Model year record

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 158 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V478000

Electrical system: propulsion system: DC/DC converter

Component
Electrical system: propulsion system: DC/DC converter
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
43,442
Reported to NHTSA
2023-07-12
Owners notified
2023-12-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V041000

Electrical system: propulsion system: hybrid management: power control unit/module (HPCU)

Component
Electrical system: propulsion system: hybrid management: power control unit/module (HPCU)
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
16,679
Reported to NHTSA
2023-02-02
Owners notified
2023-02-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V239000

Electronic stability control (ESC): control module: software

Component
Electronic stability control (ESC): control module: software
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
458,110
Reported to NHTSA
2022-04-13
Owners notified
2022-05-27

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V698000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
413
Reported to NHTSA
2020-11-12
Owners notified
2021-01-06

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system39
Unknown or other27
Fuel/propulsion system19700 mi
Service brakes199,300 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking10
Air bags7
Power train7
Visibility/wiper6
Vehicle speed control4
Engine3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3
Lane departure: warning2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock2
Back over prevention: warnings1
Carry handle, shell, base1
Chest clip, buckle, harness1
Lane departure: assist1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: status indicator switch1
Steering1
Structure: body1
Tires131,386 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 2022 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.