There are many good sport utility models on the road nowadays. The Toyota RAV4 Prime is one of them, but a recall has popped up recently bringing the RAV4 Prime out into the spotlight, and it’s not for a good reason. 

CarComplaints.com reported that this new recall is a serious one – one that actually violates federal law. Here’s what the recall is about, and then let’s look at what’s great and not so great about the 2021 RAV4 Prime. 

What exactly is the problem with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime?

These new Toyota RAV4 Prime models have a headlight problem that needs addressing quickly. The recall information says that the aiming caps in the headlights on some of the SUVs may not be closing properly. 

Because of this, the headlights may adjust horizontally. But this would cause glare, which could impair an oncoming driver’s vision or decrease the sight of the RAV4’s driver, increasing the risk of a crash. 

With the modification of the headlights in the horizontal direction, it violates federal law set forth by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety organization. The headlights would need proper adjustment, but it can only be done by a dealership trained to perform the specific repair. 

What can you do about it?

The recall for the Toyota RAV4 Prime is set to begin on January 4, 2021. Toyota will notify the owners of the affected vehicles before that date to inform them of the problem. Car Complaints reports that there are over 400 of the RAV4 Prime SUVs affected. 

If you receive notice that your vehicle is involved, promptly call your local dealership and set up a time for them to analyze your headlights. If your RAV4 Prime headlights have aiming caps that aren’t closing properly, they will make sure to address the issue free of charge. 

If you don’t receive a notice and you think your vehicle might be included in the recall, call Toyota’s customer service number at 1-800-331-4331. Do not try to perform the repair yourself. 

What the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime offers

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid version generating 302 hp between the engine and the dual electric motors located in the front and rear of the vehicle. The powertrain offers plenty of power to muster a 5.7-second acceleration time on a 0-to-60 mph run. 

The battery offers a 42-mile range, which helps you get to a gas station for refueling in most areas. However, Kelley Blue Book tested it and found they could get 46 miles on a charge instead. 

The cargo volume in the RAV4 Prime is one of its best features. With the rear seats up, you can store your items in a 33.5 cubic foot of space. If you fold down the rear seats, you can expand the cargo area to 63.2 cubic feet. 

While the RAV4 Prime has some great features, there are also a few annoying points to the SUV as well. One of them is the regenerative braking feature. It isn’t as responsive as one would hope. The brakes either slam to a stop or don’t seem to respond at all. 

The interior isn’t as roomy as other SUVs either. The RAV4 Prime limits head and legroom for taller drivers and passengers. They could end up banging their knees and bumping their heads, making the ride quite uncomfortable. 

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a good SUV overall. Be sure to get it in right away after January 4th, 2021 to get the headlight recall taken care of should you receive one of their notices.