10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,329 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime brakes problems

brakes problem

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 022022

RAV4 Prime

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have COMPLETELY lost brakes on MULTIPLE occasions for a few seconds per occasion. Brake loss has occurred upon slow, even braking and on flat, dry, even pavement with no pot poles or loose gravel around. When this happens, an orange light appears on the dash, we lose brakes for a few seconds, the car regains brakes, and jolts forward with no change in foot position on the brake pedal. We have taken the car to the dealer multiple times and every single time this incident has occurred the rear right wheel speed shows about a 10% variation in speed compared to all the other wheels per the vehicle diagnostic report/record of behavior. The orange light we are seeing on the dash is the ABS light. There is no feedback in the brake pedal on any occasion. This incident has occurred about 20 times so far. Our car is available for inspection. The dealer believes this is being caused by a software issue and not a faulty sensor. This car is a danger to us and anyone around us as we have needed to swerve into the shoulder multiple times to avoid hitting someone ahead of us. This NEEDS to be fixed before it injures or kills someone. This issue has still been persistent even after taking care of the VSC recall and a reset/recalibration to the braking system. We have taken the car to the dealer for this issue on: 4/4/22, 4/15/22, 4/25/22, 5/11/22, 6/4/22. have been limiting our driving in this car due to the issue happening multiple times a week, that is why there hasn't been many trips to the dealer much between May and June. I want to reiterate, this doesn't sound like a defect per the dealer, it sounds like a software issue!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 272022

RAV4 Prime

  • miles
All four brake rotors are defective, the metal is pitted scored and not smooth, as it should be. This increases the braking distance. The vehicle is equipped with regenerative braking thus increasing the brake service interval. With mileage at 21600 this is not normal. Upon inspection at the dealer, it was described as normal for this type of vehicle. I pointed out several vehicle in the service area as what the rotors should appear. (I have had three Chevy Volts with similar drivetrain and never had to replace rotors or brake pads.) I will upload photos of the rotors and dealers comments.

- Holland, NY, USA

problem #5

Mar 022022

RAV4 Prime

  • miles
My RAV4 PRIME was in stop and go traffic. Brakes did not switch from regen braking to physical brakes. Slammed on the brakes several times, they did not slow the car enough. Eventually the brakes locked up as the RAV4 rear ended the car in front. Pushing that car into the one in front of it, and that one in front of that, and that one in front of that. Causing damage to three other cars. Two other people are claiming medical, the driver went to the ER. Air bags did not deploy. Taking to the repair shop. They were shocked that the air bags didn't go off given the the condition of the frame. Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) did an inspection to read the event data recorder (EDR). Brake were applied at -1.5 seconds before impact. And here is the weird part, saying that the ABS activated then too. There was no notification, and the brakes locked up. Speed went from 46 to 21.1 mph. This occurred at 3,573 miles on only a few month old RAV4. I'm well aware of what ABS feels like when it goes off.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #4

Mar 042022

RAV4 Prime

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While exiting an interstate and applying the brakes, the vehicle struck a small bump (pot-hole) in the roadway with the front passenger wheel. The car lurched forward and stopped slowing down. The brakes had disengaged on all wheels. After approximately 2 seconds, the car started braking again and I was able to regain control and stop. This momentary loss of braking ability could have caused me to rear end the vehicle in front had I not left excess room. The loss of brakes increased the braking distance required and could lead to the loss of control if the roadway is slick. I have been able to reproduce this issue. No ABS or TCS lights illuminated. No beeps or other warning messages materialized. The car is available for inspection upon request. It appears to be an issue with the regenerative brakes switching over to the mechanical brakes when the car believes there is wheel slip.

- Manchester Township, NJ, USA

problem #3

Nov 302021

RAV4 Prime

  • miles
When the vehicle goes over a pothole (or bad road condition) while you are braking, the brakes don-€™t work for a second, the car feels like it is surging. I almost hit the car in front. This happens a lot. It-€™s the exact same problem problem with the 2010 prius.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 052022

RAV4 Prime

  • miles
While braking there is a brief release, which I believe happens when car switches from regenerative to friction braking. It feels like I have taken my foot off the brake for a moment, but I have not. Result is car briefly stops braking, which can cause loss of control. Has happened consistently for months, less pronounced with hard vs soft braking

- Waltham, VT, USA

problem #1

Feb 082021

RAV4 Prime

  • 9,300 miles
I am experiencing inconsistent brake feel after ABS actuation during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces. Stopping distances are increased compared with my expectation for a given pedal force. Please note that the 2010 Toyota prius had a similar issue, and a recall was issued under NHTSA campaign 10V039000.

- Auburn, NH, USA

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