of my vehicle.
Aug 23, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaints
The High voltage floor underwire harness and rear traction motor cable corroded. This caused many if the vehicles sensors to fail completely including the tire pressure monitor system, adaptive cruise, collision avoidance, and more. Toyota is aware of this problem and attempted to do a silent warranty extension. This is a safety hazard and all of the known vehicles affected should be recalled!
May 04, 2025
Cruise control suddenly quit working, alarms for hybrid system malfunction, cruise control malfunction. This is a known issue for Toyota, high voltage leaking out because of a corroded ground. This repair is going to cost around $7,000 out of pocket.. My car is 3 years old.
Jun 28, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaints
Rear right light got water in it after washing the car and the electrical wires shot out and car went on fire. Firefighters came and investigated and came to this conclusion. Car was totaled and insurance company took pictures and wrote report. Car will be towed by insurance company today. Car was in driveway next to house, we saw smoke from window and fire was extinguished quickly but it was fortunate that we were home and saw it in time so it did not spread anywhere else. Car had not been driven for 2 days and was not on, no warning lights in past. No accidents in past, all maintenance done by Toyota dealer.
Apr 25, 2025
LED headlights do not emit heat and allow ice to cover entire headlight group, blocking illumination. Problem is exacerbated with road grime in the ice. LED headlights, also, do not provide enough light spectrum to identify objects in the dark—nearly all other lights provide better/friendlier illumination to the human eye at night. LED headlights are a safety issue in the dark… made worse in icy conditions.
Feb 23, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaints
Hybrid system failure resulting in vehicle not being drivable at all. Failure is due to corrosion from connector between high voltage harness into rear traction motor. Failure occurred 8,000 miles past warrantee cut-off (100,000) and will require weeks to months to fix 2/2 parts on backorder.
Apr 08, 2025
Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to formally report a safety concern with my 2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid regarding its fuel tank capacity and refueling issue. Despite the advertised fuel tank capacity of approximately 14.5 gallons, my vehicle only allows me to fill around 9 gallons before the pump automatically shuts off. This significantly reduces my driving range and forces me to refuel much more frequently than expected. After researching, I discovered that Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0109-20 acknowledging this issue, along with Customer Support Program 20TE04. However, my local Toyota dealership refuses to acknowledge the issue or perform the necessary repairs, despite my vehicle clearly experiencing the problem. I believe this poses a safety risk because: •The incorrect fuel level readings can lead to drivers miscalculating available fuel, potentially resulting in unexpected stalls or breakdowns. •It suggests a defect in the fuel tank design, which Toyota has acknowledged but has not proactively addressed with a recall. •Many other Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners have reported similar issues, indicating this is a widespread manufacturing defect. Additionally, my wireless charging pad malfunctions and blinks constantly, raising concerns about potential electrical issues in a hybrid vehicle. Given the combination of fuel-related and electrical concerns, I am worried about possible safety risks that could arise from these defects. I am requesting the NHTSA to: 1.Investigate this issue further to determine if it qualifies for an official recall. 2.Require Toyota to take accountability and provide a permanent fix for affected vehicles at no cost to owners. 3.Ensure dealerships honor repairs for vehicles experiencing these known defects. I appreciate your time in reviewing this complaint. Please let me know if any further information is needed to assist in your investigation. Thank you.
Mar 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaints
I was on highway 41 going around 40mph when my car out of nowhere slammed on the breaks ( the pre collision censor ) I believe is what caused it. About 10 mins prior to the incident when I was backing out of the gas station it braked (abruptly with noise) even though nothing was in the way or approaching my vehicle. I would say that I was stuck in the car for about 5 mins before I could get it to start driving again. The electrical flashed and shut off right when the car braked. I did have my two dogs in the backseat and thankfully no one was harmed.
Sep 04, 2023
While traveling on highway with adaptive cruise control engaged and maximum following distance selected, adaptive cruise control applies excessive braking force than necessary when vehicle in front exits highway. Safety concern because following vehicles must abruptly apply brakes. Internet search reveals numerous, similar complaints. We were almost rear-ended on the highway. This feature is great, but needs attention for safety reasons.
Jun 02, 2023
WHEELS
2 complaints
there is no access to tpms data unless purchasing subscription from toyota to read the onboard computer where the data is readily available. this leaves a major safety feature is behind a paywall and should not be counted as installed as it does not work independantly.
Jul 05, 2023
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2021 TOYOTA RAV4. THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT I EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO AIR IT UP THE VALVE STEM BROKE AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE VALVE STEM IS ONE UNIT AND CONNECTED TO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. I LEARNED THAT THE STEMS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND SUBJECT TO BREAKING DUE TO THE SOFT METAL. TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER THE EXPENSE SAYING IT WAS DRIVER ERROR. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE SHOP WHERE THE TIRE WAS PLUGGED TOLD ME THIS HAPPENS QUITE A BIT. I WAS SHOCKED THAT TOYOTA WOULD INSTALL SUCH CHEAP METAL ON THEIR CARS. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND CAN EASILY LEAVE ONE STRANDED. MY COST WAS NEARLY $300. THE BREAKAGE WAS NOT MY FAULT. IT WAS A PROBLEM OF SOFT ALUMINUM. I BELIEVE THESE STEMS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH HIGH QUALITY STEEL. THANK YOU.
Feb 20, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2 complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,500.
Jun 23, 2022
Toyota RAV4 2021 fuel tank capacity should be 14.5 Gallons as per manufacturer but never managed to pump close to 12 Gallons. Called Dealer but refuse to acknowledge the defect
Feb 01, 2022
LANE DEPARTURE
2 complaints
I have reported this issue to Brunswick Toyota Service Advisors twice. The lane keep assist will pull and yank all over the lane. This is an SUV and it is a very scary experience feeling a taller vehicle make quick adjustments and almost feel as if the steering wheel is going to be yanked out of your hands. This will happen at all speeds cruise control and lane keep are active.Both times the Service Advisors advised me that I should just turn it off because that is what most people do. I did not buy a car with this feature to turn it off. The 2nd time I was advised I would be contacted by someone to schedule an appointment to have it looked at, no one ever contacted me. There are multiple reports of other people experiencing the same sharp adjustments and unable to keep in it's lane and this needs to be investigated. Thank you.
May 19, 2022
NO AUDIO WARNING. BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) FLASHING IS NOT VISIBLE WHEN SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY REFLECTS INTO MIRROR. AUDIO ALERT IS AVAILABLE, BUT LIMITED TO CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT WHICH USES SAME SENSORS.
May 10, 2021
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
While driving at highway speeds (approx. 65 MPH), the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic loss of motive power. The "Hybrid System Malfunction" warning illuminated, followed immediately by a "Check Engine" light. The vehicle entered a fail-safe mode, then completely shut down. The steering wheel locked, making it extremely difficult to maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder in a dark, remote area with freezing temperatures. This presented an immediate life-safety risk to all occupants. Following the incident, the vehicle was presented to two separate authorized Toyota dealerships in the US for emergency assistance. Both failed to provide the standard of care required for a high-voltage safety failure. The first dealer refused to perform even a basic safety inspection or intake the vehicle, stating they had no hybrid technicians on weekends. They turned the vehicle away without safety warnings, forcing the operation of a chemically failing vehicle on public roads. The second dealer attempted to charge a diagnostic fee. However, when questioned, they admitted they also did not have a hybrid-certified technician on site. They attempted to bill for a diagnostic service they knowingly could not perform. This fraudulent charge was only rescinded after it was challenged. They subsequently refused further assistance, leaving the occupants stranded. The vehicle was eventually towed to a third dealer (in Canada) where it was diagnosed with severe corrosion of the High-Voltage Floor Under Wire Harness (MGR Cable), a known defect. The dealer confirmed the rear motor cable was corroded and required replacement. The repair involved replacing the cable and installing a "splash guard" cap. No prior warning signs occurred before the sudden highway shutdown. This failure is a result of the manufacturer's failure to adequately seal high-voltage components against corrosion and the dealer network's gross negligence in refusing emergency safety support.
Dec 08, 2025
AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
I was involved in an accident on the interstate traveling at about 80 mph and I hit a guard rail. I swerved, and then the lane assistance kicked in and made me lose control of the car completely, which is how I slammed into the guard rail. In that process, none of the airbags deployed and I had a passenger in the car.
Nov 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
On May 1, 2025, my 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid displayed an SRS Airbag malfunction warning (Recall 23TA15). The passenger airbag was disabled, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Toyota had announced this recall in December 2023, but I never received any notification. When I contacted Toyota on May 9, 2025, I was told there were no parts available and was even offered a $200 paid inspection instead of a free recall repair. My vehicle remained at the dealership from May until September 29, 2025, without any available remedy. During this period, I continued paying my auto loan and insurance for a car I could not use. Toyota also failed to disclose my right to a free rental vehicle; I only received temporary rentals (Camry, later Tacoma) after repeated demands, and they did not meet my transportation needs. While the airbag recall was still unresolved, a second safety recall (25TD01 – Rear Traction Motor Cable Corrosion) was announced in mid-September 2025. This meant my vehicle had two active safety recalls at the same time while in Toyota’s custody. Both defects were only repaired at the end of September and early October 2025. Toyota failed to notify me in time, delayed the remedy for nearly two years after the recall announcement, concealed rental rights, and allowed my vehicle to remain unsafe under multiple recalls for months. An independent arbitrator has already issued a repurchase decision, confirming Toyota’s responsibility. This demonstrates a systemic failure by Toyota to comply with recall and safety obligations.”
Oct 02, 2025
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
I have a carbon monoxide leak going on since I bought this vehicle. I have been complaining about noises I have been hearing from the drive train and got a diagnosis from the same dealer with well over 1k worth of work. This has caused me a lot of lost money since I have been from dr to dr and back and forth with the dealership and now I tested for carbon monoxide and it’s leaking into my vehicle the dealer keeps telling me it’s fine it need a tune up or evap system clean. I am not able to drive this car safely and I have permanent brain damages from the carbon monoxide gas
Sep 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
1. My vehicle had a hybrid warnings and stopped running altogether, but the issue went away after clearing the codes. It came back at 105000mi, Toyota won't help with the $6000 repair. High Voltage Under Floor Cable and Traction Motor Cable on my vehicle (2021 Hybrid Rav4 XLE registered in Massachusetts) is affected by excessive and dangerous corrosion due to a Toyota design issue. 2. The vehicle could suddenly shut off at highway speeds per Matt with Service at Autofair Toyota Tewksbury. Sudden stoppage or deceleration may result in fatal collisions at speed. This failure also leads to fatally high-voltage energizing of the chassis and other frame components in some cases. 3. This is a known design flaw on Toyota hybrid, high-voltage cables/connectors, leading to excessive corrosion and dangerous failure of the hybrid system. There is an extended Toyota customer support program (CSP: 22TE09) valid through 8 years or 100000mi. I purchased the vehicle at 92,000mi but the dealership (CarFive Nashua, NH) and Toyota failed to inform me of this issue (a standard procedure per the CSP) so I could make an informed decision and perform preventative maintenance. Toyota did send me notice of an airbag recall after purchase, so I know they had my information. Now they have left me without options at 105000mi. 4. Yes. It has been inspected and the high voltage cable corrosion confirmed by Autofair Toyota Tewksbury (MA). Image from diagnosis video attached. 5. Warning messages in OBD2 screenshot attached. 6. I'm looking for Toyota to cover the repair for this issue; I've had to repair a valve head gasket and replace the AC system condenser already and this car is barely 4 years old.
Sep 11, 2025
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Coolant bypass valve problem with several rav4s. My car is unusable and I need it to work.
Jul 09, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
Steering power low message appears and engine completely stops.
May 20, 2025
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
1 complaint
While turning slowly, right tun, into a parking space, the vehicle lunged forward at a much higher speed than anticipated. The vehicle jumped the sidewalk, went up an embankment, about 20 degrees, and about 25 feet until it stopped on its own. Happened on April 14th, 2025, about 11:30 am. Driver was is good health, no medical conditions. Driver also has a clean driving record, no infarctions. The vehicle jumped a curb 4 inches high, ran over some light brush, but luckily no damage to vehicle. There are train tracks about 15 feet away, which could have been another incident. Driver says when she slowly pulled into the spot, the car lunged forward, with good thrust, and I am a witness to this incident.
Apr 16, 2025
STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
1 complaint
Abs lights have been on since i bought vehicle the dealership that sold it to me CLEARED the code and did not fix vehicle.
Mar 15, 2025
AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
Toyota issued a preliminary recall in December 2023. I visited my dealership in January 2024, where I purchased my car and learned that there was no fix. Given I use my car to transport my twin babies, I asked for a loaner since they confirmed (at that time) that my car would have a fix later in 2024. I repeatedly checked in on the vehicle and to date, there is no fix. I am paying my car note and do not have possession of my car. I have been told my NY state that since this is a recall, it is not subject to the lemon law program. I've tried working with Toyota and they refuse to rebuy the car or fix the car. They also refuse to release the car to me. I am being forced to drive a loaner vehicle and pay a car note with NO fixes or repairs being done to the vehicle. I need assistance getting my car fixed or refunded for the purchase. It's been over a year that they've held the car and they have no plans to fix it. I'm including a letter that details the incident. I'm happy to follow up with other materials (copy of repair slip when the car was taken by Toyota, proof of ownership, etc.) This should not be allowed to continue. Toyota has had over a year to fix this and we've passed their scheduled remedy month by over 4 months. Thank you for your consideration.
Jan 12, 2025
WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
Manufacture r sold us a car with faulty Falcon tires. At 2.5 years 50K miles, tire blew out completely on highway, with no previous service warning duriing regular maintenance check-ups. Tires were problematic at less than 36K miles, but dealer did not mention anything other than a need to rotate and balance the tires.
Sep 07, 2024
SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while attempting to latch the seat belt, the buckle failed to latch securely, after which the contact observed that the seat belt buckle assembly was jammed. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the seat belt buckle assembly was stuck in the locked position and was unable to be released. The contact was informed that the seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Aug 05, 2024
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
While driving on the freeway with outside temperatures of about 89/90F, at about 67-68 mph, our passenger window randomly exploded and shattered. There was no prior damage to the window or any indication that a rock, projectile or other debris had hit the window. Prior to this incident, we had observed that the passenger window would rattle inside the door pocket/window frame when the car was in motion. When the window shattered, it did so instantly without any warning, as if it had exploded, startling us. As we continued driving, the outside air started pulling apart the shattered window, causing the broken window glass to fall apart into thousands of little pieces that ended up all over the passenger, driver, and back seats, which were also occupied with children [XXX] and [XXX] old). This was a very scary and traumatic experience for us, as things could have taken a turn for the worse and we could have been seriously injured. Luckily, we had nothing more serious than minor cuts in the aftermath. However, our family and especially our children were very affected by this incident and our car suffered damage to the outside body and some more minor damage on the inside from the glass flying off from the shattered window. We believe the rattling of the window caused it to eventually explode and shatter. We believe the rattling is due to some kind of manufacturing error: either improper installation or possibly low quality glass material or incorrect size to match the door frame or a missing part that should hold the window securely. We would like our car inspected for any further damage not visible to the eye (such as glass inside the door pocket and the safety of the door window retainer of the passenger door as well as a check of the integrity of the rest of the car’s windows to check that they are property installed and secured in place to prevent rattling. The driver side window in the car continues to rattle and we fear that this incident may occur again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Jul 07, 2024
TIRES,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Primacy MXV4, Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while having routine maintenance at the local dealer, the contact was informed that the driver's side and passenger's front tire threads were at 3 on the inside and 4 on the outside. While depressing the brake pedal, an abnormal noise was detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The tire mileage was approximately 45,419. The approximate failure mileage was 39,706.
Mar 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaint
The front passenger door started to "not unlock" when using the keys or door buttons to unlock it, you would have to manually unlock the passenger door by reaching across from the driver's side of the car. For about a week, that was happening, then that same door started to "not lock" using the key fob, handle or door buttons, so both locking and unlocking could only be done manually. Then the most concerning incident, while driving and while a passenger was seated in the front seat, upon rounding a corner (moving less than 20 mph) in a very busy town full of parked cars and pedestrians, the closed front passenger door flung open while the vehicle was turning and moving, almost striking a pedestrian and parked car. The passenger was able to safely close the door, but this would have been impossible had there only been a driver in the car at the time. The door had been shut properly, and there were no indicator lights that the door was not fully closed. The door also "auto-locks" when moving, so there were multiple failures of the lock/door system when this occurred. The car was on the road more than 5 minutes when this happened with absolutely no warnings until the door flung open and the car made lots of warning noise at this point. We called the dealer and made an appointment and on the day of the appointment the locks magically started working again. The dealer just charged us $90 to perform a "lock diagnostic" to which they said there are no issues found. Well, let me just say, I feel a door randomly opening in a moving vehicle is a major safety problem and it is a grave concern for me to drive or ride in this car when I am not sure when or if this is going to reoccur at any given moment.
Feb 29, 2024
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
Driving home at [XXX] on [XXX] from Winters CA to Davis CA with a temperature of 55 degrees F and some rain in the area. The sunroof exploded. A large bang happened. Pulled over nothing hit the sunroof, and the glass was protruding outward (not inward which would have happened if the glass was hit from an object from above). The sunroof was part of the new car when we purchased it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Feb 05, 2024
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
On Nov 05, at approximately 11:10pm, I was driving my RAV4 on Alafaya Trail, Orange County, Orlando. While approaching the traffic signal which had turned red, despite multiple attempts to engage the brakes, the vehicle continued moving, ultimately leading to the collision with the traffic turning left at the signal (coming from her right). The impact of the collision resulted in significant damage to the RAV4, and unfortunately, the airbags did not deploy as they should have. As a result, I hit my face on the steering wheel, and then hit the head on the left window when a second vehicle hit my RAV4 on the passenger side. The complete failure of airbag deployment has raised serious safety concerns for me. As of 28th November, I have been informed by our insurance company that the vehicle cannot be repaired and has been totaled. Our insurance company GEICO has been requested to hold on to the vehicle for necessary investigations.
Nov 29, 2023
LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
While waiting at a red light with my car stationary, the lane I occupied divided into two. I gently adjusted my steering wheel to the left, and in an unexpected turn of events, a dashboard indicator illuminated before my steering wheel rapidly veered to the right. This abrupt motion resulted in a collision with another vehicle, causing damage to both cars. Despite my attempts to avert the situation, my right thumb became trapped in the wheel, leading to a fracture. Shortly after the accident, the dashboard and multimedia system displayed multiple malfunctions: a VSC, TRAC, or Hill Start Assist Control system malfunction, a rear cross traffic alert malfunction, LTA malfunction, and a PKSB malfunction, all prompting a visit to the dealer. Upon contacting Toyota, they offered no assistance, asserting that the incident occurred at an approximate speed of 22 miles per hour due to data from the EDR. However, this contradicted the facts as my vehicle was stationary at a red light. The explanations provided by Toyota's representative, Alexis Turner, appeared inconsistent with the circumstances.
Aug 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
I was in a bad car accident last Wednesday July 26, 2023 It was very scary and Bizarre; My car accelerated (started racing)and when I stepped on brake, it accelerated more. I saw a message flash up on my GPS screen but obviously couldn't read it as I was trying to stop my car. The Auto brakes didn’t work, I crashed into a tree; air bags didn’t deploy and I got this message ("CHECK ENGINE! A MALFUNCTION IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL OF THE ENGINE,THROTTLE, OR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DETECTED.CONTACT YOUR TOYOTA DEALER IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR VEHICLE INSPECTED." (See attached). Luckily I was in an almost empty parking lot when this happened, if not i could have been killed or killed someone else. All the safety back ups failed. I took a picture of the message-will attach it to this report. I was taken to Huntington Hospital ER and had a cat scan to make Sure my sternum and ribs aren’t broken-showed Soft tissue abdominal swelling and bruised sternum and ribs from my seat belt. Pain to chest, ribs an right side. I believe my car is totaled Just had it inspected and serviced a few weeks ago at the Toyota dealership where I purchased it and it only has 10,000 miles on it! I am Fighting with insurance company to make sure the car's computer is interrogated before they do anything else.-The insurance company was pressuring me to release the car to Copart without this being done and I refused. My car was towed to and remains at Combined Auto Collision 4035 Jericho Tpk, East Northport, NY. This incident could have resulted in a catastrophic outcome and loss of life. Aa investigation needs to be taken to insure this does not happen to anyone else. Thank you for your kind assistance The consumer stated that the dealer identified the problem being that the water drainage pillars short out the electrical system.
Aug 01, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,ENGINE
1 complaint
The contact rented a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a vibrating sound coming from the front driver’s side windshield. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was a rental and could not be diagnosed. The contact was informed to return the vehicle to Avis Car Rental. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes. The contact stated that due to the loss of motive power, the front driver’s and passenger’s side headlights failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be diagnosed since the vehicle was a rental. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Jul 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
We have water becoming stuck in our back passenger door due to a weather strip design flaw in Toyota Rav4 Hybrids. This will begin to happen to all weather strips and eventually destroy the interior and electrical if not repaired. This is a common design flaw in newer Toyota Rav4 Hybrids and we are lucky it's just our one door so far. I've been informed (by our Toyota Tech) that eventually all of the doors and the roof will leak due to this Toyota design flaw. When we took the car to get fixed at the dealership, they let us know it was an expensive repair, advised it was a design flaw, other customers are affected, and allowed us time to research before paying for the repair. We may attempt it ourselves since Toyota corporate has refused a reimbursement for the repair. This is a Toyota design flaw and requires a recall. They are charging hundreds to fix this. This will literally destroy the cars electrical.
Jul 12, 2023
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
On April 29, 2023 I notice that there was a bad chemical smell in my car. I continued to try to find the issue and then I went to the back seat and discovered the floor of my 2021 RAV4 was completely flooded with water. I attempted to call Toyota but the service department was closed. I went to the local car wash to have them suck up the water in the meantime. I scheduled an appointment with Toyota on 5/1/2023 @3:45 to explain the issue that was going on. When I got there they serviced my vehicle and informed me that they weren’t able to find the source of a leak and they would need to keep my car. I asked would I be provided with a rental and the service advisor [XXX] told me no as this would need to be paid out of pocket. I didn’t agree and told them I’d have to bring it back. The following week I still noticed that there was water somewhere in my vehicle so I called to schedule another appointment on 5/10/2023 @3:45. This time I was connected with [XXX] who was very accommodating and set me up with a rental for one day. On 5/11/2023 I was contacted by [XXX] and he informed that they would need to keep my car for 3 weeks. He informed me that there was a lot of damage to the car and it would be fully covered. On 5/27/23 I was called and [XXX] told me I could pick up my vehicle. When I left on 5/27/23 I drove the car and when I put it in reverse my steering wheeled locked up and a message came across the screw saying “low voltage power steering.” I called the service department but they were closed until 5/30/23 for the holiday. I also contacted my service provider [XXX] and left a voicemail. He called me back 5/28/23 and informed me that he was out of town and to drop the car back of 5/30/23. I dropped the car off and they put me in another vehicle. 5/31/23 [XXX] called me back to inform me that the car was ready. I pick it up and it flooded in the inside again. I discovered there was a recall that it was never informed about and now they want me to pay. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Jun 05, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
I have a 2021 Rav4 gas LE. I bought it new in May 2021 and have 38,000 miles on it. I was casually driving the car going 30-40mph when the car dashboard lit up. The first notification I got was on the screen display saying a malfunction in the charging system was detected and to stop in a safe location. Next, all my dashboard lights turned on (tire pressure, traction control, check engine, ABS, brake, battery light, etc.) and got the following messages on the dashboard: - parking brake malfunction - pre collision malfunction - brake power low - stop in a safe place - secondary collision brake system malfunction - antilock brake system malfunction voltage ability - Voltage abnormality - steering power low And then finally, the “engine stopped” message when the emergency brakes engaged on their own while I was slowing down at a red light. Before this, I never got any warning lights or messages. I tried to get the car towed since jump starting the car didn’t work. The emergency brakes would not disengage in neutral. I had to call a tow truck. I took the car to the Toyota dealership. They said it was the battery and replaced it, but when I went to pick it up, the dashboard lights still wouldn’t go away even after resetting. The power locks still don’t work when the car is off and my key fob to unlock/lock also still doesn’t work. The display screen still isn’t turning on and the usb plugs in the car also aren’t drawing any power. The headlights and interior lights also don’t work. They said it’s an electrical problem but quoted me $520 to diagnose the problem ONLY since the car is now out of the 3 years/36k miles basic warranty. I have had this car less than two years and has 38k miles.
Apr 23, 2023
AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
While accelerating ~6ft from a complete stop, a minor collision occurred affecting the front right headlight. The air-bags did not activate and the engine compartment was immediately on fire. Within ~1minute, the fire had spread to and completely engulfed the passenger compartment. The contents were immediately destroyed. The speed with which the fire spread through the vehicle was a significant risk to my life and the motorists around me. There were no warning lights on the dashboard prior to the incident, and the car had never before experienced an accident. Witnesses and firefighters estimated that any fire barrier between the engine and passenger compartments had failed, and that a fire of that severity from such a minor accident indicated some fault with the vehicle. The vehicle was an immediate total loss as inspected by our insurer.
Apr 05, 2023
BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
While driving to friends house, the collision warning popped on screen 1 or 2x but no vehicle was close to front of the car. When I turned into driveway and pulled onto yard to park the collision warning went off and red screen flased and I tried to brake but brakes would not depress. The car suddenly lurched forward quickly and I tried to steer away but it slammed into a line of cars with great force. I crashed into the parked car in front of me with such force it pushed a line of 4 cars. I had mild issues after crash: Whiplash, neck pain, head pain, and soreness. The RAV-4 had passed inspection with the dealer with no issues, The car had less than 15K miles driven. The collision warning lights seemed to start to have issues the day of the crash; approximately 15 min before the crash. Post-note for 3/27/2023 - we picked up from the collision repair and the car and the collision control was still flashing in error - and will be taken back to Toyota dealer on 3/28/2023 to have them read the computer. Other similar incidents have been reported for 2021 RAV-4 - and a similar recall went out for Toyota Prius we found after the crash.
Mar 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
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Jan 31, 2023
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I was pulling into a parking space with my foot on the brake, had just touched the parking bar, and the engine started racing. The car went forward over the parking bar before I cold stop it by stomping on the brake. The only thing stopping me from going over the side of the hill was a chain link fence. Luckily the brakes worked. This is a 2021 RAV4 and I have never had this problem before. I am scheduled to go into the Toyota dealer to have them look at it.
Jan 29, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
2021 Toyota REV4 with just over 5,000 miles. I got off from a parking lot and drove 1/2 miles, The screen shown "Vehicle Alert" and asked to check engine with message "A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected". I smell very strong gasoline, then stop the vehicle. I check the gas tank, it's normal. I opened the hood and saw a puddle of gasoline on engine part, between the battery and the engine but lower than the battery. It's so dangerous to drive with leaking gasoline so I park my car on a street
Dec 01, 2022
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
Vehicle stumbles on moderate acceleration from slow speed, hesitates shifting also. Problem has persisted since new. Dealers rep "they're all like that. can't find any problem. No warning lamps. I think there is a TSB but it seems well hidden. I feel it is a safety issue - acceleration from low speed compromised. We have 2 more 2021 rav4s in the family that do not do that. I believe Toyota knows about this problem. Also had a problem with vehicle slamming violently into lower gear when coming to a stop. Dealer could not find problem. I checked vehicle and found air filter housing not properly secured. I latched it properly and that seemed to solve slamming into lower gear problem. Dealers mechanic (?) must have not latched it properly after 12 month service. No telling how much dirt was sucked into engine while that was happening. The stumbling/ drivability hesitant shifting problem persists. Several people have reported this problem. One was fixed by a dealer attending to a software problem. This is a known problem that is being ignored. This has happened since new Jan 29, 2021.
Nov 02, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
I was parked at a store, engine off. Was in there 3 minutes and another customer ran inside and said a car was on fire, the employee asked if it was mine. I ran outside and it was indeed mine. The rear tail light was all melted and on fire, billowing smoke was coming out the sides of the hatch so I opened it quickly to get the fire out. The store employee put the fire out with his fire extinguisher. No prior warning lights were present when driving it before this occurred. The car is at Toyota dealer presently while they determine the cause.
Oct 31, 2022
Tether, Lower Anchor (on car seat or vehicle)
1 complaint
The rear-facing snuglock lever does not hold the car seat belt or the tether belt securely in place. The car seat tips over when the car turns. It appears that some plastic is missing on the bottom of the lever. I have a video of me securing the seat belt and the belt loosening when the car seat is rocked but, am unable to upload.
Oct 19, 2022
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS
1 complaint
I have been having continuous problems with the transmission jerking and slipping passengers can also feel this. I am also experiencing vibration in the steering when you get up to high speeds around 60-80 mph. The car also has a habit of lunging forward suddenly when the gas saver light goes off which can cause it to hit other vehicles.
Jul 18, 2022
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle overnight, the following morning it was discovered that the rear hatchback door had erroneously opened. The contact stated that a severe thunderstorm had occurred over night however, the keys had not been used nor were any buttons depressed to cause the hatchback door to become unlocked. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,055.
Jul 05, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving 65 mph and attempting to merge into the next lane, he was depressing on the brake pedal but it began to accelerate independently, and lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated he crashed into a concrete shoulder off the road, bounced off the concert shoulder, and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did deploy. The contact stated the brake malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained injuries on his left shoulder left neck and right hip area. The contact sought medical attention for his injuries. The contact stated that 6 additional people from the other vehicle also sustained injuries but was unaware if they sought any medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to his residence and then to a collision center. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,322. The consumer stated his dispute is what the Event Data Recorder (EDR) indicated on May 15, 2022 prior to impact of the collision, the EDR was incorrect. He was trying to stop and slow the vehicle down, but there was in increase in acceleration.
Jun 24, 2022
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
I was involved with an accident in May 21, 2022. The front body parts were almost destroyed (please refers to the attached photo), but the air bag still did not deployed, which is NOT a safe matter.
May 31, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
1. For two different occasions the high beams wouldn't turn on at night on a dark road and rainy day. Took the vehicle to Toyota but mechanic reported that he couldn't reproduce event. I had to drive very slowly with normal lights as I could. 2. For two different occasions the vehicle wouldn't start I almost had the vehicle towed but using the toyota app and the key fob was able to remote start and then start the vehicle. I can't imagine what would have happened if the car turned off in the middle of an intersection and wouldn't turn on. 3. The adaptive cruise control has a glitch that I have told Toyota. If you're going over 30 mph and the vehicle in front of you has been in a complete stop for a while, the car may not stop you have to manually stop or crash. This could be extremely dangerous.
Apr 21, 2022
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
While driving on the highway the sunroof spontaneously exploded outwards sending glass shards behind the vehicle and also down into the cabin. There was no impact with any objects and the vehicle was not passing under any structures. It was moderate temperature day ~60F so the roof was not especially hot or cold. There is dashcam footage available showing nothing abnormal happened at the time of glass failure.
Apr 03, 2022
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the traction control warning light would illuminate upon starting the vehicle for the second time the same day. The contact stated that the warning light would turn off whenever he released the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front wheels were moving faster than the rear wheels. The dealer also informed the contact that the failure was due to a user error. The dealer stated that the contact could have the habit of depressing both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time while at a complete stop as the DTC codes showed that the vehicle was moving while at a complete stop. The dealer informed the contact that they could not assist with the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 810.
Mar 25, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
On Monday, March 21, 2022, at about 11:40 AM CT, I was at the Walgreens pharmacy drive-thru window. I used the brake-hold feature on the vehicle. I did not have my feet on any pedals or the steering wheel. I did not get any notifications, warnings, alerts, or beeps from the vehicle prior to the incident. As I reached my arm out to get my medications and payment from the pharmacy window, the vehicle sped off (accelerated) at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was on break-hold and I did not touch anything. I was able to bring my arm inside and stop the vehicle and put it into the park position. I then put it into reverse and returned to get my medications. When I went to put it back into drive, the brake-hold indicator was still on and so I pressed the button to disable it. I drove the vehicle home and parked it. The vehicle did not roll forward. The vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and my arm was sore afterward. Luckily, there was no one in front of me at the time of the incident. The pharmacy technician stated, "That was close!" The next day, I took the vehicle into service at the Toyota dealership in which the vehicle was purchased. I explained to them about the similar incidents reported I had found online and the outcomes. They kept the vehicle all day, only to get the same response as the previous complainant; they did not find anything wrong. The technician stated if any warning lights turn on to bring it in right away. He stated that it would have given you(me) the warning to keep the brake-hold on, otherwise, the e-brake would have engaged. I asked him, so how do you explain how it took off full speed ahead if it was supposed to stop, not accelerate? I am very afraid of how the vehicle accelerated during this incident. When I got the vehicle back I tried the brake-hold on my driveway; if you tap the gas pedal, it just starts to roll forward; this is not what happened on 21Mar22.
Mar 23, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
1. 5th generation Rav4 LE Hybrid does not allow adjustment of intermittent wiper intervals that constitutes safety hazard. Every single vehicle on the road has had this feature for decades, its absence constitutes negligence on Toyota's part. 2. Traditional and intuitive industry standard cruise control lever with push-button switch has been replaced with counter-intuitive button controls that distract attention and can hardly be operated without having looked at them.
Mar 06, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
I had 2 sudden acceleration incidents. The first occurred 10/6/21.My car lurched forward & hit a pole. I was with my mom who saw me press the brake, which did not engage. My car has an auto-braking system which did not function as designed. I took it to Toyota.They determined there were no issues w/the vehicle. I insisted there was something wrong & warned this will happen again & could be much worse. I felt defeated but hoped it was an isolated glitch & hoped for the best. Fast forward 2 months to 12/13/21 I was in a drive-thru using the hold button, which is a feature that holds the brake in place, so my foot was not on any pedal. All of a sudden, my car began to accelerate & the brakes would not engage. An error message on the dash said “BRAKE MALFUNCTION”. I could not stop the car. I put in park, but it did not stop the car. The car jumped the curb & drove into oncoming traffic & hit two cars. They were traveling north, I was traveling west. It’s a miracle another car did not hit & kill me. The most frightening experience of my life. I had the car towed to Toyota as the front wheel blew out & could not be driven. Another inspection was done & once again Toyota came back with “they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle.” And added that the brakes were never engaged, which is an outright lie & utterly insane. I spoke to an attorney & what he told me was quite eye opening. He has been practicing product liability law for 30 years. He told me the letter received from Toyota was a standard letter that all car companies respond with. They never admit a problem unless forced to, usually by the govt, to do a recall after enough people file a complaint. I really believed Toyota would tell the truth. I never imagined they would lie & participate in a cover-up. They would rather fight you in court. As mentioned earlier, my car has an auto braking system, so why didn't it work? Clearly it malfunctioned. My hope is that this deceit by car manufacturers ends.
Jan 23, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
To whom this may concern, I have had many problems with the Toyota Rav-4. I had so many problems with my 2017 Rav 4, that I under pressure upgraded to the 2021 LE version. I have had many problems with the breaks. I have brought it in (3) times to be serviced since I purchased it in March of 2021. The breaks are still squeaking. I have also had problems with the electrical system. The dash panel comes on, and abruptly shuts down when it feels like it. My wipers also come on intermittently. Every time I try and talk to Toyota about this they tell me there is nothing wrong. This same thing happens with the 2017, until my breaking mechanism stopped. I am looking for someone to look into this matter because these are dangerous conditions and unacceptable especially for new cars.
Dec 17, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
While using Cruse control. It did not slow the vehicle. I could not turn it off. The brakes would not work. I ran thru an intersection against the light. Bounced over the median. I turned off the ignition, still coasted about 1/2 mile. Finally I jammed the gear shift lever into Park. Toyota has the vehicle for inspection and reading of the black box. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING SIGNS OF THE FAILURE. WARNING MESSAGES DID DISPLAY DURING THE FAILURE, WHICH WERE "CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE", "BRAKE FAILURE", AND "LANE DEPARTURE".
Aug 11, 2021
STEERING,SUSPENSION
1 complaint
MY 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HAVE DESIGN PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHERE IF THE FREEDOM OVER 55MPH THE CAR WILL BE UNSTABLE, BUMPY AND SHAKY. I AM REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR ON THE HWY. I HEARD MIST 2021 RAV4 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL TO FIX OR CHANGE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH A FIRM ONE ASAP. THANK YOU.
May 14, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND THE DOOR IS SWUNG CLOSED. THE REARVIEW MIRROR OF THE DOOR HAS SIGNIFICANT SHAKING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, SO THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE SPEAKER IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR MAKES A STATIC OR CRACKLING SOUND WHEN MUSIC IS OFF.
Mar 17, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
VEHICLE BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD AFTER ONLY 3 DAYS OF NOT BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND COULD NOT BE JUMP STARTED. VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD. WIRELESS CHARGING DOES NOT CHARGE CONSISTENTLY. INTERMITTENT CONNECTION ONLY AND GETS VERY HOT. USB PHONE CONNECTION RANDOMLY DISCONNECTS AND RECONNECTS. OCCASIONALLY THE VOICE COMMAND PROMPT ON CENTER CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND STAYS CONNECTED WHEN CONNECTING A PHONE THROUGH USB AND CANNOT EXIT TO SEE INFORMATION DISPLAY. REMOTE START FROM FOB WILL NOT WORK. LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM TOO SENSITIVE AND TAKES OVER STEERING OF CAR CAUSING COUNTERSTEERING FROM DRIVER CONTROL.
Mar 05, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
WITH 4 MILES LEFT ON HV RANGE/DTE, I FILLED MY FIRST FULL TANK AT COSTCO. PUMP READ 10.82 GALLONS. NOW HV RANGE IS SHOWING 544 MILES. I GOT ABOUT 39.9 MPG ON FIRST TANK (WITHOUT EV) WHICH IS IN LINE WITH EPA. BUT MY REAL HV RANGE FROM FULL TO EMPTY WAS ONLY 10.9 X 39.5 = 430 MILES. IF YOU ADD EV MILES OF 42, THEN YOU GET AROUND 472 MILES. NOT 600. THEIR MPG CLAIMS ARE VALID. BUT THEIR GAS TANK/ RANGE CLAIMS ARE CLEARLY OVERSTATED. REAL RANGE IS ONLY 472. NOT 600. WHICH IS DISAPPOINTING, YOU MIGHT GO ON A ROAD TRIP WITH YOUR FAMILY, AND BE STUCK IN MIDDLE OF NO WHERE BECAUSE THEIR RANGE CLAIMS WERE OVERSTATED. THEY MARKETED THIS TO BE CLOSE TO BEING 600 MILE RANGE. WHEN IT CAN HARDLY GO 472 WHEN GAS TANK SHOWS EMPTY. TOYOTA IS CALLOUS AND NEGLIGENT IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE SO FAR. I WAS DISSED BY MY TOYOTA DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE WITH PRIUS PRIME. NOW RAV4 PRIME HAS HE SAME ISSUE, AND I AM HEARING THE SAME WITH RAV4 HYBRID OWNERS. YOU CAN ONLY FILL IN 10+ GALLONS. NOT 13 OR 14 GALLONS AS THEY FALSELY CLAIM. REAL RANGE OF YOUR RAV4 PRIME/HYBRID IS ONLY 470 MILES NOT 600!!
Sep 08, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 have?
The 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 currently has 331 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2021 TOYOTA RAV4?
The most common problems reported for the 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
Other Years - TOYOTA RAV4
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