| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| RAV4 Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 41 MPG | 38 MPG | 40 MPG | — | $1,550 / yr |
| RAV4 Prime 4WD Plug-in Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 105 MPGe (40 MPG) | 84 MPGe (36 MPG) | 94 MPGe (38 MPG) | 42 mi EV (600 mi total) | $1,600 / yr |
| RAV4 | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 27 MPG | 35 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| RAV4 | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 28 MPG | 35 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| RAV4 AWD LE | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 27 MPG | 34 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 27 MPG | 33 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 MPG | 33 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 MPG | 32 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 42 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 15.9% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 15.5% |
| HYBRID SUV AWD | | | | | 15.5% |
| PRIME SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Toyota RAV4 models.
View complete 2021 Toyota RAV4 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems & component breakdown (102 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. The electric current rectifying module contained within the DC-DC converter may have been damaged during production, which can result in an electrical short-circuit.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Dealers will replace the DC-DC converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB07/23LB01.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)
Defect Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may cause the hybrid system to shut down if the accelerator is rapidly pressed to further accelerate the vehicle, resulting in a stall.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA01.
View all 2021 Toyota RAV4 recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →
