2021 Toyota RAV4 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

NHTSA component category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · data through 07/12/2026

21Fuel/propulsion System complaints

5.6%Of all 375 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How fuel/propulsion system ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS125 · 33.3%

Unspecified / other70 · 18.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44 · 11.7%

ENGINE36 · 9.6%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM21 · 5.6%

Share of the 375 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 overview page.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 11504262 — filed 01/29/2023

“2021 Toyota REV4 with just over 5,000 miles. I got off from a parking lot and drove 1/2 miles, The screen shown "Vehicle Alert" and…”NHTSA complaint 11495574 — filed 12/01/2022

“Toyota of Portland sold me a used 2021 RAV4 hybrid XSE with a defective gas tank. The gas tank does not carry the 14.5 gallons…”NHTSA complaint 11445937 — filed 01/03/2022

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Fuel/propulsion System complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have fuel/propulsion system problems?

Fuel/propulsion System is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Toyota RAV4: 21 of 375 complaints on file (5.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have in total?

375 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 46 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 49 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's fuel/propulsion system category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.