Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years to avoid (and the best years)
108 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls across 6 model years, 2016 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 108complaints
- 7recalls
- 12reported crashes
- 0reported fires
- 6reported injuries
Which Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years should you avoid?
No Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Toyota RAV4 Hybrid year has 18 complaints on file.
What are the best Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years?
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (13), 2018 (15) and 2016 (17). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 | 1.1× | 1 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2021 | 22 | 1.2× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2020 | 13 | 0.7× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2019 | 22 | 1.2× | 3 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 15 | 0.8× | 0 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2016 | 17 | 0.9× | 0 | 4 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 54 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts23 (43%)
- Structure & body8 (15%)
- Other systems7 (13%)
- Electrical & infotainment6 (11%)
- Brakes6 (11%)
Recalls (7)
Safety · 26V571000 · Sep 2026 · model year 2026
A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, increasing 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.
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.
Steering · 20V373000 · Jun 2020 · model year 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 · 19V544000 · Jul 2019 · model year 2019
Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.