Recalls
4campaigns
2 electrical · 1 electronic stability control (esc) · 1 lighting
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
99filed
Owner reports, 2021–2024 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
38mpg combined
$1,719/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.5 L 4-cyl· AV-S6 CVT
EPA-listed configuration
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Not checked against your VIN.
DC-DC Converter May Fail and Short Circuit
Electrical system · propulsion system · dc/dc converter
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
- 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.
94.9% repairedof 43,442 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V478000
Listed for 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Not checked against your VIN.
Engine Control Unit Software May Cause Stall
Electrical system · propulsion system · hybrid management · power control unit/module (hpcu)
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
98.8% repairedof 16,679 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V041000
Listed for 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Not checked against your VIN.
Stability Control Deactivated on Startup/FMVSS 126
Electronic stability control (esc) · control module · software
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Consequence
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
97.7% repairedof 458,110 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V239000
Listed for 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Not checked against your VIN.
Headlights Can Be Misadjusted/FMVSS 108
Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA15.
100% repairedof 413 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V698000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (99)
99 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
12involved a crash
1involved a fire
5injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 37 | 37.4% |
| Unknown or other | 24 | 24.2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 18.2% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 16.2% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 10 | 10.1% |
| Air bags | 5 | 5.1% |
| Power train | 5 | 5.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 3% |
How 2021 compares with other RAV4 Prime years
Best and worst RAV4 Prime years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 99 | 4 |
| 2022 | 21 | 3 |
| 2023 | 64 | 2 |
| 2024 | 29 | 2 |
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 38 mpg combined
38
mpg combined
40
city
36
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,750
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 72 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$1,719per year
$143per month
395gallons a year
Miles ÷ 38 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 40 / 36 / 38 | $1,750 | 72 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 RAV4 Prime for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 23V478000 (electrical), 23V041000 (electrical), 22V239000 (electronic stability control (esc)), 20V698000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime problems?
Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (37), Unknown or other (24), Fuel/propulsion system (18) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 40 city, 36 highway and 38 combined mpg.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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