2021 Toyota RAV4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 8%of 389 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,402miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the visibility of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 8% of the 389 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,402 miles. 1 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.
“This issue happened on 12/31/2020. I was driving to work this evening. I came onto an onramp during my drive and I began increasing my speed to 70mph. As I'm accelerating I started to notice a whistling sound coming from the sunroof . I instantly assumed that my husband had accidentally opened the sunroof and had not closed it back up all the way. (we have not had this car very long at all so we are still learning which buttons do what.) as I pull back the cover I notice that there are shards of glass falling onto my lap from the sunroof. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386212, filed 2021-01, 2,241 miles“Hello, I recently purchased a RAV4 2021 Limited and immidiateky noticed the side mirrors are shaking while the car is on the move to an extent where it is hard to keep track of the other vehicles from the mirrors. When I looked up this is a toyota design defect for which they have a service bulletin. I believe this should be a safety concern as the mirrors are integral part of driving and excessive shaking limits the usuability as well as strains the driver’s eyes.”
NHTSA complaint #11592096, filed 2024-06“Without any warning and without anyone touching the car my back windshield exploded out. This flung pieces of glass inches from my toddler as we were about to get in the car. I have a remote car starter (for 4 years on this car) and had started it a few minutes before walking to my car to put my stuff down, I opened the passenger door, put my bags on the seat and closed the door. I then turned around to help my toddler into the car and it suddenly exploded inches from us”
NHTSA complaint #11632244, filed 2024-12“We have water becoming stuck in our back passenger door due to a weather strip design flaw in Toyota Rav4 Hybrids. This will begin to happen to all weather strips and eventually destroy the interior and electrical if not repaired. This is a common design flaw in newer Toyota Rav4 Hybrids and we are lucky it's just our one door so far. I've been informed (by our Toyota Tech) that eventually all of the doors and the roof will leak due to this Toyota design flaw. …”
NHTSA complaint #11531866, filed 2023-07“While driving on the freeway with outside temperatures of about 89/90F, at about 67-68 mph, our passenger window randomly exploded and shattered. There was no prior damage to the window or any indication that a rock, projectile or other debris had hit the window. Prior to this incident, we had observed that the passenger window would rattle inside the door pocket/window frame when the car was in motion. When the window shattered, it did so instantly without any warning, as if it had exploded, startling us. …”
NHTSA complaint #11599844, filed 2024-07Related service bulletins
- 10244116Aug 21, 2023TSB: Some 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander and RAV4 vehicles, and 2022 model year Tundra vehicles equipped with a start/stop switch may exhibit water entry to the vehicle from…
- 10244115Aug 21, 2023TSB: The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. Follow the procedures outlined in…
- 10238131May 11, 2023TSB: Some 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander and RAV4 vehicles, and 2022 model year Tundra vehicles equipped with a start/stop switch may exhibit water entry to the vehicle from…
- 10202452Sep 3, 2021TT: When used in conjunction with the Repair Manual, these Blind Spot Monitor, Forward Recognition Camera, and Front Millimeter Wave Radar tips leverage SSTs and readily…
- 10185772Dec 9, 2020TSB: Some 2019 ? 2021 model year RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a vibration/shaking of the image shown in the outer rear-view mirror(s) while driving. Mirror vibration…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 13 | 8% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 31 | 8% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 21 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 7% |
| 2015 | 8 | 3% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% |
| 2012 | 59 | 23% |
| 2011 | 50 | 17% |
| 2010 | 24 | 6% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 18 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 5% |
| 2006 | 30 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 7% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota RAV4
125 complaintsOther or unknown
77 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine
41 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 28, 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