2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 37 of 98 complaints (38%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,650 | 1,650 | 1,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 38 | 38 | 38 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 40 / 36 | 40 / 36 | 40 / 36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 72 | 72 | 72 | |
| Complaints filed | 98 | 21 | 62 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 5 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime?
Electrical: 37 of 98 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime get?
EPA rates it 38 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime?
EPA estimates $1,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 40 mpg | 36 mpg | 38 mpg | $1,650 | 72 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER · Campaign 23V478000 · Jul 12, 2023
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU) · Campaign 23V041000 · Feb 2, 2023
Defect: 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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · Campaign 22V239000 · Apr 13, 2022
Defect: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 20V698000 · Nov 12, 2020
Defect: 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.