Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2021)

510 consumer complaints on file.

#11712564January 21, 2026
STEERING, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
‘Voltage abnormality, power steering low’ error message has appeared three separate times. All while vehicle is idle at stop light or parked, last incident car was unable to restart immediately. All dashboard lights came on, including message saying parking hold unavailable. Mechanic confirmed no issues with 12v battery health and unable to recreate issue. Loss of power is risk to safety, possible draining of battery due to unknown issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711279January 15, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang and then heard wind entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof had shattered without impact. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,413.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711163January 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711075January 15, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My wife was pulling her car into a parking area consisting of a few small storefronts. When pulling in, the brakes completely failed as did the forward collision warning system and the automatic emergency braking system. As she continued to press the brake pedal it just went to the floor of the car. The end result was that the car struck one of the storefronts causing damage to the building as well as her car. Fortunately the store was closed at the time and no one was injured, nor was she. There were not any warning lamps or messages prior to the brakes failing. The brakes worked fine in the approx. 15 minute drive prior to the accident. I realize that drivers sometimes press the accelerator in error instead of the brakes and I can assure you that this was not the case (we wife is not elderly and is a very safe driver). We spoke to the auto body shop who will be repairing the car and they told us that the brakes currently seem to work. A online search revealed that this problem as been reported / discussed by others in the past. We expect to have the car repaired and returned to us in the next week but are very concerned with driving it as another accident could be fatal.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710211January 11, 2026
AIR BAGS
Very upset that the passenger air bag is defective and Toyota refuses to fix this issue, the recall was issued December 20, 2023! I can’t let anyone ride in the front passenger seat, if there was a car accident they might be killed or injured badly… Fix this issue Toyota… This is bad bad business… My mother is [XXX] and I can’t transport her anywhere because of the defective air bag. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708781January 5, 2026
AIR BAGS
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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no case number was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708421January 2, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to two dealers but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealers confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705359December 16, 2025
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703953December 9, 2025
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703844December 8, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703035December 4, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
During snowy but manageable conditions, the brake system on my 2021 RAV4 Prime SE failed to respond, and the vehicle did not decelerate when I pressed the brake pedal. A “Pre-Collision System Malfunction” warning appeared shortly before impact. I was unable to steer away despite attempting an evasive turn. The vehicle collided with the car in front of me, and the airbags did not deploy. I was driving at a reduced speed due to snow. The vehicle ahead (a BMW SUV) began slowing. When I applied the brakes, my RAV4 Prime did not slow down at all—there was no deceleration, no ABS pulsing, and no traction control intervention. The vehicle continued moving forward as if the brakes were not engaging. At the same time, I saw a dashboard warning indicating a Pre-Collision System (PCS) malfunction. I attempted to turn the wheel to avoid the collision, but the vehicle did not respond to steering input quickly enough to prevent impact. Despite the collision, no airbags deployed. The vehicle has been regularly maintained (oil changes every 5,000 miles, new tires last year, all service intervals followed), and there were no warning lights or issues beforehand. Safety Concerns: •Complete or partial brake failure •Electronic braking or stability control malfunction •Pre-Collision System malfunction •Airbag non-deployment in a front impact •Potential systemic issue affecting Toyota hybrid/Prime models This incident caused significant fear and distress for both me and my child who was in the vehicle, and raises serious concerns about whether similar failures could occur for other owners.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702583December 2, 2025
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702216December 1, 2025
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701198November 24, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700985November 22, 2025
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700077November 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699718November 16, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699009November 12, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698330November 8, 2025
AIR BAGS
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698329November 8, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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