ToyotaRAV4 Prime2021Overview/toyota/rav4-prime/2021/base/

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

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

Transmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is the opening chapter of the Prime variant’s documented 2021–2024 run, distinguished mechanically by a 4.8-quart oil capacity using 0W-16 viscosity and an Automatic (AV-S6) transmission. It also carries the heaviest complaint load in that window, with 98 owner complaints and four recalls on record, the largest share tied to the electrical system. For researchers, that concentration makes the 2021 model the most reported—and therefore the most instructive baseline—when benchmarking later years such as 2022, which dropped to 21 complaints.

Model year2024202320222021

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 efficiency40/36/38 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range600 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 345 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 47 · 345 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRELAYOEM · verified
Tire size225/60R18 100HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780177050
Fuel filter7702442170
Spark plug9091901289
Battery2880025033
Front wiper blades8521242190 alt 8522242180
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1603125011
Cabin air filter8713958010 alt 871390R030

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

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 / combined40 / 36 / 38 MPGe
Electric range600 mi
Charge time (240V)4.5 hr
Electric motor40 and 134 kW AC Induction
Energy use36.0 kWh/100mi
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, 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 CapacityP810
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine Oil0W-16
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

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
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsFlywheel to Crankshaft: 111.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsIntake to Cylinder Head: 18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts76.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugP810: 37.0; Q610: 29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1,000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFC16HR-Q8
Spark Plug GapNew: 0.0276-0.0315 in.; New: 0.0472 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, 6 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2, 8 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Type80
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance345 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 43.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
Residual Pressure14.2
Engine Compression102
Engine Oil Pressure12 minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1,500 or 2,500 rpm

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 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
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 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

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 model year recorded the highest number of complaints (98), recalls (4), investigations (1), and technical service bulletins (191) among the four years shown. Complaint volume dropped sharply to 21 in 2022, rose again to 60 in 2023, then fell to 28 in 2024, showing a fluctuating but overall downward trend after the 2021 peak. Recall frequency followed a similar pattern, decreasing from four in 2021 to three in 2022 and two in both 2023 and 2024. Investigations were present only in 2021 and 2022, with none reported for the later two years. Given that the 2021 RAV4 Prime exhibits the highest incidence of federal‑recorded issues in this generation, it suggests a comparatively less favorable reliability profile than the subsequent model years.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
191
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
98
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 98 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System26
Unknown Or Other19
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Service Brakes8
Air Bags,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance5
Visibility/Wiper3
Power Train,Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train,Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V698000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 12/11/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service…

22V239000Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:SoftwareReported 13/04/2022

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022… Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 191 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
22TE092026-05-14Electrical SystemAlthough the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by…
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-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

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 Prime. 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 Prime take?

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

Does the 2021 RAV4 Prime have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the RAV4 Prime?

EPA figures are 40 city / 36 highway / 38 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 600 miles.