Recall 20V698 affects 413 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime vehicles for improperly closed headlight aiming caps. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 413 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles because improperly closed headlight aiming caps allow horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. That adjustment can create glare, reduce visibility for oncoming drivers or the vehicle operator, and increase crash risk; Toyota dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The headlamp assembly on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime holds the headlight bulb, reflector, lens, and aiming hardware in position. Its job is to project the headlight beam at the correct angle so the road is lit without sending the beam into the wrong lane or into another driver’s eyes.
On affected SUVs, the headlight aiming caps were left open because the work instruction used at the factory did not tell workers to close them. Those caps are supposed to block horizontal adjustment after the headlamp is set. When the caps stay open, the headlight beam remains adjustable from side to side, which means the vehicle does not meet the required lighting standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. The headlights can still turn on, so an owner is not given a dashboard message or obvious driving symptom that the aiming caps were left open.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 413 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Misadjusted horizontal headlight aim creates extra glare. That glare reduces visibility for oncoming drivers and for the vehicle operator, which increases the risk of a crash. Until the dealer closes the headlight aiming caps, use extra care when driving at night or in poor weather. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free headlight aiming-cap closure that prevents horizontal beam adjustment.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V698 when you call.
- Avoid adjusting the headlight aim yourself before the dealer closes the aiming caps.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 with questions about scheduling or owner notice status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician closes the headlight aiming caps so the headlight beam cannot be horizontally adjusted outside the required setting. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Repairs paid out of pocket before the owner letter are handled through Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the owner notices were mailed during the active warranty period. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 12, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 12, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 12, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 4, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 4, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 6, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V698?
Recall 20V698 covers 413 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime vehicles with headlight aiming caps that were improperly closed. The caps allow horizontal headlight adjustment, which can increase glare and reduce visibility for the driver or oncoming traffic. Toyota dealers will close the aiming caps for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RAV4 Prime is included in recall 20V698. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for recall 20TA15. The dealer will close the headlight aiming caps for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost. Toyota dealers will close the headlight aiming caps free of charge, and Toyota customer service can be reached at 1-800-331-4331.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is glare and reduced visibility. If the horizontal headlight beam is adjusted, the headlight aim can reduce what the vehicle operator or an oncoming driver can see, increasing crash risk. The repair path is to have a Toyota dealer close the aiming caps.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V698000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V698 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V698000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →