ToyotaRAV42021Overview/toyota/rav4/2021/base/

2021 Toyota RAV4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 RAV4.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 carries a 4.8‑quart oil capacity with 0W‑16 viscosity and is mated to an automatic S8 transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg. Its reliability record through 2025 shows 375 owner complaints, the most frequent concerning air bags, and only a single recall, a volume that pales against the 1,002 complaints peak recorded in 2007 and is near the historic low of one complaint in 1995. Consequently, the 2021 model year sits at the lower end of the model’s complaint history, suggesting a comparatively stable performance for researchers tracking long‑term reliability.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-16OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/35/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With start/stop: 48, Without start stop: 47 · With start/stop: 605, Without start stop: 565 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI With start/stop: 48, Without start stop: 47 · With start/stop: 605, Without start stop: 565 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire size235/55R19 101VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter17801F0050 alt 17801F0020
Fuel filter770240R040 alt 770240R050
Spark plug9091901289
Battery2880025010 alt 2880025033
Front wiper blades852220R050 alt 852120R080
Serpentine belt90916A2027 alt 9091602778
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1603125011
Cabin air filter871390R030 alt 8713958010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3490 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 35 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RAV4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2021 Prime XSE PHEV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Prime XSE PHEV 2.5L I-4 + Elec 18.1-kWh5.40 sec14.00 sec302 hpAWD
2021Prime XSE PHEV 2.5L I-4 + Elec 18.1-kWh5.50 sec14.10 sec302 hpAWD
2021Limited 2.5L I-48.30 sec16.40 sec203 hpAWD
2021TRD Off-Road 2.5L I-48.40 sec16.60 sec203 hpAWD
2021TRD Off-Road 2.5L I-48.50 sec16.50 sec203 hpAWD
2020XSE Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.10 sec15.40 sec219 hpAWD
2020Limited 2.5L I-48.20 sec16.40 sec203 hpAWD
2022TRD Off-Road 2.5L I-48.20 sec16.30 sec203 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-16 engine oil, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.8 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity1.8 qt
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine Oil0W-16

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.5 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.5 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugP710: 37.0; Q610: 29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1,100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFC16HR-Q8
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2, 7.5 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.150 -1.275 lbs
Oil TypeND-12 or equivalent
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.150 -1.275 lbs
Oil TypeND-11 or equivalent
Standard BCI Group NumberWith start/stop: 48, Without start stop: 47
Standard BCI Group Number140R

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 28.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
RPM28.0-121.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure14.2
Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 43.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
RPM43.0-121.0 @ Idle. rpm
Residual Pressure14.2

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
128.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°28 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°66 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 sits in the middle of a long‑term trend that saw complaints peak in 2007 (1,002) and decline sharply after 2018, with 2020 at 624 and 2021 down to 375 complaints. 2021’s recall count of one is the lowest since 2014, matching the low figure of 1 recall in 2017 and 2018, and it is far below the 11–14 recalls seen between 2006 and 2009. The single investigation in 2021 is consistent with the near‑zero investigations of the surrounding years, indicating no emerging safety issues. The top complaint areas for 2021—Air Bags (108), Unknown Or Other (45), Structure (14), and Engine (13)—mirror the broad mix seen in 2020 and 2022, suggesting no new concentrated problem. Crash‑related complaints (46) and fire complaints (7) are modest compared to the 2020 peak of 868 complaints and the 2023 peak of 141 crash complaints, reinforcing the trend of improving reliability. Overall, the 2021 model year’s lower complaint and recall numbers, coupled with a stable trend in other safety metrics, make it a solid year to consider purchasing.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
228
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
375
Owner complaints
46 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 375 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags108
Unknown Or Other45
Structure14
Engine13
Seats13
Visibility/Wiper11
Fuel/Propulsion System11
Visibility10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V865000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 20/12/2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 228 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0023-262026-04-01EngineSome customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC. Upon…
T-SB-0104-21 Rev22026-02-27EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now…
T-SB-0106-22 Rev22026-01-30Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
T-SB-0001-262026-01-28Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic…
T-TT-0797-262026-01-12Electrical SystemSome RAV4 vehicles power seat where the automatic seat adjustment by the memory function…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAV4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 RAV4 take?

4.8 qt of 0W-16, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RAV4 get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg.