Which years should I avoid for the Toyota RAV4 and Honda Pilot?

For the RAV4, NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 as Avoid years. For the Pilot, the flagged years are 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2025.

Which model has more recalls?

The Honda Pilot has 56 total recall campaigns across its 21 model years in the data, compared to 46 for the Toyota RAV4.

Which model has more total complaints?

The Honda Pilot has 7,999 total complaints versus 7,793 for the Toyota RAV4, though NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Toyota RAV4 averages 25.6 MPG combined across its model years, while the Honda Pilot averages 20.1 MPG combined.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

For the RAV4, Engine complaints lead at 2,120 (27%), followed by Electrical System at 1,263 (16%). For the Pilot, Engine complaints lead at 2,702 (34%), followed by Electrical System at 1,937 (24%).

Toyota RAV4 vs Honda Pilot: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota RAV4 owners filed 7,793 complaints across 46 recall campaigns (2005-2025); avoid years are 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024. Honda Pilot owners filed 7,999 complaints across 56 recall campaigns; avoid years are 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2025. RAV4 averages 25.6 MPG combined versus 20.1 MPG for the Pilot.

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 Pilot

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 7,999
Per model year: 381
Recall campaigns: 56
Years to avoid: 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2025
Best years: 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

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				Pilot
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Caution	141	5	22.5	Caution	679	13	17
2006	Caution	704	11	22	Avoid	268	8	17.5
2007	Avoid	1,004	14	22	Good	211	7	17.5
2008	Avoid	575	14	22	Good	133	7	17.5
2009	Caution	327	15	23	Caution	134	9	18.5
2010	Caution	400	14	23	Caution	111	10	18.5
2011	Caution	287	11	22.5	Caution	293	11	18.5
2012	Best	260	5	23	Caution	171	9	20
2013	Best	257	2	25.5	Good	271	6	20
2014	Best	197	4	25.5	Best	116	3	20
2015	Caution	304	4	25.5	Best	109	4	20
2016	Good	240	3	25	Avoid	1,703	8	22
2017	Caution	307	3	25	Avoid	924	4	22
2018	Good	331	3	25	Caution	440	7	22
2019	Avoid	878	7	30	Avoid	904	13	22
2020	Avoid	634	6	29.5	Avoid	487	11	22
2021	Avoid	386	1	29.5	Caution	433	10	22.5
2022	Best	145	1	29.5	Good	156	5	22
2023	Caution	155	3	29.5	Caution	142	5	21
2024	Avoid	174	3	29	Good	113	6	21
2025	Good	87	3	30	Avoid	201	4	21

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Toyota RAV4 and Honda Pilot?: For the RAV4, NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 as Avoid years. For the Pilot, the flagged years are 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2025.
Which model has more recalls?: The Honda Pilot has 56 total recall campaigns across its 21 model years in the data, compared to 46 for the Toyota RAV4.
Which model has more total complaints?: The Honda Pilot has 7,999 total complaints versus 7,793 for the Toyota RAV4, though NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Toyota RAV4 averages 25.6 MPG combined across its model years, while the Honda Pilot averages 20.1 MPG combined.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: For the RAV4, Engine complaints lead at 2,120 (27%), followed by Electrical System at 1,263 (16%). For the Pilot, Engine complaints lead at 2,702 (34%), followed by Electrical System at 1,937 (24%).