Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Me ([redacted]) and my 3 children went on a trip from July 25- July 30 to Sequoia National Park & Yosemite National Park . On Wednesday , July 28 around 1:30 pm we were at Yosemite Park and I pulled over to take some photos of the beautiful park(nature) . I made sure my children , the car and myself were in a correct parking spot , I put my RAV4 LE in Park position (P) and the car automatically put on the hand break and it makes a loud noise, letting me know it's safe . The RAV4 does not have a hand break like other cars , it only has a small pull button. Anyways the car was in Park position with the automatic break , I stepped out the vehicle and walked toward the front of the car and my RAV4 just stared to roll down and hit a tree . I ran inside the car to stop it but it was too late . …
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while her daughter was dropping her off, the daughter shifted to park(P), and the vehicle made an abnormal static sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon shifting to drive(D). There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. An independent auto electrician was contacted and informed the contact that the abnormal sounds could be related to an engine failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,314.
I was reversing. I exited vehicle The Car was either not in park or fully In park. I got something from the back seat, turned around and the car with drivers door wide open was barreling towards me. I barely managed to get into the car. I do not think tjr car was reversing when I reached into the backseat. It appeared like it was a delayed reaction. The car door was damaged as it hit the side of the garage. I am so grateful nobody got hurt. Do not want this to happen to anyone else. (I run and miraculously made it inside the car. Most would not have.
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. The vehicle was inspected by the independant Ira Toyota Service Center of Hyannis. There were 5 different warning lights that suddenly came on while I was driving, and I immediately went straight to the nearest Toyota center as soon as the lights came on. …
Vehicle stumbles on moderate acceleration from slow speed, hesitates shifting also. Problem has persisted since new. Dealers rep "they're all like that. can't find any problem. No warning lamps. I think there is a TSB but it seems well hidden. I feel it is a safety issue - acceleration from low speed compromised. We have 2 more 2021 rav4s in the family that do not do that. I believe Toyota knows about this problem. Also had a problem with vehicle slamming violently into lower gear when coming to a stop. Dealer could not find problem. I checked vehicle and found air filter housing not properly secured. I latched it properly and that seemed to solve slamming into lower gear problem. Dealers mechanic (?) must have not latched it properly after 12 month service. No telling how much dirt was sucked into engine while that was happening. …
My Toyota hybrid AWD vehicle experienced corrosion of the rear traction motor cable, which Toyota has acknowledged in Service Campaign 25TD01. This corrosion affects the electrical connection to the rear drive motor and can result in loss of AWD propulsion capability. Loss of rear-wheel propulsion significantly reduces traction and stability, particularly in snow, ice, and wet conditions. Drivers may believe the vehicle still has AWD capability when in fact the rear drive system is compromised. In addition, the vehicle's adaptive cruise control system repeatedly turned off unexpectedly while driving and displayed "unavailable" warnings. These malfunctions occurred alongside the electrical issues related to the rear traction motor cable corrosion, suggesting the defect may affect multiple vehicle systems. …
My 2021 Toyota RAV4 began experiencing intermittent shuddering and vibration at low speeds around May 2026. The condition occurred while accelerating from a stop or at slow speeds and became more frequent over time. Because the problem was intermittent, the dealership was initially unable to duplicate it. Independent inspection later found dark transmission fluid containing metal debris, indicating internal transmission failure. I was informed the transmission requires replacement or rebuild. My vehicle has approximately 94,000 miles, which is well below the expected service life of a modern transmission. The symptoms are consistent with numerous reported complaints involving Toyota's UA80 automatic transmission and torque converter. …
2021 Toyota RAV4 (gas model) has experienced a sudden, unexpected engine stall/shutdown on a public road. The incident occurred while shifting into Drive after backing up in reverse. The engine immediately died without any prior dashboard warning lights or mechanical symptoms. The information screen displayed a message stating "Put Car in Park" or "Shift into Park." The vehicle safely restarted immediately after shifting back into Park and pressing the ignition button. This intermittent stall has happened three times under the exact same directional shifting conditions over the last 1.5 years, creating a high-risk scenario for a rear-end collision in active traffic. After previous incident (one year ago) when the engine stopped when shifting from reverse to drive, I took it to Toyota service. …
"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?" Vehicle nor component has been inspected by manufacturer. "Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?" Warning alert that reads 'engine maintenance required' has been appearing on the vehicle's dashboard for over a year now.
While turning slowly, right tun, into a parking space, the vehicle lunged forward at a much higher speed than anticipated. The vehicle jumped the sidewalk, went up an embankment, about 20 degrees, and about 25 feet until it stopped on its own. Happened on April 14th, 2025, about 11:30 am. Driver was is good health, no medical conditions. Driver also has a clean driving record, no infarctions. The vehicle jumped a curb 4 inches high, ran over some light brush, but luckily no damage to vehicle. There are train tracks about 15 feet away, which could have been another incident. Driver says when she slowly pulled into the spot, the car lunged forward, with good thrust, and I am a witness to this incident.
Transmission complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2021 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the model year's 387 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2021 Toyota RAV4, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 3,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.