2021 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.
Social links
Common 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime problems
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. This discrepancy results in a significantly reduced travel range, causing inconvenience and frustration for drivers.
Another problem reported by some owners is related to the service brakes. Drivers have complained about the service brakes stopping working after going through potholes or bad road conditions. Instead, the car lurches forward, creating a surging sensation. This issue can potentially lead to safety concerns, as it may increase the risk of collisions, especially in heavy traffic or when following closely behind other vehicles.
Additionally, there have been various uncategorized complaints about the RAV4 Prime via the NHTSA website. These include issues with the infotainment display not working correctly and instances of the sunroof shattering. However, these complaints are relatively rare and do not appear to be widespread issues.
It is important to note that despite these common problems, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is still considered a reliable hybrid SUV overall, with a decent 3.0 out of 5.0 score in reliability and a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 rating in owner satisfaction. While there are some issues to be aware of, the 2021 RAV4 Prime has received much praise in many departments, including reliability.
What issues does the RAV4 Prime have?
On certain RAV4 Prime (plug-in hybrid) models, rapid acceleration could cause the battery voltage to drop suddenly while driving in EV mode at low temperatures. If this happens, a warning will pop up on the instrument panel and the hybrid system will shut down and cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels.
Are there any issues with the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
Common problems found on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 include rattling noises from the B-pillar in the cabin, excessive wind noise, along with rapid battery drain. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other compact SUVs on the market, leading to lower repair bills.
How much does it cost to replace a RAV4 Prime battery?
The average cost for a Toyota RAV4 Prime Hybrid High Voltage Battery Replacement is between $10,323 and $10,413. Labor costs are estimated between $343 and $433 while parts are typically priced around $9,980.
Is Toyota recalling hundreds of thousands of RAV4 SUVs due to a battery problem?
Toyota is recalling roughly 1.9 million RAV4 sport utility vehicles in the U.S. because the batteries can shift during sharp turns and potentially cause a fire.
Does the 2021 RAV4 have any problems?
Common problems found on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 include rattling noises from the B-pillar in the cabin, excessive wind noise, along with rapid battery drain. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other compact SUVs on the market, leading to lower repair bills.
What is the common problem of Toyota RAV4?
The RAV4's issues include excessive oil consumption, steering wheel problems, lagging transmissions, fuel system problems, and electrical complications, among other troubles. Here, you'll see which RAV4 model years frequently experience what issues and what might cause them.
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.
How much does it cost to replace a RAV4 Prime battery?
The average cost for a Toyota RAV4 Prime Hybrid High Voltage Battery Replacement is between $10,323 and $10,413. Labor costs are estimated between $343 and $433 while parts are typically priced around $9,980.
2021 Toyota Rav4 prime car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Rav4 prime problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles 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 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime
The NHTSA has received 86 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime vehicles.
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-15
- 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)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
- 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-19
- 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)
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-13
- 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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
- 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-20
- VIN: JTMAB3FV4MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: RE: RECALL # 23TA07 for 201 Toyota Rav Prime. An interim recall notice was issued a year ago stating "We are currently preparing a remedy. We will notify you again when remedy is available." Toyota Corporate has no information when this recall will be addressed. I paid over $5000 to get a plug- in hybrid and now cannot use the plug- in feature when temperature is below 40 degrees in the winter. The car is useless as designed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-20
- VIN: JTMAB3FV4MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: RE: RECALL # 23TA07 for 2021 Toyota Rav Prime. An interim recall notice was issued a year ago stating "We are currently preparing a remedy. We will notify you again when remedy is available." Initially Toyota claimed it would be remedied by 4th quarter 2023. Now Toyota Corporate has no information when this recall will be addressed. I paid an additional cost of $5000 over the cost of a regular hybrid to get a plug- in hybrid and now cannot use the plug- in feature when temperature is below 40 degrees in the winter. The car is useless as designed.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-11
- VIN: JTMEB3FV5MD
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The manufacturer has not corrected the recall in 10 months
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- VIN: JTMEB3FV9MD
- 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-01
- VIN: JTMAB3FV7MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Toyota dealerships stated that there is no fix for recalled issue and not to charge the vehicle with the charger and to park it outside my home due to a Potential fire concern We are going on almost a year on this recall and there is still no fix. Recall Code: 23TB07.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-01
- VIN: JTMAB3FV3MD
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: See attached document for complaint
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-29
- VIN: JTMFB3FV9MD
- 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 made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-22
- VIN: JTMEB3FV5MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: A recall on this vehicle has not been addressed since it came out in July 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-15
- VIN: JTMFB3FV0MD
- 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 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-09
- VIN: JTMEB3FV5MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Manufacturer has failed to resolve a safety recall issued in July 2023 where defective parts will cause the charging system to burst into flames
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-09
- VIN: JTMEB3FV5MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Intermittent issues with the power rear tail gate failing to open. The car will emit a loud beep and the door will stop operating. The dealer claims that there’s no issue even after being shown a video of the issue
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: JTMAB3FV9MD
- 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 and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-29
- VIN: JTMEB3FV2MD
- 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 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-24
- VIN: JTMAB3FV9MD
- 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 local dealer was contacted. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-12
- VIN: JTMAB3FV8MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: RECALL HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN A TIMELY MANNER. CAR MIGHT LIGHT ON FIRE! VERY UNSAFE!
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-04
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTMAB3FV7MD
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I was pulling into a parking space at a slow speed and breaking when my car accelerated violently and caused me to go across a median and strike another parked vehicle. Police came and did a report. I took my car right away to dealer and they had me take it to their collision shop to be repaired. They said they would try to find the unintended acceleration problem after it was repaired. No warning lights or airbags.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-03
- VIN: JTMFB3FVXMD
- 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 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 and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-19
- VIN: JTMAB3FVXMD
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Open recall for potential fire issue(DC to DC converter) is not being followed up on by Toyota.
2021 Toyota Rav4 prime recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- 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.
Negative 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime car reviews
Positive 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime car reviews
-
It's been 18 months since I bought this car and my opinion hasn't changed since my initial review. I still think it's amazing. In fact, I traded in my Tesla Model S (much to everyone's surprise, including my own) and I don't regret it one bit. The car handles high speeds incredibly well, much like the BMW 5 series I used to have. I even convinced a few of my friends to buy it and they're just as pleased as I am!
-
The RAV4 Prime is an amazing car that has exceeded all my expectations. As a New Yorker, having an AWD vehicle is essential, especially during the winter. This car not only meets that requirement, but it is also a plug-in electric hybrid that can go up to 42 miles on a full charge. It's impressive that this car can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, making it the second-fastest car in Toyota's lineup (and technically their fastest car since the Supra is made by BMW!). The RAV 4 Prime is Toyota's answer to electric-only vehicles, which have their limitations, such as low range. With the RAV 4 Prime, you can take it on long road trips without any worries. I am extremely satisfied with this car and highly recommend it. Although it may be difficult to find this vehicle, your local dealership may be lucky enough to have one in stock. If you do find one, I encourage you to take it for a test drive. You will not be disappointed!
-
I recently purchased a car with a plug-in battery that gives me 42 miles, which is more than any other plug-in I found. I was hoping that the cost for electricity would be less than the cost of gas. After careful measurement, I found that the cost of electricity in my home was $.024/Kw, which included all the other fees in my bill. The cost of recharging the car was equivalent to buying gas at $3.18/gallon and the car getting 35 MPG, which is less than the rated MPG. Therefore, my conclusion is that you should not get an EV if you're just expecting to save money on gas. However, if gas prices continue to rise, the EV may have an advantage. I have had the car for two weeks and have yet to go into gas mode. All of my trips have been less than 40 miles, so I'm pure electric so far. That's due to the 42-mile battery, which is almost twice that of all the other plug-in hybrids I've seen. Although I was considering adding a faster charger, I'm still undecided as plugging it into a 110 outlet when I get home allows it to be recharged by the next day. Other than the gas issue, the car is great. It's very different riding while running on battery, with no engine noise. The car has almost all the bells and whistles you want, with the exception of hands-off driving. The seats are comfortable, and the lane departure gives a steering wheel vibration, which is better than the beeping in my old Highlander. The only thing missing is an ashtray or other place to put change, which I like to keep in the car.
-
(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 renowned reliability and dealer network, you can't go wrong. (And just to be clear, I don't work for Toyota.)
-
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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime problems:
Consumer Reports says RAV4 Prime has bad reliability : r/rav4prime
Nov 17, 2022 ... What is "reliability?" Are they just surveying people every minor problem such as a popped tire is an issue even though it's no fault on the ...
Consolidated RAV4 Prime Defects, Issues and Observations ...
Apr 11, 2021 ... I don't have anything to contribute yet since my Prime SE will not arrive until sometime in June 2021. This thread will help all of us to share ...
About to purchase 2021 RAV4 XLE. Any problems I need to know ...
Sep 20, 2021 ... Hi everyone. I'm about to commit on a new car as the model as stated in title. I was wondering if any issues were encountered by anyone here ...
The Toyota RAV4 Prime Years To Avoid - CoPilot
Jun 15, 2023 ... 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Common Problems. The fuel tank capacity issue is one of the main customer grievances about the 2021 RAV4 Prime. Based on ...
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Exhaust · Steering And Suspension · Brakes · Noises And Leaks · Body Hardware · Paint And Trim · Engine ...
Other years of Toyota Rav4 prime
Are you having problems with your 2021 Toyota Rav4 prime?
Tod Hermann 2025-06-19
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.
Norwood O'Reilly 2025-06-15
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 a fast and reliable vehicle.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.
Henri Bernhard 2025-04-01
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.
Magnus Reilly 2024-10-23
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!
Laverna Aufderhar 2024-07-09
Hi! I recently bought a Toyota Prius and have driven it for less than 1000 km. Unfortunately, I've started to experience some issues such as a tough switch between EV to HV and the gear kicking the car. Additionally, while in charging mode, there is a very loud and unpleasant sound of friction from the gear. Despite these issues, the car is fast and powerful.