2021 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 6%of 389 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,935miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 389 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,935 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My spouse was driving the car and she complained to me that our new 2021 RAV4 suddenly lurches when slightly accelerating from a rolling stop. I then drove with her and witnessed the same issue although I could not replicate it myself. I took the car to the tustin Toyota dealership (from where I purchased the car) but they were not able to find any issues or replicate the problem. That being said the cars are so new that it may just be that there aren't enough new owners yet to report the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11382724, filed 2020-12, 25 miles“I have been having continuous problems with the transmission jerking and slipping passengers can also feel this. I am also experiencing vibration in the steering when you get up to high speeds around 60-80 mph. The car also has a habit of lunging forward suddenly when the gas saver light goes off which can cause it to hit other vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11474455, filed 2022-07“The entire transmission failed according to the Toyota Service Center in Hyannis, MA. My vehicle is only 5 years old, only has 42,245 miles, no history of any accidents, I am the only owner, and had regular and consistent service. My vehicle is available for inspection. I am now part of the class action lawsuit against Toyota for knowingly selling cars with the defect in the UA80 8-speed automatic transmissions and torque converters. The transmission failed while I was on the road driving, which could have been a potentially very dangerous situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #11722853, filed 2026-03“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Coolant bypass valve is malfunctioning. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? unknown Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Service manager at Tuscaloosa Toyota confirmed problem without even inspecting the vehicle. He told me I am not the only Toyota customer experiencing this problem. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …”
NHTSA complaint #11664314, filed 2025-06“1. My vehicle had a hybrid warnings and stopped running altogether, but the issue went away after clearing the codes. It came back at 105000mi, Toyota won't help with the $6000 repair. High Voltage Under Floor Cable and Traction Motor Cable on my vehicle (2021 Hybrid Rav4 XLE registered in Massachusetts) is affected by excessive and dangerous corrosion due to a Toyota design issue. 2. The vehicle could suddenly shut off at highway speeds per Matt with Service at Autofair Toyota Tewksbury. Sudden stoppage or deceleration may result in fatal collisions at speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11686648, filed 2025-09Related service bulletins
- 10235244Feb 27, 2023TSB: Some 2019 ? 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present: ?P0087/P008700 ? Fuel…
- 10235238Feb 20, 2023TT: Some 2019- 2023 RAV4 HV vehicles may duplicate an abnormal noise (Growl, Humming and/or other) from the Hybrid T/A and/or MGR at various vehicle speeds and normal drive…
- 10220195Jun 28, 2022This condition may occur when the vehicle is operated at high altitude and high temperatures; typically, above 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) and at ambient temperatures above 85°F…
- 10203539Oct 5, 2021TT: 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…
- 10201352Jul 6, 2021TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
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 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 30, 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