Toyota RAV4 years to avoid (and the best years)
5,031 NHTSA owner complaints and 39 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Toyota Highlander
- 5,031complaints
- 39recalls
- 468reported crashes
- 193reported fires
- 347reported injuries
- 6reported deaths
Which Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Toyota RAV4 years to avoid are 2019 and 2020. The typical Toyota RAV4 year has 274 complaints on file.
- 2019: 877 complaints, 3.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the fuel system (31% of complaints) and the engine (24% of complaints).
- 2020: 634 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (30% of complaints) and the electrical system (19% of complaints).
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 86 | 0.3× | 3 | 7 | 7 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 173 | 0.6× | 3 | 28 | 21 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2023 | 153 | 0.6× | 3 | 18 | 14 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 144 | 0.5× | 1 | 14 | 12 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 385 | 1.4× | 1 | 46 | 49 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2020 | 634 | 2.3× | 6 | 17 | 14 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2019 | 877 | 3.2× | 7 | 25 | 21 | Approach with caution | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 331 | 1.2× | 3 | 31 | 18 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 307 | 1.1× | 3 | 33 | 28 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 238 | 0.9× | 3 | 33 | 27 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 303 | 1.1× | 4 | 37 | 30 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 197 | 0.7× | 4 | 20 | 22 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 256 | 0.9× | 2 | 22 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 260 | 1.0× | 5 | 36 | 22 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2011 | 287 | 1.0× | 11 | 44 | 20 | Some concerns to check | Speed control |
| 2010 | 400 | 1.5× | 14 | 57 | 27 | Some concerns to check | Suspension |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 2,273 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain701 (31%)
- Structure & body359 (16%)
- Steering, suspension & tires296 (13%)
- Electrical & infotainment295 (13%)
- Airbags & seat belts253 (11%)
Recalls (39)
Safety · 26V256000 · Apr 2026 · model year 2025
Improperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 25V744000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V595000 · Sep 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Brakes · 24V911000 · Dec 2024 · model year 2024
A damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance required to stop the vehicle. Wheel detachment can result in a loss of vehicle control. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 23V865000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2020, 2021
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 23V734000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Tires · 23V485000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
Airbags · 22V519000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2022
Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 20V734000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 20V682000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 20V373000 · Jun 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 20V286000 · May 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 20V064000 · Feb 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 19V576000 · Aug 2019 · model year 2019
If the backup camera system does not activate and the driver does not check his/her surroundings while reversing, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V503000 · Jun 2019 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V244000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V831000 · Dec 2017 · model year 2018
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 17V295000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 16V596000 · Aug 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Tires · 16V236000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 16V198000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 16V096000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Body & glass · 15V689000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2010, 2011
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 15V577000 · Sep 2015 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 15V144000 · Mar 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V011000 · Jan 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V828000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2014, 2015
Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Brakes · 14V054000 · Feb 2014 · model year 2012
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 13V383000 · Aug 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 13V123000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Suspension · 12V373000 · Aug 2012 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 12V029000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2011
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Safety · 11V113000 · Feb 2011 · model year 2010
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Safety · 10V017000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.