NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime Safety Record
The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 4 recalls and 98 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has not undergone NHTSA crash testing, leaving this model year without a Safety Index score or star ratings. The absence of this critical data means no assessment of the vehicle's crashworthiness can be made. The record does, however, show a Moderate recall and complaint burden band. Four recall campaigns have been issued, addressing concerns with the electrical and propulsion systems, headlights, and electronic stability control software. Additionally, NHTSA has logged 98 owner-reported complaints for this model year. These data points offer insight into potential issues but cannot substitute for comprehensive crash-test results.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries four recall campaigns, and falls in a Moderate recall and complaint burden band, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Moderate |
| Recalls on file | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 98 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime?
The 2021 RAV4 Prime received no Safety Index score. This model year was not crash-tested by NHTSA, preventing a complete assessment of its safety performance. Its burden band is rated as Moderate, reflecting a record that is neither minimal nor severe. Four recalls have been issued for the 2021 RAV4 Prime. Two of these address the hybrid propulsion and electrical components, focusing directly on the plug-in architecture. The recall concerning the cold-weather hybrid power control unit is specific to this 2021 model year, indicating a year-specific concern rather than a broader fleet issue. Another recall, issued in the vehicle's launch year, addressed headlight aiming; this suggests a possible early production quality concern. NHTSA has recorded 98 owner complaints for this model year. The Electrical System is the most frequently cited category, with 37 reported incidents, which aligns thematically with the recall patterns observed in the hybrid powertrain. Subsequent model years, including the 2022, 2023, and 2024 RAV4 Prime, were NHTSA-tested and achieved Safety Index scores of 80, 86, and 86 respectively. These scores apply exclusively to those tested years and cannot be used to infer the safety performance of the untested 2021 model.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime have any recalls?
The 2021 RAV4 Prime carries four recall campaigns. Two target the electrical and propulsion system, specifically a DC/DC converter concern shared with the 2022 RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX 450h+, and a cold-weather issue with the hybrid power control unit. A third covers electronic stability control software alongside several other Toyota and Lexus models. A fourth, issued earliest, addresses headlight aiming caps that may have been improperly installed. NHTSA's published data for this model year does not include a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, but shoppers should verify current remedy status by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER23V478000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2023-07-12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)23V041000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2023-02-02
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V239000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2022-04-13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS20V698000
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.
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.
Reported 2020-11-12
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime?
NHTSA has received 98 owner complaints for the 2021 RAV4 Prime. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts. The most frequently reported component categories are the Electrical System with 37 alleged incidents, Unknown or Other with 23, Fuel and Propulsion System with 18, Service Brakes with 16, Forward Collision Avoidance with 10, and Power Train with 5. Twelve complaints allege a crash was involved, one alleges fire, and five allege injuries.
98 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime?
For the 2021 RAV4 Prime, consumers should verify the recall status of any individual unit via NHTSA's VIN lookup tool. Four recall campaigns have been issued for this model year, and repair completion rates vary.
- The 2021 RAV4 Prime was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so no star ratings or Safety Index score exist for this specific model year. The absence of a score does not indicate the vehicle is safe or unsafe.
- A cold-weather hybrid power control unit recall applies specifically to 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles and is not shared with the 2022 model year in that campaign, making it a year-specific item to verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year total 98 unverified allegations, with the Electrical System category accounting for the largest share at 37 reported incidents, a pattern that aligns with the two propulsion-related recall campaigns.
- The 2022, 2023, and 2024 RAV4 Prime were NHTSA-tested with Safety Index scores of 80, 86, and 86 respectively. Those scores belong to those tested years only and cannot be applied to the 2021 model year.
FAQ2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime safety questions
Was the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 4 recalls and 98 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 98 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Toyota Rav4 Prime 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.