Which RAV4 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 as Avoid years for the RAV4, based on complaint index scores and recall counts relative to other RAV4 years.

Which CR-V years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 as Avoid years for the CR-V, based on complaint index scores relative to other CR-V years.

Does the RAV4 or CR-V have more complaints?

The CR-V has 13,685 total complaints and 652 per model year, versus 7,793 total and 371 per model year for the RAV4. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which has more recalls, RAV4 or CR-V?

The CR-V has 52 total recall campaigns across its model years compared to 46 for the RAV4.

Which gets better fuel economy?

The CR-V averages 26.9 mpg combined across its model years, slightly better than the RAV4's 25.6 mpg combined average.

Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota RAV4 owners should avoid 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024; Honda CR-V owners should avoid 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The RAV4 logs 7,793 total complaints (371 per model year) across 46 recalls, while the CR-V logs 13,685 (652 per model year) across 52 recalls, though totals are not sales-normalized.

Head to head

Toyota RAV4

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 7,793
Per model year: 371
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Honda CR-V

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 13,685
Per model year: 652
Recall campaigns: 52
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
Best years: 2012, 2013, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	RAV4				CR-V
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Caution	141	5	22.5	Caution	479	12	22
2006	Caution	704	11	22	Caution	398	12	22
2007	Avoid	1,004	14	22	Caution	887	12	22.5
2008	Avoid	575	14	22	Caution	961	11	22.5
2009	Caution	327	15	23	Caution	386	12	22.5
2010	Caution	400	14	23	Caution	481	15	23.5
2011	Caution	287	11	22.5	Caution	553	13	23.5
2012	Best	260	5	23	Best	403	3	25.5
2013	Best	257	2	25.5	Best	382	2	25.5
2014	Best	197	4	25.5	Caution	587	1	25.5
2015	Caution	304	4	25.5	Caution	670	3	28.5
2016	Good	240	3	25	Good	393	3	28
2017	Caution	307	3	25	Avoid	1,768	7	28.5
2018	Good	331	3	25	Avoid	2,141	5	28.5
2019	Avoid	878	7	30	Avoid	1,099	8	28.5
2020	Avoid	634	6	29.5	Caution	353	7	29.5
2021	Avoid	386	1	29.5	Good	330	4	29.5
2022	Best	145	1	29.5	Best	259	3	29.5
2023	Caution	155	3	29.5	Avoid	515	3	29.5
2024	Avoid	174	3	29	Avoid	392	2	33.5
2025	Good	87	3	30	Avoid	248	1	37

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which RAV4 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 as Avoid years for the RAV4, based on complaint index scores and recall counts relative to other RAV4 years.
Which CR-V years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 as Avoid years for the CR-V, based on complaint index scores relative to other CR-V years.
Does the RAV4 or CR-V have more complaints?: The CR-V has 13,685 total complaints and 652 per model year, versus 7,793 total and 371 per model year for the RAV4. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, RAV4 or CR-V?: The CR-V has 52 total recall campaigns across its model years compared to 46 for the RAV4.
Which gets better fuel economy?: The CR-V averages 26.9 mpg combined across its model years, slightly better than the RAV4's 25.6 mpg combined average.