Model year guide

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints22
Combined40 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid recalls 1

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #23V865000 · 20/12/2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploy…

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may co…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid common problems

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Traction Control System
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid MPG & running costs

Combined40 mpg
City41 mpg
Highway38 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,700
EPA size classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)
Engine start-stopYes
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,500 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$8,500
Fuel only$8,500
Per mile$0.11

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid trims & engines on record

Trims
LE HV
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 176 hp

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid vehicles on record

Other Toyota rav4 hybrid model years

2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid?

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, latches/locks/linkages, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid get?

The 2021 Toyota rav4 hybrid has a U.S. EPA estimate of 40 mpg combined (41 city / 38 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.