Which RAV4 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 as RAV4 years to approach with caution, with 2019 posting the highest complaint index of 100 and 878 complaints, the most of any RAV4 year.

Which CX-5 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as CX-5 years to approach with caution. The 2016 CX-5 has the highest complaint index of any CX-5 year at 100, with 510 complaints.

Does the RAV4 or CX-5 have more recalls?

The RAV4 has 39 total recall campaigns across its 16 covered model years versus 8 for the CX-5 across 14 model years.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy?

The RAV4 averages 26.7 mpg combined across its model years and the CX-5 averages 26.5 mpg combined, based on EPA figures.

Which has more complaints overall?

The RAV4 has 5,040 total complaints (315 per model year) versus 2,430 for the CX-5 (174 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales data so these totals aren't adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX-5: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota RAV4 owners should be cautious with 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024, while Mazda CX-5 owners should watch 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The RAV4 logs 5,040 total complaints across 16 model years (315 per year) and 39 recall campaigns; the CX-5 logs 2,430 complaints across 14 model years (174 per year) and 8 recall campaigns. Totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Toyota RAV4

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,040
Per model year: 315
Recall campaigns: 39
Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Mazda CX-5

Model years: 2012–2025 (14)
NHTSA complaints: 2,430
Per model year: 174
Recall campaigns: 8
Years to avoid: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019
Best years: 2015, 2017, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

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				CX-5
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	398	14	23	—	—	—	—
2011	Good	287	11	22.5	—	—	—	—
2012	Best	260	5	23	No verdict	1	0	—
2013	Best	257	2	25.5	Good	194	1	28
2014	Best	197	4	25.5	Avoid	377	3	27
2015	Caution	304	4	25.5	Best	133	3	27
2016	Best	240	3	25	Avoid	510	4	29
2017	Good	307	3	25	Best	148	1	26.5
2018	Good	331	3	25	Avoid	349	3	28
2019	Avoid	878	7	30	Avoid	270	2	27
2020	Avoid	634	6	29.5	Good	106	0	26
2021	Avoid	386	1	29.5	Caution	146	0	25.5
2022	Good	145	1	29.5	Best	63	0	25
2023	Caution	155	3	29.5	Caution	62	0	25
2024	Avoid	174	3	29	Good	44	0	25
2025	Caution	87	3	30	Caution	27	0	25

Complaint Index by year

Toyota RAV4

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda CX-5

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which RAV4 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 as RAV4 years to approach with caution, with 2019 posting the highest complaint index of 100 and 878 complaints, the most of any RAV4 year.
Which CX-5 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as CX-5 years to approach with caution. The 2016 CX-5 has the highest complaint index of any CX-5 year at 100, with 510 complaints.
Does the RAV4 or CX-5 have more recalls?: The RAV4 has 39 total recall campaigns across its 16 covered model years versus 8 for the CX-5 across 14 model years.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy?: The RAV4 averages 26.7 mpg combined across its model years and the CX-5 averages 26.5 mpg combined, based on EPA figures.
Which has more complaints overall?: The RAV4 has 5,040 total complaints (315 per model year) versus 2,430 for the CX-5 (174 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales data so these totals aren't adjusted for how many of each were sold.