2021 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 11%of 389 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 11% of the 389 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were on a drive back from Nashville like normal. My mom had picked me up from work at around 07:15. The car started making strange sounds as we were driving down the highway. It started yelling at us to pull over to a safe spot and slowing down. All of the lights had come on flashing at this time. It didn’t even make it to the shoulder; We made a stop on the triangle area for when cars come in from the exit. …”
NHTSA complaint #11523298, filed 2023-05“The vehicle has never been in an accident and has been garage kept. There were 5 pinholes in the radiator that were slowly dripping over time. My radiator fluid went so low my car overheated and had to be taken in for repair. No warning until there was no radiator fluid left and overheated and had to pull over on the highway. Radiator was cracked in 5 places. 4 year old car, less than 55,000 miles. Confirmed and repaired by an independent service center.”
NHTSA complaint #11681147, filed 2025-08“I have a faulty coolant bypass valve on my 2021 Toyota RAV4. Every time I turn on the air conditioning the service engine required comes up on my notifications a known recall problem for Toyota RAV4’s of this year”
NHTSA complaint #11762309, filed 2026-09“Started seeing the message on the dashboard that says “engine maintenance required visit your dealer” when I took it to get it checked out they said it was the coolant bypass valve, the worker at the Toyota dealership mentioned that it has been happening to other vehicles as well, so he knew exactly what the message meant. Upon doing my own research I found many others with the same issue on their RAV4’s as well. This issue is not covered by their warranty”
NHTSA complaint #11610767, filed 2024-08“I was pulling into a parking space with my foot on the brake, had just touched the parking bar, and the engine started racing. The car went forward over the parking bar before I cold stop it by stomping on the brake. The only thing stopping me from going over the side of the hill was a chain link fence. Luckily the brakes worked. This is a 2021 RAV4 and I have never had this problem before. I am scheduled to go into the Toyota dealer to have them look at it.”
NHTSA complaint #11504262, filed 2023-01Related service bulletins
- 11037186Aug 11, 2026Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- 11032467Apr 1, 2026Some customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC. Upon further inspection, a loose C90/C27 connector pin at the EGR valve may be found. To correct…
- 11029896Feb 27, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 11022949Aug 7, 2025The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the…
- 11020668Jun 19, 2025Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is…
- 11019330Apr 2, 2025Some 2021 model year Avalon, 2020 – 2022 model year Camry, and 2019 – 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS engine may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL…
- 11018327Apr 2, 2025Some 2021 model year Avalon, 2020 – 2022 model year Camry, and 2019 – 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS engine may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL…
- 11016794Feb 20, 2025Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- 11015508Feb 20, 2025Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’…
- 11014205Jan 28, 2025Some 2021-2025 MY Highlander HV, Sienna HV, RAV4, and RAV4 HV, may exhibit an oil leak from the area where the camshaft cover, camshaft housing, and the timing chain covers meet…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 15% |
| 2024 | 38 | 22% |
| 2023 | 25 | 15% |
| 2022 | 27 | 18% |
| 2021 | 41 | 11% |
| 2020 | 180 | 28% |
| 2019 | 207 | 23% |
| 2018 | 33 | 10% |
| 2017 | 31 | 10% |
| 2016 | 25 | 10% |
| 2015 | 37 | 12% |
| 2014 | 31 | 16% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 22 | 8% |
| 2011 | 33 | 12% |
| 2010 | 21 | 5% |
| 2009 | 27 | 8% |
| 2008 | 137 | 24% |
| 2007 | 195 | 19% |
| 2006 | 109 | 15% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota RAV4
125 complaintsOther or unknown
77 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsSeats
18 complaintsLane departure
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology