2021 Toyota RAV4 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 6%of 389 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 905miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 389 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 905 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When the low fuel light comes on it only takes 10 gallons to refill. This gives me a range of 400 miles on a tank of fuel. I was expecting a reserve amount of fuel after the low fuel light comes on to drive to a fuel station but only using 10 gallons out of a 14 gallon tank seems wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #11387955, filed 2021-01, 400 miles“With 4 miles left on hv range/dte, I filled my first full tank at costco. Pump read 10.82 gallons. Now hv range is showing 544 miles. I got about 39.9 mpg on first tank (without EV) which is in line with epa. But my real hv range from full to empty was only 10.9 x 39.5 = 430 miles. If you add EV miles of 42, then you get around 472 miles. Not 600. Their mpg claims are valid. But their gas tank/ range claims are clearly overstated. Real range is only 472. Not 600. …”
NHTSA complaint #11353782, filed 2020-09, 502 miles“Have a 2019 ams 2021 RAV4 hybrid xse that will not fill to its 14.5 gal capacity. Toyota needs to make a formal announcement here to acknowledge the issue and a timeline on a fix. With noting, the dealership said it took 14 gal on initial fill when purchased, so not sure what to think here - can provide photos as well”
NHTSA complaint #11389684, filed 2021-01, 485 miles“Cannot fill fuel tank completely full. Had some tests run by Toyota and they found that there were only 12.5 gallons in the 14.5 gallon tank when the pump shuts off. I was told this was within the spec and offered no further help.”
NHTSA complaint #11394555, filed 2021-02, 8,000 miles“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
- 10240057Jun 8, 2023TSB: Some 2020 ? 2023 model year Highlander Hybrid and 2021 ? 2023 model year RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna Hybrid, and Venza Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition…
- 10236191Apr 5, 2023DP: Although the high-pressure fuel pump is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the…
- 10201336Jul 12, 2021DP: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected, when…
- 10201334Jul 12, 2021DP: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2019-2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected…
- 10201356Jul 7, 2021DP: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2019-2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected…
- 10190482Mar 4, 2021RE: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2019-2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected…
- 10190481Mar 4, 2021RE: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected, when…
- 10190480Mar 4, 2021DL: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected, when…
- 10190479Mar 4, 2021RAV4 HV Refueling Performance - Job Aid 20TE04 20TE05 20TE06
- 10190478Mar 4, 2021DP: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2019-2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 10 | 7% |
| 2021 | 24 | 6% |
| 2020 | 90 | 14% |
| 2019 | 269 | 30% |
| 2018 | 13 | 4% |
| 2017 | 13 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 13 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 16 | 3% |
| 2007 | 22 | 2% |
| 2006 | 25 | 4% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota RAV4
125 complaintsOther or unknown
77 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 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 29, 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