Toyota Rav4 prime problems
The Toyota RAV4 (Japanese: トヨタ・RAV4, Hepburn: Toyota Ravufō) is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is known for starting the wave of compact crossovers.
It made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the manoeuvrability and fuel economy of a compact car. The vehicle's name is an abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", or "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", although not all models come equipped with the four-wheel drive system.
For the third-generation model, Toyota offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions were sold in Japan and Europe; long-wheelbase versions in Australia and North America. Toyota of Japan also sold the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard (Japanese: トヨタ・ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Toyota Vangādo) at Toyopet Store dealership chain from 2005 through 2016. RAV4 for the Japanese market were sold at two different Toyota dealership chains, Corolla Store and Netz.
In 2019, the RAV4 was the best-selling SUV of any type in the world, and the fourth best-selling passenger car overall. North America is the largest market, with 535,000 units sold in 2019, followed by Europe (133,000) and China (127,000). By February 2020, a total of 10 million RAV4s had been sold globally.
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Toyota Rav4 prime model years
Common Toyota Rav4 prime problems
The Toyota RAV4 Prime has been a popular choice for those looking for a reliable and efficient SUV, but like any vehicle, it has had its fair share of issues. One of the most common problems reported by owners is the fuel tank capacity issue in the 2021 model year. Despite the advertised 14.5-gallon fuel tank, many owners have reported that the tank only accepts 10-11 gallons of fuel. This has led to a significant reduction in the driving range, with some owners reporting only being able to travel around 400 miles on a full tank, instead of the advertised 580 miles.
Another issue reported by RAV4 Prime owners is the troublesome service brakes. Several drivers have reported that the service brakes stop working after going through a pothole or bad road conditions. Instead of the brakes working as expected, the car will lurch forward and feel like it's surging. This can be a significant safety issue, as it can make it difficult to stop the vehicle in time to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, there have been no recalls or service bulletins issued for this particular issue.
In addition to these specific issues, the RAV4 Prime has also received various uncategorized complaints via the NHTSA website. These complaints range from issues with the infotainment display to the sunroof shattering. However, these complaints are rare and cannot be considered widespread.
When it comes to reliability, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime received a decent 3.0 out of 5.0 score in reliability and a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 rating in owner satisfaction. J.D. Power also gave Toyota's hybrid SUV a favorable rating of 81 out of 100 in Quality & Reliability. While these ratings are generally positive, it's worth noting that the 2021 model year is a debut model, and it's not uncommon for new models to have more issues than more established ones.
Overall, while the Toyota RAV4 Prime has had some issues reported by owners, it remains a reliable and efficient SUV. However, it's always a good idea to do your research and be aware of any potential issues before making a purchase.
What issues does the RAV4 Prime have?
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Common Problems
“With the tank size that allegedly holds 14.5 gallons and a travel range of 580 miles, the plaintiffs say a driver can only travel about 400 miles on a full tank of gas. So I run to empty and fuel it up 15 gal. Gauge show 380 mil to go. It should be 600 instead.”
How long will a Toyota RAV4 Prime last?
How long do Toyota RAV4 Primes last? Typically, you can expect a Toyota RAV4 Prime to survive around 300,000 miles with a good mileage point at 200,000 and a high mileage point at 250,000.
Is Toyota RAV4 Prime worth it?
Yes, the 2024 RAV4 Prime is a great hybrid SUV. The RAV4 Prime is fuel-efficient and comes equipped with a good amount of features, adult-friendly seating, a gentle ride and great all-electric range. However, if you're looking for dynamic handling from your SUV, the RAV4 Prime probably isn't your best bet.
Does the Toyota RAV4 Prime hold its value?
Toyota RAV4 Prime Depreciation
A Toyota RAV4 Prime will depreciate in value by $10,082 after 5 years. Depreciation is difficult to avoid, but it can be managed. Depreciation is the difference between the original sales price, and what the vehicle will be worth in the future.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Toyota Rav4 prime years
We have researched Toyota problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Toyota Rav4 prime cars and compiled the top 4 most problematic Toyota Rav4 prime model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Toyota Rav4 prime model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Toyota Rav4 prime years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Toyota Rav4 prime car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Toyota Rav4 prime , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Toyota Rav4 prime vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Rav4 prime model years
A total of 15 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Rav4 prime model years
There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 112 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Toyota Rav4 prime . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Toyota Rav4 prime vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMFB3FV2MD
- Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: MY [XXX] ’S) SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT [XXX] - TOYOTA RAV4 2021: I was gliding into a parking space with my foot on the brake and as I went to straighten out the wheel to come to a full stop the car lurched forward full speed and smashed into the car parked in the row that was facing me. Good thing there was no one in that car, it had been backed in so I hit the rear end of it. The damage is so extensive it is beyond comprehension. My airbags did not deploy, which they should have. I saw that the ‘malfunction brake’ orange light was illuminated as I went crashing into the parked car and could not believe that the automatic anti-collision brake system failed - it was as if the car was possessed and the scariest thing ever. Towed to the dealer I bought it from. I have now read all of these other incidents that are the same as mine and this is no joke. We all could have been killed and there are people that most likely have been that have never been reported. I have been driving for over 40 years and have never experienced anything like it. Computers and software have glitches all the time, and if Toyota does not do something about this that means they do not care if their customers die. That makes them murderers. I loved my RAV4 more than anything, it is an eplugin hybrid and the best! I would/will never drive that car again, ever, and I am going to see to it that Toyota Corp, who is liable, reimburses me every penny I spent on that car, plus any legal fees and hourly wages for how much time I now have to spend on dealing with this whole thing, one of which is having to prove to my insurance company that this was NOT my fault so my rates do not go up! The dealer paid off my lease and never made me come pick up the car as I never had it fixed. Of course my insurance went up as they had to pay the damage to the other car! I now have filed a small claim with my local court to recoup the money for increase in insurance, deposit for Rav4 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Toyota Rav4 prime 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-09
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMEB3FV4RD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Main infotainment display doesn't switch to night/dark screen even though the settings is set to automatic mode. As a result the display is extremely bright especially in dark and rural areas blinding the driver. It caused me to hit a curb and blow a tire. I went to a Toyota dealer 3 times but they didn't not fix it. This occured on August 13 2024 at around 9:30 PM. I filled a complaint with TOYOTA but every time I called they promise they will address the issue but it's now 2 months and they have not done anything. I am not sure what to do next but the display remains an issue .
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-07
- VIN: JTMAB3FV1MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I was driving along an expressway on a rainy night. The plug-in hybrid car was operating on battery power. Suddenly the motor went dead and it slowed to a stop. This was very dangerous because the expressway traffic had to swerve around me. I may have seen a hybrid system malfunction warning on the display, but I was so distraught that I didn't think to take a photo. After about 5 minutes, I was able to start the car and drive away. The Toyota dealer examined the car later and could find nothing wrong.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-27
- VIN: JTMFB3FV0RD
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Panoramic moon roof exploded while driving with no impact to the glass. The explosion sounded like a gun shot inside the car. This sudden explosive noise put the driver, and all other vehicles on the road, in danger due to the panicked reflex of the driver. Upon inspection, it's evident that the glass shattered along all 4 edges rather than from a single point of impact. This would indicate an issue with the glass, the installation, or both. Vehicle was taken to dealer and customer was told it would not be covered under warranty.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-15
- VIN: JTMEB3FV3RD
- Components: SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I have owned vehicle for 3 months. Noticed loud banging sound whenever brakes are applied at low speeds, on rough bumps/rough road. At times banging is loud enough to sound like vehicle hit something. No issues with braking currently. Not sure if noise is from ABS but sound is coming from front and back. Toyota inspected vehicle and said sound is the ABS activating..."totally normal for newer hybrids and no fix at this time...test drove other 2024 Rav4 Primes and all had same noise". TAS#242180433. No accident/incident to report at this time, however noise is loud enough to cause uneasiness while driving.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMFB3FV8ND
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was slowly pulling (front end forward) into a parking space at a local retail store. Parking spots are perpendicular to building. There is a space about the width of a sidewalk that runs along the front of the building. As I was coming to a complete stop, the car suddenly accelerated on its own, crashed into the building and then stopped. The airbag did not deploy. The car is available for inspection. Both Toyota and Farmers Insurance have said they will pull data from the event logs. The unintended acceleration malfunction put me and others at severe risk. The storefront has a concrete and glass front which was damaged from the impact. If an employee or shopper had been in the area of the crash, they could have been severely injured. I suffered a contusion of the sternum and stiff neck and shoulders. The vehicle's event data has not yet been pulled and evaluated. There were no advance warning signals.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-31
- VIN: JTMEB3FV7MD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Spontaneous Shattering of Sunroof Glass while driving While driving westbound on [XXX] near Cambridge, Ohio at approximately 6:05 PM my wife and I heard what sounded like an explosion or shotgun blast on the roof of the car. We had a Thule cargo box on top, so my immediate reaction was it has blown open. I pulled off the road and opened the shade to the sunroof to see if the Thule box was damaged. It wasn't the box, it was the glass of the sunroof, which had spontaneously shattered. Pieces of glass rained down on us. Thankfully, the shade was closed, or, as the driver I would have been showered with glass while driving at 65 mph. Had we been in traffic when the explosive shattering of the glass occurred, this would have made it a dangerous event. Further, had we not had the shade closed, we would have been showered with glass fragments. There was no obvious cause. No cars were in front of us to have thrown up a rock. The Thule cargo box protected the glass from something falling from the sky. The only cause could be the glass spontaneously shattered. I had cleaned the car prior to our departure. I cleaned all of the glass surfaces, including the sunroof. There were no marks, visible damage, or scratches visible. I tried to take the car to a Toyota dealer in Oshkosh, WI, but they were unable to see me. When we returned to Maryland, I took it to Jim Coleman Toyota. I explained what had occurred and gave them photos. The information was sent to Toyota and they declined to cover the sunroof. I did a quick search after the incident and learned that this is not the first case of the sunroof glass of a 2021 RAV4 has spontaneously shattered. Toyota refuses to accept that the glass may have a manufacturing defect. The Toyota dealer estimates the cost of repair to be about $1900 and I have filed a claim against my USAA auto insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Toyota Rav4 prime 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-30
- VIN: JTMEB3FVXRD
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I have oiwned the car for 3 months and there has not been a problem previously. As I was pulling into a parking space at work, going less than 5 mph, i took my foot off the accelerator and coasting in while intending to brake, stop, and turn the car off. Suddenly, the car accelerated forward quickly, propelling the car over a tall curb, over a small grassy area, and onto the open parking lot. I subsequently applied the break, the car stopped, I drove back to the same spot. and was able to park and turn the car off. A report was filed with Toyota, completing an unintended acceleration form (UA), and Toyota filed TAS case number 24212013.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-26
- VIN: JTMAB3FV2ND
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Driving at highway speed on US101 N with no other vehicles in sight (5:50 AM), moonroof exploded outward with the sound of a gunshot. Moonroof glass and interior cover were closed. Inside temperature was 72 ºF, exterior temperature was 63 ºF and clear, and the sun had not yet crested the mountains (not a large temperature differential). No warning lamps or other problems prior to event. Remaining glass is domed outward.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-25
- VIN: JTMAB3FV0PD
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The lane keeping assistance has the ability to detect if the driver is not holding the wheel and will disconencted lane keeping assitance after three beeps.... At that time the adaptative speed control is not disconnected and vehicle will even continue to accelerate neither braking is activated. these may result in an accidente if the driver falls sleep or has health issue...
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-21
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMEB3FV2MD
- Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime had traction control, braking issues and failure to warn in the event of a possible forward collision. On a few occasions the brakes seem to just slide and the car would keep moving. Last week I was in an accident and the emergency braking system, the forward collision warning system and all the air bags failed. The California Highway Patrol was surprised that even though the estimation collision speed was 60 mph the air bags did not deploy. I would have not had a chance to test out the air bags, emergency braking system or the forward collision warning prior to the accident.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-15
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMAB3FV3MD
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I was driving very slowly in my driveway. I turned to enter my garage. As I put my foot on the break, the car accelerated crashing into my house. There was sudden unexplained and unintended acceleration on my RAV4 prime.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-10
- VIN: JTMFB3FV9MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The manufacturer issued a recall 10 months ago warning of an electrical charging system issue. They still do not have replacement part available for dealers to repair/replace this. We paid $50,000 for a plug in vehicle that could potentially overheat and catch fire inside our garage. The manufacturer has not provided a repair in a reasonable amount of time.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-30
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMFB3FV4ND
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On Friday 4/26/24 at about 8 PM, I pulled vehicle into garage and suddenly was aware that vehicle was crashing into shelving against the garage wall in front of its usual stopping place. I recall application of brakes and believe that I put into reverse in order to stop progression/acceleration. After it stopped, I was able to get out of the vehicle and describe the incident to my husband who came out from the house, having heard the crash. The hood and front parts of the car were damaged and it is currently in the collision shop. The shelving unit was destroyed. I am concerned that an unintended acceleration took place and do not know the mechanism.
Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-24
- VIN: JTMAB3FV4MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Latest 5 recalls Toyota Rav4 prime
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the Toyota Rav4 prime.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-07-12
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
- 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.
- Model: Toyota Rav4 prime 2022
- Report Received Date: 2023-07-12
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
- 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.
- Model: Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-02-02
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)
- 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.
- Model: Toyota Rav4 prime 2022
- Report Received Date: 2022-07-21
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Rav4, Rav4 Hybrid, and Rav4 Prime vehicles. The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA08.
- Model: Toyota Rav4 prime 2021
- Report Received Date: 2022-04-13
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
- 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.
Latest negative Toyota Rav4 prime car reviews
Latest positive Toyota Rav4 prime car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2022
(May 2023 update - almost 3 years, 53K miles, and zero issues. I can't believe how well my Rav4 Prime has held up! If you live in an area with snowy winters and need a reliable all-wheel drive, or if you occasionally need to tow a small trailer, this vehicle is perfect for you. Plus, with 40 miles of real-world electric range, you can commute each day for pennies while helping to improve air quality. The Rav4 Prime is a great deal, especially when you consider its quick acceleration and unbeatable price. I was able to pick up a base SE with a few additions for just under $40K, and with the $7.5K tax credit, it's an even better value. Plus, with an excellent 150K mile drivetrain warranty and Toyota's reliable dealer network, you can't go wrong. (And no, I don't work for Toyota.)
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Vehicle year: 2021
Hey there! I'm a car enthusiast and I've owned a wide range of cars, from junky Opal Kadets to a 600 hp/540ft/lbs tweaked 03 Mustang Cobra convertible. Recently, I traded my low mileage 2004 Porsche 911 Turbo for a Toyota Avalon Limited Hybrid, which I then traded for a 2021 RAV4 Prime. I love exploring the engineering of vehicles and I found that the Avalon did way more with a gallon of gas than the 911. The 911 was boring compared to the 600 hp Cobra! Last year, I had 22 solar panels installed on my house and they produced 110% of the electricity I consume. Now that I have my plug-in hybrid, I'll be using the excess energy for driving. Nowadays, 95% of my driving will be less than the 40-mile range of the Prime. I can even tow a real trailer and sell my ginormous Mercedes Sprinter that I've been using for Home Depot runs. I had a Tesla Model Y on order, but their terrible customer service made me cancel it. People who ordered one a year after me were getting deliveries and I was getting excuses. There was only one service center in Wisconsin, which was 1.5 hours away from my house and they didn't even have loaners. The build quality was also disappointing, with panel fit and leaky trunk seals reminiscent of the Opal Kadett. On the other hand, I bought my kids a 1997 Camry as a college commuter and it had 200k miles on it when I bought it. Everything still worked when we sold it with 300k miles on the odometer! I would never own another German car out of warranty. I loved my BMW X5 with V8 and the sport package, but the dealer couldn't fix my power windows that went down on their own whenever they felt like it. After 6 trips under warranty and no fix, they just shrugged me off. If they can't fix power windows, why would I trust them to make a reliable electric car? That's why I think Toyota is the largest car manufacturer in the world and arguably the best engineering for practical cars that work problem-free for a long, long time.I'm feeling a bit old and I'm not a fan of needing triple A roadside service. Unfortunately, they won't tow my Sprinter (it's a long, tall dually), so I'm going to try having just one car for a while. I do have a deposit on a Ford Lightning, but there are 200,000 people ahead of me. Update 6/6/22: It's been 6 months and nearly 9000 miles, and now that it's summer, I usually see 52-54 miles of electric range on the readout. Most of my driving is electric (I've currently gone 1800 miles on 4 gallons of gas). I did a road trip to Rhode Island and it gets 36 mpg at 75 mph. Unfortunately, most hotels don't have any outlets for charging. However, I did an experiment and found that I can go 100 miles on gas after the trip computer says zero miles. I don't understand why Toyota calibrates their hybrid cars like this. My 2011 Prius is also inaccurate, but not to this extent. Plus, with the battery backup, it was an experiment without the consequence of being stranded. This is a tremendous piece of engineering achievement! There are a number of strategies available, such as using charging mode driving to Chicago and having plenty of energy for the stop-and-go inner city driving. Having done a couple thousand miles of interstate, my overall mpg is 77.4. My range anxiety is 0.0, and I can drive anywhere, anytime, without worrying about charging if I choose to. It's a comfortable car for the long haul and has all-wheel drive, can tow 2500 lbs, and fit four adults in comfort with luggage. I'll probably have to use the remaining gas to avoid it going stale this summer, unless I do another road trip.
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Vehicle year: 2023
My wife and I bought our new 2022 RAV 4 Prime model SE on March 7th this year. We've already put nearly 2200 miles on it and have only used 14 gallons of gas. This is my wife's car and her commute is usually between 32-36 miles round trip. She drives her commute on 100% electric and when she returns home, she usually has anywhere from 2-10 miles of electric range left, depending on weather conditions and if she makes any small trips out of her normal commute. We have a level 2 charger that takes 4.5 hours to fully charge from an empty battery. Now, when running just on the gas motor once the battery is depleted, the MPG is anywhere from 38 MPG to 40+ mpg. The other day, I drove 130 miles roundtrip down the coast of Oregon via Highway 101 from the Astoria/Seaside Oregon area. I used 49 miles of electric range and when the gas motor kicked in when the battery was depleted, I quickly reset the gauge to display MPG. When I returned home, the dash MPG displayed 49.5 MPG for those 80 miles or so. The speeds were between 25-55 MPH as Hwy 101 goes through several small towns. The weather was fair with temperatures in the mid 50's or so. There is no SUV Plugin All Wheel Drive vehicle that weighs close to 4,500 lbs that is as efficient as this one.
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Vehicle year: 2021
Congratulations on your new RAV4P XSE w/ Premium! It's great to hear that you were able to get it for MSRP after waiting almost 7 months at your local dealer. It sounds like you made the right choice in upgrading to the power passenger seat, 360 camera, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and pano roof. For your daily needs of grocery shopping and school drop offs, the RAV4P XSE w/ Premium is perfect and the ChargePoint home charger helps for a quick charge. It's impressive that you were able to get up to 52 miles per charge on your 600 mile road trip, which is consistent with other R4P owners. While it's not a sports car, the RAV4P XSE w/ Premium has good straightaway speed for highway merging. Thank you for sharing your experience and enjoy your new ride!
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Vehicle year: 2022
I've been driving the Prime SE for over three weeks now and have put about 900 miles on the odometer. I paid the sticker price of $42,018.00, which included the Weather&Moonroof package, roof rack cross bars, mudguards, all-weather liners, and bodyside moldings. I'm getting about 45 miles of EV range driving in Normal mode with Eco AC on. My driving is mostly on town and back roads, so the speed limits are between 25 and 40 mph. On the highway, I get about 40 miles of EV range cruising at 70 with Eco AC. Even the hybrid yields decent mileage in city and highway driving. I live in a hilly and windy area, but on a 250-mile trip last weekend that included both highway and city driving, I noted the hybrid gave me about 42 mpg, which I think is pretty good for a car this size with two passengers. I've enjoyed driving this car so much, but there are some issues as well. For a car this expensive, I've noticed some trim rattling in the doors and trunk area, which is hard to locate. I checked with the dealer, and they said they'd look into it when I bring the vehicle for the 5k service. These rattles aren't a big issue, but when you're driving in EV mode, they can be pretty distracting. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the car. :)
Are you having problems with your Toyota Rav4 prime?
Henri Bernhard 2025-04-01
Vehicle year: 2021
I recently purchased the Rav4 Prime XSE and I am thoroughly impressed with its unique and powerful drive train. Although I encountered a few minor rattles, the vehicle is otherwise solid and provides an awesome sensation when accelerating silently in EV mode. While the vehicle may be difficult to get into due to its high seats and low roof, driving it is a real pleasure. However, I did notice that some common tech features are missing, such as proximity alerts when backing up or parking, and the Ap could be better thought-out. Overall, I believe that the Rav4 Prime XSE is a special vehicle that stands out in its category. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and powerful driving experience. The transition between electric and gas is seamless. However, after driving the Rav 4 Prime XSE for 6 months and 6000 miles, I cannot recommend this vehicle. While it may seem like a safe investment, it falls short on many fronts, including value, overall engineering, and fine-tuning. With so many capable electric vehicles on the market, buyers are better off considering more advanced and appropriate options. The interior tech is only mediocre, and the ergonomics are poor. Additionally, the interior only comes in black, which can be uncomfortable in California heat. Given the high gas prices and carbon concentrations in the atmosphere, it is difficult to justify buying a vehicle burdened with the weight and drag of an ICE engine. I believe that buyers should consider more advanced and capable clean vehicles.
Stephen Tillman 2025-03-20
Vehicle year: 2022
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE is a great concept that has many things done very well. However, it was released raw and delivered unrefined. Unfortunately, digitalization remains one of Toyota's weakest points, and the utility aspect of the vehicle does not stand up to expectations. Although this is not a cheap car, Toyota Corp has not resolved multiple issues after ~40,000 km. For example, the fuel tank gauge is incorrect, causing range anxiety due to nearly 600% inaccuracy. Additionally, there is poor integration with Android Auto, and the driver seat side supports are too pronounced and non-adjustable, causing joint pain on long-distance trips. It's important to note that seemingly small things can lead to big problems, as my friend had to have his hip replaced due to inflammation caused by a bad chair. Lastly, the front passenger seat does not fold or unfold flat, limiting the amount of cargo space. Despite these issues, the RAV4 Prime SE is still a great car. However, it's important to be aware of these issues before making a purchase.It seems that the utility aspect of this Sport Utility Vehicle has not been thought through. It can be difficult and unsafe to accommodate larger cargo such as furniture, plumbing pipes, or composite board. Additionally, the rear hatch buzzer cannot be switched off when it is open, which can be quite frustrating. The window controls on the driver's door are also hard to find in the dark. The windshield has started to crack from a small rock chip, and the seats are showing signs of wear after only 10,000 km, which is quite early. It is also inconvenient that the battery capacity is only shown in percentage and not in kWh, making it difficult to track the reduction of capacity due to cold weather or aging. The car is quite fast, but there is significant body roll at higher speeds. Lastly, the phone niche does not allow for effective heat dissipation, which can cause the phone to slow down. Despite these issues, the car is still a great choice for those looking for speed and utility.I drove my Prius for over 300K km's and multiple rocks never caused the windshield to crack. Similarly, when I previously drove a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander for 180K km's, the windshield never cracked. However, I have noticed that the RAV4 Prime's windshield seems to be more prone to cracking. While certain aspects of the vehicle are executed very well, in comparison to other Toyota vehicles and my 2014 Prius with over 300,000 km, the RAV4 Prime doesn't quite live up to expectations. Unfortunately, in almost 9 months of ownership, I have not seen Toyota Corp take any action to resolve these issues. It appears that Toyota is trying to focus on a broader audience, but may be losing attention to details.
Magnus Reilly 2024-10-23
Vehicle year: 2021
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to let you know that during our test drive, we noticed that the plug-in battery was not charged, which may have affected the acceleration. We were a bit disappointed, but we understand that these things happen. Additionally, we noticed that the weight of the plug-in battery may have also played a role. Thank you for your understanding!
Hipolito Johnson 2024-10-15
Vehicle year: 2022
This vehicle is a quiet cruiser on the highway and is more of a utility vehicle than a sporty one, which is understandable even though it is an SE. The lifetime MPG with 13,000 miles is 49, with 80% highway using hybrid mode and 20% suburban and urban driving on battery only. The more battery you use, the higher the MPG climbs. Highway speeds of about 75-80 yield 36-38 MPG. Although the summer battery charge indicates 54 miles available, it is not realistic, so it's better to subtract 5-10% for realistic numbers. Similarly, the winter battery charge indicates 32 ish miles, which is also not realistic. The heat exchanger is loud, and if the gas engine has not run for some time (several days), expect a rough start (as if something is wrong with the engine) for about 3-5 seconds. When the time comes to get rid of it, I will likely look elsewhere for a vehicle.
Eliezer Rath 2024-10-13
Vehicle year: 2022
I recently switched from a 2017 Fusion Energi to the 2021 RAV4 Prime SE and noticed a few differences in the technology. Unfortunately, the app is not very user-friendly and lacks a keypad entry. Additionally, I have experienced an issue where the doors lock and cannot be unlocked without using the manual key about once a week. On occasion, I have had to crawl into the car to unlock the doors. The car also makes a loud noise on cold starts and the seats do not have memory. However, the car does have great ground clearance and I have been getting an average of 65mpg with my 40-mile commute, thanks to charging at both home and work. The off-road capabilities are also decent. Overall, I have mixed feelings about the car, but I am enjoying some of its features.