Toyota RAV4 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota RAV4 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (197) and the 2007 the most (1,004).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
88 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 28–38 |
| 2022 | 145 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 28–30 |
| 2023 | 157 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 28–37 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
175 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 28–37 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
197 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 24–76 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
240 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–26 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
257 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 25–76 |
| 2012 | 260 | 5 | Visibility/wiper | 4★ | 22–76 |
| 2011 | 287 | 11 | Vehicle speed control | 3★ | 21–24 |
| 2015 | 305 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 24–26 |
| 2017 | 307 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–26 |
| 2009 | 327 | 15 | Vehicle speed control | — | 21–24 |
| 2018 | 331 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–26 |
| 2021 | 387 | 1 | Air bags | 5★ | 28–30 |
| 2010 | 400 | 14 | Suspension | — | 21–24 |
| 2008 | 575 | 14 | Engine | — | 21–24 |
| 2020 | 635 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
705 | 11 | Steering | — | 21–24 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
879 | 7 | Fuel/propulsion system | 5★ | 28–30 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
1,004 | 14 | Steering | — | 21–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota RAV4 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Toyota RAV4: 1,004 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 271 (27%); Engine 195 (19%); Suspension 125 (12%).
Reports mention 53 crashes, 37 fires, 41 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 14 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Toyota RAV4: 879 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 255 (29%); Engine 206 (23%); Electrical system 102 (12%).
Reports mention 25 crashes, 2 fires, 21 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 3,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Toyota RAV4: 705 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 230 (33%); Engine 109 (15%); Vehicle speed control 74 (10%).
Reports mention 26 crashes, 5 fires, 10 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota RAV4 years with the fewest complaints
2014 Toyota RAV4: 197 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 69 (35%); Engine 31 (16%); Steering 21 (11%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 25 fires, 22 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 48,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Toyota RAV4: 240 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 59 (25%); Service brakes 46 (19%); Exterior lighting 28 (12%).
Reports mention 33 crashes, 12 fires, 27 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Toyota RAV4: 257 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 75 (29%); Engine 29 (11%); Power train 29 (11%).
Reports mention 22 crashes, 29 fires, 15 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota RAV4 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 88 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 175 | 28 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 13,600 |
| 2023 | 157 | 19 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 57,079 |
| 2022 | 145 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 26,000 |
| 2021 | 387 | 47 | 7 | 49 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2020 | 635 | 17 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 2,800 |
| 2019 | 879 | 25 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 3,000 |
| 2018 | 331 | 31 | 32 | 18 | 0 | 12,000 |
| 2017 | 307 | 33 | 24 | 28 | 2 | 22,910 |
| 2016 | 240 | 33 | 12 | 27 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2015 | 305 | 37 | 41 | 30 | 1 | 35,000 |
| 2014 | 197 | 20 | 25 | 22 | 0 | 48,000 |
| 2013 | 257 | 22 | 29 | 15 | 1 | 20,000 |
| 2012 | 260 | 36 | 4 | 22 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2011 | 287 | 44 | 8 | 20 | 0 | 45,936 |
| 2010 | 400 | 57 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 34,325 |
| 2009 | 327 | 52 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 26,000 |
| 2008 | 575 | 42 | 16 | 32 | 2 | 66,000 |
| 2007 | 1,004 | 53 | 37 | 41 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2006 | 705 | 26 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 55,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota RAV4 recalls
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2007–2009 model years; 2,519,424 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V491000)
- STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL (2009–2010 model years; 2,230,661 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2010; 10V017000)
- Unsecured Battery May Cause Short Circuit (2013–2018 model years; 1,853,568 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2023; 23V734000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2006–2011 model years; 1,814,284 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V689000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2019–2020 model years; 1,525,742 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V682000)
All 50 Toyota RAV4 recall campaigns · Toyota RAV4 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota RAV4 years FAQ
Which Toyota RAV4 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (197). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota RAV4 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2019 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota RAV4 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (1,258 of 7,661 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 50 recall campaigns covering the Toyota RAV4. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota RAV4 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.