2021 Toyota RAV4 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 5%of 389 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the seats of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the 389 complaints for this model year.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driver's side electronic seat malfunctioning and stopped working not allowing the seat to go forward or backward for the driver. The car only has 24,337 miles on it as of 08/26/2025. I purchased the car from Green Toyota in Springfield, Illinois in 2021. The dealership tells me the seat and tracks all have to be replaced at a cost of over $2,100.00.”
NHTSA complaint #11683182, filed 2025-08“Front drivers seat no longer capable of moving backwards and forwards. One of the rails will not move, causing the seat to rotate left and right and will not move back and forward. This is a hazard as it now no longer is safe for my Wife or I to drive. It is too far back for my wife and too far forward for me. The car is not that old and has not had that many times moving the chair that the expected failure is acceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #11663426, filed 2025-05“The plastic gears that make the seat move back and forth have failed so I can’t adjust the drivers seat to a proper position. We have 2 drivers of almost a foot different in height. There is a plastic gears that runs against a metal gear. Seat is unusable.”
NHTSA complaint #11735282, filed 2026-05“I've spoken with Toyota and confirmed that there is a chance my passenger airbag will not deploy. They have no remedy, and the expected date of resolution has been expired for 10 months. Their only recommended action is to not have a passenger ride in my vehicle!”
NHTSA complaint #11683339, filed 2025-08“In early March 2024 we received the recall notice for our Toyota RAV4 LE because the OCS (air bag sensor) on passenger seat were found to possibly be faulty. I have called the dealer and Toyota's customer service hotline about once a month with no response given that a remedy is available as yet. What is the problem with Toyota taking so long to provide a remedy for this faulty sensor. We are two senior citizens who own a very nice basic RAV4 which we really enjoy especially the 30-32 gasoline mpg even in town. …”
NHTSA complaint #11639650, filed 2025-01Related service bulletins
- 10217801Jul 21, 2022TT: Some vehicles may exhibit seat memory switch function inoperative condition if the Seating Position Control ECU is not initialized. The Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) bulletin…
- 10208995Feb 1, 2022TSB: Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually…
- 10190448Mar 5, 2021TSB: Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually…
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 18 | 5% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 12 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 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 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsForward collision avoidance
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